Conservation Partners

Our Natural world is under ever increasing pressure and is facing challenges ranging from the effects of climate change, habitat destruction, over exploitation and poaching. Conservation efforts thus need to be multifaceted.

Policy changes are often slow to happen, if they happen at all, and for this reason we believe that getting to the demand, or the end user, is of critical importance.

For this reason Chris supports various organisations by donating 10% of profits from his Limited Edition Print range. These organisations include BushLife Conservancy, The Zambezi Elephant Fund, The University of Miami Shark Research Program, WildAid and The Lower Potteberg Nature Reserve. All other profits are used for the purchase of land in Southern Africa for habitat preservation and re-wilding.

Bushlife Conservancy (https://bushlife-conservancy.org/)

Mission:

Bushlife Conservancy protects and saves African wildlife for future generations in the Zambezi Valley areas of Zimbabwe.

Approach:

Bushlife accomplishes their mission primarily by funding the work of Bushlife Support Unit Trust, a Zimbabwean nonprofit trust. Bushlife Support Unit Trust (BSUT) was established by Nick and Des Murray of Bushlife Safaris, and is based in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. BSUT has a strong history of collaboration with Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) including:

• The enforcement of antipoaching efforts to protect elephants, pangolins, painted dogs, and other wildlife.
• Promoting the conservation of natural resources.
• Supporting Zimparks Rangers and their families.
• Funding health, welfare and educational projects for local communities bordering the Park.

Goals:

Bushlife envisions a future where elephants, pangolins, painted dogs and other wildlife in the Zambezi Valley roam freely in their natural habitat without risk of death from human causes. Success depends on conservation education and sustainable community development that improves the lives of the local rural population, eliminating habitat fragmentation and alleviating pressure on habitat boundaries.

Zambezi Elephant Fund (ZEF) (https://www.zambezielephantfund.org/)

ZEF was formed in 2015 as a collaborative, supportive initiative to actively address the preservation of threatened wildlife and habitat in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe.

The brainchild of a group of like-minded Zimbabweans, concerned individuals, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), safari operators and Conservation Support Organisations, together formed an initiative specifically to create awareness of and address the alarming rise of poaching and habitat loss in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe.

Mission

The Zambezi Elephant Fund (ZEF) works collaboratively with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority, NGOs and the private sector to develop, implement and manage: anti-poaching operations, field equipment and supplies for rangers and support teams, anti-poaching ranger training, conservation security planning and implementation, information systems and networking, technology and systems for anti-poaching operations, community livelihood programs, habitat restoration initiatives, and education and awareness delivery.

About WildAid (https://wildaid.org/)

WildAid works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products and to increase local support for conservation efforts. Their programs reduce the demand for endangered wildlife, enhance public and political will for anti-poaching efforts, protect fragile marine reserves, and reduce climate change impacts. They are a 100%-rated Charity Navigator rated US non-profit operating in 20 countries worldwide.

WildAid’s species programs reduce global consumption of wildlife products such as elephant ivory, rhino horn and shark fin soup by reducing the demand. With an unrivalled portfolio of celebrity ambassadors and a global network of media partners, WildAid leverages more than $230 million in annual pro-bono media support with a simple message:

When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too.

Africa Program

WildAid works to increase community support for wildlife conservation in African range countries. Their campaign seeks to make conservation a matter of pride and aspiration for everyone in Africa. They work with lawmakers, officials, business executives, religious leaders and celebrities to build broad support for wildlife conservation, anti-poaching efforts, and prosecutions of middlemen and smugglers higher up the trade chain. Work is currently in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Gabon and South Africa.

Climate Program

Climate change will have a drastic impact on our planet’s wildlife. Since 2011, WildAid’s Climate Program has encouraged individuals to adopt more climate-friendly and sustainable lifestyles. Our goal is to significantly reduce per capita emissions from food, mobility, and individual consumer choices. By engaging popular celebrities to share positive and aspirational messages – whether about consuming less meat or choosing public transportation – WildAid asks consumers to consider how their daily choices can have an impact on climate and empowers them to make more sustainable decisions. WildAid’s climate campaigns have already reached hundreds of millions of people using traditional, online, and earned media placements, with a current focus on Greater China and the Asia Pacific.

Marine Program

 The WildAid Marine Program’s goal is to make the promise of marine protected areas (MPAs) real. Effective MPAs, like national parks on land, set aside dedicated areas for conservation to help the ocean thrive, provide jobs, protect coral reefs, rejuvenate marine wildlife and habitats, and feed millions of people. Yet nearly 60% of MPAs around the world lack the resources and enforcement capacity to protect marine species. Over the last 20 years, WildAid’s comprehensive approach to marine protection has helped Galapagos National Park and Misool Marine Reserve in Indonesia to revitalize coral reefs, shark populations, mantas, nesting sea turtles, whales, and important commercial fisheries. They are now expanding the program to MPAs around the world.