New Visitor Center - African Wildlife Foundation

2 African Wildlife NewsMachache ~ A FEW WORDSBOARD OF TRUSTEESLeila S. GreenCHAIRMatthew T. WeirVICE CHAIRMANVictoria LeslieSECRETARYDouglas C. WalkerTREASURERPatrick J. Bergin, Ph.D.PRESIDENTJoanna ElliottVICE PRESIDENTHelen W. Gichohi, Ph.D.VICE PRESIDENTTony KalmVICE PRESIDENTThomas W. NicholsVICE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT TREASURERFelix O. OtienoASSISTANT SECRETARYEdward M. Armfield, Jr.Robin BerkeleyCrandall C. BowlesWendy McCrary BreckGeorge R. Bunn, Jr.Jacques J. BusquestStephen D. CashinDavid Challinor, Ph.D.Dale F. (Tucker) DornJames L. Foght, Ph.D.Christine F. HemrickWilliam E. (Wilber) JamesDennis J. KellerMark D. KvammeRobin LloydWariara MbuguaHenry P. McIntosh IVAnne B. Mize, Ph.D.Eleanor G. NalleOfer NemirovskyJohn H. NorrisDr. Mamphela A. RamphelePaul A. SchosbergLisa M. StevensDavid ThomsonC. Bowdoin TrainNicholas VingiraiAnnette WilliamsonGordon WilsonTRUSTEES EMERITIArthur W. ArundelE.U. Curtis BohlenJoan DonnerJohn H. HeminwayGeorge C. HixonRichard M. JacksonSally PingreeRussell E. TrainAfrican Wildlife Newsis published four times a year.COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERElodie Sampéré©2004 African Wildlife Foundation1400 16th Street, N.W., Suite 120Washington, D.C. 20036202-939-3333202-939-3332 (fax)888-4-WILDLIFEE-mail: africanwildlife@awf.orgWeb site: www.awf.orgPrinted with soy-based inkRecycled PaperWhich perspective do you have whenit comes to conservation?Ihave worked in Africanconservation for thepast 15 years. Duringthis time, I have noticed threedistinct perspectives held byconservationists concerningAfrica that I want to sharewith you.The first group is thepeople who say, “if only wecould turn back the hands oftime.” These people are fullof stories about the largenumbers of wildlife that usedto exist. They express wistfulhope that we could somehowgo back to that time.The second groupbelieves “we have our fingerin the dike and we’re holdingback the flood.” This group'sperspective is that Africa'swildlife and wild lands aredoomed. They think those ofus working in conservationcan only hope toslow down theinevitable. They telltheir friends to rushto Africa with theirkids and see thewildlife because itwon’t exist in anothergeneration.The third group asks,“what can we do today tomake sure Africa’s wildlifeand wild lands are heretomorrow – and endureforever?”For this group, Africanconservation is about findinga balance in which wildlifecan thrive and people canalso benefit. It is about doingwhat we can to create anAfrica that is much moreprosperous than the Africaof today. This group takesaction because any otheralternative for Africa’s wildlifeThe Honorable Festus Gontebanye Mogae, President of Botswana, withAWF’s Board of Trustees Chair, Leila Green, and Patrick Bergin.and people is not acceptable.As I’m sure you know,AWF is part of the third group.Since you are an AWF member,you must also be part ofthis group. And I’m so thankfulyou are.At our “Conservation isGood Business” symposiumThis group takes actionbecause any other alternativefor Africa’s wildlife andpeople is not acceptable.in November, we gatheredmany people from across theU.S. and Africa who are alsoin this third group.Our distinguished guestsincluded Festus Mogae,President of Botswana; PiusMsekwa, Tanzania’s Speakerof the National Assembly; U.S.Senator Lamar Alexander, theChairman of the Subcommitteeon African Affairs; andAndrew Natsios, Administratorof USAID.This symposium was partof AWF’s bigger plan to helpall of us focus our attentionon the opportunities that stillexist in Africa: opportunitiesto set aside large, viable landareas for conservation andinvestment in ways that willmake both ecosystems andnations richer.The countries ofBotswana and Tanzania areperfect examples – they arereaping significant economicbenefits from investingin conservationof large areas. Andthere is still potentialfor more growth thatwill benefit the wildlifeand the people.I am thankful that bothcountries were representedat our symposium. The experienceand wisdom they providedwas invaluable to allwho were able to attend. AndI want to thank you, our members.Without you, our workto protect the wildlife andconserve the wild lands ofAfrica would not be possible.Together, we are making adifference for Africa today,tomorrow, and forever.Patrick J. Bergin, Ph.D.AWF President & CEO