Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has announced that the UK Government has pledged £25 million to aid conservation efforts around the world through the Darwin Initiative. She stated:

‘I’m proud of our excellent work under the Darwin Initiative – its project leaders have worked wonders in helping to prevent damage to vulnerable wildlife and Earth’s ecosystems and we are committed to strengthening our global partnerships in the economic and scientific response to protecting our natural environment.’

‘Some of the planet’s richest wildlife is found in developing countries, and over the next four years we’ll make more money and expertise available than ever before to ensure economic development goes hand in hand with protecting value natural habitats and adapting to the challenges of climate change.’

Since its introduction in 1992, Defra’s Darwin Initiative has already spent over £80 million in protecting biodiversity in 156 countries. Darwin projects are broad and varying, but they all typically have money  invested into raising environmental awareness, education, research and training. A Darwin scheme has already focused on ensuring the survival of the rather exotically named,  mountain chicken frogs. Other schemes have also helped protect river dolphins in Brazil and prevent the extinction of vultures in India. Conservation is so vital to protecting fragile ecosystems, habitats and wildlife, and it is our responsibility to ensure we do all we can to protect our world, so well done on this Defra!

(the mountain chicken frog!)