INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF AFRICA
Tusk Trust is a highly motivated organisation, which has 18 years experience initiating and funding conservation and community development programmes right across Africa. Supported by UK celebrities such as Rory Bremner, Ronnie Wood, Griff Rhys Jones, Joanna Lumley, Ruby Wax, Zoe Ball, Ben Fogle and Alistair McGowan, the charity’s work to deliver direct sustainable conservation has been widely covered on television and in the media. In 2005 Prince William became the charity’s Royal Patron.
Tusk’s current portfolio of 40 field projects spread across 17 African countries is designed not only to protect wildlife, particularly endangered species, but to help alleviate poverty and encourage sustainable development and education amongst many poor rural communities who live alongside wildlife. Conservation of wildlife remains a key objective with substantial funding being applied towards the protection of many threatened species such as Elephant, Rhino, Cheetah, Chimpanzee, Mountain and Lowland Gorillas, African Wild Dog, Giant Sable and even marine species such as Turtles.
As the ever expanding human population and its demand for more land brings it into increasing and often disastrous conflict with wildlife, Tusk’s aim is to forge an inextricable link between the preservation of Africa’s natural heritage and the future of it's land, culture and peoples and one that seeks to engage global support for a vision that will bring about an end to such conflict through education, job creation, and ultimately self-sufficiency.
Tusk has, with its project field partners such as the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, been at the forefront of establishing and promoting community driven conservation programmes. The charity’s holistic approach recognises that the long-term future for wildlife is dependant on education and sustainable development. A number of the charity’s initiatives therefore incorporate work to improve environmental education, security, healthcare, and responsible tourism. One such programme managed by the Northern Rangelands Trust and supported by Tusk has seen 1.6 million acres of community land come under a common conservation policy with initiatives that are directly and simultaneously benefiting 62,000 people and a significant wildlife population in northern Kenya.
Tusk strives to provide practical, logistical and financial support to a diverse range of projects. In the past this has included the purchase of vehicles, aircraft, radio equipment, as well as the construction of primary and secondary schools, clinics, water improvement schemes, roads, buildings, bridges and airstrips, as well as covering the direct costs of rangers. The charity enjoys a reputation for being financially efficient with an average of 85% of the net funds raised reaching the field.
A Message from Tusk's Royal Patron HRH Prince William of Wales
“I count myself immensely fortunate in having had the opportunity to visit and work in Africa. On those occasions, I witnessed for myself the Continent’s unique natural heritage. I do ardently believe that it must be preserved.
Therefore, I was delighted when asked to become Royal Patron of Tusk Trust. I have seen the Charity’s inspirational work at first-hand. To me, projects supported by Tusk - particularly those which combine the protection of endangered species with innovative initiatives for alleviating poverty in remote rural communities – show a clear way forward. Such ground-breaking conservation work aims to preserve the balance between local people and wildlife, and provides a framework of real hope for the future.“ HRH Prince William of Wales
PROTECTING WILDLIFE - SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES - PROMOTING EDUCATION
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