Johannesburg, South Africa—In recognition of Earth Day, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and African Parks are shining a light on the role effectively managed Protected Areas play in preserving biodiversity and in delivering life-altering benefits to local communities.

In a special re-release of the African Parks video Hope Starts Here”, The Duke of Sussex highlights the importance of adequately resourcing National Parks and Protected Areas so they can deliver essential services like clean air and water, food security, carbon sequestration, jobs, education, and healthcare. Since 2017, Prince Harry has served as the President of African Parks, a conservation NGO which manages 19 parks in 11 countries on behalf of governments and communities across Africa.

“As we now begin to move towards an era of global recovery and regeneration, it’s critical that we continue to look at the strengthening and protecting of biodiversity, not just as a value we hold—but as a responsibility that is vital to our way of life,” said Prince Harry, President of African Parks. “On this Earth Day, I reflect on generations of conservation champions, including my late grandfather, and feel proud and energised to continue doing my part in this legacy. This year especially, I join the incredible African Parks team and communities around the world in shared dedication to our environment and collective wellbeing.”

In 2000 African Parks pioneered an effective Public-Private Partnership model for protected area management, and today they are responsible for managing nearly 15 million hectares, the largest amount of area being conserved by any one NGO on the continent.

“While we created African Parks 20 years ago to address the challenge of failing protected areas in Africa, today we see these effectively managed landscapes helping to address some of the most pressing challenges of our times, including climate change, pandemics, security and human wellbeing,” said Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks. “Alongside the dedication and commitment of Prince Harry, and with our transformational funders and all our Government partners, we are realising the value of these wild areas by ensuring that the people who live within or around them truly benefit from them being conserved. It is a sure way forward in helping to create a sustainable future for local communities, and for our planet.”

Prince Harry has worked with African Parks since 2016 where he helped them complete their historic 500 Elephant translocation in Malawi, and is currently assisting the organisation to grow to 30 parks under management by 2030.

To download the “Hope Starts Here” video, please click here. Please ensure to credit the video to African Parks.

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About African Parks

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. They currently manage 19 parks in 11 countries including Malawi, Zambia, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Chad, with the goal of managing 30 parks by 2030. Please visit www.africanparks.org to learn more; or follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Watch: Hope Starts Here