Media Contacts
Rwanda
Joelle Rutagarama
Rwanda Program Manager
jrutagarama@wildearthallies.org
United States
Laura Milton
Communications Director
lmilton@wildearthallies.org
Kigali, Rwanda – Wild Earth Allies, together with government and community partners, has released a new report celebrating three decades of conservation success in and around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Today, mountain gorillas are the only great ape population on the rise, and communities are reaping the benefits of conservation through access to water and capital. As featured in the new report, this achievement is the result of long-term, trust-based collaboration among the government, conservation organizations, and local communities.
At a celebratory event this week in Rwanda called Kwita Izina, Wild Earth Allies’ partners are among those invited to name 40 newborn gorillas, marking both a joyful cultural tradition and a powerful symbol of progress.
A Model of Community-Centered Conservation
Wild Earth Allies’ new Allied Insights report, “Celebrating a Decades-Long Commitment to People and Nature in Rwanda,” documents how women-led and community-rooted initiatives have strengthened conservation outcomes. A partnership with the Imbereheza Gahunga cooperative has brought at-home water access to families, created a revolving loan fund for local farmers and entrepreneurs, and significantly reduced reliance on the park for essential resources to meet basic needs.
“We have built over 1,000 rainwater tanks serving more than 6,000 community members – all while protecting our neighbors, the mountain gorillas,” said Athanasie Mukabizimungu, Founder, Imbereheza Gahunga cooperative.
Government Leadership and Global Recognition
Rwanda’s leadership has been central to this success. The Rwanda Development Board has pioneered community-centered conservation policies, including tourism revenue-sharing, which reinvested $2 million into local projects in 2024 alone.
Plans are also underway to expand Volcanoes National Park to ensure space for a growing gorilla population, improve climate resilience, and replicate successful community-partnership models across the region.
“Inside Volcanoes National Park, rangers have observed a steady decline in people entering the park to collect natural resources,” said Prosper Uwingeli, Chief Warden, Volcanoes National Park. “The collaborative partnership between Imbehereza Gahunga cooperative and Wild Earth Allies has been instrumental in driving this positive change.”
A Call to Invest in What Works
Wild Earth Allies emphasizes that the community-partnership conservation model—rooted in local values, knowledge, and practices—is not only equitable, but more effective and enduring. With climate change intensifying pressures on wildlife and people, now is the moment to expand investment in community-centered action that delivers measurable gains for both.
“Lasting conservation starts with those who live closest to the land,” said Katie Frohardt, Executive Director, Wild Earth Allies. “When local priorities drive solutions, people and nature thrive together.”
“With every water tank built with families around the park, we see the power of linking conservation with community well-being,” said Eugène Rutagarama, Conservation Advisor, Wild Earth Allies and Goldman Environmental Prize Recipient. “It’s a legacy of shared stewardship—for people, for gorillas, and for generations to come.”
About Wild Earth Allies
Wild Earth Allies protects vital areas of our planet for wildlife and people. We form deep, trusted partnerships with local organizations and practitioners in high biodiversity areas around the world. Together, we share knowledge and resources to deliver lasting conservation solutions.
About Imbereheza Gahunga
The women-led Imbereheza Gahunga cooperative works at the intersection of conservation and community well-being. Its members lead projects that improve access to clean water, strengthen food security, and create small business opportunities for families living along the northeastern edge of Volcanoes National Park.
###
