Happy World Environment Day! Each year this United Nations day is celebrated on 5th June to raise awareness on taking action to protect nature. The 2016 theme was ‘Go Wild for Life’ promoting zero tolerance for the illegal wildlife trade.
World Environment Day parade in Taita Taveta County
Wildlife Works took part in the celebrations in Taita Taveta County in Kenya, where the 2016 theme particularly resonates. Kenya’s wildlife is severely affected by the illegal wildlife trade. It is estimated that each year around 30,000 elephants are killed worldwide as a result of poaching and the illegal ivory trade. Grevy’s Zebra, which are found on our Rukinga Sanctuary in Kenya, are endangered with only around 2,000 remaining in the wild. It is thought that at current poaching rates elephants, rhinos and other iconic African wildlife may be gone within our lifetime.
500 local primary and secondary students participate in a roadside litter pick
George Thumbi, Wildlife Works employee, links arms with students in the World Environment Day parade
The World Environment Day celebration in Kenya included a roadside litter pick and parade by 500 local primary and secondary school students, tree planting and speeches by notable figures from local government, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forestry Service, World Vision and Wildlife Works. The day centered on urging young people to take action and ownership of their wildlife heritage. George Thumbi, Wildlife Works Greenhouse Manager, spoke about our efforts to prevent poaching and protect habitat in the area.
George Thumbi, Wildlife Works employee, speaks about Wildlife Works efforts to prevent poaching and protect habitat
Arika Michael, Assistant County Commissioner, said, “children are agents of change. It is critical that we instill environmental conservation in young minds. Our wildlife is our heritage.”
If you would like to take action to commemorate the 2016 World Environment Day, offset your carbon through Wildlife Works. You can be a part of the solution by protecting threatened forests and the wildlife that call them home… Help them go wild for life!
Assistant Director of Kenya Wildlife Service planting a tree seedling
* * * * * * * * *
Wildlife Works is the world’s leading REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation), project development and management company with an effective approach to applying innovative market based solutions to the conservation of biodiversity. REDD+ was originated by the United Nations (UN) to help stop the destruction of the world’s forests.
Over a 15 year history Wildlife Works established a successful model that uses the emerging marketplace for REDD+ Carbon Offsets to protect threatened forests, wildlife, and communities.
The company helps local landowners in the developing world monetize their forest and biodiversity assets whether they are governments, communities, ownership groups, or private individuals.
