Queen Elizabeth Parks Twinning Project
The Queen Elizabeth Parks Twinning Project is a Community Project bringing together the individuals, schools, communities, and staff of the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and the Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Hampshire, England.
It is a project of cultural exchange and mutual support that focuses on conservation by working closely with and empowering local communities and supporting education initiatives. It also promotes the exchange of ideas and best practices between the staff of the two Queen Elizabeth Parks.
How the Project was born
The idea of ‘Twinning the Queen Elizabeth Parks’ came about when Rangers Charles Etoru from QENP and Steve Peach from QECP met whilst attending an International Ranger Federation Congress in Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Finding out that they were both presenting displays about Queen Elizabeth Parks, a friendship was made and the idea of ‘Twinning the Parks’ and ‘Connecting Communities and Wildlife’ was born
What we do
The Queen Elizabeth Parks Twinning Project is a Community Conservation Project that works in 3 key areas, with Schools, the Local Community, and Park Staff.
The Project supports ‘twinning’ and cultural exchanges between schools that share close proximity to the Queen Elizabeth Parks. The Project also encourages its Twinned Schools to get involved in Conservation and Environmental Sustainability Projects.
Through engaging with and empowering local communities the Twinning Project hopes to encourage more people to see the value in the conservation of wildlife and the local environment.
A key part of the Project is the involvement and mutual support of the Rangers and other staff who protect both Queen Elizabeth Parks. It is their participation that makes this such a special project.
Working In Partnership with the Queen Elizabeth Parks Twinning Project
You can support schools and communities by visiting Uganda with Range Land Safaris. We will be working in partnership with the Range Land to offer a variety of services from simple airport transfers to full wildlife and cultural tours.
Some of the tours will be designed to visit the very schools and communities featured on the website. So you will be able to see at first hand the work of the Twinning Project.
Range Land will be donating a percentage of their profits from any tour or service you book with them to the Twinning Project. Remember to mention the Twinning Project when you book.
Range Land Safaris is run by experienced Rangers (rather than tourist guides) so you can be assured that you will get the best possible wildlife experience.
Conservation
The Twinning Project supports conservation in both Queen Elizabeth Parks by working to assist Rangers to develop their skills, encouraging staff to engage with the local community, and ensuring that the Twinning Project is seen by people as a wildlife conservation and environmental project.
The Project sees the exchange as an important tool in the development of ideas and key skills. It also believes that by providing training and mentoring opportunities both Parks and their communities will benefit.
Rangers involvement in local schools is also seen as vital to the future of conservation.
It is keen for Rangers to be seen as environmental icons and for young people to feel part of the environmental protection process.
Conservation in action
Rangers from both Queen Elizabeth Parks are heavily involved in community conservation activities.
Both Parks believe that everyone has a vital part to play in the conservation process and that engaging with and empowering people is essential if you want to build a sustainable future for wildlife.
The Twinning Project works alongside Rangers to create opportunities for people to get actively involved in conservation. Please contact the Twinning Project if you would like to find out more.
Email: info@queenelizabethparks.org
How you can support our Ugandan Ranger Colleagues
Donate old binoculars, telescopes, or microscopes for the Rangers in Uganda to use whilst on patrol.
Donate money so we can buy uniforms, boots, and field guides for the Ugandan Rangers
Volunteer to work in either of the two Queen Elizabeth Parks.
By visiting either of the Queen Elizabeth Parks you are also supporting the conservation efforts of the Rangers at the Park and this in turn supports the local community