Help Support Africa's Rainforests and Communities
Tax deductible
Who We Are
Biodiversity Initiative is a not-for-profit group partnering with the Polistes Foundation. We exist to protect and conserve nature through ecology, exploration and education in Africa. We focus mainly on the Congo Basin – the world’s second largest rainforest, home to chimpanzees, gorillas, forest elephants, okapis, over 1000 species of birds. Aptly nicknamed the “lungs of Africa”, the rainforest stores an estimated 85 billion tonnes of carbon and plays a crucial role in the regulation of climate change.
Sadly, and despite its ecological importance, the Congo Basin is being destroyed at an alarming rate. Human activities, like rampant bushmeat hunting, the deforestation of ten thousand hectares per year, and the unsustainable use of natural resources all threatening this important ecosystem and put a strain on local communities.
We are embarking on an ambitious work program in 2020, focused on addressing each of these threats. We have secured the majority of the funds needed to bring this work program to life, but are urgently seeking help to secure the remaining funding gap of $8000.
We are now calling on your support to help us uplift local rural communities and protect the rainforest and wildlife of the Congo Basin. Any level of support is greatly appreciated and will help facilitate a key element of our work in 2020. Together, we can continue to take a stand for nature and help create a world richer in biodiversity.
What We Have Planned for 2020
Cocoa Farming in the Rainforest
The multi-billion-dollar chocolate market relies heavily on cocoa production, about 70% of which is grown in the tropical rainforest of Africa. Sadly, and unnecessarily, prime rainforest habitat is being cleared at an alarming rate to allow for this crop growth.
Our work focuses on studying the lush, shaded rainforest canopy under which cocoa grows best! We will pass on our learnings through free workshops for local small-scale farmers. Here, they will learn how to improve their cocoa crops (bringing them more profits) and reduce the need for harmful pesticides and fertilizers, all while avoiding rainforest deforestation. Could you consider a donation towards our final funding gap to help bring this project to life?
Learning About Bird Biodiversity
Birds are particularly important to the rainforest – they pollinate plants, disperse seed that regenerate the rainforest, and help control pests that deplete local farmers’ crops. Many birds are also sensitive to environmental changes, and therefore act as good indicator of the overall health of the rainforest ecosystem.
In 2020, we will conduct expeditions to monitor important bird populations in Equatorial Guinea. What we learn will help us better understand specific bird populations and help us gauge the health of the entire rainforest environment. Through our relationships with local government and stakeholders, this critical information can help inform policies and practical rainforest conservation actions. Each $25 raised will pay for an intern’s room and board for one week during these expeditions. Each $500 raised will enable us to work with, train and support a local African intern for a month.
Cameras Capturing Illegal Activities
Illegal poaching and logging operations seriously threaten wildlife – like chimpanzees, gorillas, pangolins, and forest elephants – and destroy valuable rainforest habitat.
Following a successful pilot project, we will be rolling out our camera deployment program across 300 sq km of remote rainforest in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. With the help of local authorities, we will deploy cameras and lead a monitoring and patrolling regime that identifies illegal activity hotspots and allows for early intervention, preventing them before they can take place. Each $30 raised will pay a local conservation officer for a day of patrolling and monitoring. Each $140 raised allows us to purchase a much-needed camera.
More information can be found at http://biodiversityinitiative.org/
Biodiversity Initiative is a not-for-profit group partnering with the Polistes Foundation. We exist to protect and conserve nature through ecology, exploration and education in Africa. We focus mainly on the Congo Basin – the world’s second largest rainforest, home to chimpanzees, gorillas, forest elephants, okapis, over 1000 species of birds. Aptly nicknamed the “lungs of Africa”, the rainforest stores an estimated 85 billion tonnes of carbon and plays a crucial role in the regulation of climate change.
Sadly, and despite its ecological importance, the Congo Basin is being destroyed at an alarming rate. Human activities, like rampant bushmeat hunting, the deforestation of ten thousand hectares per year, and the unsustainable use of natural resources all threatening this important ecosystem and put a strain on local communities.
We are embarking on an ambitious work program in 2020, focused on addressing each of these threats. We have secured the majority of the funds needed to bring this work program to life, but are urgently seeking help to secure the remaining funding gap of $8000.
We are now calling on your support to help us uplift local rural communities and protect the rainforest and wildlife of the Congo Basin. Any level of support is greatly appreciated and will help facilitate a key element of our work in 2020. Together, we can continue to take a stand for nature and help create a world richer in biodiversity.
What We Have Planned for 2020
Cocoa Farming in the Rainforest
The multi-billion-dollar chocolate market relies heavily on cocoa production, about 70% of which is grown in the tropical rainforest of Africa. Sadly, and unnecessarily, prime rainforest habitat is being cleared at an alarming rate to allow for this crop growth.Our work focuses on studying the lush, shaded rainforest canopy under which cocoa grows best! We will pass on our learnings through free workshops for local small-scale farmers. Here, they will learn how to improve their cocoa crops (bringing them more profits) and reduce the need for harmful pesticides and fertilizers, all while avoiding rainforest deforestation. Could you consider a donation towards our final funding gap to help bring this project to life?
Learning About Bird Biodiversity
Birds are particularly important to the rainforest – they pollinate plants, disperse seed that regenerate the rainforest, and help control pests that deplete local farmers’ crops. Many birds are also sensitive to environmental changes, and therefore act as good indicator of the overall health of the rainforest ecosystem. In 2020, we will conduct expeditions to monitor important bird populations in Equatorial Guinea. What we learn will help us better understand specific bird populations and help us gauge the health of the entire rainforest environment. Through our relationships with local government and stakeholders, this critical information can help inform policies and practical rainforest conservation actions. Each $25 raised will pay for an intern’s room and board for one week during these expeditions. Each $500 raised will enable us to work with, train and support a local African intern for a month.
Cameras Capturing Illegal Activities
Illegal poaching and logging operations seriously threaten wildlife – like chimpanzees, gorillas, pangolins, and forest elephants – and destroy valuable rainforest habitat.Following a successful pilot project, we will be rolling out our camera deployment program across 300 sq km of remote rainforest in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. With the help of local authorities, we will deploy cameras and lead a monitoring and patrolling regime that identifies illegal activity hotspots and allows for early intervention, preventing them before they can take place. Each $30 raised will pay a local conservation officer for a day of patrolling and monitoring. Each $140 raised allows us to purchase a much-needed camera.
More information can be found at http://biodiversityinitiative.org/
Organizer
Biodiversity Initiative
Organizer
Belmont, MA
Polistes Foundation
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
