News & Blog

Rare tree not seen since 1955 re-discovered in Sabah, Malaysia

Posted on by Amy Hinsley

Three individuals of a rare dipterocarp species that was thought to be extinct from Sabah have been found in the Siangau Forest Reserve. Not seen since 1955, Dipterocarpus lamellatus, commonly known as Keruing Jarang, was found during a survey of the area by a research team from the Forestry Department. Dipterocarpus lamellatus was last recorded in…

New research shows 25% Rhododendron species under threat of extinction

Posted on by Amy Hinsley

A new report assessing the conservation status of the Rhododendron plant species (‘Red List of Rhododendrons’) shows that a quarter of the 1157 Rhododendron species are under threat in the wild; one Rhododendron plant species (Rhododendron kanehirae) would be extinct but for collections in botanic gardens (one of which is the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh,…

New tree species found during Liberia tree surveys

Posted on by Amy Hinsley

A new species of tree has been found in the forests of Liberia’s Sapo National Park. The large forest tree, which is thought to be a second species of Apodiscus, was discovered during Global Trees Campaign supported surveys in December 2010. Tree surveys were conducted in Liberia’s coastal rainforest and former national forests, in particular the…

Hanson clarinets completes world’s first chain of custody for sustainably harvested African blackwood.

Posted on by Amy Hinsley

Following the first Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certificate for community-managed natural forest in Africa (supported by Global Trees Campaign partners the Mpingo Conservation and Development Initiative), clarinet players will soon have the choice of buying environmentally and socially sustainable instruments after Hanson Clarinets also became FSC certified in March 2010. The FSC-certification of Hanson Clarinets, the UK’s…

New Red List identifies threatened trees of Central Asia

Posted on by Amy Hinsley

The vast and contrasting landscapes of Central Asia are host to over 500 species of woody plants, including wild apples, pears, pistachios and walnuts. As threats to the region’s forests increase, the Red List of Trees of Central Asia, published by the Global Trees Campaign, has identified the 44 species most at risk. The latest…

First FSC certified community managed natural forests in Africa

Posted on by Amy Hinsley

Two communities in Tanzania, working through Global Trees Campaign partners the Mpingo Conservation and Development Initiative, have obtained the first certificate for community-managed natural forest in Africa. This landmark achievement will enable the communities – through responsible forest management – to earn 250 times more from their woodlands than they have done previously.   The…