A new London-based environmental charity, Communities for Nature, has officially launched, aiming to address the most pressing environmental challenges.
Communities for Nature plans to partner companies, groups and individuals with the communities currently working on the frontline of conservation around the world. Once partnered, firms and communities can co-design local models for action.
The charity looks to support businesses in playing a direct role to create a sustainable future in the long term. Communities for Nature aims to do this by introducing a model that sees communities and supporters design projects that impact environmental education, conservation and regeneration. Projects can also be based on delivering sustainable economic activities.
Rhoda Phillips, founder of Communities for Nature, said: “From global corporates to individuals, so many of us are looking for ways to meaningfully contribute to protecting our natural world. With Communities for Nature, we are enabling organisations to support communities working at the front line of efforts to protect ecosystems.
“With us, corporates are directly involved in the process, with the chance to learn from the source about the day-to-day impact of climate change and biodiversity decline on the environment, and people’s lives and livelihoods.”
Actions for Communities and Environment
The environmental charity has already been active, marking its launch with a successful first partnership. LMAX Group, global fintech and operator of multiple FX and crypto trading venues, was matched with the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI).
The partnership, continuing one year after its inception, is titled ‘Actions for Communities and Environment’ (ACE). ACE has funded sustainability scholarships for young people from local rural communities. The partnership has also funded youth marine camps, wildlife camps, ecotourism training camps, and more.
PRRCFI is a non-stock, non-profit NGO, focusing on implementing community-based conservation and environmental education programs in Negros, the Philippines. The foundation its known for its long-standing marine and wildlife camps at Danjugan Island. PRRCFI acquired the wildlife sanctuary via international fundraising with the World Land Trust, as well as other local partners.
The conservation foundation also aims to promote awareness on biodiversity protection by utilising ecotourism.
In a post on the Communities for Nature website, Rhoda Phillips also commented on the aim of the new charity. She said: “The climate and biodiversity crises are the defining issues of our time and the wide-reaching and intricate web of causation and effect warrants a global response. We know this, and at Communities for Nature we are seeking to facilitate the response by fostering not only funding channels but close collaboration and knowledge sharing between local communities on the front line of conservation and their partners located around the world.”
