ABOUT MY TREK

HELLO FRIENDS!!!

I have some big news: I am doing a trek! The trek is in the desert! The desert is in Namibia! Namibia is in AFRICA!

Here are the important details:

The E.H.R.A. Desert Trek - Damaraland, Namibia

On October 3rd, 2009,  I will be embarking on a hike of 141 kilometers (that's 86.5 miles) through the Namib desert. The highly challenging route starts near the Ugab Wilderness Camp at the foothills of the Brandberg and leads through the sand dunes toward the Doros Crater. From there it swings west to Klein Gai-Ais and ends at the Ugab River. These regions are spectacularly beautiful and unique in their landscape and vegetation and are frequented by all sorts of rare and fascinating wildlife: oryx, ostrich, springbok, black rhino, mountain zebra, and, of course, the famed desert elephant. It will be an extraordinary learning experience, a stunning 7 day trek through one of the last wilderness areas in the world, something I have been looking forward to for a very long time. Most importantly, it will raise vital funds to help safeguard the seriously threatened desert elephant population in Damaraland.

The Organization: Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA)

EHRA is a Namibian-registered not-for--profit organization which aims to protect and create harmonious relationships between local subsistence farmers and the resident herds of desert elephants. Conflict arises around the scarcest of desert resources--water. This leads to elephants (often the breeding bulls) being shot, which spells disaster for a species that's just taken its first footsteps on the fragile road to recovery after years of hunting that has almost wiped out the entire population. From 2006 to 2008 over 22 male bull elephants were shot either as trophies or 'problem' animals. This resulted in only one breeding bull remaining in the area. Voortrekker, whose life was saved thanks to funds raised by EHRA's 2008 trekkers. Those funds enabled EHRA to purchase permits that would otherwise have been sold to trophy elephant hunters. To further resolve these problems EHRA is working closely with the government to ensure effective measures are in place to provide accurate data on elephant population numbers and movements. This will help ensure the survival of this amazing species. Instrumental to this is a GPS collaring program for all current and future bull elephants. Funds raised from these treks will enable EHRA to initiate the collaring program, starting, of course, with Voortrekker.

Sponsorship:

I have been working very hard to make this happen, but I need your help. My current fundraising goal for EHRA is a minimum of $1600 (this does not include airfare and required gear). But this is going to be soooo easy, because of YOU. Don't panic! Please give only what you can. If that's $5, great! If that's $100, great! A bazillion dollars--great too! Every little bit will help. I have one supporter who wants to buy me the sunhat I'll need for the trek. I have another supporter who gives me $1 each time she sees me and thinks of it--and it's adding up! How amazing would it be if my personal supporters raised enough to radio collar a bull elephant?!!!

This is such an incredible opportunity and you are incredible people! Please considr donating whatever you can. Checks may be made payable to me - Hazel Youngs - or to Elephant-Human Relations Aid. (I can get you a recepit with letterhead and the not-for-profit ID# if you'd like.) And if You would like to donate gear or supplies, let me know and I can give you a list of specific items I will need.

Thanks so much in advance for your support. Feel free to share this with anyone in your circle who may be interested. Please contact me with any questinos or if you'd just like to hear me blab and blab about how cool this organization is.

Thanks again,

Hazel

elephant.trekker@gmail.com