New EcoTrust for Uganda

Press Release dated: Monday, June 17, 2002

ECOTRUST Uganda is a dynamic new conservation organisation that provides funding for environmental and conservation initiatives in Uganda. The Chief Executive of the World Land Trust is assisting the organisation with developing a land acquisition and management programme.

John Burton visited ECOTRUST Uganda in May 2002 and returns again at the end of June 2002 for a further training and consultation. ECOTRUST Uganda has already identified several areas of high conservation value, and hope to establish these as private protected areas. Much of the funding for ECOTRUST Uganda comes from USAID, but over the next year, they intend to develop a much wider profile, and assistance from the donor community from all over the world is being sought.

After years of civil war, war-torn Uganda is now one of the most peaceful states in Africa, and despite huge reductions in many populations of wildlife, the animals are beginning to recover. However, the National Park system is heavily dependent on foreign aid, and any extension of conservation measures needs to come from the private sector. As part of his mission to Uganda, John Burton will be discussing ways in which the World Land Trust may be able to assist ECOTRUST Uganda.

According to John Burton, "As a first step we will be able to make people aware of what is going on in Uganda. By placing information on our web site, more people will become aware of the good things happening in Uganda. Despite the past troubles, tourists will once more be able to visit the Gorillas and go trekking to see Chimpanzee. And Uganda has the largest bird list for any African country."

The capital city, Kampala, and nearby Entebbe are renowned for the variety of wildlife actually found in the centre of the towns. Huge Marabou Storks, vultures, kites and fruit bats are a common site, together with ibises, herons, and numerous small birds. Despite recent destruction of forest, much still remains. With the help of the public worldwide, it should be possible to save a few more of these wonderful wildlife rich habitats.

The World Land Trust would like to hear from anyone who would be interested in helping fund projects in Uganda - just email us at projects*at*worldlandtrust.org (Replace *at* with @ in the email 'To' field)

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