The Missouri Botanical Garden operates a network of 13 nature reserves in Madagascar, in partnership with government, community, and conservation organizations. Ankafobe Forest nature reserve is an endangered forest about the size of the Garden. On October 25, a wildfire borne by a small tornado jumped the firebreaks, threatening to destroy the last remaining 80 acres of this forest. The fire also endangered five nurseries built by the Garden and run by local Malagasy staff, tens of thousands of seedlings being grown for reintroduction to the forest, and lemurs that survive there thanks to restoration and conservation efforts.

More than 200 local volunteers and Garden community staff battled tirelessly for three days to save the reserve and its nurseries. In all, about quarter of the forest burned, a nursery was severely damaged, and 6,000 seedlings perished. Thanks to the local community, however, most of the reserve was saved. We are assessing the damage and collecting resources to get this vital project back on its feet.

This Giving Tuesday, make the forests of Madagascar a part of your holiday list with a special gift to the Missouri Botanical Garden.