One of the World Land Trust's (WLT) most impactful initiatives is the conservation of the Dong Chau–Khe Nuoc Trong Forest in Vietnam, a project led by WLT’s partner, Viet Nature Conservation Centre. Together, they have helped designate over 22,000 hectares as a nature reserve – an area that sequesters about 41,686 metric tons of CO2 annually. 

Nestled in the Annamite Mountain Range of north-central Vietnam, the Dong Chau–Khe Nuoc Trong Forest is considered a biodiversity hotspot. The area is home to over 40 vulnerable species, including nine endangered and ten critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As a Watershed Protection Forest, KNT also provides clean water to local communities and feeds downstream rice paddies. 

The region around the KHT forest is home to marginalized ethnic minorities, the Van Kieu, who depend on the forest for their livelihoods (which includes harvesting non-timber forest products for local sale). The project attempts to address the socio-economic challenges these communities face by creating jobs with local conservation groups, by researching how non-timber forest products can help contribute to sustainable living, and by raising environmental awareness. Promoting sustainable practices helps reduce local reliance on damaging activities such as illegal logging or poaching. Without this joint project between WLT and Viet Nature the forest would unfortunately remain in a lower carbon state due to perpetual low-volume, high-value timber harvesting.

The success of the Dong Chau–Khe Nuoc Trong Forest project serves as a great blueprint for future conservation efforts. It shows how carbon balancing can be integrated into conservation strategies to protect critical ecosystems, support local communities, and contribute to global sustainability goals.