World Forest ID is actively involved in a substantial initiative funded by the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, aimed at advancing efforts to protect biodiversity by developing a DNA barcoding protocol to identify illegal timber. This project is led by our Science Lead, Dr. Victor Deklerck, and Dr. Sidonie Bellot from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The collaboration involves key partners UNIKIS in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cenarest in Gabon.

The grant is part of a broader initiative by the UK government, which has awarded nearly £40 million to over 80 projects through the Darwin Initiative and the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund. These projects are designed to boost international biodiversity, support communities living alongside nature, and tackle illegal wildlife trade. Specific efforts include protecting snow leopards, elephants, and pangolins, as well as ensuring the sustainability of forest products.

Environment minister Trudy Harrison highlighted the importance of these projects, stating, "The fantastic projects announced today will enhance efforts to protect threatened wildlife, support economic growth in developing countries, and drive nature recovery. The UK is a global champion when it comes to biodiversity and driving action to halt and reverse the decline of nature."

World Forest ID's project will focus on overcoming the technical challenges of timber identification, a critical step in improving the detection and prevention of illegal timber trade. By utilizing DNA barcoding, the project aims to develop a reliable protocol that can accurately identify various African timber species. This will not only aid in enforcement but also support global efforts to protect forests and biodiversity.

Dr. Victor Deklerck emphasized the significance of this grant: "For World Forest ID, this grant represents a significant opportunity to advance our mission of enhancing supply chain transparency and legality. By developing a reliable DNA barcoding protocol, we can provide a powerful tool for identifying illegal timber and protecting our forests."

Additionally, the project will provide training for local scientists from Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This training aims to build local capacity and empower scientists with the skills and knowledge necessary to continue the fight against illegal timber trade, thereby supporting long-term conservation efforts.

World Forest ID extends its gratitude to the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund for their support and to all our partners involved in this crucial project. Together, we are making significant strides towards a more transparent and sustainable global timber trade, contributing to the broader goals of biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

For more information on the grant and the full list of grantees, click here.