Conservation News

5/22/2023

100,000 trees planted in Rwanda

As part of their broader purpose to increase the world's wilderness, Wilderness Safari's commitment to the reforestation of Bisate Lodge and Gishwati Lodge (a research station) in Rwanda is ongoing. Nurtured from seed by local partners, community members, staff and guests, this milestone is the result of an extraordinary effort with a vital and far-reaching impact – not only on this exceptional habitat and the wildlife it supports, but also on the helping hands along the way: 100,000 trees later, the project is a true success story.

Lewa Conservancy holds farmer-training session

Lewa Conservancy in northern Kenya recently hosted a farmer training session at the Munanda primary school where approximately 120 project participants learned about how to apply sustainable agricultural practices to their farming. The sessions covered a number of important eco-focused topics including drip irrigation, fodder establishment and preservation, crop protection, and marketing methods. Lewa's goal is to help farmers integrate environmentally friendly and efficient farming techniques that benefit them, their community and surrounding environment. Lewa has been on a mission since 2012 to help farmers increase productivity and adapt to changing climate conditions, while also promoting sustainable land use and reducing negative environmental impacts. To date, this community-led conservation approach has led to the training of over 6,000 farmers, an essential element in creating lasting positive change for both people and wildlife. Travelers to the Lewa Conservancy can stay at Kifaru Lodge, Lewa Wilderness Camp, Lewa Safari Camp and Sirikoi Lodge.

Joining forces to combat human-wildlife conflict

Wilderness Safaris has partnered with local Botswana non-profit, Communities Living Among Wildlife Sustainably (CLAWS), to help reduce human-wildlife conflict in the areas surrounding Vumbura Plains Camp. CLAWS believes that "when we protect the needs of people, we can protect the needs of our wildlife." In Northern Botswana, lions are poisoned in retaliation for livestock killing. In response, the CLAWS program is designed to help people learn about the local prides to increase awareness and tolerance. They help mitigate conflict by building lion-proof livestock enclosures using traditional weaving skills with locally sourced, sustainable materials.

Land & Life Foundation celebrates Esisteti Primary School graduates in Amboseli

On February 25^th, the Land & Life Foundation celebrated the 60 graduating students who had successfully completed their primary school education and were accepted into various secondary schools around Kenya. The foundation, along with private donors, has supported the development of Esitieti Primary School in Amboseli since 2015 by providing school fees for all 687 of the students, paying for staff salaries, constructing classrooms, dormitories, a library, faculty housing, and a school kitchen garden (shamba) where the students and faculty are able to access fresh vegetables in this drought-stricken area. The Foundation believes that supporting education in the Amboseli region, near Tortilis Camp, is key to improving the quality of life for the local community and the ecosystem.

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