Anna Tolan
Co-Founder
and Director, Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust - Zambia
Beneficiary
of Creating for Conservation 2012
Anna and her husband Steve Tolan are the founders of a small dynamic conservation education organisation in the South Luangwa Valley, Zambia, Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust.
Their organisation is this year's recipient for the Creating for Conservation Exhibition's fundraise, they will receive 100% of proceeds. Anna Tolan is *travelling from Mfuwe, South Luangwa in Zambia to Adelaide to meet with Pulteney Grammar School to discuss the **International Conservation Education Exchange.
Anna will open the Creating for Conservation Exhibition in Adelaide on 2 November and is the special guest at "An Evening with Anna Tolan" a fundraising dinner by Painted Dog Conservation inc (Perth) on 3 November.
About Anna and Steve Tolan
Co-Founders and Directors
Steve and Anna Tolan were married in 1983 and lived in Oxford, England until they emigrated in 1998. Before moving to Zambia they were both Police Officers with the Thames Valley Police but in their private lives Africa was their passion. They went on African safaris, bought old African tribal artifacts, read African wildlife and travel books and watched and recorded every African wildlife video that appeared on the television. Steve retired from the Police in 1998 after 27 years service and Anna resigned at the same time after 17 years service. They then moved to Zambia to set up their lifetime dream of establishing a conservation education programme for local children in a wildlife-community conflict area.
The Luangwa Valley is their permanent home and all the projects they now run have become an integral part of their lives.
Anna and her husband Steve Tolan are the founders of a small dynamic conservation education organisation in the South Luangwa Valley, Zambia, Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust.
Their organisation is this year's recipient for the Creating for Conservation Exhibition's fundraise, they will receive 100% of proceeds. Anna Tolan is *travelling from Mfuwe, South Luangwa in Zambia to Adelaide to meet with Pulteney Grammar School to discuss the **International Conservation Education Exchange.
Anna will open the Creating for Conservation Exhibition in Adelaide on 2 November and is the special guest at "An Evening with Anna Tolan" a fundraising dinner by Painted Dog Conservation inc (Perth) on 3 November.
About Anna and Steve Tolan
Co-Founders and Directors
Steve and Anna Tolan were married in 1983 and lived in Oxford, England until they emigrated in 1998. Before moving to Zambia they were both Police Officers with the Thames Valley Police but in their private lives Africa was their passion. They went on African safaris, bought old African tribal artifacts, read African wildlife and travel books and watched and recorded every African wildlife video that appeared on the television. Steve retired from the Police in 1998 after 27 years service and Anna resigned at the same time after 17 years service. They then moved to Zambia to set up their lifetime dream of establishing a conservation education programme for local children in a wildlife-community conflict area.
The Luangwa Valley is their permanent home and all the projects they now run have become an integral part of their lives.
About Anna
Anna has a
B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the 1970s and is pleased to be at long last
able to put her life long interest to good use. She has developed her interest
in and love of animals by rearing orphaned wild animals that are brought to her
from all over the area. She runs a Pupil Sponsorship Scheme for orphaned and
otherwise vulnerable children who are unable to find the fees and uniform
necessary to attend school. She has also managed a large number of school
improvement projects using donated funds. She is the founder and co-ordinator
of the Luangwa Schools Project Forum and the founder and co-ordinator of the
South Luangwa Eco Awards.
About Steve
Steve is now
actively involved in anti-poaching work in the area working with both the
Zambian Wildlife Authority and the South Luangwa Conservation Society (SLCS).
He is an Honorary Wildlife Police Officer and an Honorary Forestry Officer.
Chipembele holds a seat on the Board of Trustees of SLCS and Anna is Secretary.
Steve and Anna are also Consular Wardens for the British High Commission.
Steve's particular interest is researching fossils, old pottery, stone tools
etc. in the area. He has made a number of important discoveries and has
inspired and facilitated a number of international palaeontological expeditions
which the Zambia Heritage Department has participated in.
Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust
Beneficiary C4C Fundraising 2012
Anna says she feels honoured that Creating for Conservation committee has chosen Chipembele as this year’s recipient of its fundraising effort.
Beneficiary C4C Fundraising 2012
Anna says she feels honoured that Creating for Conservation committee has chosen Chipembele as this year’s recipient of its fundraising effort.
“It really is all about the children and their future. The South Luangwa Valley is a world-renowned tourist destination and we are working to conserve the area for the economic benefits it brings to the local people and for current and future generations.
The children we teach today are the decisions makers of the future, they will be the farmers, the district government officials, the wildlife officers. By teaching them the value of their wildlife and assisting them to gain employment in the area we secure their future and the future of this area”.The monies raised will be used in part to bring 10 Chipembele Conservation Club students to Adelaide as part of an innovative **International Conservation Education Exchange.
View on youtube here: http://youtu.be/L2dm0UNiH20
Chipembele's Work
Conservation Education
Chipembele's comprehensive and inspiring conservation education programmes create a new meaning and value to wildlife and the environment for local children and young people. Their hope is that these programmes encourage the young people of the area to be active conservationists and empower them to make the changes that are necessary to sustain livelihoods, conserve wildlife and protect the natural environment long into the future.
Wildlife Rehabilitation
They run a small wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre and have over the years rescued many orphans and injured animals, nursing them to health or adulthood and releasing them to the wild.
Pupil Sponsorship Scheme
Chipembele runs a Pupil Sponsorship Scheme for orphaned and vulnerable students from primary through to tertiary level.
Schools Improvement Schemes
Chipembele has been assisting local Government schools since 1998 and has carried out a wide range of improvement projects.
Environmental Protection
Chipembele has a seat on the Board of Trustees of South Luangwa Conservation Society (SLCS) and Anna is the Secretary. SLCS is a local conservation organisation that supports anti-poaching, darting and treatment of snared or otherwise injured animals, community conservation projects, etc. Steve is also an Honorary Wildlife Police Officer and Honorary Forestry Officer, and is active in wildlife and habitat protection.
Scientific Research
Chipembele has made close ties and links with many scientific research organisations, teams and individuals from all over the world. Help is offered to them through logistical support and practical advice for scientific, archaeological and palaeontological research in the area.
Read More About Chipembele here
* Annas airfares and all accommodation have been provided by benefactors. No funds from Chipembele have been used in the trip to Australia.
**More details about International Conservation Education Exchange are included in the biography and information provided here C4C People: Emma Still
