Global leaders have already reached a momentous agreement to reduce deforestation and restore millions of hectares of forests and other ecosystems by 2030. Given that around 2,400 trees are cut each minute worldwide and forest area preservation has become essential both at global and national levels, world-renowned activist Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas has come to the aid of a Lithuanian non-profit organization, the Ancient Woods Foundation, which takes firm steps in reducing deforestation in the country.
Support by world-famous activist
The mission of the Ancient Woods Foundation—the preservation of old-growth forests to create publicly accessible Lithuanian ancient wood—has recently resonated deeply within the other forest preservation enthusiasts. A Lithuanian-born globally-famous anthropologist, conservationist, and primatologist Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas has just become a Patron of the Foundation.
The patronage of the activist, who has dedicated 50 years to studying primates and established Camp Leakey—a research station and orangutan rehabilitation and release site—is expected to facilitate international relationships with other forest preservation organizations and highlight the importance of reducing deforestation within and outside Lithuania.
“I am honored to join the Ancient Woods Foundation as a Patron. This important Foundation aims to preserve forests and the biodiversity inherent in old-growth woods and forests. Forests are one of the key ecosystems of the planet, whether in Borneo or Lithuania,” Dr. Galdikas said. “Not only do they ensure the survival of a wide variety of species but also forests will affect the life of coming generations as it is hard to imagine humankind’s future without thriving ecosystems on Earth.”
Private donors show increasing interest
The most recent substantial donation of USD 20K was awarded by a Lithuanian-born benefactor residing in the United States. It was used for acquiring a new forest parcel of over 11 acres, which was named Dana Gedvila Grove to honor the benefactor’s late wife.
Over the two years of activity the Ancient Woods Foundation also received over EUR 360K in donations by nearly 900 private benefactors.
According to Mindaugas Survila, the co-founder of the Ancient Woods Foundation, the growing interest and support motivates the organization to push forwards in preserving Lithuanian forest areas.
Local forest preservation organization to tackle climate change
The Ancient Woods Foundation was founded in the beginning of 2020, after a 2017 documentary Ancient Woods by Lithuanian director and the Ancient Woods Foundation co-founder Mindaugas Survila. Seeing that there are only 1.225% of strict nature reserves in Lithuania, a portion of documentary’s profits were awarded to the Foundation in order to buy out the first forest parcels.
Throughout almost two years of operation, the Foundation has managed to preserve five parcels of the most valuable old-growth forests in Lithuania, constituting almost 117 acres. 107 acres were bought out by the Foundation and 10.32 acres were donated by private benefactors.
“The forest parcels, bought out by the Ancient Woods Foundation, will forever stay as they are, with flora, fauna, and fungi carrying on intact. Therefore the Foundation team appreciates every act of kindness, allowing us to preserve as many forest parcels as possible,” Survila said. “It’s amazing that Lithuanian woods are important to those who live here and abroad. The support by private benefactors also encourages the Foundation to strive for even bigger goals each year.”
More information about the Ancient Woods Foundation, means of contribution, and the achievements is available here.
All Inclusive
Luksusowy kwartalnik turystyczno-podróżniczy. Od 2004 roku opisujemy miejsca, do których warto lecieć dłużej niż na weekend, i ludzi, którzy je prowadzą.
