{"id":176025,"date":"2024-06-10T11:49:13","date_gmt":"2024-06-10T10:49:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=176025"},"modified":"2024-06-10T17:38:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-10T16:38:52","slug":"land-acquisition-fund-new-project-in-uganda-gives-endangered-cycads-the-time-they-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/land-acquisition-fund-new-project-in-uganda-gives-endangered-cycads-the-time-they-need\/","title":{"rendered":"Land Acquisition Fund: new project in Uganda gives endangered cycads the time they need"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the plant species is pollinated is still very much a mystery, but the urgency of protecting it is crystal clear. In Uganda, the population of the critically endangered Mpanga Falls cycad is under increasing pressure. In April of this year and with support from the IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund, the Kyaninga Forest Foundation has taken substantial steps in safeguarding the cycad ecosystem in Mpanga Gorge. Matt Cooper, director of the foundation, is fascinated by this endemic species. \u2018Their ancestors survived dinosaurs, but will they survive us? We will do everything we can to make this happen.\u2019<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p><em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\">Header photo: KFF team in the Mpanga Gorge. Photos on this page: \u00a9 Kyaninga Forest Foundation<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The Mpanga Falls cycad (<em>Encephalartos whitelockii) <\/em>is endemic to the western part of Uganda. In Mpanga Gorge, there is an estimated 8,000 individuals left, but, as it is very difficult to verify the exact population, this figure may be substantially lower. In the past ten years, deforestation and slash-and-burn methods for agriculture have been increasingly pressuring the cycads\u2019 habitat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Agroforestry benefiting nature and farmers<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The goal of the project is to safeguard the population of the Mpanga Falls cycad whilst providing benefits to the communities in the new protected area: the Mpanga Gorge Cycad Breeding and Conservation Hub. The next steps will be to put in place protection measures, produce new seedlings in a nursery and develop agroforestry systems for the area\u2019s inhabitants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kyaningaforestfoundation.com\/\">Kyaninga Forest Foundation<\/a> (KFF) works together with more than 2,500 smallholder farmers. Agriculture is the main means of income in the region, as at a national level, and working with the communities in and near the protected area is key to long-term conservation and restoration success.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p><br>\u2018I want to help to protect their habitat, and I am interested in translocating cycads from my land to the newly-established conservation area.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div><cite>Kakuhikyire Furujensi, farmer working with KFF<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:51px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Ahishakyiye Haruna says his land currently has \u2018no economic benefits, because it is degraded and we are not allowed to remove the cycads.\u2019 Moving the cycads to the protected zone, rather than telling the farmers not to cut them, combined with agroforestry is key to KFF\u2019s approach. They develop forested areas with both endemic vegetation and trees providing food, firewood, fodder for livestock, leaves and bark for medicine and timber for income. Additionally, these trees stabilise the soil and provide shade, among other things.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>An important element of the project is to listen to the communities\u2019 needs. The foundation\u2019s team visits the farmers to talk with them about their expectations about the restoration efforts. Subsequently, they study the grounds of the farm to determine which species are best suited for each individual household. Kakuhikyire Furujensi is one of these farmers. He did not know much about the cycads, he says, until he started talking with KFF: \u2018I want to help to protect their habitat, and I am interested in translocating cycads from my land to the newly-established conservation area.\u2019 As they have no livelihood value to the farmers, moving the cycads to the protected area may provide a mutually beneficial solution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"926\" height=\"926\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/KFF-works-on-the-protection-of-the-Mpanga-Gorge-in-Uganda_Photo-KFF-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-176017 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/KFF-works-on-the-protection-of-the-Mpanga-Gorge-in-Uganda_Photo-KFF-edited.jpg 926w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/KFF-works-on-the-protection-of-the-Mpanga-Gorge-in-Uganda_Photo-KFF-edited-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/KFF-works-on-the-protection-of-the-Mpanga-Gorge-in-Uganda_Photo-KFF-edited-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/KFF-works-on-the-protection-of-the-Mpanga-Gorge-in-Uganda_Photo-KFF-edited-768x768.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 926px) 100vw, 926px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 926px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 926\/926;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\"><em>Mpanga Gorge in western Uganda<\/em><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"731\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/KFF-is-working-with-farmers-in-Uganda_Photo-KFF-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-176015 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/KFF-is-working-with-farmers-in-Uganda_Photo-KFF-edited.jpg 731w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/KFF-is-working-with-farmers-in-Uganda_Photo-KFF-edited-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/KFF-is-working-with-farmers-in-Uganda_Photo-KFF-edited-150x150.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 731px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 731\/731;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\">Kakuhikyire Furujensi with KFF officer Lyanda Johnson<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>\u2018As a species, cycads are older than insects. They are slow in everything: they come from a time when time did not exist.\u2019 Creating safe habitat, as is currently being done with the 21 hectares protected area in Mpanga Gorge, is important for the plant to regenerate at their own pace.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div><cite>Matt Cooper, director of KFF<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cycads regenerate at their own pace<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>As their habitat is severely fragmented, pollination of the plants is becoming challenging as males and females must be in close proximity for successful pollination, with the team regularly finding unpollinated cones. It takes them a long time to mature, shares the foundation\u2019s director: \u2018As a species, cycads are older than insects. They are slow in everything: they come from a time when time did not exist.\u2019 Creating safe habitat, as is currently being done with the 21 hectares protected area in Mpanga Gorge, is important for the plant to regenerate at their own pace.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p><br>An interesting fact is that many cycad species switched from wind pollination to insect pollination, after insects came into the picture. The exact way the Mpanga Falls cycad reproduces, however, is not yet confirmed; KFF is planning to determine this in the near future. In addition to conservation and restoration activities, KFF therefore conducts research in Mpanga Gorge to figure out the pollination mechanism. Science also intertwines with other activities, according to Cooper: \u2018Everything we do is as science-based as possible.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A remarkable species<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Cooper is fascinated by the species. \u2018Cycads are remarkably tough plants. They are capable of growing on rocky outcrops with seemingly no soil, have leaves laced with cyanide that even &nbsp;hungry dinosaurs and reproductive cones that pulse heat waves to attract insects. When faced with an abrupt change in their habitat, the species is capable of simply going to sleep for more than 20 years. If conditions become favourable again, the plants awaken as if nothing had happened. It sounds like cycads are almost invincible, however, not when they are young. Adults can survive wildfires or bush burning; younger plants cannot. Their ancestors survived dinosaurs, but will they survive us? We will do everything we can to make this happen.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supported by the Land Acquisition Fund<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The land purchase to establish the privately protected area in Mpanga Gorge was supported by the IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund. \u2018The Mpanga Gorge Cycad Breeding and Conservation Hub is a great example of how the protection of endangered species and supporting sustainable livelihoods can go hand in hand,\u2019 says Marc Hoogeslag, coordinator of the fund.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Since its foundation in 2001, the Land Acquisition Fund of has enabled safeguarding over 70.000 hectares of natural habitat. Through the work of the local NGOs, safeguarding important ecosystems creates a win-win for biodiversity, the climate and human well-being.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/project\/land-acquisition-fund\/\">More about the Land Acquisition Fund<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-primary\" id=\"block_d39197f51871e605db9c873790ea5dd9\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n\n<div class=\"smallteam-members__name12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n\t<div id=\"team-members-block_f10207b21878d959670a05977d447e73\" class=\"team-members team-members-block block\">\n\t\t<span class=\"anchor-id\" id=\"\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"team-members__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<div>More information? Contact:<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"team-members__body small-12 grid-x\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__item grid-x small-12 medium-6\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image cell shrink\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/marc-hoogeslag\/\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image-wrapper lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit;\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2023\/01\/51uitsnede2IUCN-121222-2-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2023\/01\/51uitsnede2IUCN-121222-2-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Marc Hoogeslag\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/2560;\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info cell auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/marc-hoogeslag\/\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__name\">Marc \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHoogeslag<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__jobtitle\">Senior Expert Nature Conservation<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__email\">Email:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"mailto:marc.hoogeslag@iucn.nl\">marc.hoogeslag@iucn.nl<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__readmore\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/marc-hoogeslag\/\" target=\"\">Full profile<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__socials\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/marc-hoogeslag-24a355201\/\" class=\"team-members__socials-icon ico-linkedin\" aria-label=\"Linkedin profile of Marc  Hoogeslag\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/themes\/gopublic-motor-theme-child\/src\/images\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"Linkedin logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/marchoogeslag\" class=\"team-members__socials-icon ico-twitter\" aria-label=\"Twitter profile of Marc  Hoogeslag\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/themes\/gopublic-motor-theme-child\/src\/images\/twitter-icon.svg\" alt=\"Twitter logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__item grid-x small-12 medium-6\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image cell shrink\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image-wrapper lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit;\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/03IUCN-300418.jpg&#039;)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/03IUCN-300418.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2446px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2446\/2446;\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info cell auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__name\">Frederique\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHolle<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__jobtitle\">Expert Environmental Justice<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__email\">Email:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"mailto:frederique.holle@iucn.nl\">frederique.holle@iucn.nl<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"posts related_content small-12\">\n    <div class=\"post__titlebar grid-x\">\n                    <h2 class=\"post__title\">Stories from the Land Acqusition Fund<\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"post__body\">\n                    <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x show-for-medium\">\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/record-breaking-number-of-projects-funded-by-the-land-acquisition-fund\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hyloxalus-maculosus-in-Ecuador_SamSchenker-1-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hyloxalus-maculosus-in-Ecuador_SamSchenker-1-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hyloxalus-maculosus-in-Ecuador_SamSchenker-1-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Record-breaking number of projects funded by the Land Acquisition Fund\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/call-for-proposals-for-ngos-and-csos-protecting-nature-under-threat\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Field-work-in-Tocache-in-Peru_Photo-AMPA-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Field-work-in-Tocache-in-Peru_Photo-AMPA-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Field-work-in-Tocache-in-Peru_Photo-AMPA-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Call for proposals for NGOs and CSOs protecting nature under threat\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/survey-results-underscore-continued-pressures-on-civic-spaces\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/protest-mining-in-the-Philippines-\u00a9-ATM-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/protest-mining-in-the-Philippines-\u00a9-ATM-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/protest-mining-in-the-Philippines-\u00a9-ATM-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Publications\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Survey results underscore continued pressures on civic spaces\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/the-energy-transition-revisited-the-case-of-lithium-extraction-in-the-andes\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/06\/lithiumine_oli_20240114__lrg-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/06\/lithiumine_oli_20240114__lrg-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/06\/lithiumine_oli_20240114__lrg-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            The energy transition revisited: the case of lithium extraction in the Andes \u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"show-for-small-only\">\n                <div class=\"orbit\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Stories from the Land Acqusition Fund\" data-orbit>\n                    <div class=\"orbit-wrapper\">\n                        <ul class=\"orbit-container\">\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/record-breaking-number-of-projects-funded-by-the-land-acquisition-fund\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hyloxalus-maculosus-in-Ecuador_SamSchenker-1-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hyloxalus-maculosus-in-Ecuador_SamSchenker-1-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Hyloxalus-maculosus-in-Ecuador_SamSchenker-1-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Record-breaking number of projects funded by the Land Acquisition Fund\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/call-for-proposals-for-ngos-and-csos-protecting-nature-under-threat\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Field-work-in-Tocache-in-Peru_Photo-AMPA-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Field-work-in-Tocache-in-Peru_Photo-AMPA-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Field-work-in-Tocache-in-Peru_Photo-AMPA-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Call for proposals for NGOs and CSOs protecting nature under threat\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/survey-results-underscore-continued-pressures-on-civic-spaces\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/protest-mining-in-the-Philippines-\u00a9-ATM-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/protest-mining-in-the-Philippines-\u00a9-ATM-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/protest-mining-in-the-Philippines-\u00a9-ATM-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Publications\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Survey results underscore continued pressures on civic spaces\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/the-energy-transition-revisited-the-case-of-lithium-extraction-in-the-andes\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/06\/lithiumine_oli_20240114__lrg-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/06\/lithiumine_oli_20240114__lrg-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/06\/lithiumine_oli_20240114__lrg-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            The energy transition revisited: the case of lithium extraction in the Andes \u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                <\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <nav class=\"orbit-bullets\">\n                                                                            <button class=\"is-active\" data-slide=\"0\">\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\" data-slide-active-label><\/span>\n                        <\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"1\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"2\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"3\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                <\/nav>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How the plant species is pollinated is still very much a mystery, but the urgency of protecting it is crystal clear. In Uganda, the population of the critically endangered Mpanga Falls cycad is under increasing pressure. In April of this year and with support from the IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund, the Kyaninga Forest Foundation [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":176020,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[145,144,174],"class_list":["post-176025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-land-acquisition","tag-land-acquisition-fund","tag-protected-areas"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176025","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=176025"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176025\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":176839,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/176025\/revisions\/176839"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/176020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=176025"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=176025"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=176025"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}