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 on community- and conservation-focused projects with a number of organizations, including the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, the African Wildlife Foundation, the Nicholas Institute for the Environment at Duke University, Engineers Without Borders-ASU Chapter, Debark University, Addis Ababa University, and the Addis Ababa Institute of Technology.

Plastic to Profits

We are currently working with the Arizona State University Chapter of Engineers Without Borders to build a small-scale plastic recycling workshop at Debark University that will create an alternate revenue stream using plastic waste generated by tourists while providing hands-on engineering and ecotourism project experience to students at ASU, Debark University, and the Addis Ababa Institute of Technology. This work is done with funding from the Beagle Charitable Foundation, ASU-Engineers Without Borders, and grassroots campaigns. See here for more details.

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.

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.
  • Students at the Simien Lodge Conservation Camp