Young man in green shirt shows a beekeeper in pink protective suit a honeycomb frame to an instructor.

Local projects

A wide range of initiatives to protect the old-growth forest

Working together for long-term change

Through local projects, we protect the forest in a wide variety of ways, always in collaboration with the local community. These projects offer opportunities to get involved beyond simply donating, and to earn a more sustainable livelihood. They range from agroforestry to environmental education, and also provide our donors and partners with even more knowledge and arguments as to why it is important to take action now. We believe that mutual understanding and close cooperation are key to bringing about long-term change on the ground. A proportion of every euro donated to us goes towards these projects. After all, forest conservation goes far beyond simply protecting land areas.

Three foundations – one team!

Projects in Peru

Our conservation areas in Peru are situated in the Madre de Dios region, the most biodiverse place on earth. As well as the nearest major town, Puerto Maldonado, there are also several smaller communities living near our conservation areas, with whom the WI Peru team maintains regular contact. Joint projects aim to enhance people’s knowledge of the rainforest and offer opportunities to live in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem.

Guardians of the Forest

In Peru, we need to maintain a presence in our forest areas and stay in contact with the local community to ensure the protection of the land. To this end, we have a team of local forest guardians who have a wealth of experience and extensive knowledge of the forest. They mark our protected areas with signage and, where necessary, take action against illegal activities. They also act as guides, supporting our international expedition teams and researchers in documenting the conservation of these areas and the biodiversity found there.
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Two hikers wade through a shallow stream in a lush rainforest surrounded by dense green vegetation.

Agroforestry Project

In order to protect the Madre de Dios region in a sustainable way, minimise the causes of deforestation and work with local families to develop alternative sources of income, we launched our agroforestry project in December 2023 and joined forces with two local agroforestry pioneers: Camino Verde and Fundo Ten Paciencia.

Our aim is to provide training for farmers on agroforestry and sustainable farming practices, including, for example, the production of wild honey

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Two people examine corn plants in a field while recording observations in a notebook.

WI Perú Educa

The Madre de Dios region’s economy is heavily influenced by gold mining and agriculture, which provide a livelihood for the majority of the population. Our environmental education programme in the region aims to foster greater knowledge of and enthusiasm for the rainforest and its inhabitants, and to provide arguments as to why it is important to actively protect this fragile ecosystem. This includes themed events in towns and communities, various projects in schools, and visits by pupils directly to our research station in the Secret Forest.
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Group of approximately 20 people of varying ages posing together in front of a green wooden building with a garden.

Research grants

For our research scholarship, we are regularly on the lookout for Peruvian nationals with a passion for nature conservation and research, as well as a relevant field of study (biology, botany, etc.), who will have the opportunity to accompany our researchers and the Fauna Forever team into the rainforest.

Through this four-week scholarship, we aim to support local people in researching the flora and fauna of their homeland, passing on their knowledge and contributing to nature conservation. And it’s been a success: Xiomara Banegas, one of our first scholarship holders, has stayed on with us as a forest ranger following her placement!

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Person wearing orange life vest sits in boat on river, looking through binoculars at lush green forest

Projects in Canada

Our protected areas in Canada are situated, on the one hand, in the Toba Valley, in the heart of the coastal mountains of western Canada, 160 kilometres north of Vancouver, and, on the other hand, on Porcher Island, approximately 40 km south of the port city of Prince Rupert and not far from the border with Alaska. There we find unique temperate rainforest and the most species-rich ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere – and yet, of all places, British Columbia is one of the last jurisdictions on Earth that still permits the large-scale felling of 600- to 1,800-year-old primeval giants. Our aim is to preserve these beautiful, ancient forests in partnership with the First Nations and local communities.

Protect the Peel

The Peel River, which winds its way through the heart of the Canadian Arctic, is not only a vital lifeline for the region’s ecosystem, but also home to many First Nations. However, this homeland was under threat from thousands of mining claims. The joint project between the Teetl’it Gwich’in and Wilderness International was designed to help raise awareness of the escalating conflict. 

In 2015, the legal case went to court, and in 2017 the landmark decision was made: 80 per cent of the Peel River catchment area will be permanently protected!
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Group of five people whitewater rafting in a blue inflatable boat on a turquoise river with snow-capped mountains in the background.

Projects in Germany

In Germany, we do not protect any forests, as there are no longer any large, intact and contiguous areas of primeval forest here. Our focus here is on environmental education. To this end, we have launched a wide range of projects over the years that cater to a diverse range of target groups. All with the overarching aim of raising awareness of the importance of old-growth forests for our climate, biodiversity and the foundations of our existence.

A totem pole for Cologne

In 2013, the Cowichan First Nations carved a meaningful gift for the city of Cologne and for all of us. From a giant tree over 100 years old, the Canadian master carver Harold Joe from Duncan, together with his assistant George Rice, crafted Cologne’s first totem pole. It is intended to serve as a reminder of the once close connection between humankind and nature, and has stood in the garden of the Amsterdamer Straße Children’s Hospital since mid-November 2014.
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An older man in a cap demonstrates woodworking techniques to a young child at a workshop table.

Our wilderness runs

The Wilderness Run is a classic charity run. It offers pupils the opportunity to get active and make a difference: by helping to protect the world’s most biodiverse rainforests, promote a healthy climate and create a greener school in their local community.

Since 2008, we have organised more than 55 Wilderness Runs involving over 40,000 pupils! And some former Wilderness Runners have remained part of the WI Germany team to this day.

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Large group of children wearing green shirts running together on a red track at a sports event.

Powerful voices

Our ambassadors are content creators, filmmakers, authors, environmental experts, musicians and many more. But they all have one thing in common: they use their reach to talk about the importance of rainforests as an essential source of life. They raise funds and raise awareness amongst their communities that preserving intact ecosystems, with all their biodiversity, is the most effective way to win the race against time to safeguard the global climate and biodiversity for future generations.
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Two men pose on an elevated platform overlooking a vast green forest canopy on a sunny day.

My Tree – My Dresden

In 2019, the ‘Mein Baum – Mein Dresden’ initiative was launched in Dresden as a blueprint for independent tree-planting initiatives. In a non-political and community-led way, citizens are greening their city, thereby improving the climate, biodiversity and quality of life.

We steered the initiative for Dresden until 2023, after which we handed over the reins to the people of Dresden themselves. MBMD was conceived as a community-led project from the very beginning. The plan has always been to hand over the planting projects to initiatives led by the city’s residents, thereby creating space for civic engagement.
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Pupils on an expedition

As part of our Environmental Ambassadors Programme, between 2008 and 2018 we awarded scholarships to a total of 56 school pupils, enabling them to accompany our team on expeditions and experience first-hand the wilderness they are committed to protecting. Back home, as passionate ambassadors, they inspire many thousands of people to support wilderness conservation and also contribute to the Foundation’s work in a variety of ways.
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Group of youth sitting on a fallen log in the forest, with one person standing underneath with arms raised.

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Any questions about our projects?