Theme: Creating Sustainable Conservation Economies through the Establishment of a Trust
Relevant Websites:
- http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/
- http://www.wildernesstrust.com/
- Wilderness Safaris' Annual Report (2013)
Background: Thirty years ago Wilderness Safaris was established in Botswana. The company’s business proposition was to be a premiere safari operator, conserve wildlife and wild lands and earn a return on their investment. In the ensuing years the company expanded to five brands in eight countries, 61 different safari camps and lodges, 1,016 beds, hosting an excess of 30,000 guests per year.
Challenge: Historically, local communities and governments did not benefit financially from tourism and there was no financial incentive to support
conservation. Over time threats from hunting, cattle grazing, farming, timber harvesting and unsustainable forms of tourism led to habitat loss
and decreasing wildlife populations.
Solution: Wilderness Safaris reconfigured their business model to create sustainable conservation economies where their lodges are situated; trained and employed members from the local communities; and established the Wilderness Wildlife Trust—the non-profit arm of the company. The company also partnered with The Zeitz Foundation and became a supporter of The Long Run Initiative and The 4Cs business model. The pillars of this business strategy are as follows:
- Biodiversity: Wilderness Safaris measures their biodiversity footprint and inventories species in their areas of operation in order to measure ecosystem health and assess where they should focus their conservation actions. Conservation actions include paying land-use fees,research, monitoring, anti-poaching actions, vegetation rehabilitation or reintroduction of indigenous species.
- Environmental Management Systems: Wilderness Safaris monitors each camp’s energy, waste, water and product usage and disposal. In addition to minimizing its impact, these measures also lower baseline operational costs.
Project Outcomes:
Conservation Investments at a Glance
- More than $700,000 spent on conservation
- CO2 Emissions reduced by 9% to 15,835 tonnes 43% of inorganic waste recycled in camps
- More than $300,000 contributed to community development projects
- More than $1m paid to community partners and joint ventures
- Employ 2,663 people, 70% are from rural communities
- 10 community partnerships formed
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