Edward Norton wrote -

The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust is a fantastic organization. I can see why people would say “Why work on something so far from home in such an exotic and remote place? What do the Maasai people have to do with our lives and our challenges?”

It’s a good question. My answer is that every day we learn more about how interconnected the natural systems on the planet are and we have to confront that what’s happening to the forests and oceans and ecosystems in far away places is going to have a big impact on everybody everywhere. The world increasingly relies on many traditional communities like the Maasai to protect the ecological treasures that exist within the land that they own. Figuring out how people in developing countries can thrive and grow without destroying some of the world's most important natural resources is going to be one of the great challenges of the 21st Century.

I support this effort because I think it’s the kind of model that’s going to truly save a healthy planet for future generations. And because the people involved are just flat out bad-ass and cool. And because it's fun.

So we're working hard to raise about $350,000 that we need to keep this going strong next year. If we could get a crowd together here and kick in a good chunk toward that goal, that would be truly awesome. Thanks so much for your support.

Where Your Money Goes:

Simba Project
This program prevents killing of lions and other large predators through our livestock compensation program, resulting in a tripling in the local lion population within 24 months MWCT employs nearly 100 Conservation Game Scouts to monitor and protect wildlife from poaching.

• $140 pays the salary of a game scout for a month
• $500 buys a handheld radio for a Simba Scout

Education
MWCT builds schools and employs over 40 teachers

• $250 pays the salary of a teacher for 1 month
• $350 pays for text books for an entire class for 1 year

Medical Services
The dispensary now has running water and electricity as well as housing for a full-time physician and medical volunteers.

• $550 pays for medicine, needles and antibiotics for one month
• $1000 pays the salary of a certified nurse for one month

We greatly appreciate you donation. However small, it helps greatly!