In South Africa we have 4% of the total land mass put aside for game reserves and nature reserves. This may seem to be adequate, however is far from what is actually required, resulting in decline in the population of wildlife.
The game reserves and nature reserves are reliant in most part from subsidization from the government and entrance fees. These funds not being near enough what is required to sustain them.
Initially starting of doing wildlife photography, I came face to face with the plight that the game reserves and nature reserves are facing on a daily basis.
I decided to aid them in the raising of funds, using my photography and passion for Africa and its wildlife I embarked on a mission to create two books per park. One being a more informative tourists hand guide to the park, a must have "visitors bible" of the park. The other a photographic journey through the park. The books will be available at the game reserves and nature reserves, online on my website, and through most book store outlets.
I aim to raise funds through the following avenues;
Safaris and Tours to the game reserves while I am busy with my project. The Safaris and Tours give other people the opportunity to experience the African bush first hand and experience what I do on a daily basis. The funds generated from the Safaris and Tours go towards the project for the books and a substantial percentage goes directly to wildlife and nature conservation in Africa
I am also listed on the “Patreon” website, (https://www.patreon.com/StephenStampPhotography) through which I aim to raise additional funds from patrons pledges,
Through the books that I am creating and publishing for the reserves
A select number of the photographs that appear in the books will be available on auction, as limited edition prints, when the books are launched. These will functions to be held at the reserves. For interested parties that are not able to be at the launch event, the photographs will also be available to online bids
Corporate sponsors from across the world
The funding received from patreon will aid towards;
the monthly running costs to be able to travel to the game reserves and nature reserves and spend the required amount of time there to obtain the material to produce the books
camera equipment and transport
a portion of the funds raised from Patreon will go directly towards wildlife conservation
What do I give in return;
I donate all my time towards this project to ensure that these books become a reality for the game reserves and nature reserves
there are numerous rewards offered to my patrons, from framed limited editions photographs or copies of the books to a chance to go on safaris with me to one of the game reserves or nature reserves that will be the focus of a book, this is just to name a few of the rewards.
The final goal;
the efforts put in by myself and all of my patrons will result in the books becoming a reality. Once these books have been published these will in turn become a source of sustainable revenue for the game reserves or nature reserves aiding them in the conservation of the wildlife and the reserves
I thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully you choose to support me in my efforts.