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Who We Are: The need for a grassroots organization that would galvanize communities across Africa to positively contribute towards sustainable management of natural resources was an idea born out of a discussion by a group of environment and natural resource management practitioners gathered in Arusha Tanzania in 2010. The idea was subsequently shared with other like-minded individuals and culminated in the formation and subsequent registration of Africa Nature Organization as Non-Governmental Organization on the World Wetlands Day 2nd February 2012 in Kenya. Our focus has been to promote sustainable environmental and natural resource management best practices among grassroots communities working closely with civil society organizations, private sector actors and Government. Our Vision: A well-managed environment and natural resource base benefiting People and Wildlife. Our Mission: To enhance sustainable management of environment and natural resources by empowering grassroots communities, supporting development of effective natural resource management instruments, promotion of green innovations and the advancement of wise-use practices. Programmes: Our work is organized around three themes. These are conservation, people's organizations and livelihoods. 1. Environmental Education and Awareness Sustained environmental education and awareness campaigns have been known to change the behavior and attitudes of stakeholders towards environment and natural resources. Africa Nature Organization environmental education and awareness campaigns target both the young and the old through targeted campaigns such as the Young People4Nature Initiative, environmental demonstrations, environmental days, cross-site visits, workshops and seminars are some of the activities in this category. 2. Conservation of Species and Habitats With the threat of species extinction and habitat loss aggravated by climate change, Africa Nature Organization has taken a special interest in the conservation of species and habitats through rehabilitation, restoration and protection. Afforestation on terrestrial areas, coral transplant in marine ecosystems, dyke construction, development of management plans, support for community guards to protect and monitor species and habitats are some of the activities undertaken to reduce species and habitat loss. 3. Enterprise-led Conservation (ECO) Communities for ages have depended on natural resources for their livelihoods. However, with dwindling natural resource base due to extraction of natural resources for commercial purposes, population increase and climate changes, communities have trapped in a vicious cycle of destroying environment and natural resources for survival. To stem this downward spiral, Africa Nature Organization works with grassroots communities to empower them with business skills and knowledge to initiate nature-friendly enterprises and link them with markets. 4. Research and Innovation for Conservation (RI-Conserve): Relevant information to undertake important decisions regarding natural resources has been an impediment to sustainable management of environment and natural resources. This has been more profound with grassroots communities and organizations, including government, working to empower them to sustainably manage environment and natural resources. To bridge the information gap, Africa Nature Organization undertakes research and develops innovative ways of overcoming environmental challenges facing communities, civil society organizations, private organizations and governments. Baseline surveys, environmental impact assessments, documentation of indigenous knowledge on biological resources, and innovative mobile technology for conservation are some of the activities undertaken in this category. 5. Conservation Communication (COCO): Communicating conservation information to relevant stakeholders is key in to their engagement and involvement in our conservation effort. Conservation Communication maintains stakeholder interest through: Newsletter, Development and distribution of environmental documentaries, Production of other education, information and communication materials.

Too often grocery stores and restaurants find themselves throwing out food, when there is great need in nearby communities. MEANS Database modernizes food recovery in 48 states and the District of Columbia by connecting excess food to organizations and individuals who need it. Hunger lingers in the lives of the people it affects. In infants and toddlers, food insecurity is associated with failure to thrive, a devastating condition with consequences into adulthood (1). In early childhood, hunger is associated with diminished academic progress, more behavioral problems and unhealthy weight (2). By high school, it's linked with dropping out, and by early adulthood, with having children who also face hunger, the cycle starts over again (3). Food insecurity exists in every American demographic and geography, affecting every population tracked by the US Census. However, as it seems for every other social ill, the most rural, the most urban, and minorities in any location bear a disproportionate burden of the weight of hunger. While 12.7% of American families are food insecure, the rate for Black and Latino families are each about 20% (4). Jefferson County, Mississippi, is a study in these disparities: it has the highest percentage of black residents of any American county, and also holds the dubious distinction of having the highest rate of food insecurity in the United States, with nearly 38% of residents facing hunger (5). Meanwhile, while more than 42 million Americans rely on food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency food providers to feed their families, the United States grapples with an massive food waste problem. Forty percent of the American food supply ends up in landfills, with perfectly edible meals being thrown away at all stages of production (7). Food is the single largest contributor to landfill and incinerator mass in the United States, choking the nation's air while 1 in 8 Americans face food insecurity (8). Further complicating this feast and famine dynamic is the uncomfortable truth that even programs meant to address hunger frequently end up wasting food. The issue we are tackling with MEANS is huge: we're trying to prevent food waste and adequately address the problem of hunger. The USDA reports that 48.1 million Americans live in food-insecure households, while Feeding America says that 70 billion pounds of food are wasted in the US each year (8). This task may seem daunting, but we know that through the use of innovative technology like ours, we can help to change the future of food recovery. MEANS (Matching Excess And Need for Stability) is an online communications platform for emergency food providers and their donors. On a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone, agencies create an account with MEANS, registering their contact information, location, the kind(s) of foods they are searching for, and the distance they are willing or able to travel to pick up those goods. Donors post their excess goods on MEANS, and the system emails and/or texts organizations nearby that need those goods. Our tool substantially reduces the communications gap between emergency food providers and their donors, preventing "donation dumping" on both sides. MEANS was designed to handle both traditional food donations, from grocery stores or caterers, and donations between emergency food providers. There is no charge for any of our organization's services, for nonprofit agencies or retailers. Citations: 1) Kersten, Hans B. and Bennett, David (2012) "A Multidisciplinary Team Experience with Food Insecurity & Failure to Thrive," Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 6. 2) Jyoti, Diana F.; Frongillo, Edward A.; and Jones, Sonya J. (2005) "Food Insecurity Affects School Children's Academic Performance, Weight Gain, and Social Skills" The Journal of Nutrition vol. 135 no. 12 2831-2839. 3)"Changing the Picture of Education in America: Communities in Schools Spring 2014 Impact Report" (2014) 4) USDA (2015). "Food Security Status of U.S. Households in 2015" 5) Feeding America (2016). "Map the Meal Gap 2016" 7) Gunders, Dana (2012). "Wasted: How America Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill" 8) Feeding America (ND), "Food Waste In America"

“Protect and restore salmon populations and aquatic habitat with an emphasis on ecosystem function through scientifically informed projects, community education, and volunteer involvement.”

Sea Turtle Adventures' mission is to conserve local populations of sea turtles, educate the public about the marine environment, and provide nature-based programs and life skills training to adults with disabilities.

Bear mortality related to human conflicts is perhaps the largest single factor affecting long-term population viability. As human populations continue to extend into bear habitat throughout North America, either through residential development, recreational use or industrial use, bear human conflicts increase. Our organization aims to reduce human caused bear mortality and incidents of human-bear conflict. This is achieved through specialized training courses and innovative applied research. We are involved in a variety of initiatives that focus on reducing people’s interactions with bears while living, working and recreating in bear country. These include our unique Bearproof Garbage Bin Loaner Program, Bear Hazard Assessments, and Natural Attractant Management. Please see www.bearconflict.org for more information.

Mission To identify, protect, preserve and improve environmental resources within the City of Westbrook To balance the goal of environmental stewardship with responsible economic development within the City of Westbrook To capture and administer financial resources allocated to environmental protection and responsible economic development in cooperation with the City Administration and the City Council for the benefit of Westbrook taxpayers

The Rocky Mountain Land Library’s mission is to help connect people to nature and the land. The need for places of quiet thought, creative pursuits, and active community involvement will only grow as our population increases. The residential library we will establish will give everyone access not only to the books but also to the surrounding lands — a learning landscape for generations to come.

It is our mission to neuter, vaccinate, test and provide medical intervention for every feline that passes through our doors, in addition to more than 7 feral populations. In 2018, we accepted more than 348 cats and adopted out more than 257 - bringing the total number of adoptions since we opened our shelter in 2011 to more than 1789 cats and kittens.The average cost of medical procedures for each cat entering our shelter is over $550.We receive no municipal funding from any town, and many state programs have been eliminated.Our operating costs in all areas- rent, shelter maintenance, supplies, and veterinary care- continue to increase. With the exception of one paid shelter manager, our shelter is run entirely by dedicated volunteers.Our future depends on the generosity of people like you. Our cats’ lives depend on you!

Friends of Casco Bay works to protect the health of Casco Bay because it is a place of national, regional, and personal significance. The Bay affects our quality of life, our tax base, and the weather in our region. Valued for its rich diversity of marine life, Casco Bay was designated an Estuary of National Significance by the federal government in 1990. At the heart of Maine?s most populated region, the Bay is of immeasurable value to the 42 communities in its watershed. The Bay sustains our economy, supporting a vast array of industries: shipping, tourism, commercial fish and shellfish harvesting, and oil transport. The Bay provides abundant recreational opportunities, from wind-surfing and angling to boating and beachcombing. Our community?s identity and wellbeing are inextricably linked to the health of the Bay. For the 300,000 people that call the watershed home, Casco Bay is a source of recreation, inspiration, and economic vitality.Friends of Casco Bay fills a unique niche in Maine?s environmental and nonprofit community. We are: Locally-focused: We are the only organization whose sole focus is protecting Casco Bay. Science-based: The positions we take are backed up by data collected by our highly trained staff and EPA-certified volunteers.  Pragmatic: We are results-oriented, striving for measurable outcomes that protect the environment. Collaborative: We know that protecting the Bay is a group effort, so we work closely with scientists, government officials, businesses, residents, and other partners.

Our mission is to facilitate integral and sustainable prosperity in rural families and their environment, discovering and strengthening their potential, cooperating with companies, governments and local institutions. We are a non-profit civil association based in the city of Cusco, Peru. We have implemented proven projects to eradicate poverty in more than 280 rural communities in various countries around the world. In Peru, since 2008, in Tanzania since 2015 and in Nepal since 2016. The methodology we use in Pachamama Raymi, is a training system that was developed since 1988 by our president, we implemented it with the same elements in the various projects we promote. Some of these elements are used by other institutions in Latin America, Europe and Africa, such as contests between families. Our main objective is to break the vicious circle of environmental degradation and rural poverty, making communities and rural families improve, substantially and sustainably, the management of their natural resources, achieving prosperity. We don't have political or religious affiliation, we do have concrete goals in the task of eradicating poverty, through the promotion of sustainable practices. Our Objectives are: Break the vicious circle of environmental degradation and rural poverty in 90% of the communities where we work, achieving within three consecutive years that more than 60% of the population change the management of their natural resources for one that generates the recovery of such resources and prosperity. Get 60% of the families of each community to obtain: - Dignified and healthy homes, with food security. - Productive activities that in the short term generate income, almost constant during the year, above the level of the country's minimum wage. - Raise the self-esteem of the farmers with an optimistic vision of their future. - The plantation of 1,000 forest trees per family per year, with a percentage of tree life higher than 80% that will provide them with long-term income.