By marketing these unique lines of quality crafts the Houston zoo enables local artisans to make a living outside widelife parks, strengthen their communities and help preserve fragile endangered specie's habitats.

Iganyana Art Center was created by Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) in Zimbabwe. Fewer then 3000 African wild dogs remain in Africa due to various human pressures. Poaching with snares (wire traps) continues to be one of the leading threats to the survival of this species. PDC has developed three highly trained anti-poaching units in an effort to control this threat. Since the first of these units was deployed in August 2001, they have collected well over 10,000 snares. Had the snares gone untouched, it would mean approximately one thousand animals killed. The wire collected by the anti-poaching units is sent to PDC’s Iganyana arts center, where local artisans from rual villages use it to create beautiful intricate art. Production of this artwork provides skills and financial security for the artists. In addition, the program provides an opportunity for conservation education on sustainable use of resources and reuse of materials.

Partners In Conservation consists of women from rural villages that surround gorilla habitat. The products from this organization were hand-made by women from Rwanda, Africa. They sew colorful stuffed rhinos, elephants, giraffes and turtles and fill them with recycled plastic bags. The production of these animals helps to reduce the amount of plastic in the landfills and to create a sustainable local economy.

 

 

Proyecto Titi works with local communities to protect the endangered Cotton-top tamarin found only in the tropical forests of Colombia. Their products are hand-made by women from several villages in Santa Catalina, Colombia. Plastic bags clutter the landfills and pose a continuing threat to all local wildlife. Proyecto Titi has found a way to reuse this material and provide financial security for the local people. Women weave a traditional bag, called a “Mochila”, made entirely of recycled plastic bags. The production of these bags helps to reduce the amount of plastic in the country and to create a sustainable local economy.

Virunga Artisan Products "The Art of People & Gorillas Living in Harmony "is staffed by locals from the communities surrounding Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda/DR Congo and the Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
Only 700 mountain gorillas remain in the world today. Survival of this species greatly depends on the well being of the people who live nearby in Rwanda, Uganda & DR Congo. The women of the Nkuringo Basket Weavers Association live on the southwest edge of Bwindi National Park in an area seldom visited by tourists. The people of Nkuringo traditionally have made their living from subsistence agriculture. Earnings from basket sales have made a tremendous difference in the lives of the women of Nkuringo and their families, including the ability to send their children to school and access to health care.

Gisimba Memorial Association is an orphanage located in Kigali City, Rwanda close to gorilla habitat. GMC serves about 200 Rwandan children who have been orphaned due to the 1994 genocide, HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other tropical diseases, poverty and abandonment. Production of this artwork provides much needed skills and financial security for the children of Gisimba.

For more information please email

info@zaccconference.com