As 2023 draws to a close, we are thrilled to highlight a year of substantial growth and achievements in our ongoing mission to conserve vital ecosystems throughout the planet. Collaboration has been the defining theme, underlining our belief that progress is rooted in partnerships. You, as part of our diverse network of partners, including individuals, non-profit organizations, government agencies, donors, and Tribal communities, have been instrumental in advancing our mission. Your wide-reaching influence and our strategic partnerships have amplified our impact. During this festive season, a time to express our sincere thanks for your support throughout the year, we extend our genuine appreciation to you. Your dedication and commitment have been pivotal to our success, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in the coming year.
Here's a closer look at this year's milestones and our sincere thanks for your exceptional partnership:
In Florida, we successfully concluded Phase I of our Green Heart of the Everglades project by facilitating the State of Florida’s acquisition of an 11,142-acre parcel within the Everglades. This land, long recognized as crucial for the ecological well-being of South Florida but previously unprotected due to its substantial size and intricate ownership structure, was acquired by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) at a total cost of US$29.85 million. WildLandscapes achieved the completion of this ambitious project through collaboration with our partner, Family Lands Remembered, and with the strong support of the Everglades City community, SFWMD, and the Everglades Foundation. This parcel plays a pivotal role in preserving habitat connectivity for a diverse range of wildlife, including Florida panthers and black bears. Serving as a vital link between Big Cypress National Preserve, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, and Everglades National Park, it represents the missing piece that connects a network encompassing 2.2 million acres of protected areas. In April this year, WildLandscapes organized a bioblitz of the property, mobilizing 22 volunteers from six different agencies and the local conservation community to document the site's biodiversity. The findings revealed that the property offers a sanctuary for over 400 species, including the Florida panther, Florida manatee, and American crocodile. This crucial information was presented to the SFWMD Governing Board, which unanimously approved the agency's acquisition of the 11,142-acre parcel, encompassing both the land and mineral rights. This historic and significant acquisition was the culmination of years of dedication, expertise, and intricate negotiations, showcasing WildLandscapes' tenacity and its exceptional ability to unite diverse stakeholders and garner bipartisan support. Notably, the project received strong advocacy from Florida Republican Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. The successful finalization of this deal took place in July 2023.
We continued our work in Florida by making significant progress on Phase II of the Green Heart of the Everglades project. Phase II involves facilitating the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) acquisition of the oil, gas, and mineral rights (OGM rights) beneath Big Cypress National Preserve and Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. WildLandscapes plays a crucial role by offering technical and strategic support to the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, who are the primary partners leading this initiative. Collaborating closely with the Miccosukee Tribe, as well as receiving support from the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the sportsmen's and environmental communities in South Florida, we are collectively working to safeguard the Miccosukee’s ancestral homeland from the potential harm of oil exploration and extraction. These lands hold not only cultural significance but also serve as habitats for 40 threatened or endangered species, containing approximately 36 million tonnes of stored carbon. With a vast expanse of 458,228 acres of OGM rights under private ownership, this project presents a formidable challenge in terms of complexity and scale. It calls for WildLandscapes to draw upon our extensive experience and capacity for collaboration and innovative thinking. In 2023, we leveraged our broad coalition of partners to secure support from the DOI, Congressional leadership, and the Biden Administration, marking significant progress. We have successfully completed the monumental task of title examination, a crucial prerequisite for DOI's consideration of the acquisition. Currently, we are in close coordination with the DOI to initiate the appraisal process, adhering to stringent federal land acquisition standards. As we look ahead to 2024, we anticipate building upon the momentum generated in 2023 and continuing our efforts toward the protection of the Green Heart of the Everglades.
Photo by Ami Vitale. Bear Hill Conservancy serves as the study area of renowned bear ecologist, Dr. Ben Kilham, who rehabilitates and releases orphaned bear cubs
In New Hampshire, WildLandscapes continued its commitment to the preservation and conservation of the Bear Hill Conservancy. In partnership with the landowner and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), WildLandscapes is working to conserve all the units of Bear Hill, which will then be managed as part of the Mascoma River Division of Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (NFWR). Bear Hill is a landscape of vital importance, providing invaluable habitat for the American black bear, wood turtle, brook trout, and hundreds of species of migratory birds. This region serves as the study area of renowned bear ecologist, Dr. Ben Kilham, who rehabilitates and releases orphaned bear cubs. One of the standout accomplishments of the year was the successful closure on the fee acquisition of Unit B (306 acres) and a permanent conservation easement placed on Unit J (2,635 acres), marking significant progress in our conservation efforts. These acquisitions play a vital role in safeguarding wildlife corridors, outdoor recreation opportunities for the local community, and forest and wetland ecosystems that store and sequester carbon. We are also on track to close on Unit D (839 acres) by early 2024, further expanding our conservation footprint and ensuring Bear Hill's continued role as a haven for wildlife.
Nulhegan Basin at Sunset
In Vermont, WildLandscapes built upon our long standing relationship with USFWS and played a pivotal role in conserving 11 acres within the Nulhegan Basin Division of Silvio O. Conte NFWR. Initially, this land was available on the market, and the USFWS expressed interest in acquiring it. Their intention was to enhance connectivity within the Refuge and utilize the property's house for essential staff housing and workspaces. However, a key challenge emerged – they needed an intermediary to swiftly secure the parcel before it could be purchased by another party. WildLandscapes stepped in, and with the generous support of the Bear Hill Conservancy Trust, acquired and held the property until USFWS could allocate funds to purchase it. This strategic intervention effectively prevented the creation of a gap within the 26,600-acre division and bolstered the USFWS's ability to safeguard this expansive wildlife refuge. Despite its seemingly modest size, this acquisition is integral to the larger Nulhegan Basin Division, characterized by a diverse landscape of conifer and deciduous forests, wetlands, peatlands, shrub swamps, and several tributaries of the Nulhegan River. This initiative underscores that conservation isn't always about grand-scale projects; even small, ecologically significant parcels deserve attention, especially when they can be used to enhance staff resources within protected areas. Eventually, WildLandscapes sold the land back to the USFWS, contributing to the preservation of this essential ecosystem. The total transaction amounted to US$350,000, serving as a testament to our commitment to safeguarding critical habitats and our collaborative partnership with the USFWS.
In South Africa, we ended the year with another conservation victory announced just a few weeks ago. In collaboration with the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust and WWF South Africa, with additional funding from the World Land Trust and the IUCN, WildLandscapes International acquired the 'Plaatjieskraal' farm, effectively expanding the Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve by 1,425 acres. This achievement significantly bolsters the protection of the Critically Endangered Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld, a unique ecosystem within the Cape Floral Kingdom. Renosterveld, home to rich biodiversity and endemic species, has suffered severe habitat destruction due to industrial agriculture. Our acquisition of 'Plaatjieskraal' farm marks a substantial stride toward its preservation. It not only provides a refuge for renosterveld but also opens avenues for wildlife reintroduction and the creation of a vital wildlife corridor.
Photo by Jaymin Patel. Black rhino and plain zebra on Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
In Kenya, WildLandscapes is part of an exceptional collaboration dedicated to conserving the critically endangered Eastern black rhino. Together, we're enhancing the conservation network across four significant landscapes: Laikipia County, Tsavo National Parks, Aberdare National Park, and the Chyulu Hills. Our framework, led by the Association of Private and Community Land Rhino Sanctuaries and the Kenya Wildlife Service, aims to double the black rhino population to 2,000 by 2037. This united coalition includes WildLandscapes International and other conservancies like Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Tsavo Trust. Our mission is not limited to rhino protection; it extends to amplifying resources for local communities and ensuring well-being for both people and wildlife. We've evolved our strategy for long-term sustainability, emphasizing public-private partnerships and community needs. To support these organizations, WildLandscapes International plays a crucial role in raising funds, particularly from the U.S. government. This collaborative effort advocates for increased U.S. financial support for African conservation, emphasizing charismatic species conservation, but providing broader benefits to conserve biodiversity and improve livelihoods for local communities.
In India, WildLandscapes International continued its valuable partnership with Aaranyak, a prominent NGO based in Assam. Together, they have been actively engaged in the Kaziranga-Karbi-Anglong Community Conservancy (KKACC), a vital corridor-connectivity landscape within the Brahmaputra watershed. This area holds immense significance for both wildlife and local communities. KKACC, covering 69,725 acres, stands as a biodiversity hotspot with a rich tapestry of life, including 376 plant species, 106 non-timber forest products, over 300 bird species, and 90 butterfly species. Notably, it serves as a refuge for endangered species like the Asian elephant, greater one-horned rhinoceros, and Bengal tiger. While Kaziranga National Park offers a sanctuary for these species, the annual monsoon floods compel wildlife to seek shelter in the forested hills to the south, where they intersect with local communities. KKACC plays a pivotal role in the larger vision of the Bhutan-to-Burma (B2B Corridor) landscape conservation, an initiative jointly championed by WLI and Aaranyak. This visionary project, launched in 2022, began with the strengthening of KKACC as a crucial anchor point. In 2023, the focus expanded to include additional anchor points within the Brahmaputra watershed. Plans are underway to establish new community conservancies in the transboundary region between Bhutan and India, encompassing Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park and India’s Manas Biosphere Reserve. This next phase of the B2B Corridor initiative promises positive outcomes for golden langurs, tigers, rhinos, and the well-being of thousands of people who rely on these landscapes.
As we approach the end of this remarkable year, we're filled with gratitude for your ongoing support and partnership. Together, we've achieved extraordinary milestones, leveraging over US$35,000,000 for conservation and safeguarding 83,693 acres of land, all while operating on a modest budget of US$750,000.
But our work is far from over. The urgency of our mission continues to grow. As we look ahead to 2024, we're excited about the potential for even greater impact, but we can't do it without you.
Your end-of-year donation is not just a contribution; it's a lifeline for our planet's natural treasures. No donation is too small, and every dollar makes a difference. We invite you to join us in this critical effort to protect and preserve our world's invaluable ecosystems.
Together, we can make an even bigger difference in the coming year. Please consider making a donation today to ensure that our vital conservation work continues. Thank you for your continued support, dedication, and commitment to the planet we all call home.