Legacy Landscapes Fund - A New Dimension in Nature Protection

Effectively managed conservation areas are the cornerstone of nature preservation. Unfortunately, many conservation areas are insufficiently funded, resulting in “paper parks” that struggle to fulfil their primary function: conserving nature for future generations. Halting the dramatic loss of biodiversity across the world requires a bold new approach to the management of conservation areas in terms of scope, structure, accountability, and financing.  

Our strategy is simple and effective. We finance long-term partnerships between experienced NGOs and protected area authorities, as well as indigenous and local communities, to support efficient conservation and management of terrestrial protected areas and their buffer zones. The fund covers annual baseline costs with USD one million per legacy landscape for 15+ years. This keeps the lights on and the conservation area functional.  
 

LLF’s theory of change is rooted in the belief that previous international commitments, such as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, did not manage to halt biodiversity loss because many protected areas are dysfunctional, underfunded or threatened by illegal resource extraction.

To meet the goal of 30×30, we believe a more holistic approach to ecosystems is necessary. This means including core protected areas, buffer zones, sustainably managed community lands and potential biodiversity corridors: in other words, taking a landscape approach.

This is what LLF is aiming for: long-term funding for a ‘legacy landscape’ – a large site containing at least 2000 km² of protected areas, plus adjacent buffer zones or sustainably managed areas, which are key for the integrity of the protected area and for ecosystem services.

LLF provides substantial, long-term and flexible funding to protected areas in countries that do not have the means for sufficient financial support. With one million USD per year for a minimum of 15 years or for perpetuity, LLF funding ensures that the core costs of effective management can be met. LLF’s contribution allows for some flexibility, which means the money can go to where our partners need it most.