Land Purchase FAQs
Why are you buying land to conserve nature?
In areas under high pressure the purchase of remnants of natural vegetation and creating private protected areas can have a massive impact on the conservation of local biodiversity. With exploding land prices, triggered by developments in the ‘biofuel’ market or development projects, there is no time to wait for decisive action from politicians or decision makers. (In the Paraguayan Chaco for example, hundreds of hectares of dry forest are destroyed every day). If used by capable NGOs, land purchase can be an extremely valuable and fast-working instrument to protect threatened ecosystems and safeguard them for future generations. The SPN programme provides the financial support for such dedicated NGOs to implement these much needed interventions.
Some of the fragments of the forests remaining in places such as the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil, are now critical for the survival of endemic species, and by buying these remaining fragments and getting legal protection for them, the NGOs are in a unique position to make conservation history. Many people will argue that this is the job of governments, but this route is fraught with problems, and in many countries not one to be relied upon. Governments rarely have the funds available for private land purchase, and so the only means available to them is compulsory sequestration of the lands. This process is usually not only very time consuming, but likely to alienate local feelings against nature conservation. Conversely, as many of our partner organisations have demonstrated, if the purchase is handled carefully and diplomatically, it can actually enhance the reputation of nature conservationists and benefit local communities.
Who owns the land once it is purchased?
The SPN programme works only with carefully selected local conservation NGOs, with a proven capacity in management of natural resources. These NGOs will eventually own and manage the purchased areas. The SPN programme DOES NOT own any lands, it only provides the funds for the purchase. Buying land and placing the management, and/or ownership, in the hands of an NGO can be a delicate and sometimes complicated matter. For people living around the purchased area, access rights can change, as well as the right to use the resources available in the area. Therefore besides having a proven capacity in natural resource management, NGOs must also have the capacity to cooperate with local stakeholders, and know how to manage the area in a participatory manner.
In which countries does the SPN programme support land purchase projects?
The funds are eligible for local conservation NGOs working in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Although the geographical range of SPN is very broad, the bulk of the projects funded are located in Latin America. Legislation in most countries of this continent makes it relatively easy (compared to many countries in Africa and tropical Asia) for NGOs to purchase and manage land, and arrange for the title deeds to be registered in their name. Recent developments, however, show an increasing number of nations where the conservation movement succeeded in convincing policy makers that land management, and ownership, by dedicated and capable NGOs may be an important tool in reaching conservation goals and improving people’s livelihoods.
What are the criteria you use to select projects?
The funds are eligible for NGOs working in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Strict criteria are used to make sure only the best proposal make it through the selection process.
High funding priority will be given to;
Unfortunately there are no guarantees to ensure protection. The SPN programme is minimising risks by making a careful selection of NGO partners and projects, using its global network of experts. The SPN programme works only with experienced local NGOs that have an expert knowledge of the socio-economic and political context in which their projects take place. Our partners are working closely with local communities to participate in their projects, to reduce the risk of encroachment. Close involvement in the projects of conservation NGOs gives local communities a sense of pride and ownership of the natural areas, thus improving local support for conservation.
How can I personally or can my company become involved with the SPN programme?
We know from experience that, compared to other forms of conservation, the purchase of land and the establishment of private protected areas is probably the most assured way of delivering visible conservation results. This makes land purchase very attractive to potential (private or corporate) donors who wish to demonstrate their commitment to conservation by supporting the purchase of land and the creation of reserves.
Various options for support are possible; from donating for specific projects in specific countries or ecosystems, to giving a general donation for the SPN programme. Donors can choose for a close relationship and commitment to an NGO and its project or can make an anonymous donation. The coordinator of the SPN programme, Marc Hoogeslag, can be contacted directly to discuss possibilities for cooperation.
How can I keep track of the projects that I am or my company is funding?
SPN supports a close relationship and long-term commitment between donor and project partner. Donors can be informed about the progress of a project in a wide variety of ways; sightings of animals can be ‘communicated’ using webcams or camera traps in a private protected area, by annual or monthly reports from the NGO or by actual project visits.
Tax benefits
Dutch individuals and corporates can get tax benefits when donating to IUCN NL / SPN, since IUCN NL has a CBF-qualification.
In areas under high pressure the purchase of remnants of natural vegetation and creating private protected areas can have a massive impact on the conservation of local biodiversity. With exploding land prices, triggered by developments in the ‘biofuel’ market or development projects, there is no time to wait for decisive action from politicians or decision makers. (In the Paraguayan Chaco for example, hundreds of hectares of dry forest are destroyed every day). If used by capable NGOs, land purchase can be an extremely valuable and fast-working instrument to protect threatened ecosystems and safeguard them for future generations. The SPN programme provides the financial support for such dedicated NGOs to implement these much needed interventions.
Some of the fragments of the forests remaining in places such as the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil, are now critical for the survival of endemic species, and by buying these remaining fragments and getting legal protection for them, the NGOs are in a unique position to make conservation history. Many people will argue that this is the job of governments, but this route is fraught with problems, and in many countries not one to be relied upon. Governments rarely have the funds available for private land purchase, and so the only means available to them is compulsory sequestration of the lands. This process is usually not only very time consuming, but likely to alienate local feelings against nature conservation. Conversely, as many of our partner organisations have demonstrated, if the purchase is handled carefully and diplomatically, it can actually enhance the reputation of nature conservationists and benefit local communities.
Who owns the land once it is purchased?
The SPN programme works only with carefully selected local conservation NGOs, with a proven capacity in management of natural resources. These NGOs will eventually own and manage the purchased areas. The SPN programme DOES NOT own any lands, it only provides the funds for the purchase. Buying land and placing the management, and/or ownership, in the hands of an NGO can be a delicate and sometimes complicated matter. For people living around the purchased area, access rights can change, as well as the right to use the resources available in the area. Therefore besides having a proven capacity in natural resource management, NGOs must also have the capacity to cooperate with local stakeholders, and know how to manage the area in a participatory manner.
In which countries does the SPN programme support land purchase projects?
The funds are eligible for local conservation NGOs working in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Although the geographical range of SPN is very broad, the bulk of the projects funded are located in Latin America. Legislation in most countries of this continent makes it relatively easy (compared to many countries in Africa and tropical Asia) for NGOs to purchase and manage land, and arrange for the title deeds to be registered in their name. Recent developments, however, show an increasing number of nations where the conservation movement succeeded in convincing policy makers that land management, and ownership, by dedicated and capable NGOs may be an important tool in reaching conservation goals and improving people’s livelihoods.
What are the criteria you use to select projects?
The funds are eligible for NGOs working in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Strict criteria are used to make sure only the best proposal make it through the selection process.
High funding priority will be given to;
- Land purchase in or adjacent to areas with a high biodiversity value, like AZE – sites or IBAs;
- Areas with ecosystems and/or species listed Critically Endangered or Endangered on the IUCN Red List;
- Land purchase involving ecosystems under-represented in the public protected areas system (for example dry forests in Mexico, Ecuador);
- Areas with a strategic importance for the protection of the hinterland (buffer zones) or connect important areas (corridors).
Unfortunately there are no guarantees to ensure protection. The SPN programme is minimising risks by making a careful selection of NGO partners and projects, using its global network of experts. The SPN programme works only with experienced local NGOs that have an expert knowledge of the socio-economic and political context in which their projects take place. Our partners are working closely with local communities to participate in their projects, to reduce the risk of encroachment. Close involvement in the projects of conservation NGOs gives local communities a sense of pride and ownership of the natural areas, thus improving local support for conservation.
How can I personally or can my company become involved with the SPN programme?
We know from experience that, compared to other forms of conservation, the purchase of land and the establishment of private protected areas is probably the most assured way of delivering visible conservation results. This makes land purchase very attractive to potential (private or corporate) donors who wish to demonstrate their commitment to conservation by supporting the purchase of land and the creation of reserves.
Various options for support are possible; from donating for specific projects in specific countries or ecosystems, to giving a general donation for the SPN programme. Donors can choose for a close relationship and commitment to an NGO and its project or can make an anonymous donation. The coordinator of the SPN programme, Marc Hoogeslag, can be contacted directly to discuss possibilities for cooperation.
How can I keep track of the projects that I am or my company is funding?
SPN supports a close relationship and long-term commitment between donor and project partner. Donors can be informed about the progress of a project in a wide variety of ways; sightings of animals can be ‘communicated’ using webcams or camera traps in a private protected area, by annual or monthly reports from the NGO or by actual project visits.
Tax benefits
Dutch individuals and corporates can get tax benefits when donating to IUCN NL / SPN, since IUCN NL has a CBF-qualification.
