Outreach & Conservation Awareness in Mongolia's Gobi Desert

Association GOVIIN KHULAN is the only non-profit organization solely committed to protect the threatened Mongolian khulan/wild ass. This NGO works in the south and southeastern regions of the Gobi Desert since 2008 in partnership with local protected areas' administration and rangers, and the local community's leaders of our study area. The Mongolian khulan is one of the sub-species of the Asiatic wild ass and currently inhabits the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. Mongolia hosts the largest population of the species.

The aim of our NGO is to enhance protection of the threatened Mongolian khulan, its habitat and other Gobi endangered species, though research, environmental education, professional capacity building of protected areas' rangers and specialists, involvement of local community's leaders in our conservation activities and local environmental awareness, and conservation tourism.

I am wildlife biologist and conservationist and also the co-founder of the conservation NGO "Association GOVIIN KHULAN". Besides that, I have been working as full-time Biology, Science and Environmental science teacher in different secondary schools in Ulaanbaatar for 6 years (Cambridge, IB and AP programs), and recently moved to a part-time teaching position.

I am collecting funds to develop professional capacity building of protected areas' rangers and specialists working in the Small Gobi protected areas located in the southern part of the Gobi Desert of Mongolia with which my NGO works since 2008, as well as training activities for some local community's leaders we work with.

Through this project I will develop a specific curriculum on:

Training activities will be conducted on-site using different learning methods and approaches including games and participative activities, as well as in the field and online. This proposed project on GoFundMe is part of a long-term training program as training activities and resources will be constently updated and adapted over the months and years. This training program is part of the Association GOVIIN KHULAN's conservation program in the Gobi Desert.

This project could lead to the creation of similar training programs to be implemented in other regions of the Gobi Desert.

The funds requested will cover the following expenses:

-Curriculum development, creation of learning resources and activities, knowledge assessments ...,

-Translation, graphic design and printing of resources,

-2 feld trips in the Gobi Desert to conduct on-site and in the field training activities, knowledge assessments and follow-up activities, as well as to set up camera traps in partnership with rangers and community leaders.

About one year ago, I started a similar online fundraising campaign during which 140 euros have been collected, but because I was very busy with my full-time teaching position and grants applications at this time I was unable to manage this fundraising campaign and bring it to a successful ending, but I kept the amount collected and it will be used to fund this project.

The total amount needed for this project is 6370 euros to which 1000 euros (including the 140 euros collected from a previous campaign) provided by GOVIIN KHULAN have been deducted. 3% of the GoFundMe commission have been added, that makes a total of 5530 euros.

By supporting this project, you will contribute to the long-term protection of the threatened Mongolian khulan, other endangered and threatened Gobi wild species and the Gobi Desert ecosystem, and you will help develop professional capacity building of rangers and empower the local community to protect Gobi species and their habitat.

Thanks a lot in advance for your support, and please spread the word !

If you have any question about this project before to send a donation, please feel free to contact me.