Projects

Our projects are primarily carried out in areas of exceptionally high conservation value.

These areas include Biodiversity Hotspots, where an extraordinarily high concentration of endemic species is facing extraordinarily high pressures from habitat loss. Further priority areas for our projects are situated in ecosystems and habitat types which play a crucial role in sequestering and storing carbon from the atmosphere and in influencing local and regional climate patterns. Among them are tropical forests and mangroves, tropical and subtropical peatlands, wetlands and swamp forests, as well as coral reefs and marine areas.

Project 1

Bahia, Brazil

The Atlantic Forest is renowned for its high levels of biodiversity, in particular its diverse avifauna. The area is home to several hundred bird species, including the King Vulture, the Banded Cotinga and the Harpy Eagle.

The project area lies in one of the last remaining pristine parts of the Atlantic Forest. Once the 'cocoa capital' of Brazil, the region fell into poverty when a disease drastically decimated the cocoa yield in the 1980s, leading to exploitative agricultural practices and high logging pressure.

We support the purchase of abandoned cocoa plantations in the Atlantic Forest and introduce a sustainable agroforestry scheme.

Supporting the protection of natural habitat in the Atlantic Forest

The project combines sustainable cocoa farming with the protection of nature, aiming for financial stability through cocoa sales whilst preserving the Altantic Forest. Abandoned cocoa plantations are purchased to expand the agroforestry scheme for a sustainable production of high-quality cocoa beans.

Financing

Revenue is mostly generated from sustainable cocoa production, which builds local businesses. Cocoa sales are projected to reach a volume of 200 tons by 2030. Ecotourism generates further income, albeit at a smaller scale.

Project 2

Meta, Colombia

The project area lies at the intersection of the Andes, the Guiana Shield and the Amazon Basin. It has a direct view of the tepuis of the Macarena Massif in the Serranía de la Macarena National Natural Park.

The region is home to an exceptional biodiversity from all three biomes. Apart from almost 600 species of birds, many mammal species can be found, including jaguars, peccaries and eight species of monkeys. The Macarena Massif is especially famous for the Caño Cristales creeks, where colorful aquatic plants bloom during the rainy season.

We rent a 1,300 ha property to the largest tourism provider in South America, who build a luxury eco-lodge with high margin of profitabilty.

Creation of an eco-lodge

Together with Jocotoco and Futuro foundations we build a luxury lodge. The conservation management and operation of the reserve are handled by Jocotoco Foundation, ensuring that the land is destined for nature conservation on the long-term.

Financing

The lodge holds significant financial potential through eco-tourism revenue. 90% of staff and guides are hired from the local community, generating a reliable and sustainable source of income. Further revenue is generated from carbon and biodiversity credits.

Project 3

Chocó, Ecuador

The lowlands of western Ecuador were heavily deforested in the past. Less than 10% of the original vegetation remain today, with small forest fragments in a mosaic of palm plantations, pastures and agricutural fields.

The area is part of the Tumbes- Chocó-Magdalena Biodiversity Hotspot, home to thousands of threatened and endemic plant and animal species. It is the only place in the world where the Brown-headed Spider Monkey is found, and one of the few sites in Ecuador to see the Banded Ground Cuckoo, Baudo Guan and even the Jaguar.

We create the largest forest reserve in the Ecuadorian Chocó, covering a total of 500,000 ha.

Creating an interconnected network of protected areas

The expansion of existing reserves and reforestation of dispersal corridors create a network that enables movement of species between protected areas. The collaboration with the Chocó Lab provides the scientific underpinning for biodiversity and carbon credits. Support from the Chocó Lab ensures continued scientific monitoring of the project and its impacts on local biodiversity. Promoting economic development and strengthen livelihoods of local communities ensures sustainable management of buffer zones around protected areas.

Financing

Revenue is generated from biodiversity and carbon credits. Ecotourism and direct conservation employment create additional income. Sustainable cocoa production in the buffer zone builds local businesses.

Project 4

Kalimantan, Indonesia

Home to many threatened species, the Wehea Forest in Kalimantan, Indonesia, was declared a protected forest in 2004 by the local community of Wehea Dayak. The reserve is surrounded by logging concessions.

The region covers an atitudinal gradient from 750 to 1,950 m. It harbours numerous threatened and endemic species: Among those requiring special protection are over 150 mammal species, including Orang-utan, Sun Bear and Sunda Clouded Leopard, and almost 400 bird species, including Helmeted Hornbill and Storm's Stork.

In collaboration with the indigenous Wehea Dayak, we protect 40,000 ha of forest from logging and conversion to palm-oil plantations.

Fostering community involvement for sustainable conservation

Community involvement is central to the project‘s success. Funds are allocated for the acquisition of the logging concession and for the investment in conservation-friendly local enterprises.

Financing

Revenue is generated from biodiversity and carbon credits based on protection and restoration efforts. Ecotourism and provision of infrastructure for scientific work create additional income.

We develop a global portfolio of naturepreneurial projects.

In addition to the four projects ready for investment, projects in South America and Africa are currently in the feasibility phase.

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