Happy Green 2015!

Dear Ecofund Community, Happy Green New Year 2014!

As we look forward to our upcoming adventures, end of January is a wonderful time to review 2014 events.

For the Ecofund Community, 2014 highlights included the exciting discovery of baby furrowed turtles in the Ferlo – a positive result of your support to the SOPTOM & SOS Sulcata Associations’ project in Senegal for the protection of this threatened species and its harmonious co-existence with local populations in the Ferlo.

Raising awareness among local communities, especially young people, on the challenges of and solutions for protecting our biodiversity, has begun to positively impact behavior, and in 2015, we will continue to meet this challenge through the project “Nature excursions”.

During the ‘Prophecy’ adventure, we raised the awareness of school children and others through the exhibition of photographer Fabrice Monteiro’s works, produced in collaboration with fashion designer Djagahl. It was a real pleasure meeting and exchanging directly with so many of you all during this exhibition. The exhibition’s messages - Professor Tidjani’s explicit captions co-written with Ecofund against the backdrop of Mr. Lamine Mbengue’s beautiful African tale - moved so many passerby, we regret not having a hidden camera to capture the reactions. What a sight to behold on the Dakar corniche!

Through a reinterpretation of the Prophecy photos, young urban artists from Africulturban and Doxandem Squad Associations lent their voices and talents to the ecology movement through slam, rap, graffiti and dance at Thiaroye, Pikine, and Guédiawaye. Their energy testifies to the growing commitment of Senegalese youth to encourage better behavior toward the environment. Click here to relive some of these highlights >>

In 2014, Ecofund was also nominated for a CSR international prize. This nomination honored Ecofund’s private sector inclusive approach, as exemplified in Banque Commerciale Société Générale Nouakchott’s support to the Friends of Banc d’Arguin Association project to protect the Eurasian Spoonbill nesting sites on Nair Island in Banc d’Arguin National park, and Eiffage Senegal's matching funds commitment for forest conservation (Casamance Ecoparc project). These are examples of civil society and private sector partnerships in favor of nature preservation, and a testimony to the diversity of our Ecofund Community!

Finally, 2014 brought an invitation to Australia for Sandrine (Ecofund) and F. Monteiro (art photographer) to participate in the Sydney World Parks Congress in the category “Inspiring a new generation”, from the International Foundation for the Banc d’Arguin’s (FIBA). The Prophecy project has gone beyond borders, connecting us to Australian scientists, crowdfunding professionals worldwide and also to a scientific community of conservationists, all participants in this once-every-decade conference. We take this opportunity to, once again, thank you all for your support and contribution to what has been, for us an innovative environmental awareness campaign and an intense art-meets- ecology experience. Click here to see the photos and its prophetic captions from Senegal >>

In 2015, we fervently look forward to sharing many adventures involving people with different backgrounds (artists, entrepreneurs, policy makers, scientists etc).

Climate Conference in Paris 2015
Ecofund will continue to showcase the result of our collaborative work with Fabrice Monteiro and Professor Tidjani from the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal. Through the Prophecy photos and its captures we will raise the voice of Africa during the Climate Change Conference 2015 in Paris. Keep following us on www.ecofund.org

Casamance Ecoparc II
Together with Augustin, his association and the entire local community (Ziguinchor researchers, students, community healers) of Ecoparc Casamance we will complete the ecological trail in the forest for everyone’s enjoyment with descriptive road signs erected along the 2 nature trails. Everyone can discover the flora and fauna of this primary forest sanctuary in Senegal. Children in particular can have fun while discovering nature, thanks to the final surprise quiz - vital for the future of our biodiversity!

In 2015, we also hope to present to you new champions and their projects which we will be glad to participate in for our mutual benefit!
Ecofund is a result of what passionate People can do working collaboratively. Get involved!

Happy New Year
Sandrine, Marième, Assane et Markus - Team Ecofund

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