FairWild joins forces with Wildlife Friendly

With the joint purpose of protecting biodiversity through economic, environmental, and social sustainability, FairWild and Wildlife Friendly, are now officially collaborating.

ABOUT WILDLIFE FRIENDLY

Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network is a registered not-for-profit established in 2009 for the conservation of threatened wildlife while contributing to the economic vitality of rural communities. WFEN’s mission is to protect wildlife by certifying enterprises that assure people and nature coexist and thrive. WFEN uses the power of the marketplace to create on-the-ground change by providing incentives for the protection of biodiversity around the world.
 

WHY IS FAIRWILD PARTNERING WITH WILDLIFE FRIENDLY?

WFEN has developed certification standards primarily focused on fauna, which do not include specific criteria for wild harvesting. On the other hand, FWF has developed standards and guidelines for sustainable wild harvesting of botanicals, fungi, and lichen, which also lack specific criteria for protecting threatened animal species residing in the wild collection areas. Therefore, it appears essential for both organizations to form a partnership to adopt a comprehensive approach to safeguarding the wild.
 

HOW DOES THE PARTNERSHIP WORK?

When a WFEN certified operation is involved in wild harvesting, WFEN incorporates a reference to the FairWild Standard. This inclusion serves as a way to demonstrate sustainable wild collection within the Certified Wildlife Friendly™ area. Similarly, if a FairWild® certified operation discovers the presence of a threatened or endangered animal species within their managed wild collection area, FWF and WFEN can collaborate to establish the appropriate Wildlife Friendly® criteria and guidelines. These would be incorporated into the operation's sustainable ecosystem management plan.

In both of these scenarios, dual certification offers remarkable advantages. Enterprises can enjoy the benefits of both wildlife-focused and wild harvest-focused branding and marketing. Moreover, they can tap into the unique support provided by both organizations.

To further streamline the process and reduce auditing costs for enterprises, FWF and WFEN can work together on joint audits when deemed appropriate. This collaborative approach ensures that operations are evaluated against both sets of standards, as long as the auditors possess the necessary expertise.

Together, FairwWild and Wildlife Friendly can provide a holistic approach to safeguarding the wonders of the wild!

As consumers, we all have the power to contribute to biodiversity conservation simply by choosing ingredients that bear the certification of #FairWild or #WildlifeFriendly. So, the next time you go shopping, remember this opportunity and make a conscious choice to support our natural world!