Land Acquisition Fund celebrates 25 years: ‘We need the people on the frontline’

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. ‘We help these passionate people in realising their dreams, like protecting an endemic, endangered species or saving a threatened ecosystem,’ says Marc Hoogeslag, coordinator of the Land Acquisition Fund.

Header photo: Proyecto Washu team and Marc Hoogeslag in Ecuador

On the frontline of conservation

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.

Hoogeslag explains why this is important – especially now. ‘Because of the 30×30 target of the International Biodiversity Convention, 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.’

‘I see among local conservationists that the “fire in the belly” is at risk because of bureaucratic requirements from donors, financial insecurity and safety issues.’

• Marc Hoogeslag, coordinator of the Land Acquisition Fund

Fire in the belly

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.

‘I see among local conservationists that the “fire in the belly” 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,’ shares the coordinator of the Land Acquisition Fund. ‘International conventions are important, but we need the people on the frontline who are really making a difference.’

‘To continue supporting conservationists on the frontline, we need to work trust-based more often, so that they can spend their time efficiently protecting nature.’

• Marc Hoogeslag, coordinator of the Land Acquisition Fund

Making a difference

The Land Acquisition supports their work. Since 2001, the fund of IUCN NL has contributed to the work of approximately 140 nature organisations worldwide and to the protection of more than 70,000 hectares. ‘Our support to local organisations often acts as a catalyst to generate additional funding from various donors,’ says Hoogeslag.

The fund also provides direct support to organisations in countries where other donors are reluctant to go, such as Venezuela, Iraq and Iran. ‘We 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. 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.’

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. ‘To continue supporting conservationists on the frontline, we need to work trust-based more often, so they can spend their time efficiently protecting nature.’

Examples of recent projects

ORCT in South Africa

Odette Curtis-Scott has devoted her life to protecting the renosterveld ecosystem in South Africa for almost two decades. With Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust, she makes landowners aware of the intrinsic value of this ecosystem. In 2023, the organisation received funding from a collaboration of organisations including the Land Acquisition Fund to purchase 500 hectares of renosterveld.

• Read the interview with Odette

Aka Pacha in Chile

Partners of the Land Acquisition Fund may also work at extreme altitudes. The Aka Pacha Foundation protects the unique biodiversity of Chile’s Altiplano, located at approximately 4,000 metres above sea level. Here, two young conservationists are  to expanding the Condorpasa Nature Reserve in cooperation with the area’s Indigenous people.

• Read the interview with Natalia and Sebastian

AlTo in Indonesia

On the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, Alliance for the Tompotika Conservation (AlTo) safeguards the habitat of the critically endangered maleo. In 2024, an urgent contribution from the Land Acquisition Fund ensured that 24 hectares of important wildlife remained out of the hands of a mining company.

• Read more about this project