Wildlife Conservation Science

A $125B fund to protect tropical forests is gaining traction, reports Justin Catanoso from #COP16. At COP16 in Colombia, an idea as audacious as it is pragmatic took center stage: the Tropical Forest Finance Facility (TFFF), a potentially transformative step in conservation finance. Conceived as a new model for protecting tropical forests, TFFF aims to establish a reliable, results-based income stream for nations stewarding these biodiverse reserves—essentially treating tropical forests as stakeholders in our planet’s future. Despite a patchwork of conservation funds, financing has simply not kept pace with the rapid rate of forest loss. Enter the TFFF, structured to attract up to $125 billion from a mix of sovereign investors, philanthropies, and private sources. Its ambition is to reward countries for slowing deforestation and safeguarding tropical forests, offering an annual return of $4 billion, contingent upon rigorous satellite monitoring and adherence to conservation targets. While other funds have relied on goodwill and grants, TFFF introduces a model akin to a bond fund, rewarding investors while incentivizing nations to keep forests intact. The initiative’s architects envision a diversified portfolio, combining climate-friendly investments—such as green bonds in developing economies—with fixed-income securities in more established markets, aiming for stable returns to underwrite ambitious payouts. Penalties for deforestation are stringent: each hectare lost forfeits the equivalent of rewards for 100 hectares. Such measures aim to maintain a steady yield over an anticipated 20-year lifecycle, supporting more than 70 tropical nations in preserving, rather than depleting, their natural capital. Beyond its environmental goals, TFFF’s structure addresses the governance and transparency challenges often faced by global finance initiatives. A globally recognized body would oversee fund administration, minimizing political influence and ensuring that proceeds are distributed equitably and transparently. Payments will be tracked and verified, supported by an annual “Global Score Card” to enhance public accountability. If successful, TFFF could represent a shift from traditional conservation financing, creating an asset-backed approach where nature's essential services are finally valued. Tropical forests—indispensable for climate stability, biodiversity, and local livelihoods—have long been absent from balance sheets. As TFFF’s supporters might say, it’s high time forests were valued for their productivity as ecosystems, not just as raw materials. 📰 Catanoso's story: https://lnkd.in/gfmdvyPm Photos: various rainforests I've photographed.

It’s not just a pretty picture—there’s a full ecological restoration plan behind it. At Western Sydney University’s Hawkesbury campus, what if we transformed open concrete drains into natural, #NaturePositve waterways. The first photo with the concrete drains is the actual photo. The other AI-generated visuals you see are backed by detailed modelling that factors in climate, soil, hydrology, and vegetation to simulate ecological succession and produce a full restoration blueprint. This isn’t just landscaping—it’s habitat creation with measurable outcomes. For every 100 metres of restored channel, we estimate: 1–2 turtle nesting zones 1–2 frog breeding habitats, supporting species like Limnodynastes and Litoria A 5–10% increase in aquatic and terrestrial macroinvertebrate diversity 10–15 native plant species introduced, boosting structure and pollinator resources Multiple microhabitats created for birds, skinks, dragonflies, and microbats At these levels, there is no increased risk of flooding. These numbers scale up significantly across kilometres of restored urban drains and farm waterways—and we’ve built this to be scalable across the country. #WSUNaturePositive2029 #1MillionTurtles #NaturePositive #WetlandRestoration #TurtleConservation #FrogHabitat #BiodiversityGains #EcologicalEngineering #WSU #AIforNature

$78 million raised. 328,000 acres protected. No VC, no single billionaire buyer. A coalition of thousands just completed one of the largest community-driven conservation deals in recent history. Fundo Puchegüín, the biggest private landholding in Cochamó, Chilean Patagonia, is now permanently protected. The funding came from a mix of foundations (Wyss, Freyja), corporate partners (Patagonia Inc., The Nature Conservancy), and thousands of individual contributors. No single funder controlled the outcome. They raised the full amount within two years of the land going up for sale in 2022. A Chilean non-profit now owns the land with an independent board focused on nature, culture, and community participation. Local communities sit at the center of management decisions. At least 80% is designated for strict protection, with up to 20% for sustainable uses like low-impact tourism and traditional agriculture. The property connects a 4-million-acre protected corridor spanning Chile and Argentina. It protects habitat for the huemul deer (on Chile's coat of arms), Darwin's frog, and monito del monte, plus a major portion of the Puelo River watershed. Three things stand out to me here. Community coalitions raised $78 million without a single lead funder. Local ownership from day one means fewer governance conflicts later. And blended funding from foundations, corporates, and individuals moved faster than traditional institutional channels often do. This happened in Patagonia. I'm curious whether the same model could work in other regions. Have you seen community-driven financing work for conservation somewhere else?

How do you get people to care about bugs they've never seen on an island they've never heard of? That was the challenge Dr. Adam Sharp faced when trying to protect the tiny endemic invertebrates of Ascension Island. Spoiler: We helped him crack it. And the outcome? Real protected areas established for these overlooked creatures 💥 Here's what made the difference: 1️⃣ The barrier was emotional, not informational.  People naturally gravitate toward charismatic megafauna like pandas and tigers. Millimetre-long invertebrates? Not so much. Photos weren't cutting through the bias. 2️⃣ Animation transformed perception.  We created a story that brought these creatures to life with personality and humour. The result wasn't just views, it was measurable public engagement that satisfied funding requirements and changed how locals saw these "bugs." 3️⃣ Creative communication drove conservation action.  The animation became an education tool in island schools, shifted community attitudes, and directly contributed to establishing new protected areas on Ascension Island. This is what happens when science meets storytelling. Real impact, not just awareness. Know a researcher or conservationist working on "unsexy" but important species? Share this with them. It might spark ideas 💡

You can't restore an ecosystem without rock-solid data to inform your approach. This is why Ecosulis are thrilled to be working with RSPB Scotland on the options appraisal for the Castle Semple & Barr Lochs Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This 267-hectare wetland in Renfrewshire is a haven for birds, but its vital eutrophic loch needs a scientific roadmap for restoration. Our expert ecologists have been on-site, undertaking a detailed ecological assessment to build that evidence-based case, including: 💧 Assessing loch health using the Freshwater Biological Association’s Habitat Naturalness Assessment, generating an overall naturalness score. 🔬 Conducting a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal 🌱 Classifying all habitats using the UKHab methodology and undertaking condition assessments with the Defra Biodiversity Metric 🦆 Recording notable species and habitats, along with the presence and extent of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS). The goal? To unlock this wetland's full potential. Working closely with RSPB Scotland and key stakeholders our final appraisal will identify scalable, nature-based solutions to deliver multiple benefits: ✅ Enhanced SSSI condition for both the Eutrophic Loch and Breeding Bird Assemblage. ✅ Improved water & flood resilience through restored natural flows. ✅ A major biodiversity uplift, driving increased bioabundance across the site. ✅ Stronger climate resilience, helping the site adapt to future impacts. This critical work is supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund (managed by NatureScot) and exemplifies partnership-led conservation in action. We're creating a clear, evidence-based path toward restoring and protecting this important landscape for future generations. We’d love to hear your thoughts though - in your experience what are the one or two key nature based solutions that could set a SSSI such as Castle Semple & Barr Lochs back on the road to recovery? #NatureRestoration #Ecology #SSSI #Wetlands #Biodiversity #RSPB

Our Future Jobs Don't Exist Yet! 🚨 Remember the tragedy at Chernobyl? Nature reclaimed it in just 30 years. The 2,600 km² Exclusion Zone has inadvertently become Europe's largest wildlife sanctuary. → Wildlife thrives without human interference → 60+ rare species return, some thought extinct → Wildlife populations surged to levels higher than in national parks Imagine what we could do if we planned it... By 2050: → 68% of the world's population will live in urban areas → Climate change will push cities to radically rethink green spaces → Biodiversity loss will be a top global priority → 'Smart cities' might include more trees than traffic lights Now picture this vision of 2050: → You wake up to birdsong, not traffic. → Streets are car-free, filled with children playing and wildlife roaming → Skyscrapers are vertical forests, cleaning the air and housing diverse ecosystems → Rivers, once buried under concrete, now flow freely, teeming with fish → Bees, butterflies and other lovely things are all around This isn't a far-off utopia. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁 - 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 2050. Introducing: Jobs of the Future (a mini series) In a world where cities and nature need to coexist How do we bring the wild back into our urban spaces? Who plans the forests of the future? Enter the Rewilding Strategist. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗼? → Plans return of urban areas to nature → Balances ecosystems in cities → Designs wildlife corridors and habitats → Educates communities on coexistence with nature 𝗔 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲: → Mapping potential rewilding zones in cities → Coordinating with urban planners and ecologists → Monitoring wildlife reintegration progress → Conducting community workshops on urban biodiversity 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗶𝘁? → Cutting-edge biodiversity data → AI-powered ecosystem modelling → Advanced green architecture techniques → Deep understanding of animal behaviour and plant biology → Expert community engagement skills 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: → Deep understanding of urban ecology → Creativity in redesigning city spaces → Strong communication and community engagement skills → Ability to balance human needs with wildlife conservation 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: → Overcoming resistance to urban landscape changes → Managing potential human-wildlife conflicts → Balancing rewilding with urban development needs → Adapting strategies to climate change impacts 👉 Swipe for more details on this future career! 🍰 Share with anyone who is excited about a greener future. It will help us to create one! Imagining positive futures is crucial for creating them. Sociologist Ruth Levitas calls this 'utopia as method'. ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ I'm Sophie Deen, I write about raising 21st-century kids and creative entrepreneurship. Sign up for my newsletter at www.sophiedeen.com.

Powerful report by the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime on the scale and nature of on-line wildlife trafficking and how Facebook has become ‘the dominant public-facing infrastructure through which that trade is concentrated, encountered, transacted and monetized’. The Report shows why this is a platform-governance problem, not just a user-behaviour problem, and that given the trade is multilingual and transnational, any credible moderation or enforcement response must also be transnational and multilingual. The Report clearly demonstrates how voluntary self-regulation has failed. It argues that cross-border on-line wildlife trafficking requires stronger international regulatory coordination and that lawmakers should impose enforceable duties on platforms. This is something the Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime supports and has advocated for since its launch in 2020. With congratulations to the two primary authors Russell G. and Simone Haysom on this Report, as well as all supporting partners. Link to full Report: https://lnkd.in/eRHV7Dxd ADM Capital Foundation Ian Tennant Ana Motamayor Mark Jones Azzedine T. Downes Juliana Ferreira Vivek Menon FLS Sarah M. W. Maston Susan Herman Lylis Sophie le Clue Sam Inglis MSc Paula Francisco Professor Lee White CBE Sheldon Jordan Jenny Desmond Ian Redmond #endwildlifecrime #environmentalcrime

Read this for more tips on reducing wildlife disruption. --> Red light, ...has a longer wavelength than white, blue, or green light, thus making it less visible to many nocturnal creatures. This reduced visibility helps in several ways:... For insects, ..most species are less attracted to red light compared to standard white or blue light. This means fewer insects will be drawn to your porch, thus reducing the likelihood of them becoming disoriented, exhausted, or falling prey to predators. Since insects form the base of many food chains, this small change can have positive ripple effects through local ecosystems. For birds, red lighting is significantly less disruptive to migration patterns. Many birds migrate at night using celestial navigation, and bright white lights can disorient them, causing collisions with buildings or exhaustion as they circle illuminated areas. Red light interferes less with their navigation systems. For sea turtles specifically, ..red lights are crucial near nesting beaches. The Hatchlings instinctively move toward the brightest horizon (naturally the ocean reflecting moonlight), ..but, ..artificial white lighting can lead them inland instead of to the sea. Red lighting, ...is much less likely to cause this fatal disorientation. Here's a kicker on the insect-eating Bat front, .. some certain bat species can still see red light fairly well, .. so, while it's healthier for them,.. it doesn't entirely fix the issue. If wildlife protection is your goal, the most effective approaches are to: 1. Use red light when illumination is necessary 2. Keep lights dimmer rather than brighter 3. Use motion sensors so lights aren't continuously on 4. Direct light downward rather than outward or upward These simple adjustments can significantly reduce your home's impact on local wildlife while still providing the illumination you need.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬: a case study The Seaflower Fund in Colombia is worth a close look. The financial vehicle, designed by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, was developed to pay for urgent reef protection now, while also securing stable funding for decades to come. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 🔹 𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑦: 1. One is a 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱, about US$4.7 million (already secured), that will be spent over the next few years on projects like coral restoration, sustainable fishing, and community enterprises linked to the reef. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. 2. The other is an 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: a fund that will be invested, with only the returns (interest and investment income) spent each year. The goal is to grow this to US$5 million, which could generate around US$250,000 annually, forever, to keep conservation work running. 🔹 𝐺𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒: The fund is managed by Fondo Acción, but decision-making for the MPA remains with CORALINA, the local environmental authority. (This keeps management in local hands while ensuring the fund’s resources are professionally managed and transparently allocated.) 🔹 𝐸𝑥𝑡𝑟𝑎 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: Partnering with a national bank to offer tourists a carbon footprint calculator and voluntary contributions, with funds going straight into conservation. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 🔹Conservation projects often struggle with short-term funding. 🔹This model creates both an immediate action budget and a long-term financial safety net. 🔹Local fund manager Fondo Acción works with community partners, adding credibility and ensuring funds are well-directed. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 🔹How quickly the endowment can be built from zero to US$5 million. 🔹How the fund protects itself against currency changes and market swings. 🔹Whether small local businesses see timely support and funding. 🔹If the projects funded today can grow into self-sustaining enterprises. 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥: ➡️ Who could be the trusted local fund manager? ➡️ What reliable income source could complement the endowment, like tourism fees or climate insurance payouts? ➡️ What early wins could build trust and attract more investors? More info in the comments! If this resonates, share it to help increase visibility for ocean solutions. ---- 𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑦!

IPBES just told financial actors to redesign the financial system. Not improve it but redesign it. Yesterday's Business & Biodiversity assessment includes a recommendation many investors will skip right past: 'Drive systemic change in financial systems to minimise harm, address drivers of loss, and align returns with positive outcomes for biodiversity and society.' Five ways for finance actors to actually do this if you're already covering your ESG bases and have patient capital: 1. Integrate cultural values into investment decisions Not just financial materiality. Let societal and cultural values that promote conservation guide lending, investment and risk management. This means listening to communities about what matters ecologically, not just what's financially material. 2. Give civil society accountability power Collaborate with NGOs and community organisations to increase transparency, avoid financing harmful activities, and create accountability mechanisms. 3. Build capacity across your portfolio Provide technical assistance, risk mitigation tools and fiscal instruments that help investees develop biodiversity-focused strategies. Catalytic capital creates the conditions for others to follow. 4. Demand place-based accounting Use biodiversity accounting methods that reflect actual ecological and regional contexts. Track whether specific watersheds are regenerating, not whether your aggregate ESG score improved. 5. Use financial instruments designed for biodiversity outcomes Green bonds, high-integrity biodiversity credits, conservation funds, sustainability-linked loans. Not retrofitting ESG metrics onto conventional products. The pattern across all 5 is ceding control. Sharing decision-making power with communities. Letting ecological values shape allocation. Accepting accountability from outside your institution. Most financial actors will stick with ESG metrics and disclosure frameworks, which is less disruptive. But IPBES is clear: incremental improvements to a broken system won't halt biodiversity loss. If you could move without committee approval, which would you pioneer? #IPBES #Biodiversity #Nature #finance #catalyticcapital Cécile de Lisle (Lavrard-Meyer) Sophie Edmonds Timothy Coates Marine de Bazelaire Eric Heath Samantha Power Eoin Speight Roxana Balzac Ruiz Nina --- Nabiha M. Das, MS/MBA Morris Miller Snehal Shah