Our Mission
Our mission is to enhance the management of ‘forgotten’ National Parks and Protected Areas in partnership with governments and local communities and to empower people to protect wildlife and wilderness around the world.
Our Vision
A world where National Parks, biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are valued and protected as an integral part of the lives and well-being of a global society.
Where we work
We work in ‘forgotten’ National parks and Protected Areas in Africa. The National Parks we support are large wilderness areas with high levels of biodiversity, they are largely unknown or forgotten, and suffer inadequate support to ensure their long-term protection. We also consult and deliver technical capabilities to partner conservation organisations throughout Africa.
Management
Establishment of modern management systems in Forgotten Parks based on international standards. Management support may include: management systems, park planning, park performance monitoring, infrastructure, human resources, administration, accounting, and communications.
Research & Monitoring
Development and implementation of a wildlife-monitoring program. Special projects include wildlife re-introductions, invasive species control, and wildlife habituation.
Technical Capability Development
The implementation of various technologies is essential to the Foundation’s approach to achieving mission success and delivering tangible conservation outcomes. In order to implement and support these technologies, FPF has established its own communications and technical surveillance section known as the FPF Technical Support Unit.
What We Do
Protection & Law Enforcement
Design & implementation of appropriate protection strategies in response to threats and needs. Support may include: ranger training, operations & deployment; equipment, vehicles & rations; rapid reaction anti-poaching units, intelligence and investigation units, K-9 units, & aerial surveillance capacity.
Tourism Development
Assessment, design and development of park-based tourism activities, including products, infrastructure, permits, protocols, park fees, best practices, community engagement, and resource management.
One Health
One Health recognises that the health of people is connected to the health of animals & the environment. It is a collaborative, multisectoral, & transdisciplinary approach—working at the local, regional, national, and global levels—with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognising the interconnection between people, animals, plants, & their shared environment.
Sustainable Financing
Development of sustainable financing mechanisms through the creation of partnerships with the private sector, high net-worth individuals, and bi-lateral donors. Support may include the formation of specific park-based alliances, fundraising initiatives, and the development of a trust fund.
Community Conservation
Establishment of revenue-sharing mechanisms & implementation of special development projects that improve the livelihoods of local communities and contribute positively to the sustainable development of the region.
Board of Directors
Robert Muir
Director of Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks Complex
Founding member and Director of the Forgotten Parks Foundation, Robert has 15 years’ experience supporting protected area management and leadership in Africa, most of this in DRC, including 12 years working at Congo’s world-famous Virunga National Park. In 2018, the Congolese Institute for Conservation and Nature (ICCN) appointed Robert as ICCN Provincial Director in Greater Katanga, as well as Chief Park Warden of Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks. Robert holds a Masters in Science degree in Conservation Biology.
Kevin Marriott
Director Forgotten Parks Foundation USA
Founding member and Technical Director of the Forgotten Parks Foundation, Kevin leads on the design and installation of conservation technologies focussed around digital telecommunication and surveillance systems. He also manages the Foundation’s US office and Technical Support Unit (TSU), which assists partner conservation organisations by developing technical capability and conducts research and development of conservation technologies for the benefit of all. Kevin is also studying part-time for a Masters in Science degree program in Wildlife Biology and Conservation and is due to graduate in 2020.
Elizabeth Marriott
Medical Director
As the Medical Director, Liz is responsible for the development of medical capabilities on behalf of the Foundation. Liz is a specialist ICU/ trauma nurse (RN) trained in the US. She is the Founder and CEO of Serqet Medical Solutions (http://serqetmedical.ngo/), a US registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, providing healthcare services to wildlife conservation areas, including medical equipment, supplies, training to those who protect endangered wildlife in high-risk zones, and assisting in providing medical care and capability to local, rural communities. Their Med4Rangers project provides essential medical kits and trauma training to wildlife protection rangers. Liz works with Congolese health workers and leads the development of our ‘One Health’ initiative to strengthen the medical response capacity within Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks, including the implementation of a ‘One Health’ electronic medical record system and mobile community health clinics.
Senior Management
Robert Muir
Director of Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks Complex
Founding member and Director of the Forgotten Parks Foundation, Robert has 15 years’ experience supporting protected area management and leadership in Africa, most of this in DRC, including 12 years working at Congo’s world-famous Virunga National Park. In 2018, the Congolese Institute for Conservation and Nature (ICCN) appointed Robert as ICCN Provincial Director in Greater Katanga, as well as Chief Park Warden of Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks. Robert holds a Masters in Science degree in Conservation Biology.
Kevin Marriott
Director Forgotten Parks Foundation USA
Founding member and Technical Director of the Forgotten Parks Foundation, Kevin leads on the design and installation of conservation technologies focussed around digital telecommunication and surveillance systems. He also manages the Foundation’s US office and Technical Support Unit (TSU), which assists partner conservation organisations by developing technical capability and conducts research and development of conservation technologies for the benefit of all. Kevin is also studying part-time for a Masters in Science degree program in Wildlife Biology and Conservation and is due to graduate in 2020.
Elizabeth Marriott
Medical Director
As the Medical Director, Liz is responsible for the development of medical capabilities on behalf of the Foundation. Liz is a specialist ICU/ trauma nurse (RN) trained in the US. She is the Founder and CEO of Serqet Medical Solutions (http://serqetmedical.ngo/), a US registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, providing healthcare services to wildlife conservation areas, including medical equipment, supplies, training to those who protect endangered wildlife in high-risk zones, and assisting in providing medical care and capability to local, rural communities. Their Med4Rangers project provides essential medical kits and trauma training to wildlife protection rangers. Liz works with Congolese health workers and leads the development of our ‘One Health’ initiative to strengthen the medical response capacity within Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks, including the implementation of a ‘One Health’ electronic medical record system and mobile community health clinics.
Senior Park Staff
Colonel Rodrigue Katembo
Deputy Chief Park Warden of Upemba & Kundelungu National Parks and Head of Law Enforcement. Colonel Rodrigue Katembo is a recipient of the Goldman Prize for Conservation in Africa (2017) for his work exposing illegal oil exploration by British firm SOCO International in Virunga National Park, forcing them to abandon their plans. He was transferred to Upemba National Park in 2015. Rodrigue holds a Masters degree in Biology.
Robert Muir
Director of Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks Complex
Founding member and Director of the Forgotten Parks Foundation, Robert has 15 years’ experience supporting protected area management and leadership in Africa, most of this in DRC, including 12 years working at Congo’s world-famous Virunga National Park. In 2018, the Congolese Institute for Conservation and Nature (ICCN) appointed Robert as ICCN Provincial Director in Greater Katanga, as well as Chief Park Warden of Upemba and Kundelungu National Parks. Robert holds a Masters in Science degree in Conservation Biology.
Robert Craig
Primarily based at Lusinga HQ, within Upemba National Park, Rob Craig is employed as a Technical Advisor, working on behalf of FPF. He supports the development of strategies, proposals, plans and partnerships for the rehabilitation and development of Upemba & Kundelungu National Parks. He joins the Foundation after spending eight years with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) serving as Chief of Party to major USAID grants in South Sudan and Mozambique. Rob holds a Masters degree in Environment and Development and we are very lucky and appreciative to have him on our team!
Volunteers 2019-2020
We are truly grateful to all of our volunteers
Soraya Kishtwari - Head of Communications and Visibility since 2018
Jennifer DeRome - Communications Volunteer since 2017
Julia Kepp - Anthropology & Ecotourism Volunteer Aug 2019