WE ARE GOING TO BUY A TRACT OF STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT RAINFOREST IN CENTRAL AMERICA.
WE WILL RE-FOREST IT, PROTECT IT AND RUN A ZERO-IMPACT JUNGLE TRAINING COURSE ON THIS LAND, TRAINING LOCALS AND TRAVELLERS IN JUNGLE SKILLS
Our vision is to re-wild 185 acres of strategically positioned primary rainforest in Panama , whilst launching the world's only accredited jungle training course.
We intend to complete both with zero impact to the land; and in so doing not only bring back rare species to this specific parcel but help to protect a vast tract of jungle stretching from the Panama Canalto Ecuador.
WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
Rat Race is a travel company. We fly around the world, and we take people with us. Arguably, there's environmental good in that -the more that folk see the areas of the world that need protecting, the longer these areas (and the more of them) will be protected.
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But let's be honest: We are generating significant emissions and we unquestionably have an obligation to do our bit. We could have gone for a 'quick n' easy' carbon offsetting scheme, like many in the travel trade. But we want our action to count. Big time.
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We will leave a legacy. We want to be part of the global solution to act on the climate emergency. We don’t want to go skin-deep. We are going all in, and we are looking for partners to help us. The ultimate ESG, if you will.
WHY HERE AND WHY NOW?
Panama is the crossroads of the Americas. It is currently one of only 3 carbon-neutral countries on Earth. Property tenure and legal systems are well developed in the country and the ability therefore to purchase land and have certainty over long-term usage, re-forestation and ownership is secure. This particular tract of land is strategic and is specific to our early plan. Watch Team Member and Panama's foremost jungle guide Rick Morales explain it all in this 3 minute video.
HOW WILL WE DO IT?
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Set up a Trust
We have identified a fully transparent trust vehicle in Panama to own the land. This will have a small board of Trustees, who can be Panamanian residents, or foreigners. Key partners will be given the opportunity to become a Trustee.
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Set up a trading company
We will establish a trading company to offer long-term activities on the land, including an accredited jungle training course. This trading company will pay a revenue share to the trust, allowing ongoing fund generation to maintain the land.
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Access to FinTech
We will deploy InnovativeFinTech such as 'meta squares' to allow members of the public the chance to buy their own pledges, attributable to small parcels of land which they then follow in the reforestation journey. We will also generate bio diversity credits. Both of these avenues will generate revenue towards maintenance, running costs, re-planting activity and future land purchases.
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Ability to restore jungle
We have access to serious expertise and native species for replanting. Local community workers and security will be employed in this endeavour.
Re-planting willencourage the proliferation of rarespecies like Jaguar, Peccaries, Ocelots & more.
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eDNA
We will show the biodiversity of the land pre, during and post restoration in full eDNA data, giving accountabiity and crredibilityto the re-wilding journey.
"A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit."
-Greek proverb
WORLD'S ONLY ACCREDITED JUNGLE TRAINING COURSE
A recognised and accredited jungle training course, accessible to rangers, NGOs, students and travellers does not currently exist outside of military circles. We will create it.
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Types of courses
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Full Jungle accredited Course 10 days
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NGO Short Course 4 days
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Reforestation & Jungle Explorer 5 day
Our unique course contents
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Leadership
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Interpretation
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Bushcraft & self-reliance
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Jungle navigation
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Expedition planning
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Wilderness medicine
Each of these subjects usually requires a stand-alone course. There are very few organizations that group these modules together in one all-encompassing training and no one else does it in a tropical jungle setting, with accredited certification. Our course is credible and tangible.
ENVIRONMENTAL GAINS – ULTIMATE ESG
Our project delivers ESG benefit in the most tangible manner imaginable.
Farming
We will restore illegally farmed land adjacent to a National Park back to its original state. This will eliminate soil degradation and reduce local use of fertilizers and antibiotics in local cattle seeping into soil and water streams.But we are not denying local farmers their trade: This land will be purchased at market rate, from a farmer with other operations elsewhere in less sensitive locations.
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Deforestation
Since 1970 we have lost 69% of the world's biodiversity including many rare and top predator species.We mean to carry out actual physical reforestation: Planting new tropical rainforest.
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Jungle training as legacy
The next generation of rangers, jungle advocates and experts will help us love, cherish, educate and protect this environment.
OTHER SUSTAINABLE REVENUES
Bio-Diversity Credits
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This project is unique in containing biodiversity restoration, plus core commercial revenues (the jungle course + meta square sales)and biodiversity credit revenue (previously carbon credit) income all in one project.
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Metasquares
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We will use meta square data to generate 3x3m geofenced squares, sold as pledges to public supporters. Each square will be transacted at $20.We will store all processed meta square financial transactions transparently on the blockchain. No title passes from these sales; more-so this scheme allows members of the public a tangible way of following the journey and planting their own small part of the forest.
eDNA
Wewill show the biodiversity of the land pre, during, and post-restoration in full eDNA data
CREDIBILITY
The best there is, Rick Morales is a Certified Wilderness Instructor and a Certified Specialized Guide with the Professional Association of Wilderness Guides and Instructors, and Certified Interpretive Trainer with the National Association for Interpretation. He is the only person to have trekked the entire length of Panama and it a qualified naturalist guide. He knows, loves and lives the jungle of central America.
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Experts in Training
Check out this video showcasing Rick’s skills
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Meet the Team
TARGET MARKET AND SIZE
Scale of the Training Course Market
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The global certification market is valued at $355bn in 2021, growing to $457bn by 2030
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20% of students took a gap year in 2020-2021 each spending between $10-30k
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There are currently 1.5 million rangers with a shortfall of at least 150k with little training available, especially in Central America
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$366bn globally is spent on leadership courses
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FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS
Annual(USD)
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Sales from training courses pa
Total customers 120 pa over 3 courses
Total revenue: $170,000pa
Net profit after costs: $100,200 pa
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Nature Credit revenue: $90-200k pa*
Meta squares sold via website and blockchain for $20.00 each,
forecast revenue: $30,000 pa
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Annual revenue: $290,000
Net profit: $127,000
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*Private sector to purchase Nature Credits: 15,000 available at $6* each = £90, 000 pa
(Nature Credits can vary from $6-$52 per tonne)
1 nature credit = 1-tonne carbon dioxide sequestered
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The more revenue this project generates on commercial terms, the more land we can purchase, protect and follow the model
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CAPEX AND RUNNING COSTS
Initial land purchase
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$165,000 One-off Trust and trading Co set-up fees via Panama attorney $8,000
Other set-up costs including registration with Ciudad de Sabor (City of Knowledge) and accreditation set-up costs for jungle course
$5,000
Fintech set-up and web costs
$12,000
Contingency
$10,000
TOTAL $200,000
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Annual Running costs
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Annual Marketing budget $40,000
Annual Maintenance& local Staff $30,000
Annual Re-planting programme $15,000
Accountancy, legals and admin $3,000
Other sundry $5,000
TOTAL $93,000​​​​​​​​​​​​​
MILESTONES
Oct 2024
Preliminary agreement on land purchase value –target offer $165000
Dec 2024
Legal and Banking systems set up for Trust and Trading Company
Jan 2025
Nature Credit Technology Platform Build Begins
Meta squares sales commence
April 2024 Purchase complete. Site visits, eDNA data capturedCourses launched recruitment of local maintenance and security staff
Oct 2025
First courses to run
Mar 2026
First rewilding activity commences
INVESTMENT OVERVIEW
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Leave a legacy –a true and tangible one
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Become a Trustee of a fully transparent legal land-owning entity in Panama
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Alignment to 5 of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) to combat climate change –real ESG in action
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Removal of carbon, restoration of degraded land and habitat protection and growth in a primary rainforest, whilst training the next generation of rainforest guardians
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Full eDNA analysis of the land health measured pre-project and throughout the life of the project minimum 30 years–tangible and credible
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A commercially run endeavour that allows re-investment in land maintenance, re-planting and ongoing future land purchases
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$250k sought to purchase the land and to provide start-up capital for legals, trust formation and early-stage running costs