Greetings!

As we bid farewell to 2021, I would like to thank you on behalf of our team for bringing hope, support, and friendship during another unparalleled year of challenges and accomplishments.

I also wanted to remind you that time is running out for your year-end tax-deductible gift, and there are still the MATCH funds waiting to be claimed. To be exact, we have $15,000 left of our $20,000 challenge grant to claim. So if you are able, please send in a donation today. No amount is too large or too small.

Here are some of the exciting plans in store for 2022.

** Please join us in supporting these programs and kicking off our new projects! **

Vulture Habitat Protection: We’re looking forward to protecting white-backed vulture nests to ensure that the local colony of these critically endangered birds remains a viable population.

Wildlife Rescue & Rehab: Poaching and snaring will continue to rise for at least the first six months of 2022 due to the continued impacts of the pandemic: high unemployment, a slow tourism recovery, and food insecurity.

Interpretation Centre: We will open our new Interpretive Centre in early 2022. The Interpretive Centre will allow visitors and school groups to learn more about The Trust’s conservation programs.

Lion Conservation: Because of the significant number of lions lost to snaring in 2021, VFWT will collar more lions identified in key prides on the fringes of protected areas to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and safeguard the resilience of the pride.

Rocket Stoves and Forest Conservation: Victoria Falls town was upgraded to city status in 2021. Depending on future urban development plans, this will likely have far-reaching impacts. Many families can’t afford to access electricity. These households have turned to illegal timber collection as their primary fuel source to the tune of 2 tonnes of timber per day illegally collected out of our hardwood forests. VFWT will be providing “rocket stoves” to these households, which mostly require a third of the amount of grass, leaves, and twigs – rather than wood. We hope to try and help protect our forests and help people find better development solutions.