DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (37/09) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 19 February 2009
Environment
Secretary Hilary Benn will today announce how more than £8 million
for wildlife conservation projects will be allocated across the
developing world.
The 43 projects under Defra's Darwin Initiative, which gives
money and UK expertise to help start up and extend wildlife
conservation projects in developing countries, include activities
as diverse as the conservation of chameleons in Madagascar and the
restoration of habitats in small Pacific islands.
Hilary Benn visited a Darwin Initiative project in Kenya earlier
this week that has helped give rural communities a voice to
protect their own wildlife, through helping make educational
videos on why their wildlife is so valuable. Mr Benn is attending
the Governing Council of the United Nations Environmental
Programme in Nairobi.
Funding will consist of:
* A total of over £7 million over three years for 30 new
projects; and
* A total of over £1.5 million over two years
for 13 existing projects to continue and expand their work.
Hilary Benn said:
"Seeing the commitment of local people in Naivasha to the
protection of their biodiversity and of Lake Naivasha was really inspiring.
"I hope the projects we are announcing today will be as
successful over the next three years. These projects are vital
not just in helping the world's biodiversity and wildlife,
but in also opening up new opportunities for local communities.
"This year's 150th anniversary of the publication of
Charles Darwin's Origin of Species celebrates the start of
modern-day conservation, and today's announcement will help
continue his legacy."
The Local Community-based Biodiversity Conservation Films project
Hilary Benn saw in Naivasha, is run in both Kenya and Tanzania,
and helps local conservationists make and edit films with local
communities by explaining the importance of biodiversity to their
lives and livelihoods.
Notes to Editors
Details of the Project
1. While in Naivasha, Kenya, Hilary Benn saw the 'Local
Community-based Biodiversity Conservation Films' project.
Run in Kenya and Tanzania, the project trains local
conservationists how to make and edit films, and distribute them
through existing Education Centres. These help the
conservationists to help educate their communities about the
importance of biodiversity to their lives and livelihoods.
2. Hilary Benn viewed some of the films made by the group
including one of the original film-making trainees who is now
being trained to be a conservation film-maker. He also discussed
with members of the local community how these films have helped
change their views of the benefits of the environment.
3. The University of Leicester is working in partnership with
Kenyan wildlife groups including Nature Kenya (the main national
biodiversity conservation NGO, the National Museums of Kenya, and
with regional partners. In Naivasha these include the Lake
Naivasha Riparian Association, the Koibatek County Council, the
Friends of Kinangop, and the African Conservation
Centre.
Darwin Initiative
4. Since its launch in 1992, the Darwin Initiative has committed
£65 million to 601 projects in more than 146 countries. The
latest round of funding was announced on 30 June 2008, with
proposals for new projects invited.
5. The Darwin Advisory Committee (Chaired by Professor David
MacDonald of Oxford University) consists of experts from
government, academia, science and the private sector, and advises
Ministers on development of the Initiative and makes
recommendations for funding.
6. The Advisory committee overseas all projects, and each project
has a UK adviser such as the University of Leicester.
7. Details of all the 43 new Darwin Initiative projects can be
found at http://darwin.defra.gov.uk/. Examples include the
restoration of habitats in Pacific islands; and developing
'environmental corridors' in Belize to help conserve
large mammals. They also include projects to address biodiversity
conservation in the UK's Overseas Territories.
8. To celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Charles Darwin's
birth and the 150th anniversary of the Origin of Species, this
year organisations across the United Kingdom are planning a wide
variety of events. Defra is one of the many partners involved in
Darwin200, and further details of the events planned can be found
at http://www.darwin200.org/
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