Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network

🌏 Advancing Certified Wildlife Friendly and Regenerative Practices in India’s Cotton Industry 🌏 November marks an exciting milestone in WFEN’s journey towards promoting Wildlife Friendly and Regenerative practices. As part of our India Cotton Project, funded by the Regenerative Fund for Nature, WFEN has partnered with Chhindwara Organic Farmers Entreprise (COFE) to bring transformative agricultural approaches to the Satpura-Pench corridor in India. To kick off the project inception phase, the WFEN team flew to India to witness first-hand how communities are implementing Regenerative and Wildlife Friendly practices. These efforts not only safeguard the region’s tiger populations but also enhance the corridor’s ecosystem resilience, ensuring a thriving balance between nature and agriculture. Here’s what we achieved during this crucial phase: ·     Met with key local partners, WWF and Srijan, to align on project objectives and establish baseline assessments. ·     Connected with COFE farmer communities during the cotton harvest season, gaining first-hand insights into their incredible dedication and processes. ·     Retraced the cotton supply chain, from farms to gins, witnessing how raw cotton transforms into fabric for global markets. ·     Attended workshops and field demonstrations on regenerative practices, including organic pesticide preparation, vermicomposting, and intercropping. This visit underscored one of WFEN’s core goals: bridging the gap between sustainability theory and on-the-ground realities. The Wildlife Friendly and Regenerative practices advanced by COFE and our local partners are critical for creating meaningful change. Looking ahead, we aim to scale up the project, engaging more communities in adopting Wildlife Friendly and Regenerative practices. Stay tuned as we continue sharing stories from the ground, shining a light on the essential work driving sustainable change in the cotton industry.   SRIJAN (Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action) WWF-India Conservation International Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network #wildlifefriendly #regenerativeagriculture #tigerconservation #sustainablefuture #biodiversity #ecosystemresilience

We are excited to have Kindred Forest join the Wildlife Friendly Network as a corporate member! Kindred Forest exclusively sources products from community-based projects that are focused on safeguarding natural rainforest environments, integrating biodiversity conservation into their cultivation, and wild-harvesting practices. The company employs a rigorous selection process to ensure that sourced products not only demonstrate a positive impact on nature, but also use traditional local and Indigenous knowledge alongside modern scientific research. Kindred Forest not only offers #WildlifeFriendlyCertified products but also challenges the conventional norms of commerce. The company stands at the forefront of a transformative movement in today’s business world—one where environmental integrity and economic viability are critical, by embedding biodiversity in its operations. #wildlifefriendly #naturepositivebusiness #wildlifefriendlyproductsonmarket #KindredForest #biodiversityconservation #communitybasedinitiatives #ethicalsourcing #naturepositiveproducts

We are thrilled to announce that Ganadera Madrejón S.A, a livestock ranch in Paraguay, is Certified Wildlife Friendly! Spanning over 33,500 hectares, this enterprise supports the livelihoods of over 5,000 people in neighboring communities while pioneering the integration of wildlife conservation with profitable cattle rearing. The success of Ganadera Madrejón S.A. exemplifies their dedication to ecological ranching and agricultural practices that conserve wildlife. Becoming Certified Wildlife Friendly® highlights their commitment to wildlife conservation, best business practices, sustainable development, and biodiversity conservation. Ganadera Madrejón’s collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society WCS Paraguay has been instrumental in shaping its conservation strategies, leading to impactful conservation and sustainable ranching initiatives such as the implementation of better livestock practices, non-lethal predator coexistence techniques, wildlife monitoring, and conservation education. Ganadera Madrejón S.A. equips its employees and the surrounding community with key information about human-wildlife conflict resolution and wildlife monitoring, both key criteria for Wildlife Friendly® certification. In addition, the company has enhanced the conservation awareness of its ranch visitors by installing informative signs along the access roads regarding the importance of conservation and the company’s commitment to wildlife conservation. Furthermore, the company has supported and promoted WCS-organized events at the company-funded and publicly recognized school on their premises, focusing on Wildlife Friendly® coexistence strategies. “Becoming Certified Wildlife Friendly® is an endorsement of Ganadera Madrejón S.A.'s efforts to harmonize cattle ranching with the conservation of local wildlife. This balance is crucial as the company’s operations impact wildlife habitats through grazing herds and pasture implementation. By partnering with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) office in Paraguay, Ganadera Madrejón S.A. is demonstrating how livestock ranching can be beneficial to people, livestock, and wildlife,” said Christine Lippai, Executive Director of the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network. #sustainableranching #wildlifefriendly #biodiversityconservation #wildlifeconservation #agriculture #paraguay #ganaderamadrejón

We are excited to announce the #WildlifeFriendlyCertification of Ecoexist Trust! In the heart of the #OkavangoDelta, often referred to as the Jewel of the Kalahari, subsistence arable farmers are making significant strides in wildlife conservation by achieving #CertifiedWildlifeFriendly® status. This unique region, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and remarkable biodiversity, is home to a myriad of iconic species, including African elephants, lions, and countless bird species. By adopting sustainable and #WildlifeFriendly® practices, farmers working with Ecoexist Trust are playing a crucial role in conserving the delicate ecological balance of this #UNESCOWorldHeritageSite. Ecoexist Trust is working with communities to reduce conflict and promote coexistence between people and elephants in the panhandle area of the Okavango Delta, Botswana, through developing an '#elephanteconomy' by supporting innovative elephant-themed enterprises, providing key resources, offering training support, and facilitating market linkages to entrepreneurs, syndicates, and cooperatives to ensure their viability and sustained success. Ecoexist's efforts have led to hundreds of households benefiting from newly established start-ups, joint venture partnerships, and formal cooperatives that form part of this elephant economy program, and developing an  '#ElephantAwareFarming' value chain is offering additional, sustained opportunities to local communities in the agriculture sector. For example, an emerging beverage manufacturing company Okavango Craft Brewery in Okavango is now supporting these farmers and selling premium products like craft beer back to the tourism industry and general consumers, investing in supply chains, diversifying the wildlife economy, and ensuring that the benefits of conservation reach the grassroots level. “This is a critical component of a holistic approach addressing the cost/benefit imbalance among rural subsistence farmers living with elephants.” "We are thrilled to be accepted as a member of the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network and acquire the Wildlife Friendly® certification of our #Elephant Aware Farming” model,  contributing hugely to our efforts to make coexistence easier for subsistence farming communities.” “Wildlife Friendly® certification brings global recognition and significant value addition to surplus produce harvested each year under certified 'Elephant Aware Farming' practices, boosting the potential to link farmer cooperatives to new markets that ultimately reward and incentivize continued coexistence with elephants,” said Graham McCulloch, Director at Ecoexist Trust. Photo credits: Ecoexist Trust #elephanteconomy #elephantawarefarming #ecoexist #wildlifefriendly #wildlifefriendlycertification #bostwana #okavangodelta #UNESCOworldheritagesite #wildlifeconservation #elephants #peopleandelephants 

Wildlife Friendly Certification Expands to #OkavangoDelta region in #Botswana with the certification of CLAWS Conservancy! In Bostwana, livestock depredation by lions, leopards, and other carnivores has long been a source of tension between farmers and local communities. However, CLAWS Botswana is spearheading innovative approaches that promote human-carnivore coexistence, ensuring the survival of these apex predators while safeguarding the livelihoods of local communities. Through a profound understanding of the intricate relationship between carnivores and the ecosystem, CLAWS Botswana developed and is implementing a #CommunalHerdingProgram that provides #socioeconomicbenefits to partner communities and ensures #conflictmitigationmeasures are implemented to minimize livestock losses. The program is implemented across 1,000 km2 of floodplains and woodland areas along the northeastern edge of the #OkavangoDelta, Botswana. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Delta is located in the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area, home to one of the largest populations of African elephants and African lions in southern Africa. While the Delta is reputed for its high plant (>1,000 species), bird (480 species), and mammal (130 species) diversity, cattle are also a prominent part of the landscape. Claws Botswana has also developed the #Herding4Health protocol, empowering herders with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their livestock while also safeguarding the surrounding rangelands and wildlife habitats. Local herders are now gaining access to better markets for their beef, securing premium prices as Certified Wildlife Friendly®, and with new markets opening up for products that conserve wildlife, improve community livelihoods, and enhance human-carnivore coexistence in Botswana— and leading to buyers and supporters including luxury safari travel company Wilderness Destinations. Farm Photo credit: Helicopter Horizons Lion photo credit: Alexandra Carvache 🌿🦁#wildlifeconservation #humancarnivorecoexistence #sustainablefarming #biodiversity #unescoworldheritagesite #kaza #bostwana #wildlifefriendly #lionconservation

Exciting News from DEFORSA, our first Certified Jaguar Friendly enterprise in Venezuela! Desarrollos Forestales San Carlos II, S.A. (DEFORSA) achieved the renowned Jaguar Friendly Certification for its timber, pallets, charcoal, pulp, and tissue paper products made from Eucalyptus and Corymbia tree species. 🐆🌲 Spanning over 13,897 hectares, DEFORSA’s production units encompass an agroecosystem including planted and natural forests, savannahs, and water bodies. With the San Carlos forest covering a mix of planted Eucalyptus and Corymbia, natural forests, and several artificial water bodies, while the unit at Caño Benito consists of planted Eucalyptus and Corymbia forests, small relics of natural forests and artificial water bodies. DEFORSA has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable practices for over a decade through responsible management of Venezuela’s forested areas. Maintaining both natural and planted forests, DEFORSA has contributed to the conservation of a thriving ecosystem and created invaluable ecological corridors that facilitate jaguar movement across the landscape. With the invaluable support of the conservation NGO, ProCAT Colombia/Internacional this certification underscores DEFORSA’s unwavering commitment to: 🌳 Sustainable forest management practices 🌍 Responsible sourcing 🌿 Protecting biodiversity 🦁Jaguar conservation “We are thrilled to have achieved Jaguar Friendly™ certification, an award for our dedication to responsible forestry and the conservation of jaguars and their habitat. This certification not only highlights our commitment to environmental stewardship but also reaffirms our commitment to delivering high-quality products sourced from sustainable forestry practices. DEFORSA remains steadfast in its compliance with the environmental policies of the Environmental Management & Biodiversity System, ensuring unwavering support for wildlife”, said Kátia Regina Silva, Manager at DEFORSA. Joao Leite de Souza Join us in celebrating this milestone of DEFORSA as we continue to prioritize the well-being of our #planet and #wildlife through #naturepositive and #WildlifeFriendly businesses. Photo credit: Juan Diasparra #wildlifefriendly #biodiversityconservation #jaguar #conservation #naturepostivebusiness #venezuela

We are excited to announce the certification of @Cañada de la Virgen Reserve (https://lnkd.in/dSsT3SeE), the first Certified Wildlife Friendly® Reserve in Mexico! Cañada de la Virgen is a certified organic grass-fed cattle ranch in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. A regenerative family business that cares about environmental conservation and the health and well-being of almost 800 cattle and 200 horses. The company offers premium certified grass-fed organic beef for exclusive consumption in Mexico as well as the world’s first Carbon-negative Agave Spirits (https://www.casagave.mx/) from the agaves planted to jumpstart reforestation of the semi-desert ecosystems on the Reserve. Situated within the biologically diverse region of the Mexican Highlands, Cañada de la Virgen Reserve spans approximately 5,000 hectares of pristine habitat, including semi-arid shrublands, grasslands, and riparian ecosystems. The Reserve is home to a remarkable array of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to the area and some classified as threatened or endangered. "Achieving the Certified Wildlife Friendly® status is a significant milestone for the Cañada de la Virgen Reserve," said Sophia A. Trapp, Executive Director of the Cañada de la Virgen Reserve. "Our land management practices prioritize organic farming, regenerative grazing, and respect for nature, ensuring that local wildlife and communities thrive as a result of our deep respect for the interconnectedness of all life. This certification not only validates our conservation initiatives but also encourages us to continue our work with renewed vigor." This certification award is a testament to Cañada de la Virgen’s adherence to rigorous standards aimed at protecting wildlife and promoting ecological balance. The company’s management practices are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based strategies, ensuring the conservation of its unique biodiversity. Photos credit: Cañada de la Virgen Reserve, Mexico #wildlifefriendly #naturepositivebusiness #biodiveristyconservation #wildlife #conservation #floraandfauna #ethicalbusiness #wildlifefriendlyreserve

On 28 June 2024, we held our event "Certification for Conservation" in partnership with FairWild Foundation and the African Wildlife Economy Institute. The event showcased the significant role of voluntary standards and certification in providing market-fit, nature-based solutions. We are glad to share the recordings and presentations of the event for anyone interested, these are now uploaded here: https://lnkd.in/dF9xeCBM. Dive into the insights and discussions that highlight how certification can drive sustainable practices and conservation efforts for businesses, people, and nature to thrive together. A big thank you to all our partners, speakers, and participants for making this event a success. #WildlifeConservation #Biodiversity #WildlifeFriendly #FairWild #Certification #CertificationandConservation Seilich

On 28 June 2024, we held our event "Certification for Conservation" in partnership with  FairWild Foundation and the African Wildlife Economy Institute. The event showcased the significant role of voluntary standards and certification in providing market-fit, nature-based solutions. We are glad to share the recordings and presentations of the event for anyone interested which are now uploaded here: https://lnkd.in/dF9xeCBM. Dive into the insights and discussions that highlight how certification can drive sustainable practices and conservation efforts for businesses, people, and nature to thrive together. A big thank you to all our partners, speakers, and participants for making this event a success. #WildlifeConservation #Biodiversity #WildlifeFriendly #FairWild #Certification #CertificationandConservation

Are nature-based solutions too good to be true?   We hear the terms nature-based solutions, voluntary standards, and certification for conservation a lot, but do we really know what they mean and how they really work on the ground? Don't miss this critical conversation later this morning - join us virtually or in person on 28 June to unlock the power of the wild through powerful voices with tangible experience, including Christine Lippai (Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network), Deborah Vorhies (FairWild Foundation) , Sally Gouldstone (Seilich), Zahra Osman (neo botanika), José F. González-Maya, Ph.D. (ProCAT Colombia/Internacional), and Khilendra Gurung (Himalayan Bio Trade).   The opening remarks will be by Anastasiya Timoshyna (TRAFFIC), event moderation by Francis Vorhies (African Wildlife Economy Institute), and closing remarks by Ray Victurine.    📍 Email Sheillah Munsabe to attend in person: sheillah@wildlifefriendly.org  🖥️ Link to attend online: https://lnkd.in/dPuPCEfu