Our History>>>
A Brief History of Amara Conservation
Amara Conservation was incorporated in April 2001. We received US 501 (c)(3) status and also formed the Amara Conservation (UK) Trust in November 2001. When it became apparent how much need there is to protect the environment and inhabitants of East Africa, it became a mission for us to find ways to help. We originally supported the work of others in anti-poaching and rural school support. We quickly identified other projects that we are currently implementing to impact areas where the need is great. We hope to act as a bridge from this most special place, with its seriously endangered species and communities that are struggling to survive, to those individuals and entities in the western world who have the ability and will to help make a difference. There is hope where there is will.
We decided to form Amara Conservation, an organization dedicated not only to preserving the wildlife, but perhaps more importantly, devoted to helping the rural people improve their future by providing educational and community assistance.
Amara is a small organization. There are no paid staff, and the founder,
Lori Bergemann, is supporting herself in Kenya on savings and family
support until such time that the we get enough funding to pay her a salary
to continue to administer the work. A lot of people are donating their
time and knowledge to help Amara succeed.
Educating with Film
We have been showing the films of the African
Environmental Film Foundation in rural and remote communities around
Kenya. This is extremely rewarding work and has led us to our additional
work with communities in our Baraza Program.
Anti-Poaching
We have supported people and organizations who carry
out this most important and urgent work. We provided vehicles for the
Maasailand Preservation Trust and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
to carry out operations. We gave a workshop of tools to the Tsavo East
Northern Area to maintain and repair their equipment, and donated fuel
to do anti-poaching work and open roads for patrols. We provided support
to the Anne K. Taylor Fund to do their desnaring work in the Maasai Mara.
Animal Rescue
Amara gave assistance to Nana Woodley
in her work to raise and release Mtito the orphaned leopard cub, and
two more young leopards after Mtito’s successful release. We gave a donation to the Sheldrick
Wildlife Trust for the initial care of the orphaned elephant Burra. We
have more recently been involved in facilitating the rehabilitation of
orphaned lion cubs – from a small cage at KWS headquarters to their
temporary boma on Mugie Ranch and ultimate release in the Laikipia District.