The rapidly changing global circumstances over the last 2 months unfortunately led to the cancellation of the popular public online vote to help EOCA chose its first funded projects of 2020. However, following a record number of 120 applications late last year, the members’ private vote went ahead as planned over the last 2 weeks, presenting 6 shortlisted projects all looking for support for their vital conservation work. Despite lockdown and working from home, the largest number of EOCA members to date got involved in having their say.
The first three projects to be funded this year are:
Reforestation and Wildfire Protection in Borneo – planting 18,000 seedlings, maintaining 162 hectares of previously reforested sites, equipping and training Forest Guardians and community representatives to fight wildfires.
Ester de Cardós Valley, Spain – running a number of volunteer working weeks in the Catalan Pyrenees, maintaining and restoring local forests, including opening up grasslands and selective thinning of broad-leaved tree woodlands, to enhance the habitats of capercaillie and brown bear.
SYLVAE: Old Growth Forest Network in Auvergne, France – purchasing of a 50 hectare area of old growth forest, linking it with other previously purchased areas to protect it in perpetuity, contributing to the preservation and survival of this important habitat.
