Amara Conservation was incorporated in April 2001. We received US 501 (c)(3) status and also formed the Amara Conservation (UK) Trust in November 2001.
We originally supported the work of others in anti-poaching and rural school support. We quickly identified other projects that we are currently implementing to impact areas where the need is great. We hope to act as a bridge from this most special place, with its seriously endangered species and communities that are struggling to survive, to those individuals and entities in the western world who have the ability and will to help make a difference.
Amara Conservation is an organization dedicated not only to preserving the wildlife, but perhaps more importantly, devoted to helping the rural people improve their future by providing educational and community assistance.
Amara is a small organization. We work efficiently as a tight unit on the ground in Kenya. We have two Land Rovers, thanks to the generous support of Land Rover Corporation. A lot of people are donating their time and knowledge to help Amara succeed.
Educating with Film
We have been showing the films of the African Environmental Film Foundation in rural and remote communities around Kenya. This is extremely rewarding work and has led us to our additional work with communities in our Baraza Program.
Baraza Program
A baraza is a community meeting, the means by which most important business is discussed in rural East African communities. Amara was invited by KWS to facilitate meetings addressing the crisis in bushmeat poaching starting in 2004, in the most critical areas of poaching activity around Tsavo East. These were very dynamic interactive meetings and led by a team from Amara working with the Kenya Wildlife Service community outreach wing as well as local leaders, the public health department and educators.
Witnessing firsthand just how important is the exchange of information that is necessary for people to understand their own effect upon their environment, and to see the willingness to make significant changes in activities once that realization takes hold inspired us to continue to hold and attend meetings on environmental issues throughout our focus area surrounding the Tsavo Conservation Area.
Anti-Poaching
We have supported people and organizations who carry out this most important and urgent work. We provided vehicles for the Maasailand Preservation Trust and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to carry out operations. We gave a workshop of tools to the Tsavo East Northern Area to maintain and repair their equipment, and donated fuel to the Kenya Wildlife Service to do anti-poaching work and open roads for patrols. We provided support to the Anne K. Taylor Fund to do their desnaring work in the Maasai Mara.
Animal Rescue
Amara gave assistance to Nana Woodley in her work to raise and release Mtito the orphaned leopard cub, and two more young leopards after Mtito’s successful release. We gave a donation to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for the initial care of the orphaned elephant Burra. We were involved in facilitating the rehabilitation of orphaned lion cubs – from a small cage at KWS headquarters to their temporary boma on Mugie Ranch and ultimate release in the Northern Frontier District.
Educating the local population as to solutions for human-wildlife conflict, and to stop the poachers from hunting on their land has proven tremendously successful. Often a 
Educating the local population as to solutions for human-wildlife conflict, and to stop the poachers from hunting on their land has proven tremendously successful. Often a 
