In 2023, we continued our efforts to balance our yearly environmental impact through supporting Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust’s work in Brazil.

Working with their local partners Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), Durrell has been working to save species from extinction in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil for the last 30 years.

During 2023, Wild in Art has funded the planting of 2,000 trees in this region. These trees, chosen carefully from a variety of native species, will be cared for during the first few years of life until they can survive on their own.

A mixture of fast-growing cover species and slower growing trees will eventually form a forest canopy, providing shelter and food for wildlife within just a few months of being planted.

This will facilitate the restoration of around one hectare of precious forest habitat, an area similar to a full-sized rugby pitch. The trees will also play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Durrell and IPÊ aims to protect the ecosystem by creating these ‘wildlife corridors’, which create lifelines between remaining rainforest fragments. Planting trees establishes these corridors and will reconnect threatened wildlife unique to the area such as black lion tamarins, jaguars, pumas and ocelots.

The Atlantic Forest is one of the richest and biodiverse habitats on the planet and is home to many species of animals and plants found nowhere else on Earth. Sadly, only 12% of this once vast landscape remains in fragmented pockets today. Due to increased human pressures, the abundant rainforest has been replaced by towns, pastures and intensive agriculture.

Deforestation in Brazil continues at an alarming rate and the work of Durrell and IPÊ is essential to saving endangered animals in isolated forest fragments from extinction.

Find out more about Durrell’s Conservation Work in Brazil | Durrell