Since 2021, CLAC and Wilderness have been working together to protect temperate rainforest in British Columbia from clear-cutting and urbanization!
Would you also like to help protect the habitats of coastal wolves, bald eagles and co. on the west coast of Canada? Your donation will help the CLAC Forest to grow even further.
of wilderness sponsors have protected
CLAC (Christian Labour Association of Canada) is a national union founded in 1952 that represents over 60,000 workers in nearly every sector of the economy. Based on its values of respect, dignity and justice, CLAC works for better jobs, stronger communities and better living conditions. CLAC is a member of the World Organization of Workers.
In 2023, CLAC protected 47,676 m² of temperate rainforest by protecting the CLAC Forest with Wilderness International. The biomass of this forest will bind 2,860,560 kg of CO₂ in the long term.
The CLAC Forest is part of the temperate rainforest on Calvert Island, about 40 km south of the harbor town of Port Rupert, not far from the Alaskan border. Its trees, waters, peat bogs and coastal strips form unique habitats and the irreplaceable basis of life for a multitude of animal and plant species.
Otters hunt for mussels and snails in the sea to eat them in the shelter of the nearby forest.
The old gnarled trees defy the harsh weather on the coast - a world of synergies: Under the cover of the thicket, otters can enjoy their seafood undisturbed, while the forest floor is naturally enriched with minerals from the remains of the shells.
A rare coastal wolf foraging on the beach.
Between seaweed and kelp, a mink combines play and hunting. Its prey: abalone.
Insights into the nursery: A bald eagle in the eyrie on Porcher Island.
The sundew is a rare carnivorous plant and depends on the moors in the protected area as a habitat.
Why old-growth forest protection with WI?
In line with its own values, CLAC an Wilderness International was particularly impressed by the transparent and concrete use of the donations: 1.5 CAD donation protects 1 m² of 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.
Let's continue on this path together and permanently preserve even more unique wilderness in Western Canada:
You will receive a personalized certificate of the piece of wilderness you protected immediately after your donation.
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.
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.
There are no further obligations for you. The donation is one-time, and enables us as a foundation to ensure the long-term protection of the area. The sponsorship is a symbolic one. The forest area remains the property of the Foundation.
by offsetting our carbon footprint
have been protected this way
thus remain bound forever
