Rainforests to be saved thanks to WLT supporters

The World Land Trust has been inundated with donations over the Christmas period. Hundreds of people from all over the world have made on line donations, and in the days running up to Christmas our phones hardly stopped ringing. It's an old adage that success breeds success, but it certainly seems true. As the WLT has demonstrated its ability to help purchase and protect endangered habitats, so has the public support for our initiatives.



During the busiest periods I often helped answer telephone enquiries, and it was particularly interesting to get direct feedback. In particular, I was interested in the supporters who have been making regular donations -- they really felt that their contribution made a difference, and were also really encouraged by the newsletters and ebulletins keeping them up to date.



The only downside to all this is that we are still dealing with a huge backlog of donations -- When we returned on January 5th, after the holiday, there were several hundred donations waiting to be processed. But this is very positive.



This wekend I am travelling to Ecuador, where I will stay on the Tapichlalaca reserve, and visit the Christopher Parsons Reserve -- bought with support from the WLT. But the main purpose of my visit will be to meet with the Jocotoco Foundation and discuss the next purchases -- within the next few months we should be able to purchase at least another two square miles of forests. And we also have sponsors who are interested in supporting the purchase of tracts of a few hundred acres to be named after the sponsor.



Finally a big 'Thank You' to all our supporters, and best wishes for the New Year.



John A Burton