Reduced loss thanks to persistent donors 💚

Text and image Ywonne and Lo Jarl

The purpose of natural heritage, to acquire and permanently protect old-growth forest is the most important action you can contribute to slowing climate catastrophe and species extinction. This is not something we just say, it is scientifically established 1,2,3 and is the current consensus of independent ecologists who study the ability of natural ecosystems to store carbon and provide a safe habitat for all species that are part of the natural ecosystem.

That's why we were very concerned when, during the holidays in mid-July, the Natural Heritage website was suddenly unable to communicate with Swish commerce, so that visitors could not use the most popular payment method we offer to give a gift or order gift vouchers and "buy" forest plots.

21 attempts to give a gift

Our donors were naturally frustrated. It initially looked like we had lost about SEK 50 000 in revenue. Because we can see all the invoices that were generated without money coming in, we can also see how energetic many of our donors are. The record was 21 attempts to give a gift before that donor gave up!

When we analyzed our data in more detail, we could see that most people eventually found other ways to give a gift. You could still pay by card or by invoice. It was also possible to make a spontaneous gift by Swisha to 901 11 72. Until October 23, when we switched web providers and finally got Swish commerce up and running again, we feared a loss of up to 100 000 krbut thanks to our persistent donors, the loss was "only" about 30 000 kr. In Natural Heritage's calculations, this means that we miss out on buying about 4 000 sqm old-growth forest, which could store more than 3 tons of CO2 every year and provide protection for red-listed species in perpetuity.

Loss of revenue turned into increased gift

A donor who tried Swisha three times showed a lot of spirit SEK 1 000 on August 19. They then realized that it would be possible to order a forest plot and made an attempt to do so, but alas, even there the payment with Swish was stopped. Eight days later, the donor came back and had now decided on 2 forest plots. Now it went better with card payment instead of Swish. In the end, an intended gift and a loss of income instead became a larger gift 💚

Follow the example of the donor. If you were thinking of making a quick Swisha gift, on reflection you might be able to make a slightly larger contribution. Why not invest in a pair of forest plots? Unfortunately, old-growth forests will not last very long if they are not protected. It is urgent to protect the last old growth forests. Otherwise, there is a great risk that they will be sacrificed to supply raw material for sustainable bioenergy.

- WHAT SUSTAINABLE BIOENERGY?

you think out loud. Yes, it is. The government wants to that Sweden should continue to be an "A" country in accordance with the Renewable Energy Directive's requirement that "sustainable" bioenergy must not contain raw material from old-growth forests. So far, old growth forests have been 140+ years in Norrland and 120+ years in central and southern Sweden. By postponing forest retirement with 40 years the term old can instead apply to forests that are 180+ years in Norrland and 160+ years in central and southern Sweden. The Swedish Forest Agency has been asked to propose this, which they dutifully has made.

So cleverly is it thought out that only about 3 % of the productive forest area meets the new criteria, i.e. only half of all formally protected forest. This means that around 6-7 % of Sweden's unprotected forest area or 10 % of standing timber volume at a stroke is no longer old. Since it is also not protected, it can rapidly provide sustainable feedstock for the fast-growing bioenergy industry, as forests that are old today will no longer be old when the new guidelines are incorporated into the Forestry Act.

Protecting old-growth forest is the best action!

Support Naturarvet so we can acquire as many old-growth forests worth protecting (140+/120+ years) as possible before they give way to phony directives, A-country prestige and sheer folly. Protecting old-growth forest is the best and highest priority action locally to have an impact globally, to slow down climate catastrophe and species extinction.

TIP! invest in forest plots in Naturarvets latest acquisition, Djupsjöåns old-growth forest in Jämtland, where the forest is mainly between 120 and 170 years old. A major fire ravaged the area 120 years ago, so that explains some of the "young" age of this untouched natural forest, which the County Administrative Board in its assessment considers in some parts to be primeval forest with very high natural values and is an important part of a larger value tract.

 When you "buy" forest plots in Djupsjöån you will receive, in addition to the usual gift certificate with coordinates to the forest squares, also a hand-carved model spruce for each square. What a Christmas present! And what an advertisement for Naturarvet these little trees can do with a small label with a QR code. The talk of the year at family gatherings around Christmas!

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