Starting in 2026, Cat Expeditions will be investing in the protection of wild habitat to account for the flight emissions from guest travel as part of our commitment to sustainable travel. Whether guests are flying economy or business, we’re estimating the emissions associated with each trip and putting that money directly into safeguarding ecosystems that store vast amounts of carbon (roughly $1,000 per tour), while supporting the wild cats we love.
Why We’re Doing This
Conservation has always been at the heart of Cat Expeditions. It’s why we donate $1,000 from every tour to local, species-specific conservation projects, and that won’t change. But we also know that reaching the wild places where these cats live usually means flying, and flying comes at a cost.
We’ve discussed this tension as a team, and also with many of you. Because the truth is, you protect what you love, and you love what you know. And really knowing a wild cat—watching a leopard teach her cubs to hunt, or seeing manul kittens tumble through the steppe—is a life-changing experience. While it’s not the only path to connection, firsthand experience often sparks the deepest care.
We believe that ecotourism, when done right, is a powerful tool for conservation. It creates economic incentives for local communities to protect wildlife, and it creates deep personal connections that turn individuals into lifelong advocates.
So we’re choosing to match flight emissions resulting from Cat Expeditions trips with real investment in what matters most: keeping carbon safely stored in wild habitats.
Why We’re Protecting Habitat (Not Planting Trees)
Rather than planting new trees, we’re supporting Rainforest Trust, an organization we know and trust deeply, who works to protect critically threatened ecosystems around the world. Here’s why this matters:
- Forests store vast amounts of carbon—in trees, roots, and soil.
- When forests are cleared, much of that carbon ends up in the atmosphere.
- According to peer-reviewed science, protecting intact ecosystems could deliver up to 37% of the emissions reductions we need by 2030.
While reforestation also has value, protecting existing ecosystems is significantly more effective (and urgent). It’s also more cost-efficient: conservation can be 10 to 20 times more impactful per dollar than reforestation.
We also know forest protection isn’t simple. Measuring impact and ensuring long-term stewardship takes rigor and transparency. That’s why we’ve chosen to partner with Rainforest Trust, whose projects are science-driven, community-led, and audited for lasting results.
The Rainforest Trust Project We’ll Be Helping to Fund
In 2026, we’re funding acres in the new Guanales Wildlife Reserve, a project by Rainforest Trust (in partnership with Panthera) to protect 75,000 acres in the Merendón Mountains of Honduras. This forest connects wild cat habitat from Guatemala to Honduras and is home to:
- Ocelots, pumas, margay, and jaguarundis
- Critically endangered amphibians
- Over 8 million metric tons of stored carbon
The area is currently under threat from cattle ranching, plantations, and poaching. With our support, it will become a nationally protected area, with local communities engaged as stewards and decision-makers.
Rainforest Trust has many impactful projects, but we chose this one because it’s urgently in need of funding, and because it plays a key role in protecting wild cat habitat across Central and South America.
How We Calculate
We estimate each guest’s flight emissions based on roundtrip distance and class of service, using a blend of reliable calculators (IATA, ICAO, Atmosfair). Then we round up, and convert that into protected acres.
On average, this means we’ll be donating about $1,000 per trip toward permanent forest protection.
This isn’t a certified carbon offset, and we’re not claiming to “cancel out” emissions. But we are investing in the protection of carbon-rich habitat, habitat that might otherwise be lost without support.
A Small Step Toward a Bigger Future
Our trips aren’t just about great photos—they’re about building relationships: with wild places, with the people who protect them, and with the stories behind every species. Those relationships come with responsibility.
We’re proud to support Rainforest Trust and to stand behind our belief that ethical travel means doing the best we can—for the wildlife we love, and the future they deserve.
Thank you for traveling with Cat Expeditions—and thank you for helping us protect the wild cats (and their homes) that inspire everything we do.
You can read more about our upcoming tours here.