Age of Union Alliance releases first Impact Report on Earth Day

Age of Union Alliance, a non-profit environmental organization led by Emmy Award-winning executive producer, global environmentalist, and Lightspeed Commerce Inc. Chief Executive Officer Dax Dasilva, has published the first Age of Union Impact Report on Earth Day, showcasing the transformative impact of their efforts since Age of Union was founded in 2021. The report focuses on results achieved in 2023.

Age of Union has invested in 10 projects globally, all focusing on boots-on-the-ground conservation and restoration work in critically endangered ecosystems, a press release from the organization said. Through strategic partnerships, groundbreaking research, and grassroots initiatives, this collective dynamic is paving the way towards a more sustainable and resilient future, the release said.

Published on Monday, the Age of Union Impact Report shares inspiring stories of resilience, progress, and hope. From the restoration of degraded ecosystems to the protection of endangered species such as eastern lowland gorillas, bald eagles, and Bornean orangutans, each accomplishment illustrates what humans can do when they act together for nature.

The release said Age of Union is committed to supporting global biodiversity and climate goals, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework 2030 worldwide mission to achieve 30% conservation of land, sea and inland waters, and 30% restoration of degraded ecosystems.

Additionally, Age of Union Alliance has produced an array of short documentaries about the changemakers behind their global conservation projects. These films have the capacity to evoke emotion, challenge perspectives, and serve as catalysts for positive change on a global scale, the release said.

Last year, Age of Union released its latest short documentary, The Corridor (2023), in collaboration with The Forest Health Alliance and Strong Roots Congo. The film unveils a revolutionary approach to save the critically endangered eastern lowland gorilla. Congolese environmentalist Dominique Bikaba and international partners have undertaken the ambitious mission of securing 21 interconnected land titles, which would establish one of the largest wildlife corridors of community-managed forests on the planet.

The cinematic creations of Age of Union have also garnered global acclaim. Dasilva was co-executive producer on Wildcat (2022), which was awarded “Outstanding Nature Documentary of 2023” at the 44th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards.

“I am thrilled to announce the release of our first Age of Union Impact Report, a testament to our accomplishments safeguarding ecosystems and wildlife,” Dasilva said. “These results reflect our core mission to take urgent action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and put nature on a path to recovery for the benefit of people and the planet.”

Following are the top impact highlights in the Age of Union report:

• 931,000+ acres of habitat that Age of Union is helping to protect with strategic support, among which 672,000+ acres have newly come under improved and participatory conservation management.
• 1,200+ species of wildlife observed in managed habitat.
• 79 partnerships engaged and expanded through Age of Union’s partners.
• 25+ million CAD leveraged by partners from the original Age of Union gifts.

Following are the Age of Union Conservation 2023 Impact highlights by project:

1. 1. BC Parks Foundation (Canada):
   • 741 acres designated as protected area and under management with the Katzie First Nation.
   • 74 acres of wetland are under restoration.
   2. Kalaweit (Indonesia):
   • 1522+ acres of forest newly protected and under local management.
   • 1 ultralight plane acquired, 13 km of aerial patrols, 108 kg of seed dispersed during aerial reforestation.
   3. Kenauk Institute (Canada):
   • 22,388 acres of biologically significant areas that newly benefit from 7 participatory management plans (for fisheries, climate change, research, sustainable forestry, etc.)
   • 35 articles and 23 research projects on improving conservation management and studying biological and ecological data have been produced.
   4. Junglekeepers (Peru):
   • 2,471 acres of Amazonian rainforest under improved conservation management and 22,300+ km patrolled by rangers.
   • 6 visits to remote Indigenous communities, 1 land title acquisition, and 66 individuals received environmental education & technical training.
   5. Nature Conservancy of Canada (Canada):
   • 1,483 acres designated as a protected area.
   • 321+ acres of land restored and under improved management.
   6. Forest Health Alliance (Democratic Republic of Congo):
   • 621,097 acres under improvement management.
   • 1,600+ community members with increased climate change awareness and preparedness.
   • 116,140 acres designated for natural regeneration.
   7. Sea Shepherd Global (West Africa):
   • The M/Y Age of Union vessel patrolled 15,314.255 nautical miles, covering 983,865 sq km to stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices in West African waters.
   • 16 vessels were boarded and found to be engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated activities.
   8. Kanpe (Haiti):
   • 3,707 acres of land are being restored, reforested, and used for sustainable agroforestry.
   • 29,647 seedlings were distributed and planted.
   9. Nature Seekers (Trinidad and Tobago):
   • 2,600+ kg of trash collected during the annual beach clean-up.
   • 5,000+ turtle nests counted, 2,000 interactions with tagged turtles and 110 successful hatchlings from 10 new artificial hatcheries.

   To read Age of Union’s full Impact Report, visit the Age of Union Project Page.

   Source: PR Newswire