Conservation Enterprise

Conservation enterprises give communities economic incentives to conserve their lands — and treat wildlife not as a threat to their livelihoods, but as a boon to their prosperity.

For AWF, a conservation enterprise is a commercial activity that generates economic benefits in a way that supports the attainment of a conservation objective. AWF is currently engaged in conservation enterprise ventures across all eight African Heartlands. Collectively, these ventures represent millions of dollars of investment and span a range of sectors – from conservation tourism and culture-based tourism to livestock management, agricultural production and marketing, and fisheries management.

AWF chooses its conservation enterprises very carefully. Scientists are involved from the beginning to ensure projects contribute to conservation. Socio-economic experts examine community benefits and cultural issues. Legal issues are vetted. Particular emphasis is placed on a project’s commercial and financial elements. Projects must benefit conservation and the community and be economically viable.

AWF’s investment in its conservation enterprise program is yielding impressive results throughout the African Heartlands. Conservation tourism is one of the most promising sectors for conservation enterprises.

• In Kenya’s Kilimanjaro Heartland, AWF and the Entonet/Elerai community partnered with a private operator to open Satao Elerai Lodge, a high-end lodge and 5,000-acre conservancy located only miles from Amboseli National Park.
• In the Virunga Heartland, AWF partnered with the local community and a private sector lodge operator to open Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge in Rwanda, a high-end lodge that helps conserve the endangered mountain gorilla. It is also working with local partners to develop the Nkuringo Lodge in Uganda.
• In Kenya’s Samburu Heartland, AWF and the Kijabe Group Ranch recently opened a new lodge called The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille that sets a new standard in safari lodging.

AWF is also doing exciting things in agriculture.

• In Kenya, AWF has partnered with Starbucks Coffee Company to market sustainable “coffee for conservation” to benefit small scale coffee growers.
• In Rwanda, AWF is linking local honey producers to the most successful global marketer of retail organic products.
• In the Democratic Republic of Congo, AWF has underwritten a shipping project on the Congo and Maringa Rivers to bring agricultural products to market.

These are only a few examples of the projects in AWF’s portfolio. By focusing intelligently and comprehensively on the conception and development of such projects, AWF can unlock the full potential of both wildlife and people.