Rainforest Trust Protected 70 Million Acres Globally
The conservation group added 10 million acres since February 2026 to help reach global biodiversity goals.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Environmental
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Rainforest Trust has officially surpassed 70 million acres of protected land worldwide. This milestone follows the recent designation of the 715,000-acre Agua Dulce Municipal Wildlife Reserve in Bolivia.
Why it matters
The organization aims to secure the most imperiled 30% of the planet's surface by 2030. This initiative functions to safeguard critical biodiversity hotspots and maintain transboundary ecological connectivity.
The new 715,000-acre Agua Dulce Municipal Wildlife Reserve supports 11 distinct vegetation types. The site hosts a biological inventory of 70 mammal species, 489 bird species, 47 reptile and amphibian species, and 55 fish species.
The players
Rainforest Trust
A conservation non-profit founded in 1988 that partners with local communities to secure the legal protection of threatened habitats globally.
The details
Rainforest Trust secures land by providing financial and technical support to local partners and Indigenous Peoples to obtain legal protected status. The new reserve in Baures, Bolivia, was established through this collaborative model to preserve habitat that shares ecological connectivity with neighboring Brazil. These partnerships allow for the enforcement of land-use regulations across diverse ecosystems.
Timeline
1988: Rainforest Trust was founded.
February 2026: The organization reached 60 million protected acres.
October 7, 2026: Total protected land exceeded 70 million acres.
2030: Target date for the global goal to conserve 30% of the planet.
The Tech Race
This land acquisition aligns with the international 30 by 30 conservation initiative to preserve 30% of the planet's surface by 2030. The effort mirrors broader global trends in using private-public partnerships to meet standardized biodiversity metrics.
The expansion does not directly change local land access but bolsters international efforts to maintain climate stability and regional biodiversity. Organizations and researchers can track further progress toward the 30% protection target as the 2030 deadline approaches.
The takeaway
Rainforest Trust has accelerated its land protection rate significantly, adding 10 million acres in under eight months. Observers should monitor whether the organization maintains this velocity to meet the 2030 target for global biodiversity coverage.
Further reading
Learn more about habitat protection strategies in the Environmental section.
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