Cycling4Wildlife: 5,000km for nature conservation.

We are Cycling 4 Wildlife, a foundation to support nature conservation.

The Story

We (Willem, Thomas, Jan and Huib) found ourselves amazed at how little awareness exists among our generation about the challenges conservationists face in Africa.

The future of our planet depends on Africa (link). Over a quarter of the earth's biodiversity exists on the continent and one-tenth of the world’s irrecoverable carbon is stored in Africa. These landscapes are critical in providing clean air and water, food security, and a better way of life. Yet Africa’s wild ecosystems continue to be undervalued, and nature continues to be destroyed.

Raising awareness among our generation is a crucial step toward saving these ecosystems. While this should be much easier in today’s well-connected world, the conservation message does not seem to arrive.

Therefore, we decided to launch the Cycling 4 Wildlife Foundation. Mid 2023, the four of us shall commence on a bicycle journey of over 5,000 kilometres, starting in Akagera, Rwanda and finishing in Liuwa Plains, Zambia. Our mission is to create awareness for nature conservation while raising money for environmental education.

The journey will take us through mountains, deserts, wetlands, jungles, and savannahs, crossing Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in the process.

The bicycles are central to our mission as they help us reach our objectives in two ways: First, as means by which we deliver an extreme physical achievement, which is how we raise money for conservation. Second, as vehicles that allow us to cover great distances. With minimal impact, enabling us to visit the places and meet the people whose stories must be shared.

Among the route, we will visit eight parks that are managed by African Parks. Here, we will meet the men and women on the ground who dedicate their lives to protect the continent's wildlife.

Using film and storytelling as our medium, we will share their stories with as many people as possible.

Raising awareness is crucial to overcome the challenges that conservation is facing. Join our mission and spread the word!

Environmental Education

What is Environmental Education?

Environmental education is the process of educating individuals and communities about the natural environment, including the issues and challenges facing it, and empowering them to take action to protect and preserve it. This includes educating people about sustainable farming practices, conservation of natural resources, and the importance of protecting biodiversity.

What does the African Parks Environmental Education program include?

African Parks has implemented an Environmental Education Program as a means of promoting conservation effort. AP implements its environment education program through the following three pillars:

Their goal is to create a group of individuals who are aware of and supportive of protecting the environment and preserving wildlife, both within and outside of the parks they manage.

100% of the Cycling 4 Wildlife donations shall be contributed to African Parks, which have a proven African solution for African conservation challenges. The funds shall be used for its Environmental Education Program.

About African Parks

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. They currently manage 22 national parks and protected areas in 12 countries covering over 20 million.