Steve Backshall, wildlife TV presenter and energetic supporter of World Land Trust (WLT), has raised more than £50,000 for the conservation charity by completing the 2015 Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race.
With the money raised, WLT has directly funded the purchase of 481 acres (195 hectares) of Chocó rainforest on the southern edge of Las Tangaras Bird Reserve and also guaranteed the salary of a ranger to protect the deadly Golden Poison Frog (Phyllobates terribilis) in the Rana Terribilis Amphibian Reserve.
John Burton, Chief Executive of World Land Trust, said: “Steve’s achievement is impressive. Not only did he take on an extreme challenge for World Land Trust but there was also an unprecedented level of interest in his fundraising campaign, which attracted hundreds of donations. We are very grateful for his support for World Land Trust and Fundación ProAves.”
Steve Backshall said: “After all the hard work that went into training for the race, and the hell we went through to complete it, I am absolutely delighted to know that it was all worthwhile. There is now a chunk of rainforest in Colombia that’s protected thanks to my efforts. I am also really pleased that the funds I raised are protecting the reserve where Phyllobates terribilis is found.”
Las Tangaras Bird Reserve was established in 2009 and World Land Trust has been funding land purchases to expand the reserve since 2013. Home to two endemic, endangered bird species, the Gold-ringed Tanager and the Black-and-Gold Tanager and an additional 250 globally threatened bird species, the reserve is owned and protected by WLT’s conservation partner, Fundación ProAves. Steve Backshall’s support has added 481 acres (195 hectares) to Las Tangaras Bird Reserve, which in turn prompted American Bird Conservancy, Weeden Foundation and Quick Response Biodiversity Fund to donate to save a further 426 acres (172 hectares).
Funds raised by the wildlife presenter have also contributed to the protection of the Golden Poison Frog, the most poisonous creature on earth, by funding the salary of a ranger employed by Fundación ProAves at the Rana Terribilis Amphibian Reserve. Ranger Venancio Florez Lopez is the beneficiary of Steve’s funding. He works in the reserve, which was created in 2012 by WLT with a donation from WLT’s corporate partner Puro Fairtrade Coffee. Venancio plays a key role in monitoring the breeding and tadpole development of Golden Poison Frogs on the reserve. His other duties include patrolling the reserve in order to prevent illegal logging, maintaining trails, meetings with community members, educational outreach with the local Timbiqui community, and guiding visitors across the reserve.
Steve’s fundraising total includes match funding of £15,000 from a WLT Council member, £7,500 from Maidenhead Aquatics, and £2,000 from Blue Forest.
For more information on World Land Trust, visit www.worldlandtrust.org
NOTES TO EDITORS
Photo Captions (from left to right):
Image 1: Golden Poison Frog © ProAves
Image 2: Steve Backshall completing the 2015 Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race
© WLT / Dan Bradbury
Image 3: A member of ProAves staff puts up a protected area sign on land saved by Steve Backshall and now incorporated into Las Tangaras Bird Reserve © ProAves
For more information please contact:
McCluskey International
Judy McCluskey / Sarah Salord / Christina Vasileiou
T: 020 8747 2170 E: worldlandtrust@mccluskey.co.uk
About World Land Trust (WLT)
World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation charity, which protects the world’s most biologically important and threatened habitats acre by acre. Since its foundation in 1989, WLT has funded partner organisations around the world to create reserves, and give permanent protection to habitats and wildlife. The mission of WLT is: To protect and sustainably manage natural ecosystems of the world; To conserve their biodiversity, with emphasis on threatened habitats and endangered species; To develop partnerships with local individuals, communities and organisations to engage support and commitment among the people who live in project areas; To raise awareness, in the UK and elsewhere, of the need for conservation, to improve understanding and generate support through education, information and fundraising.