I'M GOING TO AFRICA!!!!

Going to Africa to do any kind of conservation work has alway been a dream of mine and that dream is finally coming true!

My friend and Equine Vet, Diana, founded the Veterinary Conservation Coalition 8 years ago and takes teams to volunteer at a reserve in the heart of South Africa's Northern Cape to take an active part in Rhino Conservation.

"Since 2008, when the free trade of rhino horn was made illegal, poaching has hit an all time high. Rhino horn is the highest paid commodity on the black market, going for upwards of $100,000 per kilogram. It has been the rhino who have paid the price. From 2008-2021, an average of 3 rhino were killed a day, resulting in a 95% decrease in their total population." "With their greatest value sitting prominantly on their face, the black market and poaching have made them worth more dead than alive." Learn more about the rhino conservation and Diana's organization at https://veterinaryconservationcoalition.com

I am honored to be able to take part in this trip and I am thrilled that I get to share this experience with the man who instilled in my the love of animals that I have, my Dad!!

On this trip, we will be at a bush camp, fully immersed in hands-on conservation efforts, working alongside at attending veterinarians....

-taking part in game drives

-antipoaching patrols

-camera traps

-reserve management education

-participate in the ground team for rhino horn trimming

-flight in an anti poaching aircraft

In addition to the main project which is the the Rhino conservation, we will also be participating in giraffe location and ID as well as vulture, wild dog and pangolin community projects.

And then, after all the work is done, We get to go on a THREE DAY SAFARI!!!

Even though this is a volunteer trip, it does have a pretty big cost, please consider sponsoring us with a donation to help cover the expenses.

Airfare, hotels, accommodations at the reserve, transfers to and from places plus the cost of the trimming project and other other conservations projects will cost around $7,000 a piece for Dad and I. (The cost of the Safari is not included in this total as that is a fun thing that are choosing to do.)

We will be leaving on August 28th and returning on Sept 11th. I can not wait to share pictures and stories from our trip with you all.

Any amount will help and thank you so much for considering sponsoring us!

*Any amount over the $14,000 needed for the trip will be donated directly to the Veterinary Conservation Coalition to help further the amazing work she does.