Disney Conservation Grant for BRC

Batumi Raptor Count (BRC) has been awarded a $23,400 grant  from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF). The conservation grant recognizes BRC’s efforts to protect migratory birds of prey at the globally important Batumi bottleneck. This approval was facilitated by our U.S. based partner, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association.

“We feel grateful and honored to receive significant support from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. This funding will allow us to take a major step forward in our conservation work at Batumi, and will consolidate the great achievements made by our volunteers since the start of the counts in 2008,” said Brecht Verhelst, Treasurer of BRC.

BRC has developed an innovative approach to community-based conservation of migratory raptors, based on involvement of local people, ecotourism and education. DWCF’s support will be used to conduct research into the effectiveness of these programs in reducing the threat of illegal hunting, and to support on-going activities.

The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund works to protect species and habitats, and connect kids to nature to help develop lifelong conservation values. Since its founding in 1995, DWCF has supported more than 1,000 conservation programs in 112 countries.