Tropical forests are the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, home to roughly two-thirds of the world’s terrestrial plant and animal species. At the current pace of deforestation, most of the world’s tropical forests could disappear within the next century. Such a loss would severely undermine global biodiversity and threaten the foundations of human civilization as we know it.
Why landscapes matter for biodiversity
Landscapes combine natural core zones, often critical biodiversity areas, with surrounding buffer zones that connect to modified areas such as farmland through ecosystem services like the flow of fresh water. Managed as a whole, they offer nature-based solutions to societal challenges such as water security, food production, and climate resilience.
This is precisely the work of Environmental Defenders: protecting tropical forests and strengthening wildlife corridors so that wildlife species known to use these routes can move freely and safely between habitats.
Restoring forests with native trees
Urgent action to restore, connect, and protect healthy ecosystems is essential to prevent species extinctions and secure a sustainable future. By planting native tree species, Environmental Defenders reconnects fragmented forests, helping species adapt to the effects of climate change, move across landscapes with less human-wildlife conflict, and survive in healthy habitats. Our seedlings are raised in our own nursery, supported by the native seed bank we established in the Albertine region.
Our wildlife corridor target in Uganda
Our objective is to establish wildlife corridors between the Murchison Falls landscape and East Madi Wildlife Reserve in Uganda covering 1,500 acres by the end of 2025 and 15,000 hectares by 2030, building on our biodiversity and habitat suitability mapping of the potential corridor. We are actively restoring land with native tree species and fully managing and protecting reserve and wildlife areas within this landscape. We acquire both degraded and intact land to plant native trees, creating vital ecosystems that help counter climate change and allow species to migrate.
Support our restoration work
To support our forest restoration and wildlife corridor projects, please contact us with your proposal.