The Africa Conservation Science Centres 2002 Initiative

Projects Funded:

Martin Mbewe of U. Namibia with Ned & Diana Twining

The Africa Conservation Science Centre initiative, funded by a gift of US$ 800,000 from Ned and Diana Twining, will begin its goal of building capacity within southern Africa by providing immediate funding support for: the Marakele Conservation Science Centre, in South Africa, for the benefit of SANParks, plus support for the Global Cheetah Forum; two projects in Botswana; and, six organizations/ projects in Namibia.

The first Namibian initiative will finance a six week training course at the University of Namibia in "Conservation Biology and Wildlife Management" for twenty selected Namibian students. This will bring teachers and scientists from the Smithsonian Institution, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC to Namibia.

Blythe Loutitt & Mike Hearn of Save the Rhino with Ned Twining

The second initiative will provide funding for the Save the Rhino Trust, a project working with the desert black rhino.

The third will support the second year of research and training conducted by Dr. Adrienne Crosier, working under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution, National Zoological Park. Dr. Crosier is training two Namibian students at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, Otjiwarongo, Namibia.

Cape Griffon Vulture

The fourth will be provided to the Rare & Endangered Species Trust, also in Otjiwarongo, to assist in the general operation of the organization and for community education programs developed to raise awareness to saving remnant populations of the Cape Griffon Vulture in Namibia.

The fifth Namibian initiative provides funding for Lichen Research, on the Skeleton Coast.

The sixth project in Namibia was full funding for the Ongava Inception Workshop, conducted by Smithsonian Institution for ACSC, held in June 2002 to explore the opportunities for capacity building in southern Africa.

Children In The Wilderness, Botswana

Funding has been provided to support the administrative requirements of the newly formed Global Cheetah Forum headquartered in South Africa.

Support has been provided for the White Rhino Reintroduction project in Botswana.

And, for Botswana Children in the Wilderness.

On behalf of the Africa Conservation Science Centre, Ned and Diana Twining are donating $10,000 in unrestricted funds to the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) in recognition of the significant role IRF continues to play in supporting successful rhino projects in Namibia and Botswana.

ACSC funding is available to conservation initiatives that demonstrate the requisite management skills to build and sustain capacity through education, training and research.

. . .

Funded Projects for 2002-2003 are:

SANParks $300,000. Establish Science Centre & Initial Teaching, Education and Research Program

Global Cheetah Forum $3,500. Administrative Support, South Africa

Lichen Research $1,500. Dr. Jennifer Lalley, Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Ongava Inception Workshop $22,000. Ongava Game Reserve, Namibia

University of Namibia $30,000. Conservation Biology & Wildlife Management Training

Adrienne Crosier $20,000 Cheetah Reproduction Research & Training, Smithsonian Institution, Namibia

Save the Rhino Trust $5,000. Project Support, Kunene Region, Namibia

Rare & Endangered Species Trust $10,000 General Operating Budget & Community Education, Namibia

White Rhino Reintroduction $14,000. Botswana

Children In The Wilderness $7,500. Botswana

The Biodiversity Trust, $4,000, Skeleton Coast Educational Expedition, Namibia

Wilderness Safaris, $3,000, Basic Guiding Course for local communities, Namibia

"In the overlay of conservation science and conservation tourism lies the sustainability of biological diversity."

Desert Black Rhino, Namibia

To learn more, you may contact us at:

Steve Hines
Africa Conservation Science Centres
Post Office Box 1792
Middleburg, VA 20118 USA
Voice: 703-327-3243

Or go to

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