Reflecting on 2018, I am proud of the progress we made together conserving and expanding natural habitats in Africa. Working alongside partners, supporters, guests, local communities and friends the Great Plains Conservation and the Great Plains Foundation made a real, tangible, lasting contribution to conservation in Africa. Together we made a difference.

When Beverly and I started down the road of conservation tourism, we were confident that it had the potential to change the world. Seeing what Great Plains Conservation and its Foundation has accomplished has confirmed this for us. By combining the transformative power of travel with solid, strategic conservation programs, a new field has been created; one that I am calling “experiential conservation”. It is through the experience of wild places that one understands the value and importance in protecting them and we are honored to have shared some of these wild places with many of you.

The impact of Great Plains Conservation and the Foundation is the sum of many parts; that of our dedicated supporters and guests, our incredible and committed staff, and the guidance and collaboration of local partners. Lasting conservation is only possible by thinking creatively and collaboratively... and 2018 demonstrated the power of both.

RHINOS WITHOUT BORDERS
Since Rhinos Without Borders launched, it has made remarkable progress in both achieving its goal of relocating 100 rhinos and establishing itself as a major player within the rhino conservation world.

2018 witnessed several significant milestones, including reaching the target of 87 rhino safely relocated and now our monitors count 22 Rhinos Without Borders calves! Both incredible successes, placing Rhinos Without Borders within rarefied air of rhino conservation programs. In addition, the project remains on track to meet its original goal of relocating 100 rhinos in less than five years.

The Rhinos Without Borders teams are exceptional; comprised of top experts in each of their respective fields and dedicated individuals. And while relocating rhinos has been a major focus of the project to date, the ultimate legacy is future generations of wild rhino. The protectors of that legacy are the Rhinos Without Borders Monitors. Their tireless commitment to safeguarding the relocated rhino ensures each individual animal is provided the best possible chance of establishing themselves in the wild.

In 2018 Rhinos Without Borders made significant investments in the security and monitoring aspects of the project; recognizing that as the 100 rhino goal approaches, the protection of these precious animals will continue to play an ever-increasing role.

Finally, Rhinos Without Borders is as critical today as it was when we first began. Poaching continues to threaten the very existence of wild rhino populations; making translocations some of the most effective means of conserving wild rhino populations. As we look to 2019 and beyond, Rhinos Without Borders remains dedicated to ensuring the very survival of wild rhino in Africa.

As we look ahead, it is these critical elements: creativity and collaboration that will allow us to protect more places and species; expanding the footprint of wild places for future generations. Thank you for joining us in this, as champions of conservation. There is indeed a bright future ahead.

Sincerly,