The Tropical Forest Foundation
Rainforests are home to about 2/3 of all animals and plant species on this planet. That is why it is especially important to protect them.
OroVerde - translated from Spanish, this means "green gold". What is meant here are the tropical rainforests. They extend as a green, living ribbon along the equator. Since 1989, OroVerde has been working to protect this special treasure. In doing so, the organisation focuses on the "biodiversity hotspots", i.e. areas that are classified as particularly worthy of protection due to their species richness and are under above-average threat.
On the ground, the organisation focuses on local projects with local partner organisations and deliberately does not employ its own staff: in most tropical forest countries, there are local initiatives that are driving forward the protection of their nature with great commitment. However, they often lack the money for effective work and the necessary infrastructure. The foundation provides the necessary start-up aid and supports and advises the local organisations until the projects are self-sustaining.
How OroVerde protects the rainforest
Without the work of conservation organisations like OroVerde, animals from tropical forests, like this Eastern water dragon, could loose their habitat.
The activities implemented by the OroVerde Tropical Forest Foundation vary greatly depending on the region and country. For example, rainforest conservation areas are set up and looked after in the long term, reforestation measures are supported and measures are taken to protect against timber theft and poaching, and alternatives for agriculture and income are developed together with the local population. In doing so, OroVerde is driving forward the introduction of forest-friendly and sustainable economic practices in order to improve local living conditions so that people can live from and with the forest. Poverty continues to be a major driver of deforestation. For this reason, OroVerde interlinks environmental protection and development cooperation measures in all its projects. Only together with the local people can rainforest protection work sustainably and in the long term. Together with local organizations and the population, solutions are sought that make it possible to escape poverty and at the same time protect the unique rainforest as a habitat. We support these measures and thus help to ensure that the precious rainforest is protected.
With over 30 years of experience in tropical forest conservation, OroVerde is well connected locally and internationally. Many of the measures have been tried and tested for a long time, so that the Tropical Forest Foundation carries out pilot projects with model character, extends successful measures to other regions and also shares these experiences with other organizations. Internationally, OroVerde is active in conventions and conferences and influences political frameworks and legislation through recommendations for action.
Rainforest conservation in Germany
Rainforests can be protected through our everyday choices in the supermarket. That is why OroVerde works intensively with educational institutions in German-speaking countries to bring the topic of rainforests into classrooms.
Here in Europe, OroVerde is also active: environmental education in schools and consumer information raise awareness of the links between consumption and the rainforest and make the global connections clear. OroVerde works intensively with schools, universities and other educational institutions to anchor the topic of sustainability in the classroom and to support teachers with innovative educational concepts and professional know-how. After all, the children and young people of today are the consumers of tomorrow and can protect the rainforest in a very practical way and every day by making conscious purchasing decisions that protect the rainforest.
OroVerde handles donations responsibly: Only just under 13% of expenditures are in the area of administration. 87% goes directly into project work, environmental education and public relations (as of 2021). Setting clear goals, good controlling and a review of successes are naturally part of the work. As one of the first environmental organizations in Germany, OroVerde has carried the DZI donation seal since 2015, which confirms the organisation's economical use of funds and transparency.
You might also like
Want to hang art on your walls and support rainforest conservation? You can do so by ordering one of my products from my Print Store ->
Would you like to learn even more about OroVerde? Find further information on OroVerde's work on their website ->