Project Update: ATCF Grant Funds Trail Maintenance in the Cochamó Valley

Friends of Cochamo received a $10,000 grant from ATCF in 2020. JB Haab, program director of the Front Range Climbing Stewards and member of the board of Friends of Cochamo, gave us an update on the “From Horse Guides to Conservation Stewards, Chile” project.

“We have made major improvements to the main access trail leading into the Cochamó Valley, a U-shaped valley located in the Andes, in Los Lagos region of Chile. Not only did the trail need considerable work, but we also had many arrieros (horse packers) in the local community who were out of work and facing lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down tourism in Cochamó like many other places. These arrieros built a very impressive 805 linear meters of boardwalks, a five-meter long bridge, a 15-meter guardrail, and 845 linear meters of sustainable trail. Perhaps even more impressive was how these funds helped galvanize support, spurring the arrieros and our sister organization, Organización Valle Cochamó raised more money to pay for work that went over our budget and also inspiring the next generation of conservationists to continue this work in the future.”

The Whales of Guerrero - Project Update

Here’s an update from The Whales of Guerrero, one of our 2021 Grant Winners:

Now that we know we can launch at least one land-based survey thanks to ATCF support, we have sprung into action! We dream of running 6 sites simultaneously and involving the whole community in the creation of a mother/calf humpback whale sanctuary in Guerrero.

Last week, we received permission from the government to work out of a lighthouse in front of the busy city of Zihuatanejo, where we know mom/calf pairs like to rest right at the surface and where there is a lot of boat traffic. We will be perched atop this lighthouse all season long learning how whales use the marine environment in front of Zihuatanejo and what threats they may face from boat traffic.

We have an incredible team of local citizen scientists and early career scientists in place and want to do more! We have scoped out ideal survey spots extending along a 75-mile stretch of coastline, from the surfer’s paradise of Troncones through all inclusive vacation mecca of Ixtapa to the busy fishing port and charming tourist destination of Zihuatanejo to the tranquil ecotourism village of Barra de Potosi. With your support, our team will spend a minimum of 4 days at each potential site this season to gather preliminary information about humpback whale resting birthing and nursing spots and share what we discover with local communities, involving them in the process so deeply that it will be only natural to create sanctuaries where moms and their newborn calves can rest, grow and gather strength for their long journey north.

We also designed, printed, and are hanging at every port of departure this week. In partnership with the safe whale watch captains who we love to empower and support.

Katherina Audley
Founder and Director
Whales of Guerrero

MORE ABOUT WHALES OF GUERRERO

The Whales of Guerrero facilitates community-driven conservation in the fishing village of Barra de Potosí and throughout the southwest Pacific State of Guerrero, Mexico, pioneering a new approach to coastal protection that cultivates local leadership through citizen science, peer learning, and community outreach. After seven years of collaborative marine mammal research, the seeds of stewardship have taken root in our region. We want to help them bear fruit by galvanizing an emerging group of Fishery and Conservation Leaders who will lead the community toward long-term marine restoration and conservation. The Whales of Guerrero connects people with nature through programs that inspire and empower environmental stewardship.

$26,000 Awarded from Fund a Ranger Campaign

We did it! Last month we launched our Fund a Ranger Campaign and with your help, in just four short weeks, we raised over $26,000! These funds will be going directly to three organizations around the world, including Kenya, Belize and Namibia, to get rangers back into the wild protecting our world’s most valuable species.

Anne K. Taylor Fund

Friends for Conservation & Development

Conservation Travel Foundation

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Anne k. Taylor Fund

Protecting Wildlife in Maasai Mara

Challenges:

Nairobi has been in lockdown for the past several months, with everyone country-wide being mandated to stay at home. This includes the AKT rangers, whose safety is paramount. During this period, only partial salaries were paid as the revenue that typically supports their livelihood comes from wildlife tourism, of which there is currently none. Without regular patrols, and the current dire financial situation in Kenya with millions losing their source of livelihood due to the collapse of the Tourist industry (and its trickle-down effect), the snaring and poaching for bushmeat has increased. Additionally, ivory and rhino poachers are also trying their luck.

How funding will be spent?

The grant will keep patrols in the field - we have three vehicles (one for boma fortification team; one for patrol team; one for community work) which is an additional expense on top of salaries for the team. Our patrols protect all species which include elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, and all other wildlife. Snaring is indiscriminate. We have actively participated in wildlife rescues of all aforementioned animals when they have man-induced injuries. Through our patrols, we are directly protecting all wildlife from any Human-Wildlife Conflict retaliation should they wander into community areas.

What does This grant mean to you?

“The COVID-19 lockdown in Kenya has delayed our work for several months, and the team has been anxious to get back to their work protecting the wildlife. This most generous grant will allow me to reinstate their salaries and continue with our patrol work. The Great Migration is currently in the Masai Mara in huge numbers, and this is when the poaching increases – so, this grant is coming at the perfect time to help us save multitudes of animals. During our absence, the poachers have become bolder, but now we are back. We have already apprehended 4 active poachers in a few short days! Thank you so very much for honoring AKTF with this most valued grant.” - Anne K Taylor, Founder

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Friends for Conservation & Development

Combating illegal wildlife trafficking of macaws.

Challenges?

Illegal Wildlife Trafficking has been impacting the wildlife population in the Chiquibul Forest for many years although the extent of the problem is yet unknown. This year, based on the records obtained of over 50 parrots lost at the hands of wildlife traffickers, it became clear to us that if the present trend continues, we will be losing the wild populations of scarlet macaws in Belize. The subspecies (Ara macao cyanoptera) is already considered endangered. This prompted the creation of an anti-poaching unit. Protected areas have been closed from visitation and field personnel, particularly Governmental personnel were recalled from the field. This has left a window of in-governance leading to hunters and poachers taking advantage.

How Will Funding be Spent?

Raging fires, drought, lack of jobs, limited Governmental authorities in parks and protected areas, and a downslope national economy, are leaving a precarious situation for the rangers who help save species such as the scarlet macaw, jaguar and tapirs. FCD spends seven months conducting bio-monitoring of scarlet macaws which have been categorized by the USFWS as an endangered species and which is locally endangered. Every year more than 10 nests are monitored. In addition, FCD has activated an anti-poaching unit, due to the fact that last year it was reported that from 25 to 50 macaws were trafficked into Guatemala. FCD also has an in-situ conservation program where rescued chicks are hand fed for a soft release. Presently one chick is being cared for at the in-situ laboratory in the Chiquibul. Other species occurring in the park such as howler monkeys, white lipped peccaries and tapir are directly protected through ongoing active patrols.

What does this Grant Mean to you?

“The ATCF grant will assist in retaining the services of the Park Rangers that form part of this Unit. The aim will be to prevent poaching of these emblematic birds and improve their wild population by protecting the nests when they are most vulnerable. By keeping a monitoring and enforcement presence, other endangered species including jaguars, tapirs, white lipped peccaries, howler monkeys and other parrots will also be safeguarded.” ~Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director FCD

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Conservation Travel Foundation

Huab Rhino Rangers

Challenges

The Conservation Travel Foundation supports the protection of the black rhino, which was mainly funded by tourism and with the lack of tourism this funding has dried up and could impact the monitoring and preservation of this species which in turn could lead to them been poached.

How Funding Will be Spent?

Rhino Rangers are monitoring all species in the area, and recording any sightings of rare or special species to ensure better management of the area. During their daily patrols they are always on the look out for snares or other dangers to wildlife. During the intensified patrols since the beginning of COVID they have removed a total of 45 snares, new and old. Two teams are averaging around 120 rhino sightings a month (Versus the normal 80 a month), with intensified patrolling to ensure presence, this averages to about three rhino sightings a day.

What does this grant mean to you?

“During these difficult times it is an honor to receive funding to improve the livelihoods of these Rangers to ensure they continue the amazing work they do to preserve this amazing species, and in turn will secure a valuable income for their community through rhino tourism and provide hope to the next generation.”
- Jason Nott, Wilderness Travel

Conservation Making Great Headway in Patagonia

The Conservation Volunteers International Program (ConservationVIP) Project brought about a much-needed new trail to a region in the very highly trafficked Torres del Paine Park. In a park that witnesses an average of 150,000 international visitors per year, it’s paramount that conservation efforts take place to lessen the negative environmental impacts and strengthen the place for future travelers to enjoy! This project will be wrapping up at the end of February so stay tuned for a full report on all of the project successes!
 
To read about this project, it’s impacts, the origination of ConservationVIP and how this project made a difference for each of the people who contributed check out REI’s Squaring Travel with Conservation in Torres del Paine article.

Natural Habitat Adventures: Ride 4 A Woman Seeding New Growth in Uganda

Outside of The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, life can be challenging and difficult to find jobs and career opportunities. Ride 4 A Woman initially began in 2009 by local women living just outside of the park as a bicycle rental shop focused on providing bicycles to tourists – a fresh way to earn income.  Over time, there grew a need to learn the skills for repairing bicycles. Now Ride 4 A Woman teaches locals valuable skills beyond just bike repair, including craft production for the tourism industry. All aspects of the project support entrepreneurial efforts for the Buhoma women. Natural Habitat Philanthropy came into the picture by purchasing two commercial sewing machines that have helped expand Ride 4 A Woman businesses within the local community. Today, more than 300 women from 11 villages now use or work at the Ride 4 A Woman community center.

How this fits into the larger ecosystem is that Natural Habitat Adventures recognizes that in order to save a species that attracts many adventure travelers, you need also the support of the locals who share their living space. The agricultural areas that push up against the boundaries of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park unfortunately exist as some of the most densely populated in Africa, and exhibit some of the fastest human population growth-rates in the world. To support the people and the conservation of the mountain gorillas which are key wildlife in this environment and a driver for tourism for the park, Natural Habitats Adventures decided to invest in women as an important lever for change for this community.

Countless studies have shown that when women have opportunities for more education and greater control over family finances, this results in smaller family size and increased health and well-being for the entire household. This directly benefits conservation of the mountain gorillas because smaller, healthier, more prosperous families have less need to encroach on the forest. Also, when women create businesses that serve the booming tourism industry, their families are more likely to want to protect the gorillas because they know they are benefiting from their presence.

The sales of the beautiful products created by the women from stunning African fabrics have become one of the key income streams supporting Ride 4 A Woman. Providing the organization with pedal sewing machines was vital in kickstarting their growing success and Natural Habitat Adventures is proud to have been able to spark this change. Besides pedal sewing and other activities, Ride 4 A Woman also offers micro-finance to budding businesswomen looking to create and build on their own entrepreneurial ideas. Over 100 women are currently engaged in the program across more than 10 different types of business initiative, ranging from second hand clothes stores to restaurants to tailor-made dresses and money transfer businesses.

Ride 4 A Woman has proven to be a successful business that supports The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s people, wildlife and the community at large.  Thanks to Natural Habitat Adventures for their work in making such positive impacts for this important adventure travel destination!

World Nomads: Hard At Work Saving Generations of Sea Turtles

We posted this Member Spotlight Story back in an ATCF Newsletter in May, but wanted to highlight it again as fantastic conservation work showcased within the ATCF community.

In addition, after hearing some amazing stories at the Adventure Travel World Summit, ATCF wants to share more regularly member conservation stories so that we can learn and grow as a community together. If you are a member and have a compelling story to share that we can feature in our blog, please visit our Member Spotlight page and fill out a form or reach out to us with any questions.

The following video from ATCF member World Nomads produced in partnership with The Sea Turtle Conservancy documents the work these companies are doing in Costa Rica. This project’s aim is to reduce the impacts of climate change on sea turtles and promote eco-tourism around Tortuguero Beach, which hosts the largest green turtle rookery in the Western Hemisphere as a way to build sustainable conservation programs that provide revenue for local communities.

Read even more about this awesome project here.

Way to go World Nomads!