New partnership funds Indigenous-led protection of massive swath of Canadian lands

New partnership funds Indigenous-led protection of massive swath of Canadian lands

In Canada’s Northwest Territories, a landmark pact is uniting federal, territorial, and 21 Indigenous governments to protect nature on an unprecedented scale. Covering current preserves plus 75,000 square miles of new conserved lands — twice Florida’s size and more than 2% of Canada’s landmass — the agreement will channel over $300 million to Indigenous-led stewardship, conservation, and ecotourism.

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Australia cuts student debt by 20%, easing pressure on millions

Australia will cut student loan balances by 20%, delivering over A$16 billion in relief to three million people. A graduate with an average loan of A$27,600 will see about A$5,520 erased, with changes backdated to June 1, 2025, before a 3.2% inflation adjustment. The law also lifts the repayment threshold to A$67,000 in annual income, easing the burden on lower earners and delaying repayments for many.

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Ethiopia to plant 700 million trees in one day

Ethiopia has launched a record-breaking push to plant 700 million trees in a single day, part of a plan to grow 50 billion by 2026 to fight deforestation, boost livelihoods, and tackle climate change. By early morning, 14.9 million people had already planted 355 million seedlings. The nationwide effort has been championed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed since 2019 as a personal and national priority.

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Vatican strikes solar farm deal to become the world’s first carbon-neutral state

Italy has agreed to a Vatican plan to build a solar farm on 1,000 acres near Rome, aiming to make Vatican City the world’s first carbon-neutral state. The Santa Maria Galeria project will generate enough clean energy for the micronation while preserving the land’s agricultural use and minimizing environmental impact. This step marks a significant commitment by the Vatican toward sustainability and climate leadership.

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World Health Organization certifies Timor-Leste as malaria-free

The World Health Organization certifies malaria elimination when a country has zero indigenous cases for three consecutive years. So far, 47 countries and one territory have earned this status. A Southeast Asian nation, committed to fighting malaria since gaining independence in 2002, has now joined them—demonstrating the impact of sustained, focused efforts to defeat this devastating disease.

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Great Bear Rainforest Agreement sets global standard for Indigenous-led conservation (2016 C.E.)

In 2016, Indigenous groups, government, and environmental organizations forged the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement, protecting nearly 6.4 million hectares of British Columbia’s rainforest. This landmark deal recognized Indigenous rights and leadership in land stewardship, balancing conservation with sustainable economic development. It became one of the world’s largest Indigenous-led conservation efforts, setting a precedent for collaborative, large-scale environmental protection.

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More than 100 countries achieve monumental “30 by 30” conservation goal

By 2030, over 100 countries fulfilled their 2022 pledge to protect at least 30% of Earth’s land and oceans through the global “30 by 30” initiative. Many of these protected areas are increasingly supported by local and Indigenous communities, whose involvement helps strengthen conservation outcomes. This milestone marks a significant step toward more inclusive and effective stewardship of the planet’s vital ecosystems for generations to come.

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Support Indigenous land defenders in Canada

From Amnesty USA: The Wet’suwet’en Nation faces threats from a fossil fuel pipeline crossing their ancestral lands without consent from their Hereditary Chiefs. Indigenous land defenders and allies protecting the territory are being criminalized and risk prison for opposing the project. Despite acting to defend their land rights, they face charges for blocking construction on their own territory, highlighting ongoing struggles over Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice. Write a letter.

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