The Cheetah Conservation Fund’s Bush Project has been chosen as one of 12 finalists for World Challenge 2009, a global initiative of BBC World News and Newsweek, in association with Shell, that highlights projects showing enterprise and innovation at the grassroots level.
On Oct. 3 and 4, CCF’s Bush Project (which makes Bushblok, a clean-burning fuel log made from the invasive acacia bush that is overrunning the cheetah’s natural habitat) will be featured in a half-hour segment on BBC World News.
To find the broadcast time for your area, check BBC World News.
“We’ve taken a problem and turned it around into a multitude of solutions”
- Laurie Marker, Cheetah Conservation Fund
Namibia is one of the last refuges of the remaining world Cheetah population. A quarter of all the remaining cats are found in Nambia. It is estimated their numbers globally have declined by over 90% in the last 100 years.
A local thorn bush species is invading the savannah in the country, causing over US$90 million each year in lost revenue to Namibian farmers, whilst also destroying the native habitat of the fastest of the cats.
Now the Cheetah Conservation Fund has pioneered a scheme to clear the thorn bush and turn it into cheap fuel briquettes.
The project is creating jobs at the same time as helping to restore the hunting ground of the endangered cheetah.
To learn more about how Bush Project restores habitat, produces an alternative, clean-burning source of fuel, and provides jobs, please visit the CCF online.
The winner of the challenge is selected by popular online vote (one vote per email address). Voting opens on Monday, Sept. 28, and closes Nov. 13.
Vote for the Bush Project at World Challenge 09 and ask others to do the same.
Here is how you can help:
Teachers: Encourage students and other teachers to vote.
Parents: share the challenge with the school systems their children are part of.
Every vote is important and when you vote CCF you vote for the Cheetah!
