AWF & Earthwatch Institute Collaborate on Conservation of African Heartlands

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and Earthwatch Institute (EWI) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), documenting their intent to work collaboratively on the conservation of natural resources and landscapes in Africa. This collaboration will be in direct support of AWF's African Heartlands program. AWF Heartlands are large African landscapes of exceptional wildlife and natural value extending across state, private and community lands.

AWF and Earthwatch will first initiate joint work in AWF's Samburu Heartland in northern Kenya. Earthwatch staff and volunteers will work with AWF Heartland teams and community partners on applied research, management and training initiatives. These will address the needs of specific wildlife targets and will be structured to alleviate key threats to these targets. Though we start this collaboration in Samburu, AWF anticipates expanding the collaboration to other of our Heartlands located in East, Central, Southern and South Africa.

Earthwatch Institute (www.earthwatch.org) is one of the world's largest independent supporters of scientific field research and supports over 130 research projects in 48 countries. EWI has recently launched a new initiative, through which it will develop Conservation Research Centers in areas of exceptional conservation value around the world. Through this collaboration, Earthwatch and AWF can make important progress in conserving some of Africa's unique wildlife and other natural resources.