Direct Action for Biodiversity
Small grants for the Purchase of Nature (SPN) enables local partners to take direct action and save nature. SPN provides funds for the purchase and protection of threatened wildlife habitats and vulnerable ecosystems. Over 22.000 hectares are secured all over the world.
But we need to save more
Habitat destruction is the most prominent cause of the growing list of threatened species worldwide. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2009) concludes that almost 17,000 species are severely threatened. The onslaught of logging and land conversion has resulted in the loss or serious fragmentation of the world’s wilderness habitats.
In areas under high pressure direct action is needed, to stop further degradation and fragmentation of sanctuaries for wildlife and the obstruction of migration routes.
By providing funds SPN enables local NGOs to put a hold to this and create natural reserves. This direct intervention is an exceptionally valuable approach, as it places ownership and management responsibility in the hands of capable local conservation organizations.
Creating a wildlife reserve is a well known instrument to preserve habitats that are important for wildlife – in particular endangered species - that would otherwise be destroyed. By buying threatened natural areas and getting legal protection for them, the NGOs are in a unique position to make conservation history.
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Reserves can also serve the purpose of connecting isolated natural areas. Creating a corridor from one protected area to another can safeguard migration routes for animals and the exchange of genetic material of species.
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