Claire Smith’s Post

🌿 Exciting News from TravelLocal's Fund for Good! 🌍 We're thrilled to share a lovely interview with our partners Fundação Amazonas Sustentável (FAS), an organization dedicated to sustainable development and conservation in the Brazilian Amazon. For 16 years, FAS has been at the forefront of combining environmental conservation with the empowerment of local communities, making significant strides in reducing deforestation and enhancing local livelihoods. Key Points: 1. 🌱 FAS's work has led to a 40% reduction in deforestation in protected areas, showcasing the power of community-driven conservation. 2. 🤝 Their focus on climate change adaptation projects helps communities adjust to environmental changes, ensuring their resilience and sustainability. 3. 👥 TravelLocal's contributions support health initiatives and extend essential services like internet access to remote areas. Join us in supporting FAS! Learn more about how you can help make a difference and read about our ongoing projects at https://lnkd.in/d_38ksu5 #FundForGood #SustainableDevelopment #AmazonConservation #TravelLocal

As the year comes to a close, I find myself contemplating the remarkable biodiversity that graces our planet, particularly the majestic mountain gorillas of Uganda. Their presence in the lush forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga serves as a potent reminder of nature's resilience and the critical importance of environmental conservation. From supporting anti-poaching initiatives to habitat restoration, each of us plays a vital role in safeguarding these magnificent creatures. Climate action and sustainable travel are intertwined, offering avenues to protect the habitats these gorillas call home. By adopting eco-friendly practices such as reducing plastic usage, choosing green-certified accommodations, and backing community-led conservation projects, we contribute to preserving their environment. As we approach the end of the year, it's an ideal moment to reaffirm our commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. For those seeking a meaningful adventure in the upcoming year, I encourage considering a visit to Uganda to witness these gentle giants up close. Your presence and conscious decisions can have a tangible impact on both local communities and global biodiversity. Here's to a new year focused on impactful conservation, climate action, and collective accountability. Together, we can ensure that future generations have the opportunity to witness mountain gorillas thriving in their natural habitat. Let's continue progressing, one conservation step at a time. Rashida Nakabuga #EndOfYearReflections #EnvironmentalConservation #ClimateAction #SustainableTravel

Revealing the #Mystery: Discovering the beauty and environmental challenges of the #Komodo Islands. . Efforts to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Komodo Islands extend beyond the #local #communities to encompass partnerships between government agencies, non-profit organisations, and the tourism industry. Responsible #eco-#tourism initiatives, such as guided tours led by knowledgeable local guides and sustainable dive operations that adhere to strict environmental standards, can generate revenue for conservation while raising awareness among visitors about the importance of preserving the islands' #biodiversity. Moreover, collaborations between governmental bodies and #NGOs can facilitate the implementation of conservation policies and initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable ecosystems and species. https://lnkd.in/g6iQcMCT

🌍 Proud to Support a Healthy Planet with 1% for the Planet 🌱 At Antaris Consulting, we believe that businesses have a crucial role to play in protecting our planet. That's why we’re proud members of 1% for the Planet, committing 1% of our annual gross revenue—yes, sales, not profit—to support grassroots environmental organisations working tirelessly to safeguard our environment. This year, in 2024, we were honoured to contribute to incredible organisations making a difference: 🦉 BirdWatch Ireland – Protecting and preserving Ireland's birdlife and habitats. 🐾 The Irish Wildlife Trust Trust – Advocating for the conservation of biodiversity across Ireland. 🚴 The Irish Cycling Campaign (ICC) Campaign – Promoting sustainable transport and reducing our carbon footprint. By supporting these initiatives, we aim to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone. Joining 1% for the Planet is more than a pledge—it’s a recognition of our shared responsibility to a healthy environment and a testament to the power of collective action. Together, we can create lasting change. 🌎💚 #Sustainability #1PercentForThePlanet #GivingBack #EnvironmentalStewardship #CorporateResponsibility

🌎🦋Happy #WorldEnvironmentDay! One day to celebrate, 365 days to act! 📅 🏞 This year’s theme is land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. 👩🌾As highlighted by #SDG15 ‘Life on Land’, healthy land is vital to support ecosystems, agriculture and communities. Yet, according to the UN Environment Programme, 2 billion hectares of land is degraded, affecting more than 3 billion people. 🌳As stewards of the more than 1 bn hectares of the world’s forests globally, the forest sector plays a critical role in maintaining and enhancing land and ecosystems. In 2023, members of WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Forest Solutions Group reported: ➡24% of their land was set aside primarily for nature conservation or restoration, representing an area of 5 million hectares, equivalent to 7  million soccer fields ⚽ 🌱 FSG’s Nature Positive Roadmap highlights a couple of examples of restoration practices from members: ◾ HVP Plantation, a timberland management entity of Manulife Investment Management, worked in collaboration with local partners to help regenerate areas of warm temperate rainforest in Australia, adjacent to its productive forests. In addition to natural regeneration, the effort included removal of alien species and replanting of 11,000 native rainforest canopy trees. ◾ International Paper partnered with WWF to restore degraded forests in the Mogi Guaçu watershed in Brazil, helping regulate soil erosion, filtering out pollutants, maintaining watershed stability, and creating corridors for wildlife. You can learn more about the critical actions taken to accelerate the transformation of the forest sector in the FSG’s Nature Positive Roadmap: ➡ https://lnkd.in/eGP8-x3u Check out our website to learn more about FSG’s broader work across climate, nature and equity that strives to lead the sector and advance on major sustainability challenges. ➡ https://lnkd.in/es2BUGn5 #EnvironmentDay #landrestoration #NaturePositive #sustainableworkingforests #GenerationRestoration Bernard de Galembert Jessica Fonseca da Silva Edie Marriner

CHAMPIONING SUSTAINABILITY: OUR CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVES At Sepik Wetlands & Peatland Limited, sustainability isn't just a buzzword; it's our guiding principle. Through our corporate responsibility initiatives, we prioritize environmental conservation, community empowerment, and carbon offsetting. We collaborate with local communities to protect fragile ecosystems, implement sustainable land management practices, and provide alternative livelihood opportunities. Our commitment extends beyond compliance; we strive to lead by example, advocating for sustainable development policies and fostering partnerships for lasting impact. By championing sustainability, we aim to create a greener, more equitable future for Papua New Guinea and beyond. #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityEmpowerment #EnvironmentalConservation

🌏 🚴♀️ 🚴♂️ Over the past two years, Jonas Sommer and I embarked on a life-changing journey with our #Biking4Biodiversity advocacy initiative, cycling from Germany to Singapore to document the dynamic relationship between humans and nature. Covering 20 countries and engaging with over 200 passionate conservationists, we gained invaluable insights into the pressing challenges and innovative solutions in the field of conservation. Here are some key takeaways from this incredible journey: 🌿 Living together with wildlife: One of the most pervasive issues we encountered was the conflict between human activities and nature, resp. wildlife. Many communities struggle to balance agricultural practices, urban development, and conservation efforts. Innovative solutions like community-led conservation programs and wildlife corridors are essential for reducing conflicts and fostering coexistence. 🌿 Empowering local communities: Conservation efforts are significantly more effective when local communities are actively involved, what's more, they get a leading role. Bringing locals on board through education, sustainable livelihoods, and participatory management can lead to long-term conservation success. Seeing firsthand how community-driven initiatives restored ecosystems was inspiring. Managing protected areas effectively also means investing in local guardians above building fancy tourist infrastructure. 🌿 Prevention over restoration: One critical learning is that it is far cheaper and more effective to protect existing ecosystems than to restore them after destruction. Preventive measures not only save costs but also preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are often irreplaceable once lost. Prioritizing protection where it is still possible ensures long-term ecological and economic benefits. It is about time we learn that. 🌿 Importance of restoration: Despite the emphasis on prevention, restoration of degraded ecosystems remains crucial. Restoring habitats can revive biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and mitigate climate change impacts. Successful restoration projects demonstrate nature’s resilience and provide hope that degraded areas can recover and thrive again. 🌿 Climate change Impact: The impact of climate change on ecosystems and human societies was evident throughout my journey. We experienced on our own skin heatwaves and droughts and increased frequency of such extreme weather events, which affect both natural habitats and human livelihoods. Addressing climate change is imperative for the future of conservation. 🌿 Cultural connections to nature: Understanding the cultural connections people have with nature enriched our perspectives on conservation. Many communities possess traditional ecological knowledge that is invaluable for sustainable resource management. Respecting and integrating this knowledge into modern conservation practices is crucial. In fact, we all need to understand nature better. ⬇ the comments.

🌳🌍 Celebrating the International Day of Forests 🌍🌳 Today, on the International Day of Forests, we're thrilled to announce a significant milestone in forest conservation! As forest degradation is a significant contributor to climate change and the destruction of natural environments, New Forests and ecosecurities, are proud to contribute by utilising the recently announced Tropical Asia Forest Fund 2 (TAFF2), dedicated to conserving and restoring the Kuan Kreng Landscape (KKL) in Thailand. The KKL, spanning three provinces in southern Thailand, holds the country's second largest peat swamp forest area, covering 70,715 hectares. Over 60,000 local residents rely on the peat swamp forests for their sustenance and livelihoods, emphasizing the critical importance of this ecosystem. 🌿🌲 Unfortunately, two-thirds of the KKL peat swamp forest is degraded due to drainage canal networks associated with agricultural land use, leading to lowered water tables and greenhouse gas emissions from peat oxidation. Additionally, fires contribute to transboundary haze, impacting air quality in local communities and urban areas. In Thailand, deforestation remains a critical issue, with 110 kha of natural forest lost in 2022 alone, equivalent to 75.5 Mt of CO₂ emissions. 🌍🌿 To help fix this issue, New Forests, @Restore Nature, RECOFTC and the Thai government is developing the 'Kuan Kreng Landscape Peatland Conservation and Restoration Project'. The carbon project will protect and restore degraded peatland and peat swamp forest, enhance biodiversity, and support local communities. We're grateful to TAFF2 investors, including Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Nomura, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and others, for their commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Together, let's celebrate #ForestDay by championing initiatives like TAFF2, dedicated to protecting and restoring our precious forests for current and future generations. 🌟🌳 #ForestDay #IntlForestDay #GenerationRestoration #ForestConservation #ClimateAction #Sustainability #ThailandForests 🌟🌳

How to grow forests and climate hope as a business 🌳 👇 The end of the financial year is a great time to consider supporting impactful environmental initiatives. Greenfleet is an environmental not-for-profit organisation that has delivered climate action for over 25 years. Greenfleet recently met with Catalyser to discuss their goals and current initiatives. Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/gsBbzcNU - Greenfleet's impressive work speaks for itself: Over 10.8 million trees planted across Australia and New Zealand, creating 550 native forests! 🌳 - Carbon Removal: These legally protected forests will absorb 5 million tonnes of carbon throughout their lifetime. This is equivalent to removing approximately 1.2 million average vehicles from Australia’s roads for a whole year! 🚗 - Habitat Restoration: Greenfleet's forests create and extend protected habitats for Australia’s wildlife, including koalas and many endangered species. 🐨 - Community Engagement: Greenfleet engages with local communities, educating them about the importance of reforestation and climate action. In 2023, they strengthened ties with Indigenous communities, delivered the Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Kabi Kabi in Noosa, engaged with the Boon Wurrung in South Gippsland, and advanced their Reconciliation Action Plan. 👩🏫 In the upcoming year, Greenfleet plans to expand reforestation projects in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand, focusing on creating habitats for endangered species and restoring vital ecosystems. Supporting their work is easy - Businesses can purchase a Prezzee Give Back Card and directly fund Greenfleet's climate efforts.  🙌 Ready to be part of the solution? Head to Prezzee today to get started - https://lnkd.in/gQsFG4vC #Greenfleet #Catalyser #Reforestation #ClimateAction #Sustainability #EOFY