2024 Project Voting

We are thrilled to announce that the ballot for the 2024 ATCF Conservation Grant Program is now open! As a valued member of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund, your organization has the opportunity to cast a crucial vote in deciding which five inspiring projects will each receive a $15,000 grant. All nominated projects have undergone a thorough evaluation by the ATCF staff and Board of Directors, ensuring they meet our rigorous project funding criteria. From the many submissions, 12 outstanding projects have been selected as finalists. Your vote will help determine which of these community-led conservation efforts will receive the support they need to protect vital natural and cultural resources. Cast your vote today and be a part of making a lasting impact!

Voting Period:   Aug 28 - Sept 20, 2024

DESIGNATE BAHSAHWBEE NATIONAL MONUMENT
Location: Nevada, United States
Org: Great Basin Water Network

  • The Bahsahwahbee National Monument, in partnership with the National Park Service, would be an opportunity for the nation to learn about the history and culture of Indigenous peoples while also protecting 25,000 acres of a sacrosanct groundwater dependent ecosystem in the nation's driest state. The campaign offers a tribal-led opportunity to protect so much more than a landscape.  

  • The National Park Service managing the Bahsahwahbee National Monument and working in partnership with Western Shoshone people to provide the indigenous perspective to travelers from all over the world.

  • This project stands out as a momentous initiative, being the first of its kind for the Western Shoshone and offering significant cultural and landscape preservation. It is a well-considered and clear proposal, with the potential for great impact, especially as a unique Native-managed project. Despite the scale, it’s an important opportunity for us to support a small but meaningful part of a much larger effort, positioning us as early supporters of a potentially landmark initiative.

CORAL REEF CONSERVATION VIA FEMALE EMPOWERMENT
Location: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Org: Women in Ocean Science

  • This project will train local women in Raja Ampat in marine conservation, diving, and ecosystem monitoring, while also restoring degraded coral reefs in critical manta ray habitats. The intended outcomes are empowered female conservation leaders, thriving coral reefs, improved sustainable management of marine resources, and strengthened community resilience against environmental challenges. Additionally, the project aims to develop sustainable eco-tourism, ensure long-term community program ownership, and inspire global action through powerful storytelling.

  •  The final success of this project looks like a thriving, biodiverse marine ecosystem in Raja Ampat, sustained by empowered and resilient women who are leading their community in marine conservation and championing sustainable practices.

  • This project presents concrete solutions, including coral reef restoration and training local women in marine conservation, making it a valuable and groundbreaking initiative in the region. The emphasis on gender representation in marine conservation is particularly significant, as it addresses a critical gap in the Pacific region. The project offers excellent storytelling opportunities and is replicable throughout Indonesia. With specific, measurable outcomes, such as restoring 50 square meters of coral reefs and certifying 14 women in diving, it not only adds diversity to the destinations we support but also sets a new standard for inclusive conservation efforts.

INDIGENOUS GUARDIANS TO EDUCATION GUIDES
Location: Mamoni Valley, Panama
Org: Geoversity Foundation

  • The project aims to train members of indigenous and rural communities as educational guides for sustainable monitoring of Panama's key watersheds and biological hotspots, transforming them from territorial guardians into certified guides capable of self-financing their conservation efforts through tourism. The project is associated with the Geoversity-supported Diammayala Alliance involving not only indigenous but also rural mestizo communities in the adjoining Mamoní valley.

  • Final success for this project looks like a self-sustaining model where community members are empowered as educational stewards of their environments, successfully managing and deriving economic benefits from their natural resources without compromising ecological integrity and their culture.

  • This project is a strong, straightforward initiative that aligns perfectly with the goals of travel, conservation, and community. It offers valuable community-based tourism, biodiversity monitoring, and protection, with the added benefit of professional training for educational tourism. The involvement of an experienced institution in training is a significant strength, ensuring that local community members can become effective guardians of the land while benefiting directly from tourism. This project has the potential to create internal advocates for conservation within the community, making it a meaningful and impactful endeavor.

MANGROVE CONSERVATION & LIVELIHOODS
Location: Kerala, India
Org: Resilient Destinations Foundation

  • The project aims to enhance climate and community resilience through sustainable development projects and linking those with responsible tourism initiatives, including mangrove conservation, climate change resistant food initiatives, revival of the handloom sector, and community-based early warning systems. The intended outcomes are improved biodiversity protection, economic stability, livelihoods with dignity, supplementary sources of income for affected communities, and increased community engagement through a practical circular economy.

  • The ultimate success of this project would be the seamless collaboration of the Tourism, Development, and Humanitarian sectors on a unified platform to co-create climate-resilient and climate-responsible destinations that secure dignified livelihoods for community partners. This would manifest in the planting and nurturing of 200,000 additional mangrove saplings, significantly enhancing ecosystem resilience. It would also empower 30 women weavers by increasing their livelihood opportunities through the production of Chekutty dolls. Furthermore, the project would reduce economic losses from climate-related events by implementing early warning forecasting systems, while enhancing community preparedness by training 500 tourism industry professionals, including taxi drivers and hotel staff, as first responders. Together, these efforts would build a sustainable and resilient future for both the environment and the communities involved.

  • This project stands out as a strong submission, creating valuable livelihood opportunities in mangrove conservation, climate-resistant agriculture, and eco-tourism. It aims to make a significant impact by planting over 200,000 mangrove saplings, supporting 300 farmers, and enhancing community engagement through practical circular economy initiatives. The project represents a meaningful intersection between conservation, community, and climate, making it a compelling and impactful initiative.

CLIMATE & ECONOMIC RESILIANCE VIA BEE FENCES
Location: Laikipia, Kenya
Org: Wild Landscapes

  • Our project involves purchasing beehives and constructing a honey extraction facility to empower local Pokot women by producing high-quality honey, which will increase community income, enhance biodiversity through improved pollination, and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Additionally, the facility will serve as a tourism attraction, offering visitors the chance to learn about local honey production and the culture of the Pokot community, further supporting sustainable economic development and conservation of local flora and fauna. This project is intended as a model that can be adapted and replicated in other regions, contributing to the long-term resilience and prosperity of communities similar to Mugie.

  • The final success of this project looks like a thriving, self-sustaining beekeeping industry that empowers women, boosts the local economy, enhances biodiversity, reduces human-wildlife conflict, and becomes a community hub, accessible to all, fostering collaboration and further economic opportunities, resulting in improved livelihoods and climate resilience.

  • This project is well-thought-out, clear, and offers excellent storytelling potential, especially in highlighting the cultural pride and resilience it fosters. It stands out with solid metrics and a unique approach to mitigating human-wildlife conflict while enhancing biodiversity through beekeeping. The organization is highly professional, with a strong track record, and the project has a clear end goal with plans for replication in other communities, making it a compelling and impactful initiative.

KYAMBURA LION MONITORING PROJECT
Location: QENP, Uganda
Org: Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust

  • The lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park are unique. They are one of only 3 populations in Africa that have a culture of climbing trees. If the park loses the last 39 lions this unique behavior will also be lost and will not return even if new lions are reintroduced to the park. Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project conducts an annual large carnivore census and collects data for African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas using a network of vehicles and remote camera traps.   The project aims to establish a science-based conservation program that supports the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in the scientific monitoring and protection of large carnivores, respond to injured animals and human/wildlife conflict incidents, helps to assess the impact of conservation work currently being done, and trains young Ugandans from the Kyambura community in scientific conservation techniques. 

  •  The ultimate goal of this project is to contribute to lion conservation and an increased, healthy and thriving lion population in Queen Elizabeth National Park by implementing an annual carnivore census, providing training, education and job opportunities to local youth and park rangers, protecting carnivores and people from human/wildlife conflict.

  • This project is essential for the conservation of the lion population in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which has experienced a dramatic 90% decline over the past 40 years. It offers clear, quantifiable outcomes, such as a 25% reduction in livestock killings by large carnivores, and provides education, training, and job opportunities to local youth in wildlife conservation and ecotourism. The project also supports the community through economic benefits and has a sustainable funding model, making it a vital and impactful initiative.

EMPOWERING WHALE CONSERVATION COMMUNITIES
Location: Brazil or Mexico
Org: World Cetacean Alliance

  • This project will establish a new Whale Heritage Area (WHA) and a candidate area in Mexico or Brazil that will promote local stewardship, fostering collaboration amongst diverse stakeholders for shared conservation goals. In Brazil, a WHA will enhance the protection of the Southern Right Whale nursery ground while in Mexico it will support the responsible development and monitoring of whale watching. To amplify their tangible impact, we will also launch a global online community where all WCA partners and WHAs can collaborate and share best practices on a global stage.

  • The success of this project is two fold: the launch of a new Whale Heritage Area and candidate area which address relevant local threats to cetaceans through collaborative community action, and an online community platform that enables us to connect and enhance conservation efforts globally.

  • This project aligns well with our focus on climate, culture, and tourism, offering a strong opportunity for storytelling and community collaboration. The creation of an online platform to support Whale Heritage Areas (WHAs) will enhance global collaboration, sharing best practices, and amplifying impact. With specific goals like establishing a new WHA and fostering global connections, this project has the potential to make a meaningful difference and could provide valuable insights for our own community-building efforts.

JAGUAR IDENTIFICATION PROJECT
Location: Mato-Grosso, Brazil
Org: The Wetland Research Center

  • We will conduct the first detailed field study of the northern Pantanal's jaguars inside their core habitat, and simultaneously coordinate detailed educational outreach programs and workshops for both local residents and global ecotourists about best practices for ethical jaguar viewing and fire mitigation. Through these measures, we will encourage better regulated tourism, more coordinated and efficient fire response efforts, and greater linkages between all the Pantanal’s stakeholders-inside and outside conservation and ecotourism- in the shared spirit of conserving the crown jewel of its fauna.

  • We consider our project’s final success as achieving a comprehensive understanding of jaguar population dynamics and how citizen science through ecotourism can successfully facilitate conservation, ultimately informing and enhancing conservation strategy for the Americas top predator.

  • This project offers a compelling citizen science approach, engaging local residents, ecotourists, and stakeholders to build a comprehensive database of jaguar sightings in the Northern Pantanal, a critical area for biodiversity. The eco-tourism angle is particularly appealing, and our grant would make a significant impact on funding this initiative. The organization has demonstrated substantial expertise in jaguar research, making this a promising project with strong storytelling potential centered on jaguars, forest fires, and community involvement.

#LIVETHEWILDPLEDGE INITIATIVE
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Org: Ocean Legacy Foundation

  • The "Live the Wild Pledge" project aims to engage beach-bound hikers on Northern Vancouver Island in removing plastic debris from remote beaches. This voluntourism initiative educates participants on marine plastics, guides them to cleanup sites, and connects them to local businesses, all while empowering them to make a positive environmental impact. By encouraging participants to share their efforts and rewarding them with incentives, the project fosters a sense of community involvement and commitment to preserving the region's natural beauty.

  •  Success is the collective removal of 20,000lbs of marine debris by visitors and residents actively participating in #LivetheWildPledge by removing one bag of ocean plastic debris from remote coastal beaches and bringing their materials to a collection site.

  • This project uniquely engages both tourists and locals in beach cleanups on Northern Vancouver Island, fostering a strong connection between environmental stewardship and local businesses. By establishing collection points for marine debris and educating participants about the impacts of plastic pollution, it offers a solid tourism connection with meaningful traveler engagement. The incentive program, which encourages participants to share their efforts, adds an appealing layer of community involvement and motivation.

MACHU PICCHU BEAR CONSERVATION
Location: Machu Picchu, Peru
Org: Spectacled Bear Conservation Society

  • Spectacled Bear Conservation is collecting the ecological data urgently needed by the Peruvian government to strengthen conservation actions for spectacled bears in Machu Picchu. In addition to informing conservation strategies, SBC will also use the data to inform training for local Indigenous communities, tourism operators, guides, and porters on the local ecosystems, reducing human-bear conflicts and incorporating bear conservation and biodiversity protection messaging into sustainable tourism activities. This will help empower communities and the tourism sector to participate in long-term protection of both the spectacled bear population and community livelihoods in the region.

  • The final success of this 12-month project will be local communities and tourism operators empowered with training and conservation knowledge about spectacled bears and biodiversity in Machu Picchu, alongside SBC’s ongoing field program collecting vital data from GPS collars deployed on spectacled bears

  • This project plays a crucial role in a larger conservation effort by collecting essential ecological data on spectacled bears through GPS collars and camera traps. It emphasizes collaboration with local Indigenous communities, providing them with valuable training in bear-aware practices, conservation messaging, and sustainable tourism. With clear outcomes and a strong intersection between tourism, conservation, and climate, it represents an important initiative in a region that is underrepresented in conservation grants.

WATERING WILDLIFE & COMMUNITIES
Location: Hwange NP, Zimbabwe
Org: The Water4Wildlife Trust

  • The  project will help provide water for wild animals in the southern part of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park while also supporting the communities in establishing irrigated and fenced communal food gardens. Given this year's drought and the increased competition between people and animals for water and food, these activities will be fundamental in limiting and alleviating human-wildlife conflicts in the area.

  • The Project will limit the number of animals and particularly elephant deaths, the number of elephant raids in the communal lands, and provide extra water and food security for local people.

  • This project not only supports wildlife conservation but also empowers local communities by establishing irrigated and fenced communal food gardens, addressing the urgent need for water in Hwange National Park and surrounding areas during severe droughts. It offers a well-rounded solution to the intersection of climate change, conservation, and community survival. The project has a strong track record, with previous ATCF funding making a significant impact, and the organization’s credibility and active engagement with ATCF further enhance its value.

SEA TURTLES & PLASTIC INITIATIVE
Location: Ghana, Colombia & Philippines
Org: SEE Turtles

  • Our program provides coastal communities the resources they need to clean their beaches, reduce plastic pollution, and turn that waste into useful products that support local economies and conservation efforts. We fund recycling infrastructure, educational workshops, and cleanup activities and help connect these projects to the recycling market.

  • Coastal communities in the Philippines, Ghana, and Colombia will have functioning recycling programs that reduce plastic pollution, generate income for conservation efforts, and support local residents.

  • This project offers quantifiable outcomes, including recycling at least 4,000 lbs of plastic and benefiting 400 community members, while supporting critical habitats for sea turtles and other wildlife. It goes beyond plastic collection by integrating recycling efforts, creating jobs, and generating revenue from recycled products. The organization has a proven track record and achievable goals, making this a strong and impactful initiative with potential for sustainability and positive community impact.