2016 Whitley Award winner, Makala Jasper received the National Geographic Society/Buffett Award for Leadership in African Conservation today in Washington D.C.!
The annual Awards were established by the Society and The Howard G. Buffett Foundation to recognise and celebrate unsung heroes working in the field. Awardees have to demonstrate outstanding leadership in managing and protecting the natural resources in their countries and regions. They are each inspirational conservation advocates, who serve as role models and mentors. Chosen from 30 candidates, Makala has received one of two awards, each worth $25,000: Africa (established in 2002) and Latin America (established in 2005).
This follows on from Makala receiving a 2016 Whitley Award in April this year and through growing international recognition, Makala is gaining support across Tanzania and from the local Government to further develop his work through his NGO Mpingo Conservation & Development Initiative (MCDI).
MCDI has facilitated the protection of over 3,000km2 of forest in Tanzania and is the first organisation in Africa to have Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) status. This has increased the price per log 100-fold for African Blackwood, enabling communities to develop local infrastructure such as building schools and provide subsidised healthcare for expectant mothers.
We are very proud to be supporting Makala and his long-term commitment to community-centered conservation in Tanzania.