1m² = €1 – Why is it so cheap compared to Germany?
Protecting 1 m² of virgin forest for just €1 with Wilderness International may seem surprisingly cheap compared to the high land prices in Germany. However, there are several reasons for this, which are related to the conditions in the protected regions:
Affordable land prices in the target regions
Wilderness International protects primeval forests in regions such as Peru and Canada, where economic pressure on land is much lower than in Germany. These areas are often remote and unsuitable for construction projects or industrial use, which keeps prices low. In Germany, on the other hand, land is extremely sought after, especially in economically active regions or those with good infrastructure, which leads to high prices.
Lack of infrastructure
Our protected areas are often located in remote regions without infrastructure. Developing these areas economically would involve considerable financial expenditure. This further reduces the purchase price, but does not mean that no one is interested in these areas and their development. On the contrary, it is becoming increasingly profitable and necessary for companies and individuals to develop such areas.
Large, untouched areas
The protected areas in Peru and Canada consist of huge, contiguous areas of virgin forest. Purchasing large areas significantly reduces the average cost per square meter. In Germany, on the other hand, there are only a few untouched or contiguous nature reserves, which drives up the cost per square meter.
Different demand and usage
In countries such as Germany, land is valuable for agriculture, urban development, or commercial use. This puts a lot of economic pressure on land. In the protected areas of Wilderness International, the demand for such uses is significantly lower, especially in remote forest areas.
Effective protection strategies
Wilderness International works with local partners and uses sustainable approaches to secure and manage protected areas. This minimizes ongoing costs. By focusing on legally secure purchases and long-term protection, there are no additional costs for leasing or expensive maintenance, as is the case in Germany.
No profit-oriented use
The aim of the conservation projects is the long-term preservation of nature, not economic gain. This means that many of the costs associated with commercial land use are eliminated. The organization uses donations specifically to finance the protection of the areas, without unnecessary administrative or profit costs.
Negotiation skills
Those responsible at Wilderness International negotiate as best they can to agree on a price that is acceptable to the foundation, but also fair to the sellers, most of whom are local. In Peru, for example, we pay an average of €0.10 per square meter for the raw cost of land (i.e., excluding costs for lawyers, notaries, etc.).
Symbolic cost of €1 per square meter
The amount of €1 per square meter is deliberately set low in order to make protection for donors tangible and accessible. The actual costs per square meter may be slightly higher in some cases, but this is offset by efficient management.
Conclusion: The price of €1 per m² reflects not only the lower costs in remote regions, but also the efficiency of Wilderness International's work. In countries such as Germany, land is more expensive due to pressure from land use, construction projects, and urban sprawl, while the remote jungle regions of Peru and Canada are less exploited economically and therefore cheaper to protect.