Many zoos, parks, school groups and other organizations want to help make a difference for endangered gorillas and the communities around gorilla habitats. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International has just created a new partners program to make it easier for organizations to help.
Enchanted Forest/Water Safari in upstate New York is the very first charter member of the Fossey Fund's new Partnership Program. To aid in public education,the park has already installed signs that tell visitors about gorillas and their environment, as well as the work of Dian Fossey and the Fossey Fund. While at the park, visitors can directly support gorilla conservation by purchasing Fossey Fund merchandise and donating to our Coins For Congo™ campaign.
"We are in a great position to help and that's why we have partnered with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International to raise awareness and funds for the gorillas," says Katie Noonan, marketing director for the park.
Organizations can become Fossey Fund partners with outright cash gifts, donating in-kind services or products, by holding one of our Coins for Congo™ Campaigns, or through any combination of these methods of support.
Organizations that join before Oct. 1, 2009, will receive, in addition to their partnership benefits, a current field conservation story to use in the organization's publications and a free infant gorilla "adoption" for the recipient of their choice.
Partnerships with the Fossey Fund will help underwrite the varied conservation programs we have throughout Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our conservation programs are diverse, multifaceted and have widespread impact.They include direct gorilla protection, as well as conservation education programs in African schools and communities, a radio station that is the only means for Congolese to know what is happening in their remote part of the country, teaching and sponsoring of college and graduate-level research for local universities, disease prevention programs, water and sewer projects, micro-enterprise programs, a rehabilitation center for orphaned gorilla and more.
July 16, 2009
