Friends of Conservation

Contact address: Director, 1st Floor, 22 Chapter Street, London Ship 4NP
Telephone : 44 171 559 4790 - Fax : 44 171 559 4729

Friends of Conservation (FOC) is an international conservation organisation based in London, England and Oak Brook, Illinois, with a field office in Kenya. FOC is structured to respond immediately so that wildlife experts can get assistance when they need it, rather than having to endure lengthy application processes. The speed with which FOC is able to assist is invaluable in emergency situations and distinguishes us from other environmental organisations.

Since 1982, FOC has been working hard to stop the threats facing the wildlife and habits of East Africa. Together with wildlife monitoring and animal anti-harassment programmes, the charity has also been concerned with conservation through education. FOC has had outstanding results by focusing on local communities, schools and tourists.

FOC projects can be broken into the following areas:

Community Conservation and Education

Wildlife Conservation Support and Research

Eco-tourism/Animal anti-harassment projects

In Kenya, FOC has the following on-going projects:

The Rhino Monitoring Programmes :

In the Masi Mara National Reserve this programme has been effective in eliminating poaching of the black rhino. The population has risen from 11 in 1982 to 38 in 1997. In the north eastern hills outside of the reserve, FOC and the Eden Wildlife Trust support 14 local community rhino scouts who monitor 2 separate groups of unprotected rhinos.

Animal and Habitat Protection Programmes :

This program educates drivers and tourists on the detrimental effect that harassment, off - road driving and speeding has on all types of wildlife.

The Community Conservation project :

This project, initiated by FOC in 1991, is working with the local people to preserve the biological diversity of the Mara Reserve and adjacent lands. This being achieved through education schemes which create a financial incentive for the local people to protect the environment and better their living conditions. FOC also support 18 local schools with this project by establishing Conservation Clubs which teach the children about conservation techniques and natural resources management. In 1997 FOC will build a Conservation Education Centre for the local people living in and around the reserve.

Friend of Conservation is also involved with projects in Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. If you would like a complete list of the projects or if you would like more information about FOC please contact us at the above address.