NEWS
Figure 1 . Situated within the Maputaland Centre of Endemism , the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve is strategically positioned between two major protected areas thus creating a unique opportunity to expand wilderness , protect ecological integrity , support surrounding communities , and play a meaningful role in ensuring the survival of endangered species in southern Africa .
ers and staff with essential equipment needed to keep wildlife safe . Subsequently , when the charity acquired two ecologically sensitive properties , parts of which were at risk of agricultural encroachment , the vision broadened to include habitat protection . Says Wild Tomorrow Fund co-founder and Executive Director , John Steward , who is based in New York , “ We believe that the solution to the wildlife extinction crisis lies in protecting wild spaces in areas rich with biodiversity . According to eminent biologist EO Wilson , who started the half Earth project and from whom we take great inspiration , saving 80 % of species on Earth requires us to protect half of the Earth ’ s land and sea to ensure species have the space they need to thrive . Since 2017 , Wild Tomorrow Fund has acted on this urgent call in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa ”. impacts the most vulnerable people on our planet who contributed least to historical emissions , particularly the most innocent of victims : children . Globally , approximately 1 billion children – nearly half of the world ’ s children – live in places at extremely high risk from the impacts of climate change . By saving and restoring ecosystems , our habitat protection program is a nature-based solution that mitigates the impacts of climate change while helping women , children and wildlife adapt to escalating environmental hazards .”
While tourism sustains most private wildlife reserves , the Greater Ukuwela Reserve offers only minimal tourism opportunities and is dependent instead on the generosity of donors , many of whom may never set foot on the farflung reserve they support .
But these are people who are concerned with the greater good and who understand that environmental degradation in one part of the world – for example , rampant clearing of the Amazon rainforest – affects us all . According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute ( SANBI ), South Africa is ranked the third most biologically diverse country on Earth and is one of 17 megadiverse countries which collectively contain the majority of the world ’ s biodiversity . Much is at stake globally if we don ’ t protect that exceptional biodiversity .
As Wendy Hapgood says , “ We believe it ’ s the international community ’ s responsibility to help protect African wildlife . Most of us grew up reading stories about elephants and lions , rhinos and hyenas , and watching the Lion King . A future when these animals no longer exist in the wild is unthinkable . We have a moral calling to help save our planet ’ s threatened wildlife and wild places .”
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Recognising too that local communities must have a stake in protected areas , Wild Tomorrow Fund works hand-inhand with its neighbours through , for example , upskilling and employing residents , supporting schools , empowering women ( 14 so far ) through a mutually beneficial livelihoods training project called the Green Mambas and , during Covid lockdowns , providing emergency food parcels . In their dual commitment to their neighbours and to conserving habitats , the organisation ’ s work is consistent with one of the major goals of COP26 : Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats from the impacts of climate change .
“ Climate change is deeply inequitable ,” says Wild Tomorrow Fund ’ s cofounder and COO Wendy Hapgood . “ It
Grassroots Vol 22 No 1 March 2022 28