Our Mission

Rainforest Trust saves endangered wildlife and protects our planet by creating rainforest reserves through partnerships, community engagement and donor support.

So far, we have protected more than 55 million acres by establishing protected areas in partnership with local organizations and engaged communities across more than 62 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

Our Approach

The best way to protect rainforests

We are confident that the simplest and most cost-effective solution to prevent deforestation is to create legally-recognized protected areas where forests and their species can continue contributing to the health of the global ecosystem.

Our unique, cost-effective conservation model has been implemented successfully for over 36 years.

Through highly effective partnerships, we ensure sustainable results necessary for the long-term protection of tropical ecosystems and the wildlife they hold. Our reserves are exemplary models of international conservation. Rainforest Trust identifies critical sites that provide a permanent refuge for endangered species, but that face immediate and direct threats typically from loggers, miners or ranchers.

We work with local communities to protect wild lands

We establish strategic partnerships with local communities and committed conservationists, providing technical capacity and support while respecting and embracing local knowledge and land stewardship that is key to achieving long-term land management and species protection.

Protection requires swift action, and we work with our partners to develop scientifically-based conservation plans that are not only timely, but also resilient and sustainable. Our partners work closely with their national governments and local communities to formally establish reserves protecting the land.

These protected areas are established through direct land purchase; designation in cooperation with governments and communities; and community-managed areas that secure communal lands occupied by indigenous groups which depend on the land for their survival.

Protected Area Types

• Private Reserves
A reserve is a parcel, or several parcels, of land secured for conservation and maintained by our dedicated partners in perpetuity.

• National Park
Land declared a national park is recognized and protected by the national government with support from our partners and can be open for public enjoyment.

• Community Forest
In a Community Forest project, local people are directly involved as critical stakeholders in management of the protected land, and work closely with our partners and the government to make land-use decisions.

• Indigenous Land Titling
In these projects, indigenous communities gain legal rights to their land with the help of our partners and government.

Our solution works: 99% of the forest in our reserves has remained standing post-protection.