Adopt an Acre Programme
Securing Community-Based Wildlife Conservation in Difficult Times
Adopt an Acre: Through Gamewatchers’ “Adopt-an-Acre” plan, contributors can adopt an acre in conservancies to directly make an impact and secure their futures, especially during times of crisis.
This helps avoid alternative income generation and land use by local communities that may harm the biodiversity these conservancies protect.
The Decline of Wildlife: There’s a catastrophic decline in wild animal populations, primarily due to habitat loss. This is exacerbated by rapid human population growth, particularly in Africa. The loss of forests and wilderness areas to logging, farming, and human settlement is displacing wildlife and altering migration patterns.
Population Growth and Habitat Loss in Kenya: Kenya’s population has increased fivefold in 50 years, leading to the rapid disappearance of wildlife habitats. This is causing a change in migration patterns and increasing human-wildlife conflicts.
Gamewatchers Safaris’ Role in Wildlife Conservation: Gamewatchers Safaris has played a key role in establishing over 120,000 acres of protected wildlife habitat in the Mara eco-system. These conservancies, including Ol Kinyei, Naboisho, Olare Motorogi and Mara Ripoi and are leased from Maasai families, providing them with income and creating protected areas for wildlife.
Community Benefits and Recognition: The conservancies not only protect wildlife but also provide income and jobs to local Maasai communities. Prominent conservationists like Cynthia Moss have lauded these efforts as significant conservation achievements.
The Adopt an Acre Plan by Gamewatchers: Gamewatchers Safaris is committed to leasing over 52,300 acres and employs hundreds from local communities. The “Adopt-an-Acre” plan allows contributors to support these efforts financially, ensuring the continuance of these conservancies during times of reduced tourism.
Donation Incentives and Participation: Donors to the “Adopt-an-Acre” plan can contribute various amounts, with each donation directly supporting land rents and wages for the Maasai community. Special incentives are offered for larger donations, including travel credits for stays at Gamewatchers’ camps.
Conservation & Responsible Tourism: For over 30 years, Gamewatchers has been at the forefront of community-based wildlife conservation in Kenya. Their latest initiative includes a biodiversity credit program in cooperation with Harvard University, promoting community development and biodiversity conservation.