Rainforest canopy at sunrise with mist-covered hills and a large tree silhouetted against golden light.

Transparency

Figures, structures and activities disclosed

We don’t measure our success in euros. We measure it in square metres.

As a charity, we have a duty to you – our donors, partners, volunteers, staff and board members – to use our funds responsibly. Your donations should go directly to where they are needed and achieve the greatest possible impact in our projects. Only in this way can we be an effective charity.

In Germany, there are no standardised disclosure requirements for non-profit organisations. Nevertheless, we believe it is important to disclose our structures, activities and finances in order to strengthen trust and credibility.

approx. 2,157

hectares of old-growth forest

We have already purchased it with a land registry entry* (*as at May 2026).

approx. 2,045

hectare of old-growth forest

Of this amount, a portion has already been refinanced thanks to wilderness sponsorships*.

approx. 1,227,522

tonnes of CO2

remain permanently bound in the forest’s biomass*.

In 2023, we were awarded the Phineo ‘Wirkt!’ seal of approval. This confirms that our work has a demonstrable impact and that we are an effective and transparent organisation. To receive this seal, we underwent a four-stage assessment by independent experts over a period of six months.

As a donor or partner, you can therefore be confident that your contribution is being put to effective use by us.

In 2017, we joined the Transparent Civil Society Initiative. 

In doing so, we are committing ourselves to high standards of transparency, accountability and effectiveness for international NGOs. We have signed Transparency International e.V.’s 10-point pledge to disclose our activities.

Our Impact Report

In this publication, we have summarised our work from 2008 to 2025. Across just under 200 pages, you will find information on all our projects, as well as facts and figures about Wilderness International.
Read now
Open brochure and magazine from Wilderness International displaying project timeline and conservation initiatives spanning 2008-2025.

Confirmed as valid.

Expert report by BAUM e.V.: Wilderness International has been shown to operate effectively, transparently and in a way that ensures long-term protection. Our foundation’s work is described as “a forward-looking model for the protection of wilderness areas”.

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Ten points for the public

On the initiative of Transparency Deutschland e.V., numerous stakeholders from civil society and academia have defined ten key points that every civil society organisation should make available to the public. These include, amongst other things, the organisation’s articles of association, the names of key decision-makers, and details of the sources of funding, how funds are used and the organisation’s staffing structure.

  • 1. Name, registered office, address and year of incorporation

    Name: Wilderness International (WI) Foundation

    Registered office: Dresden, Berlin

    Address:
    Dresden:
    Grundstr. 1
    , 01326 Dresden

    Berlin:
    c/o Treibende Kraft
    shared office, Wilsnacker Straße 66
    , 10559 Berlin

    Year founded: 2008
    Contact: Kai Andersch, kai.andersch@wilderness-international.org

  • 2. Full articles of association and details of our organisation’s objectives

    Here you will find the constitution of Wilderness International, including our objectives.
    You can also find out more about our objectives – in the form of our mission and vision – on the ‘About Wilderness International’ page.

  • 3. Information on tax relief

    By certificate No. 202/143/05950 issued by Dresden I Tax Office on 25 June 2025, we are recognised as serving tax-privileged purposes. It is hereby confirmed that the donation will be used solely for the promotion of environmental protection and nature conservation, the promotion of animal welfare, the promotion of education, the promotion of science and research, the promotion of international understanding, and the promotion of development aid.

  • 4. Names and roles of key decision-makers

    The Foundation’s Board of Trustees is composed as follows:
    Charlotte Voigt (Chair), Dr Steffen Kolschmann (Vice-Chair), Stephan Hürten, Vera Philipps, Sandra Zügge, Carina Büder, Anton Kamolz, Thomas Mach, Matthias Nuss

    The Foundation’s Executive Board is composed as follows:
    Kai Andersch (Chair of the Executive Board), Ronny Scholz (Executive Board Member)

  • 5. Activity reports

    Impact Report 2008–2025
    Impact Report 2024
    Annual Report 2024
    Annual Report 2023
    Annual Report 2021–2022

  • 6. Staff structure

    As at March 2026

    : WI Germany
    : 20.65 full-time equivalent staff, approx. 15 volunteers

    Kai Andersch: CEO of WI Germany, Director of WI Canada, Country Manager
    Ronny Scholz: COO, Board of Directors, People & Culture, Education Projects
    Tom Andersch: Land Management
    Henriette Wessel: Communications, Board of Directors, WI Peru
    Friederike Klasen: Communications, People & Culture
    Ulrike Pröschild: Communications
    Josephine Hedderich: Communications
    Franz Gerstenberger: Communications
    Claire von Quast: Head of Communications
    Tobias Zimmermann: Media Production
    Susanne Hörenz: Media Production
    Marie Schreiber: Co-Head of Science
    Maria Laura Tolmos: Co-Head of Science, Board of Directors, WI Peru
    Esteban Menares-Barraza: Science & Research
    Erik Ackermann: Science & Research (PhD student)
    Gina Geisler: Co-ordination of Wilderness Runs
    Christiane Hoffmann: Head of Partnerships, Ambassadors & Special Projects
    Vincent Schöning: Partnerships
    Yve Lenz: Partnerships
    Sarah Wiegel: Partnerships
    Huu Nguyen: Head of Product & Development
    Tina Oldenburg: Payments & Finance
    Claudia Römer: Accounting
    Leon Köpke: Co-ordinator, CO2 Calculator and Offsetting
    Marten Gierth: Working Student, CO2
    Fanny Stratmann: Working Student, CO2

    Freelancers
    Marie Luise Grübler: Google Ads
    Jan Luther: IT
    Manuela Kind: SEO
    Michael Schade: Google Analytics
    Studio Good: Design
    Philipp Züchner: IT
    Lai Ho: Front-end Developer
    Tin Huynh: Back-end Developer
    Chuong Ton: Full-stack Developer
    Phuong Nguyen: Quality Assurance Engineer
    Y Nguyen: Back-end Developer

    Volunteers
    Tino Kreßner: IT & Compliance
    Henri Bisch-Chandaroff: Education
    Robert Pohle: Media & Design
    Ulrich Henrik Streckenbach: Media & Design
    Johann-Georg Cyffka: Partnerships, Networking and Sustainability
    Jürgen Thiele: Consultancy
    Sarah Sassenhagen: Copywriting

    WI Peru
    Chris Kirkby: CEO
    Flor Ugarte Villavicencio: CTO
    Maria Laura Tolmos: Board of Directors
    Henriette Wessel: Board of Directors
    Fabian Mühlberger: Biologist & Photographer
    Ariana Rodríguez: Communications
    Kai Andersch: Land Management
    Alexandra Suaquita Aragon: Office Assistant
    Gianlucca Monteverde: Botany Coordinator
    Alejandro Hilares: Agroforestry Coordinator
    Chris Ketola: Head Field Researcher
    Nadine Holmes: Mammal Research Coordinator
    Keyko Saravia: Birds Research Assistant
    Ana-Paula Bezzolo: Environmental Education Coordinator
    Forest Guardians:
    Xiomara Banegas, Guido Nuñez, Guimo Granados Isita, Luis Marvin Perez Salazar, Ezequiel Quezada Taricuarima, Henry Torres Martínez, Omar Torres Martinez, Luis David Guzmán Lomas, Branco Francisco Montalvan, Jhon Fasabi, Eudes Pashanaste, Lenin Sangama Panduro, Ner Charun Arirama Sabalbascoa, Gilberto Macedo Tapullima, Christians Alexander Lázaro Huaytalla, Humberto Shuña Acho, Guillermo Melito Arirama Salbabascoa, Joel Ángel La Serna Fernández, Hugo Yaicate Sánchez

    WI Canada
    Marco Lou: Management
    Tyler Bruce: Executive Board
    Stephen Gabrysh: Executive Board
    Tyra Bain: Partnerships & Research
    Tobias Hürten: Director
    Kai Andersch: Director, Land Management

  • 7./8. Information on the source and use of funds

    Our balance sheet and profit and loss account for 2024.
    We expect to have the figures for the last financial year available in October.

  • 9. Affiliation with third parties under company law

    Wilderness International is not a subsidiary of any other organisation, nor is it affiliated with any third party in any other way under company law.

    The German foundation works in close partnership with its sister organisations, Wilderness International (Canada), a Canadian NGO based in Stony Plain near Edmonton, Canada, and Wilderness International Peru, based in Puerto Maldonado, Peru.  

  • 10. Names of individuals whose annual donations account for more than 10 per cent of our total annual income

    Since 2015, DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen has been taking responsibility for the environmental impact of its tours and contributed more than 10 per cent of Wilderness International’s annual budget each year from 2015 to 2019 and in 2022. There were no other legal entities contributing more than 10 per cent of the annual budget between 2008 and 2023.

Protecting Forests in a Transparent Manner

Donate now

How much does it cost to protect the forest?

Transparent use of funds

Every euro goes directly towards protecting valuable woodland. This is how we use your money.
1 € schützt
1 m2 Wald!

One-off costs

38 Cent Buying land and the purchasing process
19 Cent Preparing to buy land

Long-term costs

20 Cent Environmental education and communication
18 Cent Long-term protection and research
5 Cent Administrative costs

Frequently Asked Questions on Transparency

  • How does Wilderness International select the areas of land to be protected?

    We select the plots of land based on their particular need for protection, in consultation with scientific partners and nature conservation experts. Key factors in this selection process include biodiversity, biomass, CO2 storage capacity, geographical location and acute threats. We assess these parameters on site through so-called ‘rapid assessments’ before finalising the purchase.

  • How is the upkeep of the plots of land funded after purchase?

    All long-term and future costs are already factored into the donation for conservation per square metre. The costs incurred after the land has been purchased are comparatively low, for example for the salaries of forest rangers in Peru or for expeditions aimed at monitoring, research, environmental education and communication. We already finance the majority of the property taxes for our nature reserves from the annual returns on Wilderness International’s share capital.

  • What rights of disposal apply to the land purchased?

    The land is purchased by our three sister foundations in Germany, Canada and Peru through entry in the land register. Wilderness International therefore holds sole rights of disposal. Our articles of association stipulate, in accordance with the foundation’s purpose, that the plots of land must be left undisturbed and may only be visited for research and documentation purposes. They may not be resold. The foundation’s structure ensures that the rights to dispose of the property do not rest with any single individual. Rather, the foundation – and therefore its land – always belongs to all those involved in the foundation at any given time.

  • What does ‘legally compliant’ mean at Wilderness International?

    We protect land exclusively through purchase with registration in the land register and in countries with a high level of legal certainty (i.e. sound legislation and political institutions). The land is purchased by our three sister foundations in Germany, Canada and Peru. Consequently, Wilderness International holds the sole right of disposal. Our articles of association stipulate, as part of the foundation’s purpose, that the plots of land must be left untouched and may only be visited for research and documentation purposes. They cannot be resold. The foundation’s structure ensures that the rights to dispose of the property do not rest with any single individual. Rather, the foundation – and therefore its land – always belongs to all those involved with the foundation at any given time. Those who donate to us are not buying the forest; instead, their donations finance the purchase and enable us to protect the forest areas in the long term. We always pay in advance and only collect donations once the area is already in our possession.

  • Why doesn’t Wilderness International have the DZI charity seal of approval?

    In March 2015, our Foundation Council and Executive Board decided that Wilderness International would not apply for the DZI charity seal, but would instead join the Transparent Civil Society Initiative. This decision is based, amongst other things, on the recommendations for action set out in the master’s thesis by our long-standing Chair of the Foundation Board, Ellen Weiland, on the topic of ‘Responsible Management in the Foundation Sector – Deriving Recommendations for Action Using the Example of Wilderness International’.

    Key points arguing against applying for the DZI Donation Seal:

    • Misallocation of donation funds to cover the costs of applying for certification
    • a high workload and financial burden for a small foundation run like an NGO

    “In addition to examining the state of the relationship of trust between the stakeholders and the foundation, it was necessary to clarify whether it is ethically correct to spend part of the donations collected on the costs of applying for the DZI Donation Seal. From the foundation management’s perspective, this amounts to a misuse of funds, as the management fulfils its responsibility to use the donated funds for their intended purpose in a very specific and correct manner and should not have to factor in any costs in the form of time and resources for submitting the extensive documentation required to apply for the donation seal.” – Ellen Weiland, Senior Manager in the Charitable Sector – Deriving a recommendation for action using Wilderness International as an example

    Furthermore, there are also large, very well-known organisations recognised as charitable that do not hold a DZI donation seal, such as BUND, WWF and Grüne Liga.

    Since 2023, however, we have held the PHINEO Wirkt! seal, of which we are very proud. Find out more here: What is the PHINEO Wirkt! seal?

    To reassess our impact, we also commissioned a comprehensive process assessment from BAUM e.V. in the spring of 2025. BAUM is a non-profit business network in Europe that promotes sustainable business practices and climate protection. The assessment was carried out by Rainer Kant, a qualified forester and Senior Advisor for Biodiversity and Ecosystems at BAUM e.V., one of Germany’s leading sustainability experts in this field. You can find out more about the assessment here.

  • What is the PHINEO Wirkt! seal?

    The non-profit organisation AG Phineo offers an independent and reliable assessment of the effectiveness of social engagement. In doing so, it saves private donors and companies – who are looking for projects that deliver real impact – the time-consuming and laborious task of conducting their own research. 

    The Phineo “Wirkt!” seal confirms that our work has a verifiable impact and that we are a high-performing and transparent organisation. To obtain it, we underwent a six-month, four-stage assessment by independent experts. As a donor or partner, you can therefore be confident that your contribution will be put to effective use by us. You can find out more about the PHINEO ‘Wirkt!’ seal and the analysis process here.

  • Where can I see the protected areas?

    We have an online map showing the locations of our conservation areas. Our latest aerial photographs are available there. You can see their outlines and which areas are already permanently protected through sponsorship schemes.

    Click here for the online map for Peru (Secret Forest – Tambopata).

    Click here for the online map for Canada (Misty Forest – North Coast).

    Click here for the online map for Canada (Misty Forest – Mountains (Grizzly Forest – Toba Valley)).

    You can also visit our protected areas digitally in our Interactive Forest and get a first-hand impression for yourself. When you make a donation to us, you’ll receive a certificate containing the exact geographical coordinates of the plot of land you’ve helped protect within one of our protected areas.

  • How are local communities involved in Wilderness International’s projects?

    We are absolutely convinced that it is only by working together with the people of the region that we can protect the primeval forests in Canada and Peru in a sustainable way. We are also committed to social sustainability and therefore involve as many stakeholders as possible in forest conservation. 

    Local projects in Peru increase acceptance amongst landowners and offer them the opportunity to continue supporting the region’s natural environment in the future. We have also set up a forest ranger programme with local people. Our Forest Guardians regularly patrol the forest areas, ensure their protection, maintain contact with the local community, and, together with our researchers, develop environmental education materials and assist with biodiversity monitoring. To protect the Madre de Dios region sustainably, minimise the causes of deforestation and develop alternative sources of income together with local families, we launched our agroforestry project in December 2023 and joined forces with two local agroforestry pioneers – Camino Verde and Fundo Ten Paciencia. The aim of the project is to train farmers in agroforestry and sustainable farming practices. In addition, the WI Peru team has launched an environmental education project designed to instil in local people a greater understanding of and enthusiasm for the rainforest and its inhabitants, and to provide them with arguments as to why it is important to actively protect this fragile ecosystem. This includes themed events in towns and communities, various projects in schools, and visits by schoolchildren directly to our research station in the Secret Forest.

    In Canada, our existing protected areas are uninhabited, as they are quite isolated. The Wilderness International Canada team consists mainly of Canadians who are also promoting environmental education and our conservation goals within the country, for example through partnerships with organisations such as whale-watching agencies, which raise awareness of complex ecological interrelationships, or other local research or nature conservation organisations. In the past, we have organised environmental ambassador programmes, through which German school pupils were able to engage with local people and First Nations on environmental conservation issues. We hope to be able to resume these programmes in the future. 

    Looking ahead, we do not rule out the possibility of jointly purchasing plots of land for nature conservation purposes together with Indigenous peoples or First Nations in Canada. It is very important to us that this collaboration takes place on an equal footing. Naturally, we would never displace anyone from their homeland for the sake of nature conservation. If our approach helps local people (whether Indigenous or not) to combine environmental protection with their traditions, ways of life and sustainable livelihoods, then we see such partnerships as a wonderful opportunity to generate synergies.

    The involvement of local communities in our projects is also highlighted by Rainer Kant of BAUM e.V. in his independent process assessment: “The integrative approach is evident in the way Wilderness International links various sectors of society: environmental and climate protection are combined with educational work, technological innovations and economic financing models. Businesses, schools, researchers and local indigenous communities are actively involved, thereby creating synergies between civil society, the business sector and academia.”

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