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Wild Places


A varied selection of projects, all working to protect valuable biodiversity and precious habitats in wild places and landscapes around the world. 

 
Please read though the details below of the projects looking for your vote, and then select the one you would like to receive funding from EOCA.  A difficult choice as they are all very worthwhile projects!

SPRING 2021 VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE FROM FRIDAY 26TH MARCH TO FRIDAY 9TH APRIL AT 12 NOON (BST / GMT+1) / 13.00 (CEST / GMT +2)
 

Looking For Your Support

Foulshaw Moss Ospreys

Bogs: the Best Weapon against Climate Change, UK

Website: http://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk

Peatlands are unique habitats, more commonly known as ‘bogs’. Bogs are the best weapon we have against climate change, locking away carbon for the health of our planet, helping to prevent flooding, and supporting a host of plant and animal species. Foulshaw locks away 5,392 tonnes of CO2 each year. It is a summer home to rare breeding ospreys - until recently extinct in England. It is also an important habitat for red deer, rare dragonflies, and many birds. 350 hectares in size, Foulshaw provides vital links to neighbouring and nearby peatlands, allowing species movement. Cumbria Wildlife Trust will maintain the health of this habitat by removing invasive species over 75ha of the reserve, creating new habitat, maintaining bunds so that the peat holds its water content, thereby protecting existing habitat. The project will also share the importance of this habitat with 15,000 visitors to the site, and 300 school children.

Voting has ended
Oare marshes

Enriching Biodiversity at Oare Marshes, UK

Website: https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

Oare Marshes is of international importance for wetland birds and consists of grazing marsh, with freshwater dykes, open water scrapes, reedbeds, saltmarsh and seawall. Extensive silt and vegetation in the ditches and scrapes is outcompeting key aquatic plants and undermining the habitats’ ability to support species, such as avocets, black-tailed godwits, lapwing, and water vole. The Pheasant fields area is made up of grazing marsh and improved grassland, with extensive reedbed but is biodiversity poor and unsuitable for a range of breeding waders. This project by Kent Wildlife Trust will enhance biodiversity over 82 hectares, by re-profiling wetland scrapes, clearing sediment and vegetation build-up; creating three new scrape clusters; dredging ditches to restore open water; and delivering volunteer-led green hay spreading to create additional species-rich grassland. Volunteers will be trained to support on-going habitat restoration and access and visitor infrastructure will be enhanced.

Voting has ended
Mt Kenya

Reforest the Slopes of Mount Kenya, Kenya

Website: http://www.mountkenyatrust.org

The Upper and Lower Imenti Forest Reserves are two properties in the North East of the Mount Kenya protected area complex. They represent an ancient and important wet-season elephant refuge and historic migratory link to the Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem. However in the late 20th century, the sites suffered forest clearing, habitat degradation and encroachment. Bordering small scale farmland and coupled with a history of poor community relations, they have become a hotspot for deforestation, human-elephant conflict and poaching – issues the organisation is addressing outside of this project. Mount Kenya Trust has been working in Lower Imenti since 2017. Over 310,000 trees have been planted on the site to date and permission has been given by Kenya forest Service to plant another 100ha with 100,000 trees. EOCA funding will finance the removal of the invasive Lantana camara bush and the planting of 25,000 indigenous trees at the site.

Voting has ended
Wild Narcissi

Rescue the "Narcissi Valley", Ukraine

Website: http://www.natureexperts.org/en/home-2/

The project task is to save the critically endangered biodiversity hotspot for Ukraine and the whole Black Sea Basin. The Ramsar Site "Narcissi Valley" (256 ha) contains the largest Central European lowland population of IUCN listed pheasant's eye narcissus, as well as other 46 Red Book species and habitat types. Drier climate change conditions and a lack of traditional mowing and grazing are resulting in invasive bush and tree growth, regular fires, a decrease rare species population (70% during the last 10 years). This has resulted in the fall of tourist numbers by 40%. It looks imminent that without improved management the Site might lose the unique status. The Danube-Carpathian Programme, in cooperation with Carpathian Biosphere Reserve will restore the most critical part (110 hectares) by raising the groundwater table, restoring the flooding regime, mowing grass after fruiting, removing bushes and trees, reintroducing narcissus population in areas in which it has been lost, supporting fragmented cattle grazing, delivering ecological education and tackling fires. It is a rescue mission.

Voting has ended
Mt Suswa cave

Saving the Harrison’s Giant Mastiff Bat at Mt Suswa Conservancy, Kenya

Website: http://www.harrison-institute.org/

Bats represent 25% of mammal diversity and are essential for seed dispersal, pollination, and pest control. Despite this, they are much misunderstood, especially in a time of covid, and desperately need support. Cave bats are particularly sensitive to the destruction of roosts. The vulnerable Harrison’s Giant Mastiff Bat uses volcanic caves in the iconic Mt Suswa Conservancy where crucial maternity colonies are endangered by expanding ecotourism, human disturbance, and loss of forests. Led by a Kenyan global bat expert, the Harrison Institute will enthuse and empower local communities to protect this charismatic species. Supported by 150 volunteers, it will restore local foraging habitats by planting 15,000 native seedlings over 1000ha; train local farmers in roost conservation; increase visitor experience whilst reducing their impact; and empower local guides (women and men) to deliver education programmes that counter prejudice and fear, and raise awareness of the vital role bats play in preserving healthy ecosystems, essential for human prosperity and nature’s survival.

Voting has ended
Andean bog habitat

Walk the Trail! Bog Protection in Patagonia, Argentina

Website: http://www.bancodebosques.org

Refugio Frey (Frey mountain hut), is an iconic spot for trekking and climbing, and the most visited in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, in Argentinean Patagonia, receiving up to 700 visitors per day. This is however impacting on the local habitats which are important for carbon storage and home to several endemic, endangered species. The current trail travels through a high mountain Andean bog plant community, and to the shores of Toncek and Schmoll Lakes. Banco de Bosques Foundation will work with environmental enthusiasts, refugio staff, ecologists and national park employees to reduce the impact on 85 ha of the valuable habitats, by moving sections of the trail away from the bog, adding designated access points to the Toncek shore avoiding trampling sensitive riparian plants. Local materials will be used, erosion and water drainage into Toncek Lake with be reduced and habitat will be restored around the old trail.

Voting has ended
 
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Projects

If you are an individual who loves the great outdoors and would like to support our projects, please click the donate button below.
The funding is enabling us to repair a damaged section of the iconic Three Peaks long distance footpath and restore an area of internationally important upland habitat. Voting for our project was a simple but highly effective way for our supporters to show how strongly they felt about improving access and protecting the landscape of this wonderful area. Thank you, EOCA!
Don Gamble, Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust