2023 CONSERVATION GRANT WINNERS
The Adventure Travel Conservation Fund is thrilled to announce the five exceptional grant winners who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to safeguarding our planet's natural and cultural resources. These community-led organizations located in Uganda, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic were nominated by ATCF members during the highly competitive 2023 Conservation Grant Program! Each of these visionary projects deserves recognition for their pioneering efforts to protect and preserve our Earth's most precious ecosystems. Each grantee has been awarded $15,000 to fund their conservation initiatives ranging from the joint management of three major conservancies in Namibia to empowering youth in the Dominican Republic to safeguard their coral reefs!
Join us as we delve into their inspiring stories and discover the innovative initiatives that are helping to ensure a sustainable future for adventure travel and the planet alike. Explore the profound impact of these grant winners and be inspired by their tireless commitment to environmental stewardship.
Empowering Youth to Safeguard Coral Reefs in Bayahibe
Rolling out Green Fins implementation in Bayahibe (and the surrounding area, including Punta Cana) hand in hand with dive operators and Youth Eco-Champions, enhancing resilience and protection of coral reefs and their ecosystems.
Grantee: The Reef-World Foundation
Location: Bayahibe Beach, Dominican Republic
Community Rhino Conservation Initiative:
A model for community-based conservation & Development
CRCI is a ground-breaking collaborative project that has brought white rhinos to communal lands adjacent to Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, in an effort to (1) rebuild viable populations of white rhinos in the area, (2) establish a buffer zone between the National Park and communities to alleviate human-wildlife conflicts and (3) provide socio-economic opportunities for the communities who are custodians of these rhinos (through employment, education and school children visits, engagement and tourism revenue from rhino viewing fees).
Grantee: Community Rhino Conservation Initiative
Location: Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
A Regenerative Economy Through Community Tourism in the Mataven Jungle
Strengthen the nature tourism and cultural immersion products offered by this indigenous group, motivating the development of an economic alternative that supports processes of conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Grantee: The Colombia Project
Location: Mataven Jungle, Cumaribo, Vichada, Colombia
Protecting People and Mountain Gorillas Through Health Education
CTPH will develop contextually and culturally appropriate Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for implementing a community-driven One Health model to increase knowledge of zoonotic disease transmission between people and gorillas and mitigate zoonotic disease transmission to the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and other wildlife who face a major and increasing threat of infection with zoonotic diseases.
Grantee: Conservation Through Public Health
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Protecting the Living Landscape in the Doro Nawas Sorris Sorris & Uibasen Conservancies
This project will create a haven for wildlife, produce a steady stream of revenue that can be used to manage and preserve the greater landscape, and will also create employment at a local level in addition to a new revenue stream that can be used for general development projects.
Grantee: Conservation Travel Foundation
Location: Kunene Region, North West Namibia,
You can learn more about our previous grant winners and conservation projects by clicking here!
ATCF Auction Opens September 27
Each year the ATCF holds an auction with some incredible trips and gear generously up for grabs donated by our members and supporters with proceeds going to support conservation projects like our 2023 grant winners. Here’s your chance to support amazing conservation work while also getting your dream adventure!