Despite the seemingly endless conflict, Virunga is actually one of the great success stories in international conservation. That’s because the park has managed to increase protection of Virunga’s wildlife while also winning the hearts and minds of the communities living around the park. Virunga National Park has been able to garner community support because it has a policy of reinvesting a significant portion of its budget in local community projects. In recent years, the park has built a small-scale hydroelectric plant, numerous schools, and introduced efficient household cookstoves and sustainable fuels to the region. Of course, none of this would be possible without generous grants from international foundations and donors, as well as smaller donations from concerned citizens around the world. Saving Virunga National Park has been, and will continue to be, a global effort.

Original text: www.virungacrisis.org