World Land Trust

The World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation charity (Reg. 1001291) based in Halesworth, just down the road from Southwold. It is concerned with the protection of the world's most biologically important and threatened habitats. Already over 300,000 acres of tropical forest and other threatened areas have been saved that would otherwise have been destroyed.

Aims of the WLT

• To protect and sustainably manage natural ecosystems of the world, to conserve their biological diversity, with emphasis on threatened habitats and endangered species.
  
  
• To develop partnerships with local organisations and organisations to engage support and commitment among the people who live in project areas.
  
  
• To raise awareness in the UK and elsewhere, of the need for conservation, to improve understanding and generate support through education, information and fundraising.

Founded in 1989, the Trust's original intention was to raise funds for Programme For Belize. Having successfully raised over $2million for the purchase of land for research and protection, the Trust has since expanded to other project areas including the Philippines, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Turks and Caicos Islands and Patagonia

Current projects include

• Saving the Patagonian Steppes, Argentina
  The Patagonian Steppe is an important habitat for many endangered species such as the puma and guanaco (right), but is at risk from desertification and erosion. In partnership with a local organisation (Fundacion Patagonia Natural) the WLT is purchasing a 15,000 acre area which is now established as La Esperanza Wildlife Reserve. The WLT hopes to raise further funds to extend the project area.
  
  
• Fundacion Jocotoco, Ecuador
  This organisation was established to protect land of critical biological importance in Ecuador. In 1999 the WLT formed a partnership with Fundacion Jocotoco, to help purchase critically endangered sites and manage them for wildlife. Six reserves have already been created and funds are needed to purchase a further three threatened sites.
  
  
• Danjugan Island Support Fund, Philippines
  This Island, with original tropical forests and surrounding coral reefs, was saved from destruction thanks to the WLT and its supporters. The island has recently been declared a statutory Nature Reserve and WLT continues to support other projects in the region.
  
  
• The management of Kites Hill, Gloucestershire
  This beautiful site in the Cotswolds was donated to the WLT to promote conservation and manage the landscape in a sustainable way. The 48 acre site has been included by English Nature on the 'Natura 2000' list which registers the most important nature conservation sites in Europe. It has also been designated as an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'.

Supporting the World Land Trust:

If you would like to help save some of the world's most critically threatened habitats and their wildlife, you can really make a difference. A donation of just £25 to the WLT Action Fund can protect an acre in Patagonia or the Amazon Basin, or you could become a WLT Partner, committing a small amount each month for our most urgent project needs. Alternatively you could offer your support by giving your time as a volunteer.

Please contact our office if you are interested in making a donation or volunteering or if you would like more information on our projects.

World Land Trust, Blyth House, Bridge Street, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8AB
Tel: 01986 874422
Fax: 01986 874425
Email: worldlandtrust@btinternet.com