Strauss & co - Wildlands 27 March 2014

WILDLANDS CONSERVATION TRUST ART SALE 9 Over the past decade Wildlands have progressively developed and implemented a number of exciting projects that underwrite their vision of ‘A Sustainable Future for All’, including: Trees for Life – This project teaches community members (called Tree- preneurs) in poverty stricken areas how to grow indigenous trees which they can then barter with Wildlands in exchange for livelihood support items such as – food, clothing, school fees, bicycles, Jojo tanks or building supplies. The young trees bartered with Wildlands are then planted into areas in desperate need of restoration or greening. Rhino Conservation – 3 complimentary projects: ❏ Project Rhino Tracker – By fitting the latest tracking technologies to Rhino in protected areas, we allow for a more efficient use of field rangers, as we have a better knowledge regarding the Rhinos movements and behaviours, and can deploy field rangers at strategic locations to counter any vulnerable situations. This includes the use of satellite transmitters and UHF data- loggers, which provide the most real- time information on the Rhino that is available to date. ❏ Project Rhino Aerial Support – There is little doubt that the positioning of additional aircraft and helicopters across northern KwaZulu-Natal will have a significant impact on reducing rhino poaching, especially in the private and communal areas that do not enjoy the same level of paramilitary support that Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife’s conservation areas do. Wildlands aims to raise the funds required to support and maintain the aircraft in order to allow it to fly a minimum of 40 hours per month, covering the key properties where rhino populations occur. ❏ Project Rhino Investigations and Prosecutions – One of the key gaps identified in addressing the rhino poaching crisis is in providing a professional and well-coordinated prosecution of key individuals or syndicates known to be involved in poaching around rhino reserves. Wildlands aims to support a team of investigators and attorneys to prosecute known individuals in KwaZulu-Natal, with the aim of setting a precedent for other poachers, who will then know that the conservation sector is serious about taking these culprits to task. WHERE ARE YOUR FUNDS GOING? Photographer: Stewart Nolan