TNC ME Campaign Impact Report 2023 pages - Flipbook - Page 5
global engagement
CONNECTING CONSERVATIONISTS
AROUND THE WORLD
One of TNC’s superpowers is connecting conservationists around the world to share
information and learn from each other, and your support helps make this possible.
This year, longtime TNC Maine volunteer Dave Courtemanch is collaborating with a
Kenyan scientist, Edwin Njuguna, on a research project to
evaluate the ecological health of the Tana River watershed
in Kenya. In 2015, TNC launched the Upper Tana-Nairobi
Water Fund to improve water quality in the Tana River,
which supplies water to nine million Kenyans.
Water funds are founded on the principle that it is
cheaper (and more effective) to prevent water problems
at the source than it is to address them further
downstream. Public and private donors and major water
consumers downstream contribute to the fund to support
upstream water and soil conservation measures, resulting
in improved water quality and supply. But how do we know
if it’s working? That’s where this collaboration comes in.
For the next four years, Njuguna will be leading a
community science research project using a “Biological
Condition Gradient” (a tool developed by the US EPA to
monitor the effects of the Clean Waterbenefittin
Act). The object
of this study is to identify where various bird species are found. Using what is known about the habitats each species
frequents and which factors allow them to thrive or not, Njuguna will then build a model to assess how effective
conservation measures have been at improving habitat conditions. This modeling is an important step in learning
about the water fund’s effectiveness in supporting biodiversity. Data and methods developed from this research can
be used in turn to inform other conservation projects around the globe!
Our Goals by 2024
Global
$9,360,934
GOAL: $7,000,000
134%
Financial support for global conservation
30 Places
GOAL: 25 PLACES
120%
A TOUR OF YOUR IMPACT | 5