Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association - RWCA

23/09/2026

We are thrilled to have just opened the Rugezi Community Centre, a space dedicated to 45 women in sewing and craft cooperatives near Rugezi Marsh.

The community centre gives the women’s cooperatives a workspace and showroom for their products. It also includes a coffee shop where visitors can stop, meet the community, and support locally made products.

For the women, this space means more opportunities to earn, grow their businesses, support their families, and build more secure livelihoods.

For Rugezi Marsh, it creates an opportunity for communities to thrive alongside the wetland while reducing pressure on its natural resources.

“We are grateful for the support that allows us to learn new skills instead of relying on the resources of Rugezi Marsh. Today, we choose not to destroy the marsh because we have learned that it is home to different species and is vital to the community around it" President of Miyove Sewing Women Cooperative.

21/09/2026

Join us in San Francisco, California, at the Wildlife Conservation Expo! Our team is meeting up with ’s global community of fellow conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts for the big event on October 10 ✨ Come celebrate wildlife wins with us, take deep dives into conservation stories, and share what it really takes to protect an endangered species. Get your tickets here: https://events.wcnexpo.org/en/6A2fTG6/2026-wildlife-conservation-expo-5a3tQh5Xh89/overview

18/09/2026

07/09/2026

Meet the Community Rangers protecting Rugezi Marsh.

They are on the ground every day, patrolling the marsh, monitoring wildlife, reporting threats, and helping communities understand the importance of protecting this precious ecosystem.

Their work may not always be seen, but it makes a difference every single day.

Now they are preparing for the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Challenge, which brings together rangers across Africa, raising awareness and support for those who dedicate their lives to protecting nature.

Last year, RWCA’s Rangers made us incredibly proud. Our men’s team took 1st place, while our women’s team secured 3rd place.

Now, our Rangers are getting ready to take on the challenge again. Will you stand with them?

Your donation can help support RWCA’s team of Rangers as they prepare for the Wildlife Ranger Challenge and continue protecting this incredible wetland.
https://wildlife.rangerchallenge.org/campaigns/rwanda-wildlife-conservation-association-2026

07/09/2026

A decade ago, fewer than 300 grey crowned cranes were thought to remain in Rwanda. This month, Tusk partner, Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association - RWCA, published the results of their 10th consecutive national crane census. The count: 1,438.

RWCA, has spent ten years building a conservation programme around the species. It runs a network of community conservation champions and community rangers who monitor breeding sites, report threats, and work with local communities to protect wetland habitats year-round.

The grey crowned crane is still classified as endangered. But RWCA's story shows what ten years of consistent, community-led conservation can do.

Learn more about RWCA here: https://tusk.org/projects/rwanda-wildlife-conservation-association/

07/09/2026

31/08/2026

The best way to protect nature is to help young people fall in love with it first.

That was the spirit of our recent BioBlitz activity with four of RWCA’s Youth Environmental Clubs around Rugezi Marsh.

Together with RWCA staff, 290 young people and their Youth Club Mentors stepped into nature to explore, observe, and document the incredible life surrounding them. From identifying plants and birds to searching for mammals, insects, and aquatic macro-invertebrates, every activity aimed to spark curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the nature that surrounds them.

The future of Rugezi Marsh and our natural world will rely on the children who grow up knowing that nature is worth caring for.

28/08/2026

We were thrilled to welcome the Bezos Earth Fund President and CEO, Tom Taylor and his team to Umusambi Village.

This visit provided a wonderful opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and showcase RWCA’s efforts to protect Rwanda’s wildlife and natural landscapes, as well as the impact we have achieved together over the past decade.

We also engaged in meaningful conversations about the next decade and how we can collaborate to build an even stronger future for Rwanda’s wildlife and its people.

25/08/2026

What a day at the Umusambi Gravel Race 2026!

It was amazing to see people from communities around Rugezi Marsh riding alongside amateur and professional cyclists, all coming together for one shared purpose: celebrating and protecting Rugezi Marsh.

Today, Rugezi Marsh is home to 378 Grey Crowned Cranes, more than one quarter of Rwanda’s entire crane population. This makes protecting the marsh more important than ever, not only for cranes but also for other species that depend on this vital wetland.

Throughout the race, our team shared conservation messages with more than 24,000 people, reminding communities why Rugezi Marsh is so important.

Thank you to everyone who rode, supported, cheered, and helped make this day special.

21/08/2026

From 300 Grey Crowned Cranes to 1,438 today. That recovery didn't happen on its own.

It happened because of Community Rangers on the ground, as well as our Community Conservation Champions, local communities, and people like YOU, who believed that change was possible, who supported conservation efforts, and who stood behind the dream of seeing Rwanda’s Grey Crowned Crane population rise again.

But the journey is not over. Grey Crowned Cranes are listed as Endangered globally and they still need our protection.

Stand with us to protect Grey Crowned Cranes and the wetlands they call home.

https://give.wildnet.org/campaign/805192/donate