BHP Foundation’s Post

It's tomorrow! Alongside an incredible panel of business leaders and biodiversity experts, convened by the brilliant Dr Michael Burgass of Biodiversify, I'll be talking all things biodiversity and business at Conservation Optimism. Join us in person or online, to discuss: - Why business is becoming more interested in biodiversity - What companies are doing for nature - How we can better communicate about biodiversity - How conservationists and the private sector can work better together https://lnkd.in/g2vZ4jYn

Happy Africa Day! Today, and everyday, we celebrate the continent’s beauty and diversity!  Africa is home to eight of the planet’s 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots – and the continent harbors about a quarter of all mammal species found on earth, and nearly one-fifth of the world’s bird species. And, this exceptional species richness plays a major role in mitigating the impacts of global climate change. Africa’s diverse ecosystems – and the biodiversity they hold –  are a natural carbon sink. This means preserving the continent’s richness of species is critical. Protecting biodiversity amplifies the landscape’s natural carbon capture potential -- largely because the natural behaviors of many species help to increase their habitat’s capacity for carbon storage. For instance, large browsing herbivores, like elephants and giraffes habitually trample and forage vegetation, helping to create space and provide nutrients for larger trees, while smaller herbivores disperse seeds in their droppings. Predators, like cheetahs, keep the ecosystem in balance, regulating herbivorous populations – and preventing overgrazing and soil degradation. Want to learn more about our efforts to protect one of the continent’s most iconic species? Visit cheetah.org 📷 by photographer Allegra Hutton (Find her on Instagram @allegrahutton)

GreenZone has teamed up with Ecologi to restore 55m2 of habitat in the UK 🌿 Our partnership focuses on reviving wildflower meadows, wetlands, heathland, and woodland to support a variety of species. With habitats disappearing, biodiversity is at risk, leading to declines in pollinating insects and iconic animals like red squirrels and hedgehogs. The WWF reports a 56% decline in UK species from 1970 to 2013. By creating and restoring habitats, we not only boost biodiversity but also improve carbon storage in our soils for the future. Every small action counts, and we're committed to making a difference one seed at a time. From small seeds you get big trees, and from small steps, you can make a big impact. Learn more about our collaboration with Ecologi on our blog: https://lnkd.in/ewdAhk3w #Ecologi #EndangeredWildlife

Did you know that the Eastern Plains Landscape (EPL) has over 50 native tree species, serving as vital nectar sources for Mondulkiri wild honey bees? This discovery highlights the region's rich biodiversity and the essential role these trees play in local ecosystems. This is, according to the WWF, to support the hive of wild bees. https://smpl.is/92fwv

This week, the USGS SilvaCarbon program, in collaboration with U.S. academic institutions and key Guatemalan partners such as MARN, CONAP, and INAB, worked on mapping mangroves in Guatemala. We gained valuable insights from local mangrove experts, including that mangroves are not only vital ecosystems but are also vulnerable to fires. These ecosystems play a critical global role in biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience, emphasizing the need for their mapping, preservation, and restoration. We are committed to continuing this important work in Guatemala and expanding our efforts to other countries, including Belize, Colombia, and Costa Rica, while fostering South-South collaboration to enhance regional capacity and knowledge sharing. https://lnkd.in/eF4WU_xU

At less than 1% of South African land cover, forests represent our smallest and most fragmented biome, yet their significance in fostering biodiversity and human well-being is disproportionate. Afrotemperate forests are our oldest forest ecosystems and vital reservoirs of unique and endemic species. As a signatory of the Convention on Biological Diversity, South Africa is committed to aligning with The Biodiversity Plan - a global action plan to halt biodiversity loss and preserve life on earth. "Be part of the Plan" is the theme for International Day of Biodiversity (IDB) in 2024, reminding us of the urgent need for collective action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. At CPP, we are proud to be a part of the plan, with our work directly contributing to Goal A, which aims to maintain, enhance, and restore the integrity, connectivity, and resilience of ecosystems; decrease extinction rates; and increase native biodiversity. 🌳🦜 📷: Zander Janzen van Rensburg

Last weekend, I revisited one of my cherished spots in New Jersey: the Mullica River. As I paddled my kayak through the wetlands, I was greeted by the amazing explosion of life that spring brings in. The riverbanks were alive with various species of migratory birds, and that it makes sense since New Jersey sits along one of the Americas' major bird superhighways. I also spotted a red-bellied turtle—a species near threatened yet persisting against the odds. This sighting was particularly heartening, given the more vulnerable status of other species listed in the IUCN Red List. I got really excited when I spotted a mother goose nesting on top of an otter holt, a reminder of the critical role wetlands play in nurturing biodiversity. Yet, despite their importance, these ecosystems face unprecedented threats. According to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, we have lost 64% of the world's wetlands since 1900, with inland wetlands like the Mullica River disappearing at an alarming rate. Wetlands, which include rivers, lakes, swamps, peatlands, estuaries, mangroves, and coral reefs, cover just 6% of the Earth’s surface but support approximately 40% of all biodiversity. This stark contrast underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these vital ecosystems and the myriad forms of life they sustain. As David Cooper stated during the World Wetlands Day on Feb 2, 2024, ¨The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is the world’s plan to act for wetlands. The four goals of the Biodiversity Plan aim: to Protect and restore nature; to prosper with nature; to share benefits fairly; and to invest and collaborate for nature. Its mission is to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity.¨ I hope our combined effort will let me keep enjoying the wetlands of the Mullica river for many years to come. #restorenature, #nature, #unep, #biodiversity

"𝐁𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧" 🌏🍃 Celebrate 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 on May 22, 2024, with the theme "Be part of the Plan" 🌿. This day, initiated by the Convention on Biological Diversity, urges global collaboration to address the urgent need to preserve biodiversity. The chosen theme emphasizes the crucial role of each individual and organization in supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, known as the Biodiversity Plan.🍃 Dating back to its inception, World Biological Diversity Day has been a beacon of awareness since 1993, promoting the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. Now, in 2024, the call to action is louder than ever. Our planet faces unprecedented challenges, from habitat loss to species extinction, and it's imperative that we unite to protect our natural heritage. Join the movement and be part of the solution. Whether it's through advocating for policy changes, participating in local conservation efforts, or simply spreading awareness, everyone has a role to play. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a thriving planet for future generations.🌏✨ Let's honor World Biological Diversity Day by pledging to take concrete steps towards preserving our planet's rich tapestry of life. Together, let's build a sustainable future for all species 🌱🦋. Post content ℹ️ - Gayathri Ekanayaka Edit courtesy 📷 - Harsha Kamalsara #WorldBiodiversityDay #BePartOfThePlan #Conservation #biodiversity

In collaboration with Ecologi, GreenZone are proud to have restored 55m2 of habitat in the UK! 🌿 The initiative we support focuses on restoring and conserving four types of habitats: wildflower meadows, wetlands, heathland, and woodland. As habitats deteriorate, their capacity to sustain species diminishes, reducing the biodiversity, and losing pollinating insects as well as beloved animals such as red squirrels and hedgehogs. According to the WWF, between 1970 and 2013, 56% of species in the UK declined. This project, close to home, will not only enhance biodiversity by creating and restoring habitats, but in keeping our soils healthy, we are able to create more carbon storage for years to come. Even if it's just one seed at a time, we believe that small steps can make a big impact. Read more about our work with Ecologi on our blog: https://lnkd.in/d6qZUVkc #Ecologi #EndangeredWildlife

Today, July 26th, we honor the International Day of Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems. 🌱 These remarkable mangroves are the backbone of coastal resilience, playing a crucial role in carbon sequestration and fostering incredible biodiversity. They provide essential protection and support vibrant ecosystems. Let’s come together to celebrate and safeguard these precious natural treasures.🍃 [International Day of Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, Vital forests, Coastal resilience, Carbon sequestration, Biodiversity, Protection, Celebrate, Safeguarding, Natural treasures]