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Friends and colleagues,

The month of February brings remarkable news for conservation and a reflection on the unfortunate events for nature that took place recently. We work month after month to protect our home and the life that lives in it. Here we share some of the news highlights:

Regarding Oceans, at the beginning of 2022 Peru witnessed one of the worst oil spills on its coasts. Faced with this ecological disaster, WWF-Peru reflected on the need to take preventive measures in the future. On the other hand, Argentina carried out the fifth edition of the Provincial Census of Marine Coastal Litter, organized by NGOs and the collaboration of 438 volunteers.

With work in Forests, the Mexican Alliance for Ecosystem Restoration (AMERE) became the first national partnership to become a formal member of the UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

In the practice of Governance, WWF-Ecuador signed two important agreements with the government entities of control and supervision of the State. On the other hand, in Bolivia, the Municipal Government of Tarija received the National Award for Good Municipal Government 2021 in recognition of the implementation of a waste management project.

Lastly, in regards to Finance, six indigenous enterprises in the Colombian Amazon launched a business portfolio after two years of work and the support of WWF-Colombia and other institutions within the framework of the "Indigenous Amazon: Rights and Resources" project. On the other hand, WWF-Paraguay and the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement with the aim of developing programs and projects in the field of sustainable finance.

Enjoy this new edition,

Roberto Troya

Vice president & Regional Director

WWF-LAC

Never again a black sea

On January 15, 2022, Peru witnessed one of the worst oil spills on its coasts. It affected two natural protected areas, with threatened marine fauna such as birds, penguins, otters, and more than 1,500 artisanal fishers who have seen their activities paralyzed. Ecological disasters like this are a call to evaluate the preventive measures that we as a country and civil society must take so that it never happens again.

Provincial census count of marine coastal litter released

In the last months of 2020 took place the 5th edition of the Census of Marine Coastal Litter, organized by Fundación Vida Silvestre and coastal NGOs, with the collaboration of more than 438 volunteers in 20 localities. The results registered a total of 40,331 residues; of which more than 80% were plastic waste. In addition, one of the most abundant items are cigarette butts, which as become a constant finding year after year.

The censuses have taken place since 2016, in order to monitor the state of conservation of the Argentine coasts and promote measures to reduce the amount of waste that reaches the seas.

AMERE joins the UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

On February 9, the Mexican Alliance for the Restoration of Ecosystems (AMERE) formalized its participation in the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration as a partner, becoming the first national alliance in the world to be part of the network and the 100th partner to make its process official. This collaboration contemplates that Mexico contributes to putting the planet and the people on a sustainable path. With this, the AMERE will seek to generate information through the discussions that begin in the working groups to prevent and reverse the curve of biodiversity loss. It will also aim to be the leading platform and meeting point at the national level for all small and large actors who want to join efforts around the #RestorationGeneration.

Agreements seek to prevent environmental crimes

On January 17, WWF-Ecuador and the State Comptroller's Office committed to work together to strengthen the State's control management in environmental matters. Similarly, on February 7, WWF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State Prosecutor's Office in order to strengthen then their capacities to prevent environmental crimes.

Historically, environmental crimes have not been addressed by the State, which has created negative impacts on the economy, the environment, and national security. The two agreements are part of the project "Strengthening the Governance of Natural Resources in Ecuador" and mark a milestone within the country.

Waste collection initiative recognized internationally

The Municipal Government of Tarija received the National Award for Good Municipal Government 2021, granted by the Latin American Federation of Cities, Municipalities and Municipal Associations FLACMA, in recognition of the implementation of the project "Promoting waste management in District 9 of the city of Tarija." The project is implemented by the Nativa organization, the Municipality of Tarija, and the Tarija Municipal Waste Management Entity (EMAT), within the framework of the Municipal Competitive Funds. This strategy is part of the WWF project "Urban Solutions with Citizen Action" with the support of the Swedish Embassy in Bolivia.

Indigenous enterprises launch business portfolio

After two years of work and thanks to the support of WWF-Colombia, six indigenous Amazonian enterprises have just launched their own business portfolio. This is a tool that helps potential buyers to learn about their products, as well as the benefits that these initiatives have for their communities and the conservation of the rainforest. This is a result of the project 'Indigenous Amazon: Rights and Resources' in the department of Putumayo, which seeks to support the sustainable development of the Amazon, and in which WWF-Colombia participates in partnership with the National Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (Opiac), the Zonal Indigenous Organization of Putumayo (Ozip) and NESsT, and with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Central Bank of Paraguay partners with WWF

A Framework Cooperation Agreement was signed between the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) and WWF-Paraguay. This is a historic milestone in Latin America, as it is the first country to sign an agreement with a bank that regulates and supervises the national financial system. The main objective of this agreement is to establish an inter-institutional relationship for the development of programs and projects in the area of sustainable finance, linking the financial system and its regulation with the sustainable use of ecosystems.