Friends of Conservation Projects

Friends of Conservation support forestry and fuel efficiency projects around the world. Here is a selection of projects that help to offset the effects of climate change.

Tapichalaca Reserve, Ecuador. This reserve comprises 2,000ha of forest and is adjacent to the Podocarpus National Park. It is home to nearly 1,600 species of birds, many of them endangered, including the Jocotoco Antpitta. The reserve was purchased in 1991 with help from the World Land Trust and is managed by the Fundacion Jocotoco. In addition to protecting the remaining forest, reafforestation using indigenous species is taking place. The Fundacion Jocotoco have a programme of environmental education for local communities and management of the reserve brings employment and Eco-tourism opportunities.

Ranthambhore National Park, India. Recognised as a leading tiger reserve, the Park is an island of deciduous forest measuring 392sq.km in area of which 90% has wood cover. Surrounded by 200,000 people and 1.5 million cattle and livestock the Park is under continual siege from those seeking fuel, wood and fodder. We support the local Prakratik Society who plant 80,000 seedlings annually on farm land as a buffer to protect the Park and its tigers. Alternative energy sources such as bio-gas are being introduced. An artificial insemination programme to improve the quality of cattle and reduce their numbers is now underway. The Prakratik Society also provide community health and education services.

Masai Mara, Kenya. Due to population growth and tourism needs the loss of wood-cover on the world-famous Masai Mara is reaching critical proportions. A Maasai woman may have to walk 13kms from her home to find fuel for her daily needs - and then carry it home. FOC is promoting use of non-woodfuel energy sources and involving local people in their supply and maintenance. In 2004 FOC plans to plant 90,000 indigenous seedlings as part of an ongoing programmed and is paying local people to collect the seeds of indigenous trees.

Tambopata National Reserve and Bahhuaja Sonene National Park, Peru. The Amazonian State of Madre de Dios is one of the least populated and least developed regions of the Amazon . With over 590 species of birds and 1230 species of butterfly found in one 55km area it has amazing biodiversity. The Region is endangered from oil and gas prospecting, illegal logging, mining and unsustainable farming practices. Our local partners are seeking to prevent forest destruction through the development of alternative sources of income and environmental education and the promotion of native community initiatives on development problems.

Cano Negro and Forest Refuge Projects, Costa Rica. Our local partners work with four communities to protect rainforest, reafforest areas damaged through logging and agriculture and are also creating forest plantations using indigenous species. They also own and are reafforesting land around the Cano Negro to prevent further damage to the lagoon caused by the removal of woodcover.

The Ashden Awards are designed to show local sustainable energy projects can bring about real change to people's lives in developing countries. All of the projects are helping to protect the local environment, in some cases providing a crucial habitat for the survival of rare or endangered species. They also help to address the issue of climate change. The Awards were designed to encourage wider take-up of local energy solutions worldwide - proving that such schemes offer viable, practical ways of tackling poverty, resource shortages and climate change.

Recent award winners include Helps International in Guatemala for designing a pioneering smoke-free fuel efficient stove which reduces the amount of wood needed by 70%, eliminates indoor pollution and reduces the risk of burns associated with cooking on open fires. In India, the Prakratik Society provides villages around the Ranthambhore Tiger reserve with a cleaner, greener alternative to firewood for cooking, in the form of biogas. ITDG Kenya received an award for harnessing water power to generate affordable clean electricity in rural areas.

The Rainbow Centre - Kiya Survivors. Kiya seeks to offer street children and special-needs children in South America a proper education and the love and support they deserve. The Rainbow Centre in Urubamba, the first school dedicated to special-needs children in the Sacred Valley now has 40 children attending the school regularly.

Kiya provides a basic education, theatre, art and music therapy. A physiotherapist and speech therapist work regularly with the children. Kiya also runs a psychology facility to help children and their families identify their learning needs.

Kiya employs a local social worker who works directly with families, encouraging parents to provide appropriate care for their own children and assisting them in returning to work. The social worker also supervises re-housing and back-to-work programmes.

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