AWF and USAID Launch a Conservation Project in Uganda

On July 16th the Acting USAID Mission Director, Mr. Roudolf Thomas, launched the Conservation of Afro-montane Forest and Mountain Gorillas in a Landscape Context project. The ceremony took place at the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) office in Kabale. It was attended by representatives from the local government, Uganda Wildlife Authority, community representatives, NGOs as well as staff from AWF and IGCP.

USAID has provided US$ 1.9 million for the three year project which will focus on the following objectives:

Enhancing the management of the Virungas landscape to ensure conservation of the mountain gorillas and other priority conservation targets;

Providing support to protected areas serving as ecological and economic core areas of the landscape and

Expanding economic opportunities for rural communities in the landscape.

In launching the project the USAID Mission Director noted that the ceremony was really a celebration of conservation and the tangible economic results that AWF, IGCP and other partners have achieved over the past fifteen years in Uganda.

Greg Booth, Environmental advisor at USAID noted that much of the credit for the success in the conservation of the gorillas should go to the dedicated field staff operating on the ground in extremely dangerous circumstances.

Elizabeth Chadri, Programme Manager at AWF's Kampala Conservation Centre summarised the project activities, and said that the project has great potential to make significant differences not only in the conservation of the afro-montane forest and gorillas but also the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. She thanked the US government for providing the funding through USAID.

For more information contact:

John Butler

Director of Marketing and Membership

Tel: 202-939-3333

jbutler@awf.org