Wildlife
conservationists from two organizations claim to
have cracked the code for holiday giving. They
say through the launch of Art for the Animals (AFTA),
they will be able to give people a chance to give
gifts and to donate to conservation efforts around
the world. AFTA is working together with the African
Wildlife Foundation and the Wildlife Trust.
"There
is nothing not to like about this program," said
Dr. Mary Pearl, the Executive Director of the Wildlife
Trust. The program allows for people to make donations
to conservation efforts in the name of a friend as
a "wildlife gift." The receiver will get
a commemorative certificate and a piece of hand-crafted
folk art from the area on question.
AFTA says that all
parties receive gratification.
For the donor, the
gift is a unique present
and can also provide
a tax deduction. The
artisan receives a
fraction of the donation.
In addition a majority
of the donations are
used for conservation
projects.
The
idea of AFTA was
the brainchild of
Lori
Stewart who is now
the president. "So
while the propose of
the Art of the Animals
program is education
and raising fund for
wildlife and nature
conservancy, it has
the added benefit of
providing income to
indigenous artisans--
making the business
of saving wildlife
a business from which
artists and their communities
can make a living," she
said.
AFTA
claims to be different
from other
programs of its type. "It
[AFTA] addresses the
ago old question of
nature versus people.
But this program considers
wildlife and people
in peril landscapes," said
Pearl.
The donations range
from $20 to $200. Seventy
percent of the amount
goes towards conservation
efforts, 20 percent
goes to the artisans
and 10 percent is used
for administrative
cost.
The
20 percent that goes
to the artisans, "improve
the economic well-being
of local communities
and promote economic
alternatives to development," said
Michael Wright, President
of the African Wildlife
Foundation.
It
was during a time
of economic prosperity
and development when
this idea of AFTA was
hatched. "We had
everything," said
Pearl speaking of the
time before the downturn
of the economy. "The
one thing we did not
have is international
peace and conservation
security," she
added.
Pearl is optimistic
about this new project.
She says the Wildlife
Trust hopes that large
cooperations will start
using this gift giving
idea as opposed to
the traditional presents
they normally give.
She
went on to say that
the attacks of
September 11 have made
people "less frivolous" this
holiday season and
they will be looking
for more meaningful
gifts.
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