Couch conservation
There is so much joy in giving, and the COVID-19 crisis has only reinforced this across the world. Certainly, the commitment here at Encompass Africa to make a difference and inspire positive action has never been stronger. So we introduce you to our page on couch conservation.
The intention is to share with you a number of projects, charities and initiatives on the ground across the continent that are making a difference and protecting Africa’s future.
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Project Ranger
This project is a call to action to help raise bridging funding for critically required salaries for those on the front lines of conservation, the wildlife monitors, personnel and rangers who are stepping in to protect our collective dream and risk their lives doing so. This initiative is designed to assist in preventing a new poaching pandemic through an emergency relief fund. We are calling on fellow conservation enthusiasts, safari operators, travel agents and guests to get in behind this with their support. These brave men and women are fighting a war on our behalf and now is the time to make sure they are supported now.
Watch the small film below that was produced by Dereck and Beverly Joubert to introduce this brilliant initiative.
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Footprint Foundation
Our exceptional friends and partners Safari Collection in Kenya run the Footprint Foundation, supporting a diverse range of conservation, health and education projects across Kenya which benefit the local communities, wilderness and wildlife.
Take a look at the great work being done and donate if you can to help make a difference.
More about FootprintChildren in the Wilderness
Wilderness Safaris is one of Africa’s largest safari companies and two years ago, set up Children in the Wilderness (CITW). Committed to the leadership development and environmental education of rural children in Africa, CITW’s vision is to “inspire positive action” throughout the company’s areas of operation.
“Insight, care and commitment are required to conserve Africa’s pristine wilderness and wildlife areas. If we are to ensure that these places continue to exist – in this generation and those to come – we need the rural children of Africa to understand the importance of conservation and its relevance in their lives. Hence, our Children in the Wilderness programme: an environmental and life skills educational programme for children, focusing on the next generation of decision-makers; inspiring them to care for their natural heritage and to become the custodians of these areas in the future.”
More on CITWAdopt an Acre
During these extraordinary times of COVID-19, our friends at Porini Camps have set up a phenomenal campaign to ensure that animals and wildlife habitats in Kenya are protected and that rural communities are supported until things return to normal, with a new Adopt an Acre plan.
Here is an example of the type of challenge faced and the importance of having rangers on the ground: a majestic male lion was spotted by the warden and rangers on their daily patrol in Ol Kinyei Conservancy. The rangers quickly contacted the Kenya Wildlife Service vet who was dispatched immediately to dart the lion and remove the snare. This happy ending was only possible because the team of rangers was on the ground. Read the full story here.
You can adopt an acre of land in the conservancies for a year with a donation of US$35 per acre to the Wildlife Habitat Trust which has been set up as a fund to help to pay the wages of the staff working in the conservancies from the local communities as well as the land leases so that the Maasai families continue receiving the rents and the conservancies can continue to exist. The Trust is audited by a reputable firm of auditors in Nairobi, Grant Thornton Kenya, so that contributors can be confident that 100% of the money collected is going directly to the Maasai community.
As a special incentive, anyone adopting 30 acres or more will receive a credit from Gamewatchers Safaris for the same amount donated, to be used for payment of a safari holiday at any of the Porini Camps in 2021 or 2022 booked through Encompass Africa. So, for example, a donation of US$1050 to adopt 30 acres will receive a travel credit worth US$1050.
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