The Simien Mountains Gelada Research Project is committed to uplifting the communities with which we work and conserving the gelada’s endangered natural habitats. We collaborate widely on community- and conservation-focused projects, and started the Save the Simiens foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to protecting the wildlife of the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, to help us advance our community and conservation goals. 

Plastic to Profits

The Zelaki Project is working with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority and the African Wildlife Foundation to turn plastic bottle discarded in the SMNP into products that can be sold by local residents for profit. 

Community Clean-ups

Since 2017, we have partnered with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority to lead monthly community clean-ups of the Simien Mountains National Park. With generous funding from the Beagle Charitable Foundation and private donors, we provide stipends for local communities to come together and maintain the fragile ecosystems of the park. 

Save the Simiens Foundation

Outreach

Our field team regularly engages with tourists, journalists, guides, students, NGOs, and government officials in Ethiopia and the US to communicate our science and conservation work. Our team members have participated in Conservation Camps run by the Simien Lodge for students living in and around the national park, represented the SMGRP at the Ministry of Science and Technology in Addis Ababa, given presentations about gelada research and conservation on Ethiopian National Television, and done interactive outreach events with high school and university students in Ethiopia and the US.

Sofia Carrera at the Simien Lodge Conservation Camp
Eshete Jejaw at the Simien Lodge Conservation Camp
David Pappano and Shiferaw Asrat spoke to Addis Ababa high school students at the “Yes Youth Can! Conference” in April, 2011 about conserving Ethiopian biodiversity and promoting environmental stewardship.