World Land Trust-US Begins 25th Anniversary Year with New Conservation Project and New Name: Rainforest Trust

Nonprofit conservation organization has saved 7 million acres of rainforest since 1988 – Kicks off campaign to save 5.9 million acres of jaguar habitat in Amazon rainforest

WARRENTON, Va., Sept. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- World Land Trust-US, a nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1988, has a new name: Rainforest Trust. The adoption of the new brand, effective today, marks the start of the organization's 25th anniversary year and the kick-off of a fundraising campaign to save 5.9 million acres of jaguar habitat in the Amazon rainforest of Peru.

Since its founding, Rainforest Trust has focused on purchasing and protecting threatened tropical lands and saving endangered species through partnerships with indigenous communities and local conservation leaders. To date, Rainforest Trust has bought and protected more than 7 million acres of critical rainforest habitat, an area equal to about 10 Yosemite National Parks. It has been awarded the top four-star Charity Navigator rating for each of the last five years.

"Since our founding, we've had an unwavering dedication to saving rainforests. As we look to the future, we believe it's important to have a name that better reflects our mission," said Dr. Paul Salaman, Chief Executive Officer of Rainforest Trust. "As Rainforest Trust, we remain committed to our mission and to our strategy of working with local conservation leaders and their communities to identify and protect endangered species. Our approach has enabled us to become one of the most cost-effective conservation organizations in the world. With our new descriptive, distinctive name, we will be better positioned to build our base of consumer and corporate donors, and save more rainforests and wildlife."

In conjunction with the organization's rebranding, Rainforest Trust is announcing the launch of a major new project to save 5.9 million acres of jaguar, tapir and giant river otter habitat in the Amazon Basin in Peru and, importantly, the project will protect several uncontacted indigenous tribes. The fundraising goal is $2.9 million, with an average cost of less than $1 to protect and save one acre.

"Our latest major rainforest preservation project shows that relatively small sums of money can have a powerful and lasting impact on threatened lands and wildlife," Dr. Salaman continued. "We work closely with one of Peru's most successful conservation organizations, CEDIA, to pursue this important initiative. Our largest fundraising campaign to date will save this important area forever."

The new Rainforest Trust project builds on recent success in the region. Earlier this year, the organization completed funding to preserve 616,000 acres, overturning logging concessions and saving some of the most biologically diverse and pristine areas in the Peruvian Amazon.

"Working across Latin America offers huge benefits. Incredibly pristine places can still be protected for low costs," continued Salaman. "We've been working to purchase the planet's most threatened tropical habitats, protecting land from exploitation and wildlife from extinction using a network of local partners – experienced conservation leaders – to ensure that these wild places are preserved forever."

To donate to Rainforest Trust, visit www.rainforesttrust.org/ways-to-give.

About Rainforest Trust 
Rainforest Trust, formerly World Land Trust-US, is a nonprofit conservation organization focused on saving rainforest and endangered species. Since its founding in 1988, Rainforest Trust has saved more than 7 million acres of rainforests and other tropical habitats in 67 projects across 17 tropical countries. The nonprofit purchases and protects threatened land in partnership with local conservation organizations; engaging indigenous communities. Rainforest Trust has been awarded the top four-star Charity Navigator rating for each of the last five years.

Media contacts:
Joe Lowe, Rainforest Trust
[email protected]
202-361-0113

Marie Gehret, RF|Binder
[email protected] 
212-994-7554

SOURCE Rainforest Trust