{"id":252816,"date":"2025-01-30T13:16:52","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T12:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=252816"},"modified":"2026-03-24T13:21:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T12:21:21","slug":"land-acquisition-fund-celebrates-25-years-we-need-the-people-on-the-frontline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/land-acquisition-fund-celebrates-25-years-we-need-the-people-on-the-frontline\/","title":{"rendered":"Land Acquisition Fund celebrates 25 years: ‘We need the people on the frontline\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund. Thanks to our donors, we have been able to support local organisations safeguarding nature under threat for 25 years. This would be impossible without the people on the ground: the conservationists on the frontline. \u2018We help these passionate people in realising their dreams, like protecting an endemic, endangered species or saving a threatened ecosystem,\u2019 says Marc Hoogeslag, coordinator of the Land Acquisition Fund.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Header photo: Proyecto Washu team and Marc Hoogeslag in Ecuador<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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On the frontline of conservation<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The Land Acquisition Fund enables local nature organisations in Latin America, Africa and Asia to secure important wildlife habitat by purchasing or long-term land leasing. By protecting, expanding and connecting the habitat of endangered and vulnerable species, these animals and plants have a second chance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Hoogeslag explains why this is important \u2013 especially now. \u2018Because of the 30×30 target of the International Biodiversity Convention<\/a>, many donors focus on protecting large areas. But we should not overlook the smaller projects, which often have a huge impact at crucial locations, on the frontline of conservation. In addition, funding reforestation projects is currently popular, while preserving existing forests is the important first step.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u2018I see among local conservationists that the \u201cfire in the belly\u201d is at risk because of bureaucratic requirements from donors, financial insecurity and safety issues.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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  • Marc Hoogeslag, coordinator of the Land Acquisition Fund<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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    Fire in the belly<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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    Supporting the work of (young) conservationists offers hope for the future. The conditions in which many of them work are far from ideal: an adequate income and even security are often not a given.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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    \u2018I see among local conservationists that the \u201cfire in the belly\u201d is at risk because of bureaucratic requirements from donors, financial insecurity and safety issues. Unsafe work situations, for example due to intimidation and violence in the region, can also have far-reaching personal consequences, such as health and relationship problems. A survey by the International Ranger Federation found that 82% of rangers do not want their children to become rangers too: a shocking percentage,\u2019 shares the coordinator of the Land Acquisition Fund. \u2018International conventions are important, but we need the people on the frontline who are really making a difference.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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    \"Hana
    Hana protects the habitat of the Persian Leopard in Iraqi Kurdistan. \u00a9 Leopards Beyond Borders<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Natalia and Sebastian at work in the Chilean Altiplano. \u00a9 Aka Pacha Foundation<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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    \u2018To continue supporting conservationists on the frontline, we need to work trust-based more often, so that they can spend their time efficiently protecting nature.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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    • Marc Hoogeslag, coordinator of the Land Acquisition Fund<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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      Making a difference<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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      The Land Acquisition Fund supports their work. Since 2001, the fund of IUCN NL has financed more than 167 projects in 43 countries, protecting nearly 61,000 hectares of nature.\u00a0\u2018Our support to local organisations often acts as a catalyst to generate additional funding from various donors,\u2019 says Hoogeslag.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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      The fund also provides direct support to organisations in countries where other donors are reluctant to go, such as Venezuela, Iraq and Iran. \u2018We help these passionate people in realising their dreams, like protecting an endemic, endangered species or saving a threatened ecosystem, to which they have a unique connection. <\/strong>It is amazing to see the extreme joy of local conservationists when a species, such as the harpy eagle or Persian leopard, returns to the project area.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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      To enable these people to continue their work, Hoogeslag says it is important to pay more attention to those on the front line and for donors to become less risk-averse. \u2018To continue supporting conservationists on the frontline, we need to work trust-based more often, so they can spend their time efficiently protecting nature.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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