Prints for Wildlife Returns to Raise Money for African Park Conservation
Over 100 photographers are coming together for the return of Prints for Wildlife, a campaign to sell limited numbers of wildlife photo prints to benefit the conservation of non-profit African parks.
Last year, Prints for Wildlife raised $1.75 million through 15,000 unique wildlife prints to support conservation in African parks through two print sales, and the organization says it is returning in 2022 with an even larger mission.
“The goal of this year’s fundraiser is to support the growth of African Parks and the addition of new parks to their portfolio. African Parks currently manages 20 parks in 11 countries across Africa, including Kafue (Zambia), Akagera (Rwanda) and Liwonde (Malawi) National Parks, in partnership with governments for the benefit of local communities and wildlife — the largest and most ecologically diverse portfolio of protected areas in Africa under management by any one conservation organization,” Prints for Wildlife says.
“African Parks is looking to sign a number of new parks within the coming months and years, including Luengue-Luiana and Mavinga National Parks in Angola and Boma and Bandingilo National Parks in South Sudan, making sure that more exceptional ecosystems, endemic species, and natural habitats are being protected, while sustainably and holistically benefiting communities and wildlife.”
With nearly 50% of Africa’s landmass suffering degradation, and the rapidly increasing effects biodiversity loss has on the climate crisis, Prints for Wildlife is setting out to help African Parks safeguard 30 million hectares of Africa’s protected areas, contributing to the global target of protecting 30% of nature on Earth by 2030.
Created by photographers Marion Payr and Pie Aerts, Prints for Wildlife launched for the first time in July 2020, as the devastating impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic started to be seen across Africa’s communities and wildlife areas. To keep the support going, Prints for Wildlife will launch a limited one-month campaign from August 28 through September 25.
The organization says this year’s fundraiser will feature more than 100 photos from acclaimed wildlife photographers, including Will Burrard Lucas, Beverly Joubert, Drew Doggett, Marsel van Oosten, Ami Vitale, Joachim Schmeisser, Karim Illya and Gaël Ruboneka Vande Weghe. Each of the photographers will donate one fine art print to the fundraiser, which will be sold for $100 through the online shop Prints for Wildlife.
“Purchasing a single print at just US$100 will help African Parks in its goal to manage 30 protected areas by 2030 – amounting to 30 million hectares of wilderness across the continent,” Prints for Wildlife says. “Managed effectively, these vital natural landscapes will continue to safeguard biodiversity and deliver valuable ecosystem services that underpin human wellbeing.”
As mentioned, prints will go on sale for one month starting August 28. Other than the photos shown above, a preview of this year’s prints can be found on the organization’s website.
Image credits: All photos individually credited and provided courtesy of Prints for Wildlife.