On occasion people ask us if AWF and its supporters can truly make a difference for Africa’s wildlife and people. Our answer is always a resounding “Yes”. This response is not based on unbridled optimism alone, but also on the growing list of conservation successes. Let me remind you of four examples of the many things we have accomplished in 2007:

Kenya - Completed a conservation lodge in the Samburu Heartland that is owned by the community. This ‘conservation enterprise’ generates economic benefit to local people, while adding 14,000 acres of land to the network of interconnected wildlife reserves in the species-rich Laikipia District.

Tanzania - Secured conservation management of a 75,000 acre ranch that is critical for elephant movement in the West Kilimanjaro region. We also completed the new Manyara Conservation Ranch School, modernizing this facility for 1,000 students and moving it away from wildlife habitat.

Rwanda - Completed a community-owned lodge for mountain gorilla tourism so local people can benefit economically from conservation, and have incentive to join us to protect vital gorilla habitat.

Democratic Republic of the Congo - Facilitated protection of an 800,000 acre wildlife reserve and continued research on the endangered bonobo, a wonderful and rare great epe endemic to this area. We also gave emergency anti-poaching support to the International Gorilla Conservation Program, in the aftermath of the slaying of mountain gorillas that resulted from civil strife in the region.

In addition to these and other results, AWF continued its financial support to young African scholars who study wildlife science and management to ensure a steady stream of capable, motivated conservation professionals for years to come.

We cannot overstate how valuable our supporters are to our conservation work. Without their visionary philanthropic leadership, AWF would not have the critical resources needed for success. We truly need your support to continue doing work that is distinctive and important: protecting Africa’s wildlife and wild places in ways that also benefit the African people.

We sincerely believe that the conservation future of Africa is being shaped today. As we conclude this year, your donation will have great impact as we work to conserve wildlife and ensure a more sustainable future for people in Africa.

Best wishes,

Gregg R. Mitchell
Vice President for Philanthropy and Marketing