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16.1: Selected Environmental Organisations

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    71118
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    Online search engines such as Google provide powerful tools to obtain information about conservation topics and opportunities. While much of the information obtained in this way is valuable, the growing popularity of the Internet has also allowed the rapid distribution of false and misleading information. You should, thus, carefully consider the source of the information you obtain online.

    Similarly, it is also important to thoroughly research any conservation organizations with whom you are interested in working with. This task is particularly difficult in Africa, where most organizations have not yet been assessed for their effectiveness in carrying out conservation activities. As a starting point, you can see whether the organization that interests you is a member of an international affiliate body, such as the IUCN or World Association for Zoos and Aquariums, which sets strict standards for organizational memberships. Online databases such as GuideStar (https://www.guidestar.org), Charity Navigator (https://www.charitynavigator.org), Better Business Bureau (https://www.bbb.org), and Great Nonprofits (https://greatnonprofits.org) are also good options for organization vetting.

    Below is a partial list of credible conservation organizations active on a regional scale in Africa.

    Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG)

     

    Washington, DC, USA

     

    http://www.abcg.org

     

    Tackles conservation challenges by strengthening collaborations.

    African Conservation Foundation (ACF)

     

    Nairobi, Kenya and Yaoundé, Cameroon

     

    https://www.africanconservation.org

     

    Saves Africa’s endangered wildlife by building local capacity.

    African World Heritage Fund

     

    Midrand, South Africa

     

    https://awhf.net

     

    Works to protect Africa’s World Heritage Sites.

    African Parks

     

    Johannesburg, South Africa

     

    https://www.african-parks.org

     

    Manages protected areas in collaboration with governments and communities.

    African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)

     

    Nairobi, Kenya

     

    http://www.awf.org

     

    Works to ensure that wildlife and wild lands thrive.

    Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS)

     

    Kampala, Uganda

     

    http://www.arcosnetwork.org

     

    Promotes biodiversity conservation in the Albertine Rift region.

    Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC)

     

    Lawrence, KS, USA

     

    http://tropicalbiology.org

     

    Fosters scientific understanding and conservation of tropical environments.

    BirdLife International

     

    Nairobi, Kenya and Accra, Ghana

     

    http://www.birdlife.org/africa

     

    Strives to conserve birds and their habitats, with national partners across Africa.

    Born Free Foundation

     

    Horsham, UK

     

    http://www.bornfree.org.uk

     

    Protects threatened species in the wild.

    Botanical Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)

     

    Nairobi, Kenya

     

    http://www.bgci.org

     

    Guides, encourages, and supports botanical gardens.

    Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI)

     

    Cambridge, UK

     

    http://www.cambridgeconservation.org

     

    A partnership of conservation leaders working towards a sustainable future.

    Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

     

    Yaoundé, Cameroon and Nairobi, Kenya

     

    https://www.cifor.org

     

    Conducts research on forests and landscape management.

    CGIAR (formerly Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research)

     

    Montpellier, France

     

    http://www.cgiar.org

     

    The world’s largest agricultural innovation network.

    CITES Secretariat of Wild Fauna and Flora

     

    Geneva, Switzerland

     

    https://cites.org

     

    The official UN body tasked with regulating the global trade in endangered species.

    Conservation International (CI)

     

    Arlington, VA, USA

     

    http://www.conservation.org

     

    Saves nature through science, policy, and partnerships.

    Conservation Leadership Programme

     

    Cambridge, UK

     

    http://www.conservationleadershipprogram.org

     

    Supports leadership development of early career conservationists.

    Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat

     

    Montreal, Canada

     

    https://www.cbd.int

     

    The official UN body tasked with promoting the goals of the CBD.

    Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)

     

    Arlington, VA, USA

     

    http://www.cepf.net

     

    Provides financial and technical support to conserve critical ecosystems.

    Darwin Initiative

     

    London, UK

     

    http://www.darwininitiative.org.uk

     

    Assists developing countries implement biodiversity convention commitments.

    Earthwatch Institute

     

    Boston, MA, USA

     

    http://earthwatch.org

     

    Helps citizen scientists contribute to field conservation projects.

    East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS)

     

    Nairobi, Kenya

     

    https://eawildlife.org

     

    Promotes conservation and sustainable use of the environment.

    EcoHealth Alliance

     

    New York, NY, USA

     

    https://www.ecohealthalliance.org

     

    Studies connections between humans, wildlife, and ecosystems.

    The Environmental Foundation for Africa (EFA)

     

    Freetown, Sierra Leone

     

    http://www.efasl.org

     

    Protects and restores the environment in West Africa.

    Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)

     

    London, UK

     

    https://eia-international.org

     

    Activist organization focussed on exposing environmental crimes.

    Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW)

     

    Eugene, OR, USA

     

    http://elaw.org

     

    Helps partners gain skills and build strong conservation organizations.

    Fauna & Flora International (FFI)

     

    Cambridge, UK

     

    http://www.fauna-flora.org

     

    Africa’s first conservation society; has been protecting African wildlife since 1903.

    FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology

     

    Cape Town, South Africa

     

    http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za

     

    Promotes and undertakes scientific studies on African birds.

    Forest Carbon Partnership Facility

     

    Washington. DC

     

    http://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org

     

    Assist countries with their REDD+ preparations to reduce emissions from forest loss.

    Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

     

    Bonn, Germany

     

    https://ic.fsc.org

     

    Sets the standards for responsibly managed forests.

    Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS)

     

    Frankfurt, Germany

     

    https://fzs.org

     

    Maintains wilderness areas and biodiversity.

    Future for Nature

     

    Arnhem, The Netherlands

     

    http://futurefornature.org

     

    Provides mentoring and other assistance to young conservationists.

    Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA)

     

    Johannesburg, South Africa

     

    http://www.gameranger.org

     

    Provides support, networks, and representation for rangers.

    Global Environment Facility (GEF)

     

    Washington, DC, USA

     

    http://www.thegef.org

     

    Provide grants for biodiversity and sustainable development projects.

    Global Forest Watch (GFW)

     

    Washington, DC, USA

     

    http://www.globalforestwatch.org

     

    Empower people to better protect forests.

    Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC)

     

    Austin, TX, USA

     

    https://www.globalwildlife.org

     

    Protects species and habitats through science-based field action.

    Goldman Environmental Foundation

     

    San Francisco, CA, USA

     

    http://www.goldmanprize.org

     

    Recognises environmental activists who have made an impact.

    Greenpeace Africa

     

    Johannesburg, South Africa

     

    http://www.greenpeace.org/africa

     

    Activist organization known for protests against environmental crime

    High Seas Alliance

     

    Washington, DC, USA

     

    http://highseasalliance.org

     

    Facilitates cooperation for protection of high seas.

    ICLEI Africa

     

    Cape Town, South Africa

     

    http://africa.iclei.org

     

    A network of governments committed to sustainable urban development.

    International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

     

    Nairobi, Kenya and Cape Town, South Africa

     

    http://www.ifaw.org/africa

     

    Rescues and protects animals around the world.

    Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

     

    Geneva, Switzerland

     

    http://www.ipcc.ch

     

    The UN’s authority on climate change.

    Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

     

    Bonn, Germany

     

    https://www.ipbes.net

     

    The UN’s authority on nature’s contributions to people (NCP), or ecosystem services.

    The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

     

    Washington, DC, USA

     

    http://www.ecotourism.org

     

    Promotes responsible tourism practices.

    International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

     

    London, UK

     

    https://www.iied.org

     

    Promotes sustainable development to protect the environment.

    International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

     

    Ibadan, Nigeria

     

    http://www.iita.org

     

    Works to enhance crop quality and productivity.

    International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)

     

    Yokohama, Japan

     

    http://www.itto.int

     

    Promotes sustainable management of tropical forest resources.

    International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

     

    Gland, Switzerland

     

    https://www.iucn.org

     

    Coordinates international conservation efforts and produces Red Lists.

    International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL)

     

    Lyon, France

     

    https://www.interpol.int/Crime-areas/Environmental-crime

     

    Facilitate prosecution of international environmental crimes.

    iSeal

     

    London, UK

     

    https://www.isealalliance.org

     

    A membership organization for sustainability standards.

    Jane Goodall Institute

     

    Vienna, VA, USA

     

    http://www.janegoodall.org

     

    Inspiring people to conserve the natural world.

    Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA)

     

    Pretoria, South Africa

     

    http://lcafrica.org

     

    Influences business leaders to support investment in conservation.

    Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

     

    London, UK

     

    https://www.msc.org

     

    Promotes sustainable fishing practices.

    National Geographic Society (NGS)

     

    Washington, DC, USA

     

    https://www.nationalgeographic.org

     

    One of the world’s largest scientific and educational institutions.

    Natural Capital Coalition

     

    London, UK

     

    https://naturalcapitalcoalition.org

     

    Collaboration of the global natural capital community.

    The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

     

    Arlington, VA, USA

     

    https://www.nature.org

     

    Conserves threatened species and their habitats, emphasising land preservation.

    Oxpeckers Centre for Investigative Environmental Journalism

     

    Johannesburg, South Africa

     

    https://oxpeckers.org

     

    Investigative journalists focusing on African environmental issues.

    Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZA)

     

    Johannesburg, South Africa

     

    http://www.zoosafrica.com

     

    Guides and accredits African Zoos and Aquaria.

    Peace Parks Foundation

     

    Stellenbosch, South Africa

     

    http://www.peaceparks.org

     

    Facilitates the establishment of transfrontier conservation areas.

    The Pew Charitable Trusts

     

    London, UK

     

    http://www.pewtrusts.org

     

    Advances scientific understanding of environmental problems.

    Project Aware

     

    Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA

     

    https://www.projectaware.org

     

    A movement of scuba divers protecting the planet’s oceans.

    Rainforest Alliance

     

    New York, NY, USA

     

    http://www.rainforest-alliance.org

     

    Advances sustainable forestry, agriculture, and ecotourism.

    Rainforest Trust

     

    London, UK

     

    https://www.rainforesttrust.org

     

    Protecting forests by aquiring land for conservation.

    Rapid Response Facility (RRF)

     

    Cambridge, UK

     

    http://www.rapid-response.org

     

    Provides emergency support to natural World Heritage sites.

    Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation (PRCM)

     

    Dakar, Senegal

     

    http://www.prcmarine.org

     

    Working on marine conservation in West Africa.

    Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)

     

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

     

    http://www.rspo.org

     

    Advances sustainable palm oil production.

    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

     

    Richmond, Surrey, UK

     

    https://www.kew.org

     

    A leading botanical research institute with an enormous plant collection.

    Rufford Foundation

     

    London, UK

     

    https://www.rufford.org/

     

    Funds conservation projects across the developing world.

    Sahara Conservation Fund

     

    St. Louis, MO, USA

     

    https://www.saharaconservation.org

     

    Conserves biodiversity of the Sahara Desert and bordering Sahelian grasslands.

    SEED

     

    Berlin, Germany

     

    https://www.seed.uno

     

    A global partnership that promotes sustainable development.

    Society for Conservation Biology (SCB)

     

    Arlington, VA, USA

     

    http://conbio.org

     

    The leading scientific society for conservation biology.

    Society for Ecological Restoration (SER)

     

    Washington, DC, USA

     

    http://www.ser.org

     

    Scientific society that promotes ecological restoration.

    Species360 (formerly International Species Information System)

     

    Bloomington, MN, USA

     

    https://www.species360.org

     

    Gathers and shares information about animals kept in zoos and aquaria.

    Tropical Biology Association

     

    Nairobi, Kenya

     

    http://www.tropical-biology.org

     

    Help scientists manage and conserve natural resources in tropical regions.

    Tusk

     

    New York, NY, USA

     

    http://www.tusk.org

     

    Supports and connects conservation initiatives and expertise.

    United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

     

    Nairobi, Kenya

     

    http://www.unep.org

     

    Coordinates the UN’s environmental activities.

    West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change (WA BiCC)

     

    Accra, Ghana

     

    https://www.wabicc.org

     

    Improve conservation and climate-resilient growth across West Africa.

    Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)

     

    Zanzibar, Tanzania

     

    http://www.wiomsa.org

     

    Scientific society that promotes marine sciences.

    Wetlands International

     

    Dakar, Senegal

     

    http://africa.wetlands.org

     

    Dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands.

    Whiteley Fund for Nature

     

    London, UK

     

    http://whitleyaward.org

     

    Funds conservation leaders and projects in developing countries.

    WildAid

     

    San Francisco, CA, USA

     

    http://wildaid.org

     

    Working to end the illegal wildlife trade.

    WILDLABS

     

    Cambridge, UK

     

    https://www.wildlabs.net

     

    Platform that promotes technology-enabled conservation.

    WildLeaks

     

    Los Angeles, CA, USA

     

    https://wildleaks.org

     

    An online whistleblower platform for biodiversity crimes.

    Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN)

     

    San Francisco, CA, USA

     

    https://wildnet.org

     

    Supports community-based conservation projects.

    Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

     

    Bronx, NY, USA

     

    http://www.wcs.org

     

    One of the world’s leaders in biodiversity conservation and research.

    Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC)

     

    Cambridge, UK

     

    http://www.traffic.org

     

    Promotes sustainable wildlife trade and combats wildlife crime.

    World Bank

     

    Washington, DC, USA

     

    http://www.worldbank.org

     

    Provides loans to developing countries for economic development.

    Worldwatch Institute

     

    Washington DC, USA

     

    http://www.worldwatch.org

     

    Highlights links between the economy and environment.

    World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)

     

    Gland, Switzerland

     

    http://www.waza.org

     

    Guides, encourages, and supports zoos and aquaria.

    World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)

     

    Cambridge, UK

     

    https://www.unep-wcmc.org

     

    An UN agency that supports biodiversity assessments and policy.

    World Resources Institute (WRI)

     

    Washington, DC, USA

     

    http://www.wri.org

     

    Promotes sustainable development with sound environmental management.

    World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF)

     

    Gland, Switzerland

     

    https://www.panda.org

     

    One of the world’s largest conservation organizations.

    Zoological Society of London (ZSL)

     

    London, UK

     

    https://www.zsl.org

     

    Manages several projects to protect threatened species and ecosystems.


    16.1: Selected Environmental Organisations is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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