Goerzwerk protects endangered rainforest
For the preservation of the largest CO₂ sinks on the mainland
Goerzwerk works together with the Wilderness International Foundation on the mission to protect the last rainforests on our planet. With the Goerzwerk forest on the west coast of Canada, the habitat for a huge variety of species is now being protected and a stable climate made possible.
Since its 100th birthday in 2017, Goerzwerk has been giving something back to nature and protecting its own footprint in the temperate rainforest in Western Canada. Together with the tenants of the Gewerbehof - founders, start-ups and creative companies - 25,000 m² of intact ecosystems have already been protected forever. In addition, the Goerzwerk offsets its emissions by protecting the rainforest.
Donations
m2 of old-growth forest
tonnes of CO2
The Goerzwerk in south-west Berlin was built between 1915 and 1917 by Carl Paul Goerz as a film factory and glassworks. The listed brick buildings offer around 25,000 m² of space for offices, workshops and creative companies. With every customer order, Goerzwerk protects 1 m² of rainforest - and doubles this contribution. The aim is to permanently preserve around 10,000 m² of rainforest every year.
Impressions from the rainforest
Habitats create habitats: The wilderness areas that the Goerzwerk protects with its tenants in the temperate rainforest are located in the Toba Valley and on Porcher Island on the west coast of Canada. They are the most species-rich ecosystem in the northern hemisphere. Their ancient giant trees provide a safe habitat for an incredible number of animal and plant species.
Temperate rainforest in Canada: its preservation not only protects habitats, but also helps to stabilize the climate.
Among the algae and kelp, a playful mink pursues its favorite food: sea urchins.
A rare coastal wolf on patrol on Porcher Island beach.
Humpback whales have their feeding grounds off the west coast of Canada.
The protected raised bogs on Porcher Island are gigantic, millennia-old CO₂ sinks.
The safety of the protected areas in the temperate rainforest enables healthy populations of white-tailed eagles.
Transparency
Why protect the forest with WI?
What particularly impressed Goerzwerk about Wilderness International was the transparent and concrete use of the donations: €1 donation protects 1m2 old-growth forest - forever. Donors receive a certificate with the geo-coordinates and an aerial photo of the protected forest area, as well as a tax-deductible donation receipt.
You too can protect a piece of Goerzwerk forest
Let's continue on this path together and preserve even more unique wilderness in the long term:
Your wilderness protection certificate
You will receive a personalized certificate of the piece of wilderness you protected immediately after your donation.
Protect the rainforest together with Goerzwerk
About Wilderness International
The foundation, which is based in Peru, Canada and Germany, purchases legally secure wilderness areas and protects them for the future. The purchases are refinanced through donations, which ensure the long-term protection of the areas, supports environmental education projects, and research into CO2 storage and biodiversity.
CO₂ calculator for offices
Whether open-plan office or family office: with our tool especially for offices and companies, you can calculate the carbon footprint of your locations easily and free of charge.
And then you can offset your carbon footprint directly by protecting valuable rainforest!
Wilderness International purchases primary rainforest areas with land title and legally protects them for all future. Donations refinance the purchases and at the same time finance long-term protection as well as environmental education and research. Donors receive a personalized certificate with the exact geo-coordinates and aerial photograph of the forest area they are protecting. Thus, the use and impact of the donation is tangible and directly traceable. We are currently working in the temperate rainforest of Western Canada and the Amazon rainforest of Peru, where we are protecting ancient primary rainforests.
It is important to protect the rainforest because this is the only way we can stop species extinction and climate change. They are home to the world's greatest biodiversity and store huge amounts of CO2. It is also important to protect rainforests because they are the basis of our existence: they provide us with clean air, clean water and stable rainfall. They also cool the environment.
In Canada, good legal security helps us, as well as the legal situations and sanctions that even prohibit trespassing.
In Peru, we have additionally started a forest guardian program with local people. To ensure long-term protection, we also have several other measures in place. In general, we visit the areas on regular expeditions to check on them. We also work with local partners who inform us of any irregularities if necessary. The donations per square meter also already include the costs for property taxes.
Like no other, the legal form of the foundation allows a (charitable) purpose to be realized permanently and independently of outside interests, thus achieving the desired effects in the long term. It is thus the most long-term organizational construct currently known. Not even states, companies or national parks are designed for such a long term. This makes the foundation the only one that is oriented toward the lifespan of the ecosystems we protect.