Enduring Earth is a visionary collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, The Pew Charitable Trusts, World Wildlife Fund, and ZOMALAB, the family office of Ben and Lucy Ana Walton. This ambitious initiative works alongside nations and communities worldwide to accelerate conservation efforts, address the climate and biodiversity crises, and support economic development. Our goal is to protect and conserve the planet’s oceans, lands, and freshwater while securing long-term financing for conservation, economic diversification, and community prosperity.

At the heart of Enduring Earth’s strategy is a model called Project Finance for Permanence (PFP), which secures sustained funding for conservation projects by linking financial investments to measurable goals that deliver both social and environmental benefits. We aim to protect over half a billion hectares of lands, oceans, and freshwater by 2030. By safeguarding these critical ecosystems, we help nations achieve durable conservation, boost community prosperity, and contribute to global efforts such as the 30 by 30 target, the fight against climate change, and the fulfillment of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Enduring Earth is currently working with more than 100 partners, governments, Indigenous peoples and local communities, and funders across 12 PFP projects in 11 countries to durably protect more than 350 million hectares of ocean, lands, and freshwater – an area similar in size to India. Our commitment to upholding the rights of people and creating opportunities for sustainable economic growth ensures that these conservation efforts benefit both nature and communities. By advancing durable, large-scale conservation initiatives, we aim to enhance livelihoods, reduce carbon emissions, and secure the biodiversity that sustains life on Earth.

Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) is a groundbreaking tool that enables governments, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to work with funders and non-governmental organizations to secure long-term management and financing for conservation areas through a single closing agreement. Each PFP project is guided by comprehensive conservation and community development plans, alongside rigorous financial models. All commitments are guaranteed upfront, ensuring durable, long-lasting results.

A hallmark of the PFP model is its multi-party commitment, which unites all participants in a collaborative agreement based on shared conservation goals, community development plans, and pledges of investment. This ensures that the resources and efforts dedicated to conservation will have a lasting and transformative impact. By providing additional assurances to environmental stewards, PFPs support the long-term sustainability of protected areas.

The PFP approach moves beyond traditional conservation efforts by scaling up from isolated site-specific projects to creating expansive networks of protected areas. Alongside their environmental impacts, PFPs also promote community prosperity, cultural revitalization, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. This model not only secures durable conservation but also supports economic development that benefits local communities.

The PFP model is one of the most promising strategies for achieving large-scale, lasting protection of natural ecosystems. It offers a powerful solution to curbing nature’s decline while delivering robust conservation outcomes globally.

By ensuring that protected areas are collaboratively designed, locally led, nationally supported, sustainably funded, and highly accountable, the PFP approach guarantees that protected places stay protected for generations to come.