Reasons for Wild Hope, March 2026

23 hours ago
3 min read

RETURNING TO THE FOREST

“The trees are our ancestors, and they’re waiting for us to come home to them.”

– Suzanne Simard, renowned ecologist

The scale of forest loss today can feel overwhelming. But in her new book When the Forest Breathes, Suzanne Simard reminds us that our relationship with forests hasn’t always been one of destruction. For much of human history, we lived in reciprocity with forests: breathing together, sustaining one another.

Her work invites us to reimagine our relationship to forests: to move from extraction to stewardship, and from distance to belonging. Listen to her inspiring conversation and rediscover what it means to be in symbiotic relationship with forests.

In this edition of Reasons for Wild Hope, we explore the power of that relationship, through the species we protect and the communities working to protect them.

A CYCLE OF RECIPROCITY

In Kenya’s Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project, forest protection is opening doors that create a positive cycle of community flourishing.

Through scholarships funded by the sale of forest protection carbon credits, one student overcame financial barriers to pursue a medical career. Today, he has returned home, bringing critical healthcare services back to his community.

Many people experience “plant blindness,” the phenomenon of seeing forests as a blur of green rather than a rich tapestry of life.

This month, we invite you to slow down and look closer. Meet three remarkable tree species protected by Wildlife Works projects around the world. Take a moment to notice the unique plant species that shape your own everyday surroundings.

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SHIFTING POWER IN LOCAL CONTEXTS

At the Mai Ndombe REDD+ Project in the DRC, International Women’s Day offered a moment to reflect on what true gender equity looks like in practice.

As one observer noted, “It’s about shifting power in ways that communities themselves find meaningful. That takes time—and it requires humility from outsiders who think they know what progress should look like.”

Our global conservation work would not be possible without the dedication, expertise, and passion of our team members. Each month, get to know our team members and what they do through our Employee Spotlight Series.

This month we’re spotlighting our Validation and Verification manager, Lawson Henderson. With over 15 years of experience in sustainable forestry, Lawson’s dedication to the forests of our planet make him an indispensable part of our team.

Learn more about Lawson, his path to becoming a Validation and Verification manager, and his perspectives on the carbon market in this Q&A.