Mongabay

Rhett A. Butler established Mongabay.com in 1999, driven by his love for tropical forests. He named the website after a small island in Madagascar. Since its inception, Mongabay has evolved into the leading online resource for rainforest information and a respected platform for environmental news and analysis. Currently, the site attracts over 2.5 million visitors each month and offers content in nine different languages. It is frequently utilized as a reliable source by notable media outlets such as The Economist, Bloomberg, National Geographic, and the Associated Press. Additionally, various civil society organizations and development agencies recognize Mongabay for its accuracy and trustworthiness. Mongabay has made a significant impact over the years. Its articles have prompted protests in Madagascar against a French shipping company involved in the illegal transport of timber from rainforest reserves. The platform has also played a role in halting harmful projects, such as a proposal to log 70 percent of Woodlark Island in New Guinea for a large oil palm plantation. The stories and images shared on Mongabay.com have influenced investment decisions, leading to protections for Cameroon’s rainforests in order to secure carbon market payments. Moreover, its content has even inspired artistic creations. In 2012, Mongabay.org was established to support the creation of new educational and journalism projects while utilizing its extensive network, traffic, and reputation. The goal of Mongabay.org is to enhance awareness of social and environmental issues related to forests and other ecosystems. The first initiative launched under Mongabay.org was Mongabay.co.id, an environmental news service in Indonesia managed by a local team. Following this, Mongabay introduced the Spanish-language platform Mongabay-Latam in 2016 and Mongabay-India in 2018.