It’s no secret that funding in conservation can be hard to come by. Across the globe there are thousands of environmental projects and non-governmental organisations competing for the small number of grants and funds that are available – and that was before coronavirus struck. In light of the global pandemic, funding has been cut for many and the vital funding streams from eco-tourism that supported much of their work has all but dried up too.

Conservation Matters, an umbrella organisation founded by Ellie Jones-Perrott, is aiming to make funding for international conservation more resilient by working with partners to fundraise through a variety of methods including travel expeditions, sustainable commerce, innovative philanthropy and consultancy. As a result of the pandemic, Conservation Matters created “sofa safaris” that live streamed the work of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC) in Kenya, which resulted in higher donor revenues to support the work of the Conservancy and make up for the losses experienced due to tourism downturn, at least partly.

Having grown up in Kenya, founder Ellie experienced rhino conservation first-hand and recognised early on that donors often want to engage in the projects further to see the results of their donations. Conservation Matters was founded initially to assist with the fight against rhino poaching whilst also bringing a new and innovative approach to conservation fundraising and connecting people from around the world to the heart of Kenya’s wildlife.

This year the organisation has partnered with five rhino conservancies in Kenya: Loisaba Conservancy, Sera Wildlife Conservancy, Borana Conservancy, Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy and Il Ngwesi Community Conservancy. You can support the work of these five partner organisations from the comfort of your home through their new Patrons of Conservation memberships. In doing so you’ll receive exclusive content through blogs, photos and videos from the conservancies within the partnership, as well as receiving discounts if you want to visit the partnership members – when it’s safe to do so for us here in the UK.

After the enormous reduction in tourism worldwide as a result of the pandemic, the effects have not only been felt by the travel industry but also other sectors that directly depend on tourism money to fund their work – including many conservation projects. As a result of the pandemic we have an opportunity to re-evaluate how we look at travel, with recent surveys identifying sustainable and ethical travel as being high on travellers lists as they prepare for their first trip after the pandemic.

Kenya is currently one of the few places in the world that is fully open to the international tourism market*. With conservancies following the COVID guidelines, you can travel to Kenya today and experience the amazing wildlife it has to offer. Conservation Matters offers unique travel itineraries and expeditions, from wildlife conservation to learning to scuba dive. When you book with Conservation Matters a proportion of you booking is donated to our partners in aid of wildlife and marine conservation in Kenya – making Conservation Matters the ultimate travel agent with responsible travel at heart.

Through their 2021 walking expedition, which is planned to take place from 15th July – 1st August, Conservation Matters is inviting participants to raise money through this sponsored walk for community-owned and run conservancies in northern Kenya. Participants will walk 200 km (approx. 15 km each day) through the beautiful, untouched rangelands of northern Kenya. The funds raised will go further than covering your costs of partaking in the programme and support the work of all the conservancies within their rhino conservation partnership that you will visit along the walk. As we walk through each conservancy you will get the chance to visit each conservancy’s program that your money is being donated to, so that you can see for yourself the impact your fundraising will be having in this remote area of Kenya.

In an era when we are increasingly recognising the importance of responsible travel – both socially and environmentally – as a collective, joining Conservation Matter’s for a walking expedition is a fantastic option for not only a life-changing experience but also giving back to the local and global community.

You can learn more about Conservation Matters via their website and sign up to become a Patreon of Conservation.

*It’s important to recognise that you only participate in travel when it is safe and legal to do so and it is strongly encouraged that you follow the procedures in place recommended by local governments and operators when the time comes in order to keep both yourself and others safe.

I have received no financial compensation for writing this article and do not receive any remuneration in exchange for you booking a service with Conservation Matters through any of the links above.

Conservation Matters: Raising Funds for African Wildlife