Onward and Upward
As 2025 comes to a close, we have our sights set on the future. Our goal is to sustain and grow the Bonobo Peace Forest—and that means scaling up! We are focused on building new alliances and developing fresh approaches with our local and international partners. There’s a lot in the works, and we will have some exciting announcements in the new year!
Here’s a peek at some of the highlights:
Amethyst playing with Bordeaux
Teaming up for Lilungu: Spanning 1.3 million acres, the Lilungu forest is a haven for bonobos where BCI has been working for 20 years. We have just launched the Bonobo Diversity Project (BonDiv), a range-wide international research project that aims to measure bonobo diversity at multiple sites—and to build local capacity for ongoing research. At the same time, our partners Wild Forests and Fauna and the Congo Biotropical Institute, are deploying camera traps and conducting rapid assessment surveys to document wildlife presence. Already, the results are promising with bonobos and a host of species observed…stay tuned for more in the new year!
Advancing Nature-based Solutions: BCI was selected to participate in Africa’s leading Biodiversity Investment Researcher & Accelerator (BIRA) to unlock funding for locally-driven, nature-positive enterprises that deliver benefits for nature and people alike. We are also teaming up with Equitable Earth to develop our avoided deforestation programs under their new standard. This high-integrity forest carbon system puts indigenous peoples in the lead, ensuring that forests are protected while local communities gain sustained support.
New partnerships and alliances: Collaboration is the name of the game! We are thrilled to join forces with other organizations to boost our effectiveness. With WaterStep we plan to bring clean water to health clinics in the Bonobo Peace Forest. With One Nature, we plan to deepen our engagement with local communities and develop metrics that measure their well-being—because “when communities thrive, nature thrives.”
All of this progress and more means that we will hit the new year running! Please help us keep the momentum going with your support. Every dollar benefits bonobos and the people who protect them!