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"Drawing upon Community" is my 2nd Conservation Expedition, involving field expeditions to the African People & Wildlife Fund (APW), near Tarangire National Park, Tanzania. I will visit in the dry season (mid-2010) and in the wet season (early-2011) to learn about all aspects of the project, create a field journal, and document my trip using photography and video.
After my return I will create a new traveling exhibition and a lecture program. The exhibit and lecture program, in addition to my web publicity and email newsletters, will raise awareness of issues facing communities and conservation in Tanzania and funds for APW to continue their vital work.
After my return I will create a new traveling exhibition and a lecture program. The exhibit and lecture program, in addition to my web publicity and email newsletters, will raise awareness of issues facing communities and conservation in Tanzania and funds for APW to continue their vital work.
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| Photo credit: Jeremy Stephensons/African Lightscape |
The African People & Wildlife Fund Mission
"The African People & Wildlife Fund (APW) works to conserve Africa`s wildlife, protect their natural habitats, and to promote village development through innovative, multi-disciplinary strategies that emphasize coexistence with the natural world."
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| Photo credit: African People & Wildlife Fund |
APW recognizes that the future of African peoples and the future of African wildlife and habitats are inextricably linked. Wildlife and habitats cannot be effectively conserved while neighboring people live in poverty. Through education and empowerment programs, APW believes that local peoples can benefit from increased income and opportunities by conserving their own unique natural heritage.
Shown below are just a few of APW's projects and programs which meet their strategic goals.
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| Photo credit: African People & Wildlife Fund |
Habitat Conservation & Restoration is one of APW's key strategies. Both people and wildlife benefit from the prevention of habitat degradation and fragmentation but people living in poverty do not always have the luxury of conserving their habitat.
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| Photo credit: African People & Wildlife Fund |
The alleviation of poverty through Empowering Local People, allows people to see beyond the necessities of daily survival, gives them greater income-earning opportunities and this in turn makes the conservation of habitats and wildlife possible.
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| Photo credit: Laly Lichtenfeld |
APW works to Prevent Human-Wildlife Conflict. Wildlife species range far beyond national park boundaries so peaceful co-existence with people is essential if wildlife is to be conserved.
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| Photo credit: Laly Lichtenfeld |
The best conservation decisions are often those which benefit local communities and are made with local communities. APW's use of Collaborative Wildlife Conservation ensures that they only consider projects that explicitly include local people as active participants and give first priority to African scientists and students.
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| Photo credit: African People & Wildlife Fund |
Local people can be the best advocates for conservation of their local environment so APW provides Environmental Education, giving them the educational opportunities to advance in the field.
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| A "Living Wall" protects livestock from predators at night. Photo credit: African People & Wildlife Fund |
"Drawing upon Community" will begin in 2010. The African People & Wildlife Fund is a fascinating project and I am looking forward to visiting them next year!
Please use the link below to receive my monthly email newsletter containing updates about the project.
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| School children participate in APW programs to learn about their natural environment and wildlife species. Photo credit: African People & Wildlife Fund |
