Conservation

Mission

Saving endangered species and wild places

Through Walter Conservation, the Walter family conserves rare species and wild places around the world. Efforts include improving the quality of life of individual animals, recovering rare species, restoring ecosystems and protecting wilderness areas. Thus far, their philanthropy supports important areas in North America and Africa. The Walter Conservation approach is to provide wildlife security and management, to collaborate with local residents and host-country governments and to invest in sustainable enterprises.

Walter Conservation Led and Supported Projects

 
Giraffes

White Oak

White Oak Conservation is a one-of-a-kind center in northeastern Florida, established in 1982 for the conservation and propagation of threatened and endangered species. With the Walters’ support, White Oak has expanded to 17,000 acres dedicated to the conservation and care of assurance populations for species including rhinoceros, okapi, bongos, Dama gazelles and cheetahs. In the United States, White Oak partners with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on species recovery and release efforts for Florida panthers, Florida grasshopper sparrows, Mississippi sandhill cranes and whooping cranes. White Oak has also returned American-born bongo, black rhino and roan to Africa, and is working towards restoring other rare species to their native countries.

Walter Conservation is eager to bring education and awareness to the next generation of conservationists through its world-class educational and training programs, in person and remotely. In 2019, more than 1,600 students visited White Oak and participated in education programming.

 
Zebra

Zimbabwe Project

In Zimbabwe, Walter Conservation supports wildlife on a property one-third the size of Yellowstone. From the 1900s to the 1990s, this area was composed of numerous individually fenced, privately owned cattle ranches.

In the midst of severe drought during the 1990s, the decision was made to re-introduce wild game to the area because they are locally adapted and more able to cope with the fluctuating rainfall and range conditions.

Since that time, internal fences were removed and numerous farms were joined into a vast area, totaling nearly 1,500 square miles. Here, the full set of indigenous herbivores has been re-introduced (including buffalo, gemsbok, giraffe, impala, kudu, sable, waterbuck, wildebeest, and zebra) and cattle have been removed. Lions were also re-introduced and the population in the area has now grown to be one of the largest populations remaining in Africa. Other animals returned on their own (including elephants) or rebounded from straggler populations that coexisted with cattle (including caracals, cheetah, brown hyenas, striped hyenas, and leopards). Black and white rhinos were also translocated onto the property from areas that were under threat of poaching or encroachment, and it is now a nationally important stronghold for both species.

The property is not only one of the healthiest and most productive ecosystems in Zimbabwe, but it is also one of the largest employers in southern Zimbabwe, with over 500 employees on the payroll. Because of the Walters’ support, employees now benefit from improved housing, higher salaries, and a food program. People living near the reserve benefit from extensive nutritional support, support to schools and village infrastructure (including medical and educational facilities, and water supplies). The property is also converting all its electrical and water infrastructure to solar power.

Namibia Projects

Ongava rhino

Ongava Game Reserve

Ongava Game Reserve is a 30,000 hectare private game reserve adjacent to Namibia’s vast Etosha National Park. Situated in a very arid region, it is a harsh but spectacular landscape. Ongava began its rebirth as a wildlife area in 1991, when several families purchased four unproductive cattle ranches and began restoring wildlife to the properties. 

Ongava is considered one of the finest private game reserves in the region, enjoying global recognition for exceptional conservation, ground breaking research and exciting safari adventures. Ongava is highly acclaimed for its wildlife, its visitor experience, and its programs to work with local Namibians to improve individual skills and overall quality of life in the neighboring communities.

The Walters became shareholders at Ongava in 2015 and have since supported the Reserve’s conservation activities.

African Wildlife Conservation Trust

The African Wildlife Conservation Trust (AWCT) is a Namibian trust founded in 2017 to support wildlife, especially rhinos, through the expansion of wildlife areas and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods. 

The Trust is undertaking an ambitious plan to reunite former rhino range into a Rhino Belt along the southern edge of Etosha National Park. If habitat, security, and wildlife are restored to this strip of farms bordering on Namibia’s most important rhino population, this land will serve the dual purpose of expanding range for wildlife and buffering the park from security threats and habitat encroachment.

By engaging experienced professionals in wildlife management and rhino protection, supporting local residents to embark on wildlife-based enterprises, and joining skilled partners and government agencies to bring opportunities to the region, it hopes to restore ecosystem health to these degraded and depleted areas and to improve economic prosperity and opportunities amongst the people who reside there.

Ongava Research Centre

Ongava Research Centre was established to conduct scientific research that can contribute to the health and well-being of southern Africa’s environment and people. With a significant contribution from the Walter family, new, state-of-the-art facilities were built in 2018-2019. These facilities now provide a hub for scientific activities and gatherings. 

Research thus far includes genetic studies of Ongava’s black and white rhinos to understand their relatedness, social relationships and genetic diversity; identification of individual giraffe, cheetah and leopards;  monitoring of large mammals on OGR; geomorphology of river catchments; and large-scale carnivore dynamics in the greater Etosha region.

ORC is developing partnerships with institutions, scientists and students, nationally and internationally. The Center aims to inspire and support Namibian students with strong interests in science, biology and conservation.

 
Penguins

Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately managed, member-supported nonprofit organization and is free and open 365 days a year.

 
Chimpanzees

Chimp Haven

At Chimp Haven, chimps retired from research experience the joys they would have enjoyed in the wild: climbing trees, living in large, bonded social groups, eating their favorite fruits, running, playing and exploring. Located outside Shreveport, Louisiana, on 200 acres of beautiful, forested sanctuary, Chimp Haven houses more than 300 chimpanzees, many of whom were used in biomedical research, entertainment and as pets.

Species Being Conserved

 

Apes

Cheetahs

Condors

Dama Gazelles 

Elephants

Florida Panthers 

Grasshopper Sparrows

Grizzlies

Lions

Mountain Bongos

Okapi

Pangolins

Rhinos

Slender Horned Gazelles

Tigers

Wolves

 

Rhino Images: Dr. Olwen Evans, Dana Allen | Ongava