The Peregrine Fund Joins a Landmark Effort to Restore Madagascar's Landscapes

Madagascar is one of the most biologically rich places on Earth—and one of the most threatened. Now a major push for Madagascar ecosystem restoration is working to turn the tide, and The Peregrine Fund is proud to be part of it.

On June 18, 2026, we became the first technical and financial partner to sign on to the IREMA Project (Strengthening Investments in Ecosystem Restoration in Madagascar)—a five-year national initiative to restore degraded land and protect biodiversity across the country. The partnership brings more than $2 million to The Peregrine Fund's work over that period.

What Is the IREMA Project?

The IREMA Project is a national initiative launched by the Malagasy government to restore degraded landscapes across the country. It is funded by the Global Environment Facility and led globally by Conservation International, as part of the broader Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program. Over the next five years, IREMA aims to restore 200,000 hectares of degraded land while safeguarding the wildlife and communities that depend on it.

Why Bemanevika Matters

Our work centers on the Bemanevika and Mahimborondro Protected Areas in the Sofia region of northern Madagascar, one of just five priority sites supported by the project. These exceptional forests are a haven for rare and endemic wildlife, and they holds real potential for sustainable agroforestry and ecotourism.

Protecting places like Bemanevika and Mahimborondro does more than shelter individual species. Intact forests store carbon, secure clean water, and anchor the web of life that makes Madagascar so extraordinary. These two protected areas also serve as the water source for several thousand hectares of rice paddies in the Bealanana Plain, making this region Madagascar’s leading rice-producing area. Learn more about our work in Madagascar.

Restoring Land Alongside Local Communities

Through IREMA and working closely alongside local communities, our team will help restore the area's forests, grazing lands, and farmland. Healthy landscapes support both wildlife and the people who depend on them, and restoring them is one of the most powerful tools we have for a resilient future. As land recovers, so do the opportunities—cleaner water, productive soil, and new pathways for sustainable livelihoods.

What Comes Next

Regional implementation begins in July, marking the start of an ambitious new chapter for Madagascar's landscapes—and for the communities and wildlife that call them home.

We're honored to help lead the way.