FOC USA

Flying over the Masai Mara National Reserve in 1982, Friends of Conservation founder and Chairman Jorie Butler Kent noticed a distressing array of vehicle tracks weaving and crossing each other throughout the entire Reserve. That indelible impression brought into being 'Friends of the Masai Mara,' established that same year by Jorie Butler Kent and Geoffrey Kent to raise funds which would be used for projects designed to meet the immediate conservation needs of the Reserve as well as look toward concerns of the future. Efforts expanded into Tanzania and other parts of Africa, and in 1987 the organization changed its name to Friends of Conservation.

The first fund raising event took place in 1983 at the renowned Oak Brook Polo Club, and since that date FOC USA has held more than fifty major fund raising events throughout the United States. The highlight of FOC USA events, whether a benefit reception at polo or an elegant black-tie gala, is an educational wildlife presentation by naturalist Jim Fowler, whose knowledge of and respect for the 'wild kingdom' ever amazes and enthuses all in attendance. Fowler has served as a director of FOC in the USA since its inception, and his generosity and support continue unabated.

2003 will be the 13th year FOC USA President Reute Butler has chaired its annual fall black-tie gala in Chicago, The Conservation Ball, with support from Primary Sponsors Abercrombie & Kent and American Airlines. Tiffany & Co., Oak Brook has been host the past four years to FOC's annual spring benefit reception, and in 2002 Hermés Chicago held a fall reception in honor of Jorie Butler and Friends of Conservation. Fund raising events such as these contribute substantially to the organization's annual budget.

2002 marked FOC's 20th anniversary year. FOC remains one of the most effective, grassroots-based wildlife conservation organizations in East Africa, and is poised to achieve even greater success in the next 20 years.

In the United States, Friends of Conservation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization; your tax deductible contribution to assist FOC projects may be sent to: 1520 Kensington Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523 / phone: (630) 954-3388 email: mailto:info@friendsofconservation.org