Local projects

In Peru, we need to maintain a presence in our forest areas and be in contact with the local population to ensure the protection of the land. To do this, we have a team of local forest guardian who have a great deal of experience and knowledge about the forest. They mark our protected areas with signage and confront illegal activities if necessary. As guides, they also support our international expedition teams and researchers in documenting the protection of the areas and the biodiversity there. 

Our environmental education program is coordinated by forest warden Ana-Paula. The Madre de Dios region is economically strongly influenced by gold mining and agriculture, which is how the majority of people earn their living. This project aims to convey more knowledge about and enthusiasm for the rainforest and its inhabitants and provide arguments as to why it is important to actively protect this sensitive ecosystem. This includes themed events in the cities and communities, various projects in schools and visits by schoolchildren directly to our research station in the Secret Forest.

The Peel River, which meanders through the heart of the Canadian Arctic, is not only an important lifeline for the region's ecosystem, but also home to many First Nations. But this home was threatened by thousands of mining claims. The joint project between the Teetl'it Gwich'in and Wilderness International was intended to help raise awareness of the escalating conflict.

In 2015, the legal case went to court, followed by the major decision in 2017: 80% of the Peel River catchment area will be permanently protected! 

In 2013, the Cowichan First Nations carved a meaningful gift for the city of Cologne and for all of us. Together with his helper George Rice, the Canadian master carver Harold Joe from Duncan created Cologne's first totem pole from a giant tree over 100 years old. It is a reminder of the once close connection between man and nature and has been standing in the garden of the Amsterdamer Straße children's clinic since mid-November 2014.

Our ambassadors are content creators, filmmakers, authors, environmental experts, musicians and much more. But they all have one thing in common: they use their reach to talk about the importance of rainforests as an essential basis for life. They raise funds and create awareness in their community that preserving intact ecosystems with all their biodiversity is the greatest lever when it comes to the race against time to preserve the world's climate and biodiversity for future generations.  

As part of our environmental ambassador program, between 2008 and 2018 we provided a total of 56 students with a scholarship to accompany our team on expeditions and experience the wilderness they are committed to protecting up close. At home, they inspire many thousands of people for wilderness protection as passionate ambassadors and are also involved in the foundation's work in a variety of ways.