The Butterfly Effect of Travel

Travel undeniably has a significant impact on the planet and local communities. Overtourism, high carbon emissions, pollution, and disruption of wildlife are just a few examples of the negative effects of travel that overshadow its positive impact.

The Butterfly Foundation aims to maximize the positive impact of travel by demonstrating that travel is not just part of the climate problem but also a key to its solution. No organization, foundation, or individual can improve the world on their own, but together with the entire travel sector, you can make a positive contribution to people and the environment.

Because when a little butterfly flaps its wings, a storm can form on the other side of the globe. Similarly, small – often invisible – positive changes can consistently lead to a massive positive impact in the long run. That’s the power of The Butterfly Effect.

"The most important right we have is the right to be responsible."

– Gerald Amos

The Way We Work

Almost everywhere you travel, you'll find communities and organizations working to make local areas a better place. The Butterfly Foundation financially supports these initiatives, brings people together who are ready to roll up their sleeves, and encourages involvement from all stakeholders in the travel organization.

The Butterfly Foundation raises funds in the travel sector through private donors and travel organizations. That money flows through the Foundation to various non-profit organizations linked to your trip.

The non-profits are mainly grassroots activists, as they truly make a difference with their boots-on-the-ground approach and hard work in the field.

1

Percentage of your travel amount

79

Supported projects

531.834

on positive impact*

-2783.05

tons of CO₂e saved

*Positive impact is the measurable, beneficial change that results from a specific action or investment. This doesn't just mean "doing no harm"...

Our Projects

Below you will find all the projects supported by the Butterfly Foundation. Click on the location pin for more information about each project and the partner organization on-site.

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  • Old-growth forest protection – Lapland
  • Old-growth forest protection – Lapland
  • Old-growth forest protection – Lapland
  • Old-growth forest protection – Lapland
  • Finland forest conservation
  • Protect the Baltic Sea
  • Glacier research in the Arctic Circle
  • Solar panel installation
  • Feeding school children
  • Swedish forest protection
  • Fighting for climate justice
  • Protecting Swedish predators by building fences
  • Supporting conservation through communication
  • Protect Sweden’s Big Five
  • Flood Relief Fund
  • SOS Animal
  • Save Thai stray dogs
  • Home for vulnerable children
  • Wild At Life
  • Elephant conservation
  • Sterilizing Balkan stray dogs
  • Spaying Albanian stray animals
  • Protecting endangered parrots
  • Saving Balkan Stray Dogs
  • Saving Albanian Stray Animals
  • Vera's Animal Shelter
  • Helping Balkan Animals
  • Dog Care Clinic
  • Manage Grazing Lands of Elgol, Isle of Skye
  • Fjord Clean-up
  • Youth and Nature
  • Restore Norway’s forests
  • Protect the Norwegian Fjords
  • Trail maintenance on Laarzenpad Kleine Noordwaard (Biesbosch)
  • Action against waste and fly-tipping
  • Repair dock of Benedenste Jannezand (Biesbosch)
  • Save the Blue Heart of Europe
  • Protect the Vjosa
  • Guaranteeing water for people and nature
  • Balkan River Defence
  • Our River
  • River Clean Up
  • Fighting for free-flowing rivers
  • Protecting rivers in France and Europe
  • Mountain cleanups
  • Upcycling winter apperel
  • Zero Waste
  • Waste reduction in the Alps
  • Protecting the ocean
  • Protect Our Winters
  • Protecting the ocean
  • Protecting rivers through trans-disciplinary collaboration and education
  • Cave Clean Up
  • Safeguarding the Lesser Blind Mole Rat
  • Building a Tree Nursery
  • Installing water irrigation tower & eco toilets
  • Sponsoring school children
  • Installing a water well with hand pump
  • Installing a water community project
  • Installing a water well
  • Installing a water well
  • Reforesting the desert 'Travelbos'
  • Promoting bee welfare
  • Sustainable support for health and education
  • Renovation of Endulen Hospital
  • Mangrove reforestation
  • Sea Turtle Rehabilitation
  • Tackling the biggest global challenges
  • Empowering youth and women
  • Empowering youth and women
  • Nature conservation by local communities
  • Helping youth and families in need
  • Building houses for low-income families
  • Building a Vulture Restaurant
  • Protecting Indigenous Culture
  • Protecting Tropical Rain Forest
  • Empowering Indigenous Women
  • Saving sea life from plastic
  • Planting Trees along the Green Route
  • Helping children in need
  • Snail Species Rescue
  • Saving Endemic Island Plants and Beetles
  • Shelter stray animals
  • Help stray dogs
  • Reforesting Iceland
  • Trail Maintenance Landmannalaugur
  • Nature conservation
  • Trail Maintenance Theth
  • Building Eagle Nest Platforms
  • Protecting endangered Sea Turtle nests
  • Radio Tagging Atlantic Salmon
  • Restoring the Understory in Scottish Woodlands
  • Restoring Aspen
  • Freshwater Pearl Mussel Survey
  • Monitoring Wildlife at Alladale Wilderness Reserve
  • Cromarty Seascape
  • Temperate Rainforest Restoration
  • The Mountain Birch Project
  • Riparian Restoration at Glassie Farm
  • Sheltering Farm Animals
  • Restoring the Understory in Scottish Woodlands
  • Wildlife Cambodia
  • Protecting & restoring the Mayo-Chinchipe
  • Protecting The Snow Leopard
  • Education and poverty reduction in the Andes
Together with these partners, we make a difference.

Responsible Travel

Responsible travel doesn't just mean trying to reduce your CO₂ emissions. The Butterfly Foundation focuses on three different areas: ecological responsibility, a commitment to people, and corporate social responsibility.

Annual Impact Report

Curious about the numbers of your effective impact? It's important to know where your euros are being spent and to measure the impact you've had as a donor, as well as for us as a foundation.

Because the Butterfly Foundation wants to be accountable and transparent, our team develops an Impact Report each year with a year overview and graphical data for you to explore.

Thank you, dear traveler...

… to help plant trees, advocate for healthy, free-flowing wild rivers, fight against the destruction of local ecosystems caused by dam construction, protect vulnerable mangrove areas, and provide safe nesting and breeding sites for birds, fish, and wildlife. Respect.

Traveling around the globe brings not only an unforgettable adventure but also a negative impact. By engaging socially and giving back to nature through initiatives like rewilding, regeneration, and preservation, the Butterfly Foundation offers a positive counterbalance.

Highlighted Projects

Are you a non-profit organization or activist group still looking for funding? Sign up here as a non-profit.

Follow our impact directly in your inbox

Leave your details and stay updated on the latest Butterfly news about the projects you supported by traveling or donating directly, updates on events, and inspiring stories.

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