Great Plains Conservation
“Is about finding the right formula between conservation, communities and commerce. Great Plains Conservation’s model takes stressed and threatened environments, surrounds them with compassionate protection and intelligent management.
It’s an initiative to help curb the downward spiral of our threatened natural world by being proactive today, and by applying what they know best. This is the development of a sound conservation model, that is sustainably funded by a blend of sensitive, low volume, low impact tourism, frequently coupled with the sale of carbon credits and in some cases with the sale of a small number of villas or bush-homes.
Primary Ambition
Their primary ambition is to create of a number of flagship, or “gold standard” conservation programmes in areas that previously have been deemed unsalvageable. Their hope is that these conservation initiatives will become successful, sustainable and inspire others around the world to replicate the model.
The difference between Great Plains Conservation and other companies that declare theirs as eco-tourism is that most eco-tourism companies are primarily travel companies that sometimes carry out conservation initiatives to help sustain their eco-tourism operations.
In contrast, Great Plains Conservation is primarily a conservation organisation, that operates eco-tourism to maintain conservation as a sustainable land use alternative. In short, in order for conservation to be that preferred land use, there must be an economic driver that provides reliable benefits for surrounding rural communities and government. This then they call Conservation Tourism.
Behind Great Plains Conservation are five individuals who pooled their wide ranging skills and experience to create innovative, world-class conservation projects in a number of diverse and threatened habitats throughout Africa, the Indian Ocean and eventually in India.
Take Five
World-renowned filmmakers and conservationists” Dereck and Beverly Joubert have worked to conserve wildlife for more than 25 years. As National Geographic Explorers in Residence, the couple influences public policy and perceptions. They are joined by Mark Read, the Chairman of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) South Africa as well as the Africa representative on the International Board of WWF in Switzerland.
Paul Harris is an accomplished banker and entrepreneur who has a genuine passion for wildlife, cultural heritage and the tourism industry. Paul is the CEO of one of South Africa’s largest companies and adds enormous value to the business side of Great Plains Conservation.
Finally, Colin Bell is the CEO of Great Plains Conservation. Prior to this, he co-founded Wilderness Safaris a company with operations in seven southern African countries. During his tenure, the company won numerous prestigious accolades for their environmental work.
I call them the Famous Five and it’s their belief that there can only be one goal, saving some of the last great, iconic, and wild places of the world. They believe the world’s citizens must make a choice – ‘where to from here?’
The Projects
1. Expanding the Migration Corridors – Elephant Country: Botswana, Southern Africa
2. Human and Wildlife Conflict – Predators Countries: Kenya and Tanzania, East Africa
3. Project: Reforestation and Expansion – Primates Country: Rwanda, East Africa
4. Project: Practices and Principles – Coral Atolls Country: Seychelles
5. Project: People and Pressures – Tiger Country: India
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Contribute to one of these Non-Profit Trusts :: The Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive programme that supports on-the-ground conservation projects, education, and economic incentive efforts and a global public-awareness campaign. I encourage you to DONATE to The Big Cat Initiative today.
MPT
The Maasailand Preservation Trust (MPT) recognises that for the Maasai residents of Mbirikani Group Ranch and the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem as a whole, the cost of living with wildlife exceeds the benefits.
MPT therefore seeks to better balance the economics of everyday life for the local community and resolve human-wildlife conflict whenever possible by contributing to the success of the Maasai people and their pastoral way of life through economics, education, and ecology. The Trust, working in close collaboration with local stakeholders, seeks to stabilise and sustain the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem and its irreplaceable biodiversity.
Kenya Horseback Safaris Trek
Ride Kenya Horseback Safaris trek through an awe-inspiring range of ecosystems, east to the dry lake beds of Amboseli and west to the majestic Chyulu Hills ‘Ride Kenya’ rides through quintessential East African safari landscapes. The rides meander among 38 species of large mammals, including the “Big Five”. They say it’s an unforgettable experience, unrivaled throughout Africa.
The Island Conservation Society is a leading conservation NGO based in Seychelles. They have a special focus on the coralline outer islands of Seychelles where they act as conservation advisors and managers for Islands Development Company and run programmes in collaboration with private tourism operators having an interest in ecotourism.
OR you may visit one of their camps and or Lodge. Ol Donyo Lodge consists of ten expansive guest suites in six stand-alone villas. No two are the same design. Each suite and villa is designed and positioned slightly differently but all have a dramatic view of the plains and Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance. Other alternatives include buying carbon credits from an upcoming Rwandan Reforestation Programme or even by buying a villa in Seychelles or a bush home in Kenya.” And thank you so very much for your help.
