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In this month's Forest Notes, we celebrate a milestone for the Wildlife Conservation Society Makira Natural Park REDD+ Project in Madagascar, powered by Rio Tinto’s $16M commitment. This transformative partnership protects 372,000 hectares of forest, benefits 90,000 people, and exemplifies REDD+ in action. Dive into updates on biodiversity conservation, community impact, and a groundbreaking methodology set to drive meaningful change. Subscribe for the full edition here: https://lnkd.in/e_syv-TD

I am so proud to see this groundbreaking partnership between the Government of Madagascar, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Rio Tinto, and Everland come to life. The partnership, anchored by Rio Tinto’s $16m commitment to the 372,000 hectare Makira Natural Park REDD+ Project, embodies the full promise and potential of REDD+ in action: * The integration of project-level REDD+ interventions within a national program framework, delivering tangible, meaningful results from intensive site-based work to advance Madagascar’s climate and sustainable development goals * Direct revenue sharing with the 90,000 local people who live in 120 villages in the project area? * Effective conservation of a precious, threatened forest with unimaginable endemic biodiversity? * A unique, action- and service-oriented public-private partnership involving government, community, conservation NGO, and private sector, with each partner playing a crucial role in bringing a shared vision to reality. I especially want to credit the leadership of WCS and Rio Tinto, in particular Todd Stevens and Theresia Ott. Bringing a partnership like this to fruition requires real vision, and an unwavering dedication to doing something truly meaningful, to bridge the obvious divides between a global conservation organization and a mining company. In this spirit of collaboration, WCS, Rio Tinto, and the Government of Madagascar have cut through all the noise, controversy, and uncertainties to do something real. No creating excuses for inaction, just getting on with the work to care for people and planet. That is my definition of integrity. The best of voluntary market, project-based REDD+ in action.

Rio Tinto has committed $16 million to the Makira Natural Park REDD+ Project in northern Madagascar, through a new partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society and Everland. This commitment will directly benefit the rural communities living in and around the Park, and help protect 372,000 hectares of primary forest, home to 17 species of lemur and more than half of Madagascar’s botanical diversity. Speaking of the news, Max Andonirina Fontaine, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Government of the Republic of Madagascar said: “This commitment by Rio Tinto to the Makira Natural Park REDD+ Project underlines the critical importance of project-level REDD+ efforts within our national program as an effective tool to halt deforestation, protect critical ecosystems and biodiversity, and fund urgently needed development priorities for local communities.” Supporting REDD+ projects helps to safeguard biodiversity, promote sustainable development, and meet global climate goals. We applaud Rio Tinto, the Madagascar Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, and WCS for their bold commitment. ?? For more on the announcement: https://lnkd.in/ewfSrT7v #NatureBasedSolutions #ClimateAction #REDDPlus

The IUCN Red List now includes 166,061 species, with 46,337 threatened with extinction. This update shows that more than one in three tree species globally is at risk of extinction. For the first time, a majority of the world’s tree species have been assessed, with 16,425 of 47,282 species at risk. Tree species now account for over a quarter of all threatened species on the Red List, surpassing threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians combined. “This assessment enables us to make better-informed conservation decisions and take action to protect trees where it is urgently needed,” says Dr. Malin Rivers, lead of the Global Tree Assessment. The Global Tree Assessment involved over 1,000 experts and highlights the urgency of climate action. Trees on islands face unique threats, including deforestation, invasive species, and climate change. In South America, which has the world’s highest tree diversity, forest clearance for agriculture is putting 3,356 tree species at risk. #Deforestation #ForesLoss #IUCNRedList #ClimateAction

?? Associacao Sociocultural Yawanawa (ASCY), in partnership with Wildlife Works and Forest Trends Association, has announced the Biodiversity Stewardship Units (BDSU) methodology- a pioneering approach to delivering Indigenous-centered conservation finance. BDSUs will channel direct funding to Indigenous Peoples and Forest Communities who have maintained biodiverse ecosystems despite ongoing threats, providing critical?investment for stewards of nature. The BDSU methodology is co-designed to honor Indigenous knowledge, cultural and spiritual values, as well as practices like language and traditional events, recognizing them as essential to preserving high levels of biodiversity intactness. Currently undergoing peer review, the methodology is being piloted with the Yawanawá community in Brazil’s Rio Gregório region. Spanning 188,000 hectares, this pilot project will benefit over 1,700 community members and set a benchmark for applying BDSUs across other ecosystems. Chief Tashka Yawanawa?of ASCY?stated, “We firmly believe that BDSUs offer the most effective financing mechanism to bring the recognition, respect, and sustainable finance Indigenous Peoples need to continue conserving their forests under growing threats.” ?? Find out more here- https://lnkd.in/eiGcn8zF #COP16 #Biodiversity #IndigenousKnowledge #Conservation #REDDPlus #CarbonCreditsDoWork #Brazil

A recent study by Afro-descendant and conservation groups highlights the significant conservation impact of management?by Afro-descendant communities on 32.7 million hectares of rural land across 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries.?Through traditional practices rooted in ancestral knowledge, these communities sustain impressive biodiversity and an average of 78% forest cover on their lands, illustrating a powerful model of conservation. Yet these communities face significant challenges. Only 8.3 million hectares have been titled, leaving untitled lands and the people who protect them exposed to threats from expanding agro-industrial and mining activities, which often bring violence, displacement, and environmental degradation. Through our work with the ACAPA?Bajo Mira y Frontera REDD+ Project in Colombia, we’re proud to support Afro-Colombian communities as they autonomously manage?their territories?in the biodiverse Chocó-Darién ecoregion. Backed by REDD+ revenue, these communities protect lush rainforests while preserving cultural practices and leadership roles within their communities. Recognizing collective land rights in this way not only supports Afro-descendant communities but also?helps meet?global climate goals. ?? Read more - https://lnkd.in/eWAVjcmG #Biodiversity #Conservation #AfroDescendantRights #COP16 #TraditionalKnowledge #LandTitling #REDD #SustainablePractices?

?? Ma?a Barouh's new music video,?La Forêt, serves as a compelling reminder of our deep connection to forests, and the Indigenous knowledge that has safeguarded forests for generations. Produced in collaboration with members of Japan’s Ainu community and Everland,?La Forêt?blends modern pop with traditional Japanese music and folkloric rituals to celebrate the forest and its wildlife. As we remember the knowledge and places Indigenous peoples have long protected, we must also recognize that the fate of our world depends on preserving these vital ecosystems. As Barouh reflects, “When the trees burn, so do we. If forests fall, so will we.” This powerful message reminds us that we must come together to protect irreplaceable forest ecosystems before it’s too late. ??Watch here: https://lnkd.in/e_Rec4YH #LaForêt #IndigenousKnowledge #Forests #Biodiversity #ClimateImpact

As #COP16 kicks off today in Cali, Colombia, the focus is on achieving the theme of "Peace with Nature" through the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Leaders from 196 countries will work towards addressing biodiversity loss and climate change while negotiating new strategies to ensure that the commitments made in Montreal in 2022 turn into tangible actions. In line with these discussions, we’re excited to share our latest Biodiversity Additionality blog on the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS) REDD+ Project. The KSWS project, developed by Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia and the Royal Government of Cambodia, highlights how REDD+ projects can deliver tangible biodiversity benefits. By channeling funds from carbon credits into conservation activities, KSWS has become a stronghold for some of Southeast Asia’s most threatened species, including the southern yellow-cheeked crested gibbon and Asian elephant. ?? For over a decade, the biodiversity monitoring program at KSWS has tracked the populations of 13 key species, using evidence-based data to adapt conservation strategies. The results speak for themselves: the stable populations of critically endangered species and a high level of species richness in the sanctuary demonstrate the power of REDD+. With more than 1,000 species, including over 100 that are globally threatened, KSWS is a living example of how nature-based solutions can support both climate and biodiversity goals. The project’s efforts in protecting habitats and engaging local communities ensure that Southeast Asia’s biodiversity continues to thrive. ?? Read our blog to learn more about how KSWS is contributing to biodiversity conservation: https://lnkd.in/gECYmDDH #COP16Colombia #Biodiversity #CarbonCreditsWork #REDDPlus #CBDCOP16

The Baseline Allocation for Assessed Risk (BAAR) Method, published in Nature Scientific Reports, is?an important step forward for REDD+ projects by providing a new approach to mapping deforestation risk and allocating baselines. Developed by Wildlife Works and co-authored by Everland’s Dr. Maren Pauly, this method offers a transparent, reproducible way to allocate resources and measure project impacts. ???????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ??????????????: ????????-?????????? ??????????????????: BAAR predicts future deforestation risks, ensuring REDD+ projects focus efforts where they are most needed, maximizing the impact on deforestation prevention. ???????????????????????? ?????? ??????????????????????: By emphasizing scientific rigor and transparency, BAAR provides a solid foundation for informed policy decisions and investments in climate solutions. ?????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ??????????: BAAR integrates REDD+ projects with national frameworks, ensuring consistency with nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. As climate finance evolves, the BAAR Method offers a reliable framework for effectively directing resources toward forest conservation and supporting global climate goals. ?? Find out more and read the full paper: https://lnkd.in/e6Mq5G3q #REDD #CarbonCreditsWork #Deforestation #ClimateImpact

The Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Keo Seima REDD+ Project is making significant strides in providing educational opportunities for Bunong indigenous youth, supporting their pursuit of higher education and vocational skills. ?? The project is bridging educational gaps by offering scholarships to indigenous youth, enabling them to pursue their dreams. Currently, five students are attending university in Phnom Penh, while twenty high school students and forty others are engaged in vocational training. “When they have jobs, they earn a living through legal activities and participate in the protection of natural resources. The scholarships are given to students in the 20 target villages. In fact, five students who studied in Phnom Penh went on to internships with partner organisations so that they can learn more,” said WCS Deputy Country Director Neth Vibol. With a strong focus on community-based conservation, the project prioritizes the rights and needs of indigenous communities, ensuring they receive fair and equitable benefits. The innovative “Cash for Communities” programme has allocated over $2 million in funding, improving lives for nearly 12,000 people. By investing in education, the project is creating a new generation of leaders equipped to protect their ancestral lands and contribute positively to their communities. ?? Read the full article here- https://lnkd.in/eKT3qJXB