[ad_1]
ABU DHABI, 18th May, 2023 (WAM) — The Emirates Foundation has announced a major partnership with the Emirates Nature Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the UAE’s natural heritage. Together, they will undertake a range of environmental volunteering activities aimed at empowering civil society and youth to make a lasting impact and create a world where people and nature thrive together.
These initiatives, in partnership with the Emirates Foundation’s Takatof programme, provide meaningful volunteering opportunities for UAE citizens and residents until November 2023. Around 400 Takatof volunteers will be involved in conservation and citizen science activities as leaders of the UAE Nature-WWF’s wider Transformative programme. This endeavor will broaden their understanding of the UAE’s diverse biodiversity and foster a genuine passion for the natural world. Importantly, each event will contribute to national conservation efforts and the fight against climate change, in line with the Year of Sustainable Development and the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai later this year.
Leaders of Change, the UAE’s pioneering civic mobilization campaign, inspires volunteers to bring about tangible change through training, ideation sessions and volunteer excursions. By engaging volunteers in nature-oriented programs and providing opportunities to explore wild spaces and encounter wildlife, the program aims to shift mindsets, empower individuals to create and implement solutions, and ultimately make a difference for people and the planet Change.
Ahmed Taleb Al Shamsi, Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Foundation, commented on the partnership and volunteering programme, saying: “Protecting the UAE’s precious environment has never been more important to individuals and communities. Each project will have far-reaching impact and Driving major change towards a more sustainable future.”
He further added: “With the UAE President declaring 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, we hope Takatof volunteers will inspire others and demonstrate the significant impact each individual can make in protecting our planet.”
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General, UAEWF, expressed her excitement for the collaboration and highlighted the active civil society doing for nature and conservation the importance of making a measurable contribution. She said: “By empowering everyone to create a positive impact, a green and sustainable future can be achieved for all. We are delighted to partner with the Takatof program of the Emirates Foundation to encourage more Emiratis to volunteer in nature for nature Leaders, volunteers through our Change conservation campaigns and field trips will discover the UAE’s rich natural heritage, gain insight into the science behind conservation efforts, and create meaningful impact for people and the planet.”
Volunteers are working on various projects such as the recent ‘Falaj Clearing and Revegetation’ project to document the biodiversity of Al Bithnah village in Fujairah and surrounding areas. More than 100 volunteers participated in the campaign to assess and address local threats to the environment by surveying and removing litter from traditional Faraj Canals and Natural Heritage Trails; visiting plant nurseries to learn about native species; contribute to the natural ecosystem of Gill Mountain.
Upcoming volunteer opportunities include:
• Conservation of Kayaks at Reem Central Park, Abu Dhabi on Sunday 17th September. On this guided kayak tour, volunteers will learn about the mangrove ecosystem, collect and remove litter, and geotagged data around young children to inform national policy on single-use plastics .
• “Protecting Our Pollinators” on Sunday 22 October in Wadi Naqab, Ras Al Khaimah. Native plants and insects such as bees and butterflies are critical to the health and function of ecosystems. As part of the campaign, volunteers will restore pollinator habitat and plant wildflowers and plants to create safe havens for these important insects.
• Trash Watchers at Qidfa, Fujairah on Saturday 18th November. Volunteers work towards the goals of #noplasticinnature by documenting litter found in natural spaces and geotagging it for safe disposal.
The Leaders of Change community has grown to over 3,000 members who contribute thousands of hours each year to protecting nature. Individuals and families are welcome to sign up for the annual membership program.
[ad_2]
Source link