Royal Patron of Tusk Trust

"I was delighted when asked to become Royal Patron of Tusk Trust. I have seen the Charity’s inspirational work at first-hand. To me, projects supported by Tusk – particularly those which combine the protection of endangered species with innovative initiatives for alleviating poverty in remote rural communities - show a clear way forward. Such ground-breaking conservation work aims to preserve the balance between local people and wildlife, and provides a framework of real hope for the future."

HRH The Duke of Cambridge, KG
Royal Patron, Tusk Trust

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend an exclusive private reception to mark the launch of the Tusk US Patrons Circle.

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge began their final day of their official visit to California on July 10th 2011, by attending an exclusive private reception to mark the launch of the Tusk's US Patrons Circle.

The Duke and Duchess met a group of Tusk’s US donors at a reception hosted by the Charity at the house of OSCAR winning film producer and philanthropist, Steve Tisch. Guests included long terms donors to Tusk and other philanthropists. Amongst the guests were Hollywood stars, Reese Witherspoon and Catherine Keener, and the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay as well as Kristin Gore, daughter of former Vice President, Al Gore. The founder of Guess, Maurice Marciano, prolific film producer and long time supporter of African conservation, Moritz Borman, and Canadian super model Linda Evangelista were also among those who met the Royal couple.

“It was an honor to open my home to TUSK for the launch of their US Patrons Circle. The organization is at the forefront of addressing the mounting problems in preserving Africa’s natural heritage and culture. It was inspiring to not only have Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the event, but also to hear how passionately they speak about their commitment to the cause,” said OSCAR winning Film Producer and Philanthropist Steve Tisch.

Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson, Executive Director of Tusk USA, said, “This is a very exciting moment for Tusk, one I hope will draw attention to the many fantastic projects we support across Africa. I am especially grateful to the Duke and Duchess for taking the time to meet some of Tusk’s key American donors today.”

Andy Goss, President of Jaguar Land Rover North America, sponsors of the event, took the opportunity to announce the donation of a new Land Rover Defender to the charity to help with its work in Africa.

Charlie Mayhew MBE, founder and CEO of Tusk, said “The US, with its deserved reputation in supporting philanthropic causes, provides Tusk with a huge opportunity to raise much needed funds for wildlife conservation and community development projects across Africa – the Duke and Duchess’ involvement with Tusk has helped greatly to raise the Charity’s profile in America.”
 

PRINCE WILLIAM'S FIRST OFFICAL VISIT TO TUSK FUNDED PROJECTS

Prince William, who was joined by his brother Harry completed their first joint Royal Tour of Southern Africa in June 2010. They visited Tusk funded projects in Botswana including the Mokolodi Nature Reserve near Gaborone and the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust and Coaching for Conservation in Maun.

At the Mokolodi Nature Reserve they visited which hosts over 12,000 children a year from across Botswana who spend up to a week learning about their country's natural heritage at this world-class environmental education centre. William and Harry watched demonstrations by a group of deaf children from the Ramotswe region and took part in a snake talk!

In Maun they spent a night with researchers from the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust tracking predators and were given the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking work that BPCT is conducting into the use of scents by predators and the artifical recreation as a Bio-Fence. Prince William spent a morning with over 400 children who were taking part in the unique Coaching for Conservation initiative which combines sport with the natural world and encourages children to respect themselves and their environment.

PRINCE WILLIAM MARKS TUSK'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

At a reception held at HSBC's private banking headquarters in St James's London on the 7th January, Tusk's Royal Patron was joined by some of the charity's long term supporters who braved the freezing conditions to mark Tusk's 20 years of conservation in Africa.

Balancing environmental conservation with the growing needs of society is at the heart of the "great challenge facing mankind", Prince William said echoing the beliefs of his father The Prince of Wales, who for many years has argued that mankind should live in harmony with the natural world.

Charlie Mayhew, Tusk's CEO, said that whilst huge strides have been made in tems of community driven conservation, the picture in terms of poaching now threatens many of the wildlife gains achieved since 1990.

'Elephant losses have increased three and half times in the last two years and the poacher’s price for rhino horn has leapt more than 600% from $400 per kilo in 2007 to $2,600 per kilo today! It is not surprising that that the Continent is now experiencing a surge in poaching and it explains why South Africa, a country, which in the past has remained largely immune to major poaching, lost over 100 rhino last year! Three times the losses of the year before.'

Since it's inception twenty years ago Tusk has invested over £12 million into over a 100 widlife conservation, community development and environmental education projects across the continent. It currently directly supports 40 in 17 countries.

Prince William said: "We must all help, help to ensure that, for the communities Tusk serves in Africa, and for the awe-inspiring wildlife with which they co-exist, that the next 20 years are ever more life-enhancing and secure. Future generations must have the chance to wonder at the Continent's spell-binding natural heritage for themselves. We owe it to them. This legacy is not ours to squander. And in this cause, Tusk is a great champion."

Download an artilce that appeared in the Daily Telegraph newspaper about the reception.

Tusk Trust is part of the Princes' Charities Forum which brings together all of the charitable organisations supported by Prince William and Prince Harry. For more details please visit the Princes' Charities Forum page. 

British Polo Day Charity Cup 2011 at Watership Down

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