From Lo Jarl, Head of Operations:
Ywonne has been coughing a lot for some time and finds it hard. Today I noticed that she was crying and I hugged her and asked her how she was doing. The answer was warm:
- I am just so deeply grateful that there are people who actually care about the planet so much that they are willing to share with the old growth forest. And I'm grateful that the old-growth forests give so much back to the planet and help us as small parachutes to slow down the climate crisis.
That gratitude is no greater this year than all previous years. Still, it feels absolutely wonderful that the fundraising doubled compared to last year and we exceeded 10 million SEK in funds raised. Congratulations all outstanding donors! Together we managed to break the limit. In addition, we received government grants of SEK 271,750 to benefit pollinators and barn lichens by restoring two barns with fine reed roofs in Svartsundets old-growth forest .
This is one of the events that will mark 2023. What else can we expect to see in the coming years? What are your visions for the ancient forest and the planet? Can we fulfill our ambition to expand protected land on Gräsö in the coming year? Can we extend the protection of mountainous forest in Frostviken so that the invaluable threat to high nature values is not forgotten for all the logging applications that have poured into the area over the past year?
We highlight the importance of the hotspots for a green infrastructure that can at least maintain biodiversity and at the same time provide the planet with a breathing hole to inhale carbon dioxide in the carbon-eating old-growth forests. Wherever old-growth forests exist, they deserve our respect and protection from human greed. We who know it and love it know that it is impossible to live without it.
After a year of record-breaking collection and the acquisition of three different properties totaling 319 hectares that consume 800 tons of carbon dioxide every year, it might seem like we can sit back. On the contrary, dear old forest friend. This is just the prelude to the next 8 years. By 2030, we will have multiplied what we have done this year. It is our right, our privilege and our only chance to preserve the precious Life on Earth together.
Happy New Year! 🎉👥➕💰❤️🌳🍄🌲🥂