Urgent Projects

The Greater Udzungwa-Kilombero Landscape in northern Tanzania is a vital refuge for many highly threatened species, such as the African Savannah Elephant (Loxodonta africana). Although the forests are of global conservation concern, they are becoming increasingly fragmented due to land clearance for agriculture. World Land Trust’s (WLT’s) Plant a Tree programme will enable Reforest Africa to enhance connectivity in this landscape.

Guatemala’s Caribbean coastline lies within one of the most wildlife-rich regions on Earth, the Mesoamerica Biodiversity Hotspot. With a diverse mosaic of lowland and tropical forests, lagoons, and mangrove swamps, this coastline is home to many highly threatened species. Among these are the Endangered Yucatan Black Howler Monkey , Keel-billed Motmot , and the largest native land mammal in Central and South America, Baird’s Tapir.

The project site falls within the Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot and the Llanganates-Sangay Corridor Key Biodiversity Area.

The Llanganates-Sangay Corridor in eastern Ecuador contains an exceptional diversity of highly threatened species. Among these are several which, until recently, were unknown to science. These include the Critically Endangered and endemic Punzan Rainfrog, first discovered by our partner Fundación EcoMinga (EcoMinga) in 2014.

The Albertine Rift is an area of exceptional endemism, and contains many species threatened with global extinction, particularly within the mountain forest habitats. Within the project area, the native forests that make up the wider Bugoma-Budongo corridor are home to a staggering 52% of Africa’s bird species, 19% of its amphibians, 14% of its reptiles, and 14% of its plants.

The destruction and degradation of natural habitat has led to increased human-elephant conflict in many areas of India. To rectify this, our partner Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) are establishing a protected wildlife corridor, linking the D’ering Wildlife Sanctuary in the state of Arunachal Pradesh with Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Assam State.

Situated in southwest Armenia buffering the Khosrov Forest State Reserve, the 30,000 ha (74,000-acre) Caucasus Wildlife Refuge (CWR) is the only privately protected area in the South Caucasus. The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) leases the land from local communities, which provides the latter with an income for village improvements.

The Atlantic Forest is one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots, with extremely high levels of endemism. After centuries of deforestation, just 7% of the Atlantic Forest remains, mainly in isolated remnants. Home to around 70% of Brazil’s population, the Atlantic Forest remains threatened by illegal deforestation, urbanisation, industrialisation and poaching.

World Land Trust’s (WLT’s) Buy an Acre project is supporting the protection of the Albertine Rift by enabling Environmental Defenders to expand their existing 210-hectare (519-acre) Nyamukino Reserve through the purchase of an additional 838 hectares (2,070 acres).

The Traslasierra National Park contains one of the southernmost strongholds of Dry Chaco forest within Argentina – a precious habitat home to an exceptional diversity of species. Among these are over 230 bird species and 35 mammal species, .

WLT partnered with Fundación Hábitat y Desarrollo’s (FHD) in 2021 to create the first effective reserve on the Somuncurá Plateau, where invasive species and unsustainable land-use practices are pushing a rich array of endemic species to the brink of extinction.

In South Africa’s Overberg region, lowland renosterveld is one of the world’s richest plant habitats, home to over 600 species within the Cape Floristic Region. Many threatened bird species also find refuge here, including the Endangered Black Harrier and Cape Vulture.

Dakatcha is one of the most threatened coastal forest remnants in Africa; 50% of it has already been converted to farms or pasture. Nevertheless, this Important Bird Area (IBA) still provides crucial habitat for Endangered species like the Sokoke Pipit, Sokoke Scops Owl and Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew.