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Beautiful Biodiversity

Players are helping African Parks to protect ecosystems and combat climate change
African national parks are being protected by players in a bid to tackle climate change

Players of People's Postcode Lottery have contributed an incredible £2 Million to African Parks as part of our Postcode Climate Challenge initiative. This financial support will invest in environmental projects to reduce the impact of the climate crisis. 

African Parks is a conservation non-profit organisation, responsible for the rehabilitation and management of 19 national parks and protected areas across 11 African countries, in partnership with African governments. Player generosity will help African Parks conserve Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, Chinko in the Central African Republic, Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo, and Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia.

Nyungwe National Park is made up of some of the oldest, largest, and most intact high-altitude rainforest in Central Africa, and provides 70% of Rwanda's fresh water. The park is home to 25% of Africa's primate species, including chimpanzees, baboons, and L'Hoest's and Hamlyn's monkeys, which are unique to this region.

Sustainable Support

Across all four protected areas, player funds will be used to restore biodiversity, prevent deforestation and poaching, and support local enterprise and community initiatives to ensure sustainability for people and wildlife. Ecosystems that lock up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere will be protected, ensuring they can deliver clean air, water, food and other natural resources, and helping to reduce the effects of climate change.

African Parks' CEO Peter Fearnhead says, "African Parks is extremely grateful to the players of People's Postcode Lottery for the significant contribution to the conservation of these four crucial parks.

"Thanks to this instrumental support, we can work with our Government partners to sustainably manage these large natural landscapes which safeguard a myriad of wildlife species, protect the catchments of three of Africa's largest rivers, and help to moderate climate change and improve climate resilience among communities that depend on these ecosystem services for their survival."

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery, says, "Since the launch of People's Postcode Lottery 15 years ago, our players have been providing vital support to a wide range of environmental charities. This latest project, led by African Parks, will see funds raised by players being used to tackle the two great environmental challenges of our age - climate change and biodiversity loss.

"The climate and nature emergencies are inextricably linked and we must fight them together. By doing so, we can help safeguard the future of these globally-important ecosystems and, of course, the communities who depend on them."

The funding award forms part of People's Postcode Lottery's Postcode Climate Challenge initiative. £24 Million, raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery, is shared across 12 charities to invest in projects focusing on reducing the impacts of the climate crisis. Players have also helped ClientEarth to bring about real change.

Helping Good Causes

By signing up to play People's Postcode Lottery, you can support Good Causes and be in with the chance to win fantastic Prizes. Find out How It Works.

Published: 11/02/2021

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