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Saving the Atlantic Rainforest

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A message from Sir David Attenborough

Mankind has been exploiting the earth’s natural resources for several million years, but over the last century modern technology has enabled us to do so on an ever increasing and devastating scale. And no part of the world has suffered quite as much as the tropical rainforests. In many places, only fragments survive. The depressing statistics are that whereas these forests once covered almost 15% of the earth’s surface, they are now reduced to less than 6%. Yet even these relatively tiny fragments are still yielding species new to science. The corollary to this is that hundreds of thousands of small and not so small plants and animals are being lost as tropical rainforests continue to fall to the chainsaw. So we are condemning species to 2

extinction before we even know about them. And yet we do know that even now more than half the world’s estimated 10 million species of plants and animals live in tropical forests. I have been supporting the work of the World Land Trust since it was established in 1989, and have been one of its Patrons since 2003. During that time I have been hugely inspired by the progress of WLT and its remarkable achievements in halting at least some of this destruction. Of all the tropical forests surviving in the world today, the Atlantic Rainforest is perhaps the most threatened. Estimates are that only 7% of it survives. But despite the loss and fragmentation of the forest, this region is still ranked in the top five of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. It is therefore one of the highest priorities for conservation action. As a Patron, I applaud the World Land Trust’s decision to highlight the plight of the Atlantic Rainforest at Chelsea Flower Show. I also fully support the Trust’s drive to save as much of the real thing as is humanly possible. Despite all our great skills, we can never recreate anything so wonderful.

Patron, World Land Trust

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Saving the Atlantic Rainforest: home to over 20,000 plant species Sir Ghillean Prance is the World Land Trust’s Scientific Advisor for its exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 2010. Former Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Sir Ghillean is now Scientific Director of the Eden Project. He is a world authority on the flora and fauna of tropical rainforests, with a particular interest in ethnobotany. The Atlantic Rainforest is his passion. The Atlantic Rainforest has suffered centuries of abuse, being cleared relentlessly for its timber to make way for sugar cane and coffee plantations, cattle pastures, for highways and the growth of cities. But nature does not bow out gracefully, and although reduced to mere fragments of their former glory rainforests are just about managing to hold their own, and are still havens for amazing biodiversity, which includes some 20,000 species of plants. Human disturbance does not always prove to be negative. I have always been impressed during my research that some of the areas with the bestpreserved forest are in the territories of Indigenous peoples. In many cases a map of Indigenous reserves coincides with areas of the most biological diversity. Early in the conservation movement work on biological conservation was completely separate from work on Indigenous peoples, and I very much welcome the way in which these two fields are coming together to use the wisdom from both sources to conserve both biodiversity and culture. In my ethnobotanical research I have spent a great deal of time in the Atlantic Rainforest with the Guaraní people of Misiones Province in Argentina. Of prime importance to them are the palm, pindo, (Arecastrum romanzoffianum) and the bamboo, takuapi, (Chusquea ramosissima). I have also been intrigued by the importance of philodendrons in their culture. These are well known in horticulture and are among some of our favourite house plants. The giant Philodendron bipinnatifidum is known as guembé by the Guaraní who eat its banana-like fruits, make strong rope and twine from its fibres and use the sap that flows copiously from cut roots as a coagulant on wounds.

The annual flowering of guembé in the southern spring is a sign to the Guaraní that it is time to start planting their crops, because there will be no more frosts. Such is its importance. I do not mean to imply that all the Indigenous people look after the forest: many have been as destructive as we have been, but generally the scale of impact has been smaller and hence less harmful. Clearly we have so much to learn from the rainforests but in order to do so we must find the way to protect them while there is still time. I believe with all my heart that the Atlantic Rainforest must be protected and I will do anything I can to help with these endeavours.

Above: Sir Ghillean Prance (3rd from left) with members of the Guaraní community in Misiones Province, Argentina. Second from left is Mario Malajovich who has been working with World Land Trust to set up a project in the region. Left: The giant Philodendron bipinnatifidum, known as guembé to the Guaraní, provides a very strong fibre which is woven into rope and twine. 3

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About the World Land Trust why we are at Chelsea Flower Show by John Burton, WLT Chief Executive The World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation organisation, celebrating 21 years of direct conservation action in saving and preserving tropical forests and other critically threatened habitats for their biodiversity. To date, WLT has helped the purchase of over 400,000 acres (162,000 ha) of tropical forests, wetlands and grasslands, and over 2 million more are being protected for conservation by WLT and its overseas project partners. All WLT projects are in partnership with local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in whom the ownership of the land is vested, and WLT works with its partners to protect and manage the reserves. At Chelsea WLT is bringing attention to the Atlantic Rainforest of South America - a biodiversity hotspot - with an exhibit which provides not only an opportunity to share the beauty of the Atlantic Rainforest, but also to show the importance of its preservation. The exhibit focuses on WLT’s project areas in the Atlantic Rainforest, particularly in Misiones Province in northeast Argentina, and the REGUA (Reserva Ecológica de Guapi Assu) Reserve in Brazil. WLT also works with Guyra Paraguay to save Atlantic Rainforest in San Rafael. Why Chelsea? 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, as well as WLT’s 21st Anniversary. As the future of the world’s tropical forests hang by a thread, what better time to bring alive the beauty of the Atlantic Rainforest to the thousands of visitors to the Chelsea Flower Show? We know they are passionate about all things green and we hope that we can add a new dimension to the Chelsea experience.

The Mission of the World Land Trust is to: • Protect and sustainably manage natural ecosystems of the World. To conserve their biodiversity, with emphasis on threatened habitats and endangered species of flora and fauna. • Develop partnerships with local organisations and communities to engage support and commitment among the people who live in the project areas. • Raise awareness in the UK and elsewhere of the urgent need for conservation intervention, to improve understanding and generate support through education, information and fundraising.

Above: Atlantic Rainforest in Misiones Province. Argentina protects one of the largest remaining swathes of Atlantic Rainforest.

“I have been to a few rainforests, including the Atlantic Rainforest. I have been hot and sticky, I have been speared by sharp thorns protruding from innocent looking trunks, and lassoed by lianas danglin g treacherously low. I have been seriously frightened and bitten to bits: I can ’t wait to go again.” Simon Barnes, Council Member World Land Trust

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Celebrating the Atlantic Rainforest at Chelsea 2010 A race against time to save what is left Year: 1900

Year: 2005

Brazil

SOUTH AMERICA

Brazil

Paraguay

Brazil

Paraguay

Paraguay Argentina Uruguay Atlantic Ocean

Argentina

Argentina Atlantic Ocean

Atlantic Ocean

By 2005 the Atlantic Rainforest had been reduced to tiny fragments and is still being Left: The Atlantic Rainforest in 1900. Centre: The Atlantic Rainforest in 2005. lost at a catastrophic rate.

The map above left shows the once extensive Atlantic Rainforest stretching in a huge swathe from eastern Brazil, through Uruguay and Argentina to eastern Paraguay. The map above centre tells a different story. The story today. Now reduced to forest fragments the objective of the World Land Trust and its project partners is to link as many of the remaining fragments together to form larger protected areas for the benefit of their biodiversity. The sad fact is that the Atlantic Rainforest is in far worse shape than its better known cousin, the

Amazon. 20% of the Amazon Rainforest has gone - but an estimated 93% of the Atlantic Rainforest has been lost. It is generally believed that tropical forests restore their full biodiversity in 500 years but, at today’s rate, the Atlantic Rainforest does not have 500 years. The rate of destruction and forest clearance continues relentlessly. Many of the plants from the Atlantic Rainforest, such as bromeliads, ferns and orchids, are recognisable as houseplants. Hybridised varieties of many species have been developed to bring colour and a little bit of the tropics to our homes. They are also used effectively in largerscale plantings in the foyer of offices, theatres and public buildings. Many of the plant specimens at Kew that were collected in the 1850s have not been found since, so these species could well be extinct. With an estimated 53% of the plant species of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest endemic to the region, destruction of this forest is bound to cause extinctions at a global level.

in the rainforest do you get that sense “The rainforests are nature’s masterpieces. Only t life is at its best when it teems.” of depth: that sense of mystery: that sense tha ber World Land Trust Simon Barnes, Council Mem

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The Exhibit The Medicine Trail The Food we Eat Resources we cannot afford to lose Man’s Relationship with Plants ‘Ethnobotany’ is the scientific study of the relationship that exists between people and plants. Although the word was coined by the US botanist John William Harshberger in 1895, man’s relationship with plants goes back into prehistory. Dioscorides wrote De Materia Medica, cataloguing some 600 Mediterranean plants and included information on how the Greeks used them, particularly as medicine. Dioscorides also stressed the economic potential of plants. The food we eat and products in daily use today are so commonplace that many rainforest origins have been forgotten. Bananas, cocoa, nuts and spices are taken for granted but the potential for new foods and cures are boundless. It is estimated that in the USA at least a quarter of prescription drugs contain a natural compound, as often as not from the rainforest.

Remedies waiting to be discovered If tropical forests are lost humans will most definitely suffer. The Cinchona tree (Cinchona spp.), for example, provides quinine, yielding relief for the world’s greatest killer, malaria; the Rosy Periwinkle of Madagascar (Catharanthus roseus) is highly effective in the treatment of some forms of childhood leukemia and Hodgkin’s disease, and the Wild Yam (Dioscorea spp.) provides a compound with a multitude of uses including use in the birth control pill.

There is significant irony in the fact that we can measure the distance from the earth to the moon to within 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) but have identified perhaps less than 6% of the earth’s species. The loss of tropical forests has been described as ‘the greatest biological disaster ever perpetrated by man”. We hope that by drawing attention to their beauty, value and potential we can bring well-deserved appreciation for the ‘Temple of Flora’. 6

Above: A collection of herbs, nuts, spices and bark collected by a ranger on the REGUA reserve in Brazil.

Case Studies Yerbe maté (Ilex paraguariensis) For centuries Indigenous peoples, particularly the Guaraní, have used the steeped juice of the leaves of the wild yerba tree-bush. Believing it to have cure-all health benefits, stimulating the body’s immune system and reducing the effects of disease, it is called the “Drink of the Gods”. Yerbe maté is grown commercially in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.

Hearts of Palm: palm tree (Euterpe edulis) The Atlantic rainforest contains many species of palm and Euterpe edulis is harvested for Hearts of Palm. Because they are considered a great delicacy they have been relentlessly exploited to the point where they are now considered commercially extinct in the wild.

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The Webcams The Ranger’s Hut

The Ranger’s Hut Windows into the Rainforest WLT is installing high-quality webcam streaming live from its projects which give a real insight into life in the forest. The webcam at the REGUA Reserve in Brazil has been set up by Luciano Breves, a wildlife film maker and conservationist. Ultimately webcams on the reserve will show live streaming across the various forest and wetland habitats as well as focussing on the bird feeders. REGUA’s altitudinal range and variety of habitats gives rise to an impressive diversity of birds, and so far a staggering 441 species have been confirmed on the reserve. This includes 63 species endemic to Brazil and 111 endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest. A huge number of hummingbirds, tanagers and other spectacular birds visit the feeders and it is a constantly moving picture via the webcam.

Right: A ranger on the REGUA Reserve, Brazil. Rangers are equipped with binoculars, small digital cameras, and often have access to laptop computers, GIS and other modern technology. Rangers use their expertise to call in Atlantic Rainforest birds. They protect the reserves from incursion and also carry out monitoring and help compile species lists.

Rangers are vital for looking after all WLT-funded reserves, and many of those employed were once hunters. This may seem a strange decision but because of their knowledge of the rainforest they can make excellent bird guides and invariably turn into some of the best ambassadors for conservation, which is very important within the local community. The transition is a simple one; by earning a wage they become well respected and instead of spending many hours in the forest in search of something to eat they are able to look after their families in a sustainable way. Exhibits in the Ranger’s Hut include products derived from the forest and artefacts made by Indigenous groups living in the forests. The rangers often collect remains of wildlife they find, such as reptiles killed on roads or orchids blown down from a tree top. All these natural objects provide examples when explaining conservation to visitors. A vital tool for rangers is reference books, and the WLT has a programme, supported by the NHBS Environmental Bookstore (www.nhbs.com) to provide reference books for use in the field.

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The magic of Atlantic Rainforest plants Epiphytes: orchids and bromeliads With over 25,000 species of orchid discovered worldwide so far they are probably the largest family of flowering plants known. New species are constantly being described, and it is estimated that there may be as many as 30,000 species, mostly occurring in the tropics. Masdevallia infracta

Darwin famously studied the pollination of orchids. Many species have evolved to be pollinated by only one species of insect, such as a moth, beetle or bee, and some are pollinated by hummingbirds or bats. In the Atlantic Rainforest there is a spectacular proliferation of orchids, many of which are endemic – not found anywhere else. Because of the wholesale destruction of the natural habitat of these species, ex situ conservation in Botanic Gardens is an important part of the

What is an epiphyte? Epiphytes are plants which use trees and other plants for support. Although not rooted in the soil they are not parasitic and so do not take nutrients from the tree itself, relying instead on nutrients from the air, rainfall and the compost that lies on tree branches. By growing on other plants epiphytes can reach positions where the light is better or where they can avoid competition for light. Many mosses, lichens and ferns are epiphytes as are over half of all orchid species. 8

conservation strategy. Masdevallia infracta and Octomeria juncifolia are two species endemic to Brazil forming part of the World Land Trust’s Atlantic Rainforest display. These particular specimens are part of a collection on loan from Chester Zoo. Octomeria densiflora

Chester Zoo: an insurance policy Chester Zoo has a very large and diverse collection of orchids and holds the joint National Collection of the Plerothallidinae group. We are grateful to Chester Zoo for loaning a selection of flowering orchids, representing some of the rare and endemic species of the Atlantic Rainforest, for our exhibit at Chelsea. Bromeliads are also epiphytic and some of the best examples occur in the Atlantic Rainforest. They include the terrestrial pineapple as well as epiphytic air plants such as Tillandsia and Spanish Moss. Some bromeliads can hold several litres of water and are miniature ecosystems in themselves providing homes for frogs, salamanders, snails and beetles. Above: A bromeliad photographed on the REGUA Reserve.

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Restoring forests that have been lost A vital habitat for wildlife

Tree planting and restoration work It is often said that once tropical forests have been lost they have been lost forever. But while extinctions can occur it is possible, given time, to restore forests to their former glory. WLT is working with overseas project partners to restore Atlantic Rainforest where it has been cleared. Seeds from the forest floor nearby are collected and grown in nurseries run by members of the local community. The photographs below show the REGUA nursery and tree planting taking place adjacent to the standing forest.

Protecting a wealth of wildlife The last remaining Atlantic Rainforests support an incredible wealth of wildlife which include large cat species such as Jaguars, Puma and Ocelot. • In Misiones Province, Argentina, bird species number some 548 and the diversity of reptiles and amphibians is known to be huge. Mammals incude Giant Otter, Giant Anteater and Lowland Tapir.

It is also very encouraging to note the speed with which plants and animals recolonise of their own accord as the trees begin to grow. Reforestation and assisted regeneration work is funded through WLT’s Carbon Balanced programme whereby companies and individuals can offset their unavoidable emissions with the World Land Trust.

www.carbonbalanced.org

• The REGUA reserve in NE Brazil, is home to 55 mammal species including the Critically Endangered Southern Woolly Spider Monkey or Muriqui. Of the 682 species of birds found in the Atlantic Forest biome 441 species have been recorded at REGUA. • In the San Rafael Atlantic Rainforest in Paraguay there are 40 species of mammal and over 300 bird species, including King Vulture and Crested Eagle. Above: The Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) is the largest member of the toucan family. It eats fruits which it plucks from trees with its massive beak, as well as insects, small reptiles and birds’ eggs. 9

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World Land Trust’s Projects Saving the Atlantic Rainforest Misiones Province, Argentina

Above: Atlantic Rainforest in Argentina is still being logged relentlessly. This photograph was taken in Spring 2010.

Misiones Province, in north-east Argentina, protects one of the last strongholds of largely undisturbed sub-tropical rainforest known as Selva Paranaense which is part of the Atlantic Rainforest. WLT is raising funds for the purchase of strategically important tracts of forest in an urgent bid to protect critical habitats, rich in rare and endemic flora.

Atlantic Rainforest in Misiones Province protects Jaguars

The focus is on saving forests within the Yaboti Biosphere Reserve, which covers more than 580,000 acres. However, much of the land within the biosphere reserve is privately owned and consequently not protected against a multitude of threats. A first priority is to create the Mocona Corridor Reserve, to link together areas of forest that are already protected. Two designated provincial Parks, Esmeralda and Mocona, are protected and close by is Turvo State Park in neighbouring Brazil, but these areas are isolated from one another. The Mocona Corridor Reserve will link them all together to form a contiguous area protecting more than 100,000 acres (42,000 ha). Paraguay Brazil Misiones Agentina

Uruguay

importance of ensuring large, connected and intact areas of rainforest for wildlife to roam and breed safely.

The largest cat species in the Americas, the Jaguar, was once widespread across South America but they are increasingly threatened by loss of habitat and are extinct over 50% of their former range. The good news is that the Misiones Province rainforest still contains healthy populations of Jaguars and by protecting their habitat we can ensure their survival. To maintain a viable population (around 150 Jaguars) it is estimated that an area of over 1 million acres is required. This highlights the

“The rainforest of Misiones is the largest remaining fragment of the Atlantic Rainforest of South America. It is full of unique plants and important animals species and it is vital to preserve the best sample of this ecosystem.”

s, Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, former Director of Royal Botanic Garden . Project Kew & Scientific Director of the Eden

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In the Serra do Mar mountains, Brazil Reserva Ecológica de Guapi Assu

Left: The Violet-capped Woodnymph is a regular visitor to the hummingbird feeders at REGUA, where this photograph was taken.

WLT is working with Reserva Ecológica de Guapi Assu (REGUA) to save Atlantic Rainforest just 80 km northeast of the skyscraper city of Rio de Janeiro. Situated in this area of outstanding natural beauty, the 17,445 acres (7,060 ha) protected area is located in the coastal state of Rio de Janeiro, on the slopes of the Serra do Mar mountains. It represents one of the richest of all the ‘centres for endemism’ within the Atlantic Rainforest. The original wetlands on the REGUA reserve, known to have had rare

species of trees, orchids and bromeliads, were drained in the 1980s for agriculture. But, over the past five years, REGUA has restored them to their former glory and over 37 acres have been flooded to provide a range of important wetland habitats. “It is astonishing how quickly newly restored habitats are recolonised by plants and animals”, said Nicholas Locke, Director of REGUA. “The seeds are just lying there in the soil waiting for an opportunity to be allowed to grow, and wildlife just moves in!”

Minas Gerais State

Rio de Janeiro State

Brazil

Nova Friburgo Teresópolis Petrópolis

Macaé

Cabo Frio

Rio de Janeiro

The red arrow indicates the location of the REGUA Reserve.

From Sugar Plantations to Reforestation When the Portuguese arrived in the Atlantic Rainforest in the 1500s the forests covered an area of 1,477,500 km2 of Brazil’s land surface. From then onwards the forests were logged for charcoal and cattle ranching and plantations of Below: Workers on sugar plantations in 1920, created by clearing Atlantic Rainforest. This land is now part of the REGUA Reserve.

sugar, tobacco and coffee. By the 21st century less than 7% of the original forest remained. REGUA was established in 1998 and since then Nicholas Locke, and his wife Raquel, have worked tirelessly to protect the site’s rich biodiversity. Forests are also being restored in areas that had been cleared.

“The rainforest is the place to go if you like life. Life comes in more different forms here than it does anywhere else on earth: endless forms most beautiful, to use Darwin’s perfect phrase.” Simon Barnes, Council Member, World Land Trust

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“It has become one of the accepted facts of mod ern life: that goodhearted people wake up in the middle of the night and feel terrible about the rainforest. But why don’t we all change our minds and feel good about the rainforest?” Simon Barnes, Council Member, World Land Trust

Simon Barnes is an award-winnin g journalist who writes on both wild life and sport. His Wild Notebook Wild columns in The Times ever and Into The y Saturday have raised thousand s of pounds for land purchase and through donations to the World protection Land Trust. He has visited the Atlan tic Rainforest as part of WLT expe thank Simon for agreeing the use ditions, and we of various quotes from his writings throughout this publication.

Consultants: World Land Trust exhibit at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 2010 Designers: Sally and Jeremy Seeley, Drab Ltd. www.wearedrab.net

World Land Trust thanks Sally and Jeremy Seeley and Edd Terran for their hard work and generosity in helping us realise our vision to recreate the Atlantic Rainforest.

World Land Trust Blyth House, Bridge Street Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8AB, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1986 874422 Email: [email protected]

www.worldlandtrust.org Patrons: Sir David Attenborough OM CH FRS & David Gower OBE World Land Trust is a Registered Charity: No. 1001291

Printed by Kingfisher Press Ltd on think 4 Bright 50% recycled paper using vegetable based inks. Designed by www.wearedrab.net

Set build: Edd Terran, School House Design and Film Studios www.shs-filmstudios.co.uk

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World Land Trust’s Projects Guyra Reta Reserve, Paraguay BOLVIA

Pantanal

ChacoPantanal Reserve Campo Iris Reserve

BRAZIL Cerrado

Dry Chaco

PARAGUAY Humid Chaco Atlantic Forest

Above: Flowering Samanea tubulosa tree in Guyra Reta Reserve, Paraguay.

ARGENTINA

Paraguay’s natural habitats consist of several eco-regions of global importance, providing a variety of important habitats including Atlantic Rainforest, wetland, dry forest, grassland and savannah. Less than 2% of Paraguay’s Atlantic Rainforest survives today, and although it is has notional protection in San Rafael much of this is privately owned and seriously threatened by encroachment. In 2002, Guyra Paraguay helped establish the San Rafael Conservation Alliance, and since then, with support from WLT and WLTUS, have been able to purchase and protect critical parcels of the Atlantic Forest. This includes the Guyra Reta Reserve covering over 8,000 acres (2,670 ha) of near pristine Atlantic Rainforest.

Guyra Reta Reserve

Left: WLT is working with Guyra Paraguay to reforest areas of Atlantic Rainforest which have been cleared in the past, with funds raised through WLT’s Carbon Balanced programme.

Atlantic Rainforest in Uruguay

Above: The humid forests of the Guyra Reta Reserve are a ‘biodiversity hotspot’ and particularly rich in flora. 50% of the trees species alone are thought to be endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest. 12

Only a tiny fragment of Atlantic Rainforest survives in Uruguay and it is estimated that about 80% of the country is now used for cattle ranching. The Uruguayan government has identified areas for urgent wildlife protection but the current status of national parks is poor. There are 15 protected areas but they have been degraded and do not adequately protect the native flora and fauna. For this reason WLT has formed a partnership with Aves Uruguay and the priority is palm savannah conservation.

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World Land Trust Supporters and Sponsors The success of WLT’s work depends on the generous response of companies and individuals who donate funds to save and protect threatened habitats & biodiversity World Land Trust is seeing a huge surge of interest from the corporate sector which is very encouraging especially as these companies, almost without exception, are keen to demonstrate their serious commitment to the environment. The funds raised through corporate support are especially significant to the success of the Trust’s projects and the establishment of reserves to protect biodiversity. Examples of companies taking direct action in 2010 include PricewaterhouseCoopers, Stella Artois, European textile company Eurojersey, Calypso Soft Drinks and The Body Shop, all supporting land purchase of the rainforest.

Sponsoring WLT at Chelsea, 2010 We are grateful to all our sponsors for the Chelsea exhibit who are mentioned on the following pages. WLT would never have considered taking on the challenge without their enthusiasm and support. Many of the individuals who have helped us in the run-up are not mentioned however, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has given freely of their time and advice. We would particularly like to recognise the support given us by Sir Ghillean Prance who has acted as our Scientific Advisor, and Sir Kenneth Carlisle, a trustee of the World Land Trust, who has chaired the Chelsea Steering Committee so wonderfully, and hosted our meetings at his home at Wyken Vineyard. Sir David Attenborough has supported us throughout this initiative, as has Bill Oddie who even went to see the Atlantic Rainforest for himself as a result.

Case Study With 25 years in the horticulture business, Enterprise Plants offers clients a first-class service that covers everything from plant displays and grounds maintenance through to gritting, food waste collection and composting. For 19 of those 25 years Enterprise Plants has been supporting WLT. This is a fantastic track record which began with small donations to our Costa Rica rainforest project and has blossomed into a partnership which sees the company sponsoring WLT News, making monthly donations on behalf of clients and now sponsoring the WLT exhibit at Chelsea. Chris Jenkin, Managing Director of Enterprise Plants, has given unstinting support as a member of WLT’s Chelsea Steering Committee and in the run-up and build of the exhibit. He has helped us source the plants, provided a space for assembling the exhibit in advance of the Show and provided free collection and delivery of the plants. Chris became so inspired that in April he visited Brazil and Argentina with WLT CEO, John Burton. “I will never forget this experience”, said Chris. “We had been flying over miles and miles of sterile [soya] plantations and agricultural land and suddenly there it was - a huge swathe of green that was the Atlantic Rainforest which WLT is aiming to save.”

www.enterpriseplants.co.uk

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Sponsoring World Land Trust Chelsea 2010

First, congratulations to the World Land Trust on 21 years of actively saving tropical forests and other threatened environments, increasing their reach and effectiveness year on year. In this, the UN International Year of Biodiversity, PricewaterhouseCoopers hopes that by sponsoring the exhibit, we will raise both the profile of the great work that the World Land Trust undertakes and go some way to demonstrating the huge role that business has to play in halting the global loss of biodiversity. Today, aside from strong moral arguments for conservation, there are also strong economic arguments. It is estimated that the annual economic cost of biodiversity loss and eco-system degradation is between 2 and 4.5 trillion dollars, more than twice the estimated cost of climate change. So, it is critical that we protect this natural capital – our forests, fisheries, wetlands and other complex ecosystems – and protect it now. To this end, there is a pressing need to properly measure and account for biodiversity and ecosystems, and businesses need to factor the value of ecosystems and the costs of ecosystem impacts into business decision making. We all need to start actively managing our natural capital in the same way as we would our human or financial capital. We hope that by PricewaterhouseCoopers involvement at Chelsea, we not only help the World Land Trust increase its revenue, and therefore the land it is able to protect, but that we inspire businesses to start thinking more seriously about the fundamental role that forests and other ecosystems have to play in both the ecological stability and the economic sustainability of our planet.

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Sponsoring World Land Trust Chelsea 2010 Finetra have provided the screen and Live Video Stream from Brazil. The live webcams on WLTfunded reserves are one of the most popular features of the World Land Trust’s website.

www.finetra.co.uk

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Howard Smith Paper Group has been supporting land purchase and protection through the World Land Trust for the past two years. The paper used for this publication and the accompanying leaflet is part of the think4 family of uncoated papers with a shared philosophy: maximum visual impact, minimum environmental impact; it is exclusive to Howard Smith Paper and is Carbon Balanced through World Land Trust.

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Official printers to the World Land Trust, having printed all WLT publications, including WLT News for several years, Kingfisher Press have donated the cost of printing the WLT leaflet for WLT’s Chelsea exhibit. PA

www.kingfisher-press.com/environment/ A new supporter of the World Land Trust, funding the purchase and protection of threatened Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil, The Body Shop is also one of the sponsors of the WLT exhibit at Chelsea this year.

www.thebodyshop.com East Green Energy have loaned the solar panel for the Ranger’s Hut roof.

www.eastgreenenergy.co.uk

The orchids around the Ranger’s Hut have been loaned by Chester Zoo which is joint holder of the Plant Heritage collection of Pleurothallid orchids. The Zoo is becoming increasingly involved in botanical conservation work, both in the UK and overseas.

www.chesterzoo.org The Yerba maté plants have been loaned by the Eden Project where there is an exhibit of plants from the Atlantic Forest in the Rainforest Biome.

www.edenproject.com

Photo credits: Cover: (Atlantic Rainforest, REGUA) Jessica Stewart, (tree fern) Thor Ostybe, (epiphytes) Kelly Jacobs/WLT, (orchid) Alan Martin; Page 2: WLT; Page 3 (both) Hector Keller; Page 4: WLT; Page 5: Helena Akerlund/WLT; Page 6: REGUA; Page 7: (webcam) WLT, (guard) REGUA; (orchids) Mark Sparrow/Chester Zoo, (epiphytes) Kelly Jacobs/WLT; Page 9: (toucan) Chris Knowles, (tree planting) REGUA; Page 10: (logging) WLT, project brief cover, (Jaguar) David Tomlinson; Page 11: (hummingbird) Thor Ostybe, project brief cover, (sugar cane workers) Nicholas Locke/REGUA; Page 12: (Samanea tubulosa) Helena Akerlund/WLT, project brief cover, (forest restoration) WLT, (rainforest): José Luis Cartes; Page 13: WLT-US; Page 14: Chris Knowles; Page 15: Lee Dingain.

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