The Turing Foundation - Nature Conservation

The Turing Foundation seeks to promote and encourage a sustainable and respectful relationship with nature.

Respect is in the interest of nature itself. Sustainability ensures that the needs of present generations can be met, without reducing the possibilities of future generations to fulfil theirs.

In trying to achieve these aims, the Turing Foundation limits its scope to the following two areas:

The protection and sustainable management of the nurseries of the sea in developing countries, the areas in seas and along coasts that have the highest concentration of life and biodiversity. The Coral Triangle Initiative deserves special mention here;
Sustainable organic agriculture and cattle breeding in the following developing countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, D.R. Congo, Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, en Togo,

More information on submitting an application related to one of these fields can be found in our application procedures.

Most recent projects:

January 2012	Lubombo Transfrontier Marine Protected Area, Mozambique/Zuid-Afrika, 2012 The Peace Parks Foundation dedicates itself to nature reserves located at countries' border regions, and... more	November 2011	Reforestation and sustainable management of ecosystems in the Kwilu district, D.R. Congo, 2011-2013 CDI Bwamanda is a Belgian NGO dedicated to education and sustainable agriculture... more
November 2011	Sustainable conservation and food security for 20 villages, Région Maritime, Togo 2011-2014 In 20 villages in the very poor southeast of Togo, 4.000 farmers are trained in organic farming and... more	November 2011	Communal management of grazing land and forest restoration in Ségou, Mali, 2011 The agricultural region Ségou frequently suffers from food shortages caused by the exhaustion of... more
November 2011	Protection of natural resources in Timbuktu, Mali, 2011 In ten villages in the Timbuktu region primarily women will be trained in organic market gardening and small livestock... more	November 2011	Sustainable management of the forest of Koubaye, Mali, 2011 This project aims to protect and restore 7,700 km2 of forest by making environmental agreements between the authorities... more
July 2011	NGO capability and community involvement, Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, 2011 In Mauritania, local NGOs are trained and alternative sources of income for the local community are created... more	July 2011	Sustainable development of Mangrove areas, Aguégués Commune, Benin, 2011-2013 Care International is an international aid agency. This project wants to enable structural coastal... more
July 2011	Seafood Savers Platform for Sustainable Tuna and Live Reef Fish, Coral Triangle, 2011-2012 We're approaching the final phase of our support of the Coral Triangle Initiativethrough... more	July 2011	Carbon footprint reduction and Protection of Critical Reefs, Coral triangle, 2011-2012 We're approaching the final phase of our support of the Coral Triangle Initiative through the... more

The Coral Triangle Initiative

Seafood Savers Platform for Sustainable Tuna and Live Reef Fish, Coral Triangle, 2011-2012
We're approaching the final phase of our support of the Coral Triangle Initiativethrough the World Wildlife Fund. One of the final projects is the setting up of a platform for sustainable tuna fishing. The yet to be founded 'Seafood Savers Platform' will bring together all important players in the field: fisheries, buyers, and retailers. The project also wants to generate a greater demand for sustainable fish products from WWF's small-scale field projects.

In total, the Turing Foundation will be donating €300,000 to this initiative.

Fishing with dynamite, Coral Triangle

Carbon footprint reduction and Protection of Critical Reefs, Coral triangle, 2011-2012
We're approaching the final phase of our support of the Coral Triangle Initiative through the World Wildlife Fund. One of the final projects concerns the CO2-reduction and preservation of critical coral reefs. Within the Coral Triangle, the creation of Marine Protected Areas is not developing fast enough for the urgent need for breeding areas for fish and other life forms inhabiting and surrounding the coral reefs. Especially 'no-take zones', areas in which a total fishing ban is in effect, are a long time coming, although nature-preservation results and fishermen's fish stock in neighbouring areas are spectacular. It's why we've decided to do an extra investment for the project's final phase.

In total, the Turing Foundation will be donating €300,000 to this initiative.

Bleached Coral Reefs, Coral Triangle

Sustainable Finance for Networks of Marine Protected Areas, Coral Triangle, 2007-2012
The World Wildlife Federation is establishing a foundation for the identification and management of protected marine areas in the Coral Triangle, which consist of 50,000 km2 of coral reefs, 50,000 km2 of mangrove forests, and breeding grounds and migration routes of important fish species in 500,000 km2 of open water.

The foundation helps to bridge budget gaps, until the local governments have their financial situations in order. The foundation is also able to offer immediate help should there be urgent needs in the protected areas.

The Turing Foundation will contribute €600,000 to this foundation.

A 1.5 metre Napoleon fish. These special coral fish are captured alive and then kept in the aquaria of very chic restaurants. Sometimes ten thousand square metres of coral are poisoned by cyanide to stun just one fish, after which the divers haul the stunned animal up between the coral into a mobile aquarium.

Managing Tuna nurseries and bycatch, Coral Triangle, 2007-2011
Tuna fishing yields food and income for tens of millions of people living in the Coral Triangle. Besides, tuna plays a crucial role in the ecology of the coral reefs.

The governments in the Coral Triangle acknowledge that their fishing areas can be continuous sources of food and income, as long as they are managed in the right way. Therefore, they have laid down laws for the sustainable use of these areas. However, structural overfishing has been taking place during the past twenty years.

The World Wildlife Federation, together with the business community and the government, will design strategies and solutions to prevent the loss of tuna production in the Coral Triangle. The Turing Foundation will donate € 650,000 to this initiative, which will run until 2011.

Managing Tuna nurseries and bycatch

Live Reef Fish Trade Transformation, Coral Triangle, 2007-2012
This World Wildlife Federation programme intends to achieve a recovery of the diverse fish population in the Coral Triangle, and a reduction of destructive fishing methods (such as dynamite fishing). One of the actions is the establishment of a Trade Association in the fishing industry (especially in Hong Kong) to promote sensible trade in the species of fish concerned. Simultaneously, plans will be made to encourage consumers to buy only fish that has been MSC certified.

The Turing Foundation will contribute € 300,000 to the programme, which will run until 2012.

Analysis of Live Reef Fish Trade routes in the Coral Triangle

Protecting Endangered Turtles, Coral Triangle, 2007-2011
Six out of the seven species of sea turtles we have on this earth live in the Coral Triangle. The animals are threatened most by the accidental bycatch of fishermen and by the loss of breeding habitat along the coasts. These majestic animals do not only play a principle role in the tourist industry; they also have an important symbolic meaning in initiatives and fundraising related to the protection of the Coral Triangle.

The main purpose of this World Wildlife Federation project is to make certain that half of all migration routes, feeding areas and breeding habitats of sea turtles have a protected status by 2011. Moreover, WWF intends to halve the fishery bycatch of turtles, for example by distributing more than 300,000 circle hooks among the fisher fleet for the prevention of bycatch.

The Turing Foundation will contribute € 250,000 to this project.

Protecting Endangered Turtles

Responding to Climate Change through reduction of Tourism and travel footprint, Coral Triangle, 2007-2011
Global warming is bad for coral reefs - the corals will bleach, lose all their colour and eventually die. This is at the expense of marine life; it will limit fishing opportunities and reduce opportunities for tourism (which is an important source of income and an important stimulus for the protection of the corals).

The World Wildlife Federation believes it is possible to help the coral reefs in the Coral Triangle by avoiding any further negative impact of climate change, by reducing other disturbing effects on their health (such as polluting industries, tourism and fishing).

The Turing Foundation will contribute € 600,000 to this initiative, which will run until 2011.

Responding to Climate Change through reduction of Tourism and travel footprint

Nurseries of the sea

Lubombo Transfrontier Marine Protected Area, Mozambique/Zuid-Afrika, 2012
The Peace Parks Foundation dedicates itself to nature reserves located at countries' border regions, and strives for sustainable economic development, biodiversity, peace and stability in those regions. Ultimate responsibility for the parks lies with the respective countries. The Lubombo Transfrontier Park is located at the border of Mozambique and South Africa's coastal region. It holds a wealth of coral reefs, wetlands, whales and tortoises and as a result, it has great touristic potential.

On July 14, 2009, thanks to the efforts of the Peace Parks Foundation and the Turing Foundation's contribution, Lubombo became the very first cross-border Marine Protected Area confirmed by both Mozambique and South Africa governments. The park's touristic development is currently being worked on. It is important to act fast, so the park can be realized keeping in mind both sustainability and respect for nature. On top of that, the sea area needs to be protected from poachers and large fish trawlers. There are currently only 800 people living in the area, and they are entirely dependent on the sea. They will be trained in sustainable fishing methods, coastal protection and tourism.

The Turing Foundation contributes €635,000 (€70,000 of which in 2012) to the realization and preservation of this very first African Transfrontier Marine Protected Area.

17 May 2011: Official opening of the new Mozambique headquarters, financed by the Turing Foundation, with (among others, from left to right) Milou Halbesma (Turing), Mr. Fernando Sumbana (Minister for Tourism), Governor Maria Jonas, Werner Myburgh (CEO Peace Parks) and Miguel Gonsalvez (sea park manager).

NGO capability and community involvement, Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, 2011
In collaboration with the local community, FIBA (Fondation Internationale du Banc d'Arguin) is realizing a plan for the sustainable protection of West Africa´s most important breeding ground: Mauritania's 14,000-kilometer coastline. The area's importance has also been acknowledged by UNESCO and Ramsar. The project consists of training local NGOs and creating alternative sources of income for the community. The project is especially aimed at women, and providing nature education for the children of the park's eight villages.

The Turing Foundation will be donating €75,000 to the project.

Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania

more nature conservation projects...

Establishing Lubombo Transfrontier Marine Protected Area, Mozambique/Zuid-Afrika, 2009

Ecosystem Management for the Murciellagos Bay, Philippines, 2007-2009

Sustainable management of the biodiversity in the Lamit Bay, Philippines, 2007-2010

€3.000.000,- for the Coral Triangle Initiative 2007-2012

Dungonab Bay and Sanganeb Atoll Marine National Park, Sudan, 2007-2009

Sustainable organic agriculture and cattle breeding

Reforestation and sustainable management of ecosystems in the Kwilu district, D.R. Congo, 2011-2013
CDI Bwamanda is a Belgian NGO dedicated to education and sustainable agriculture in D.R. Congo. To lift the ecological pressure from the Kwilu district, restore the forests and structurally improve the soil quality, CDI introduces agro-forestry methods. For example, the hill ridges of 1,235 acres of heavily degraded savannah will be reforested, and 1,235 acres of oil palm trees will be planted in the valleys. In order to be able to carry out these plans, CDI will be working with 125 farmer organisations with a total of 20,000 members.

Until 2013, the Turing Foundation will contribute €25,000 per year to the project.

Reforestation result near Mampu, seen from the air

Sustainable conservation and food security for 20 villages, Région Maritime, Togo 2011-2014
The R.C. Het Maagdenhuis Foundation has been working with CREMA (Centre de Recherche et d'Essai de Modeles d'Autopromotion) in Togo since 2003. Now the project wants to start training 4,000 farmers in the very poor southeast of Togo how to use organic farming methods to improve the yield and storage of corn. On top of that, a 125-acre area will be reforested with a total of 125,000 trees and shrubs (macuna and cajanus cajan) that enrich the soil. The project facilitates extra capacity from CREMA itself and extra attention will be paid to land use by and land transfer to women. Eventually, nature will be restored and protected, and the life standard in 20 villages will be structurally improved.

The Turing Foundation contributed €33,000 to the project's pilotphase and will also finance the second phase based on those results.

From 2011-2014, the Turing Foundation will contribute €55,000 to the second part of the project, with the R.C. Het Maagdenhuis Foundation as co-financer.

Sustainable conservation and food security, Région Maritime, Togo

Communal management of grazing land and forest restoration in Ségou, Mali, 2011
The agricultural region Ségou frequently suffers from food shortages caused by the exhaustion of agricultural and grazing land. Forests are chopped down for fire wood and frequently disputes arise about the scarce wells and between nomadic herdsmen and landowners. In order to stop the advancing desert, this project teaches the local population to grow their own trees for replanting or for sale, wells are being dug for the livestock and trees are being planted, such as the baobab that is threatened with extinction. In order to restore the ecological balance, at least 50 hectares of forest are to be planted every year. In addition, members of the local authority and other people involved are trained in communal environmental management.

The Turing Foundation supports the Malian organisation ALPHALOG through the development organisation ICCO with € 110,000, of which €30.000 in 2011, the final year of the project. ALPHALOG collaborates with the Malian Turing partners OMAES, AMSS and GRAT.

Reforestation of desertified soil. Turing project visit, November 2010

Protection of natural resources in Timbuktu, Mali, 2011
In ten villages in the Timbuktu region primarily women will be trained in organic market gardening and small livestock farming and in the use of wood-saving ovens. One hundred of the poorest women in these villages will receive a micro credit for 2 goats, 1 male and one female, and seed to grow fodder for the animals. Two hectares of forest will be planted per village. To accomplish this, the villagers are provided with seed, and they are trained in growing trees for their own use and for sale. The establishment of an agreement on protecting the environment between various local authorities forms the basis of this project (Conventions Locales). This is even a resolutive condition for receiving this grant.

The Turing Foundation supports the Malian organisation AMSS through the development organisation ICCO with € 106,000 (€30.000 in the final year 2011). AMSS collaborates with the Malian Turing partners OMAES, ALPHALOG and GRAT.

Family garden, Turing project visit, November 2010

Sustainable management of the forest of Koubaye, Mali, 2011
This project aims to protect and restore 7,700 km2 of forest by making environmental agreements between the authorities of four local communities. Environmental education will be given to 8,000 adults and children. A thousand wood-saving ovens will distributed and village blacksmiths will be taught how to produce them. The local people will also be trained in growing trees, both for replanting in the forest and for sale. Women will be trained in organic market gardening (seed will also be made available) and livestock farming (micro credits will be given for goats, male and female). GRAT will also dig 15 wells.

The Turing Foundation supports the Malian organisation GRAT through the development organisation ICCO (a total sum of € 63,500). The project runs from 2009 until mid 2011. GRAT collaborates with the Malian Turing partners OMAES, ALPHALOG and AMSS.

Women using wood-saving ovens. Turing project visit, November 2010

Sustainable development of Mangrove areas, Aguégués Commune, Benin, 2011-2013
Care International is an international aid agency. This project wants to enable structural coastal management by protecting and replanting mangroves in the Vallée du Couffo and Vallée de Ouémé in Benin, where we're also working with the AQUADED organisation through IUCN NL. The ecological importance has recently been acknowledged by the Ramsar convention. An important part of the project concerns the establishment of food security and creating alternative income for a community that's entirely dependent on the mangrove forests and this coastal area.

From 2011-2013, the Turing Foundation will be donating €160,000 to this project.

Sustainable development of Mangrove areas, Aguégués Commune, Benin

Switch to sustainable cotton production, Mali, 2011-2012
Mali is the largest producer of cotton in Western Africa. Cotton is a good source of income, but it's extremely harmful to the environment. In a pilot phase, 4,000 farmers switched to sustainable cotton farming that meets the international "Better Cotton Criteria'. In the long run, this will prove enormously beneficial to nature. For the second phase, Solidaridad and local organisation AProCa want to have another 21,000 farmers make the switch to sustainable cotton production.

For the project's second phase, the Turing Foundation will contribute €50,000 for 2011, and another €50,000 for 2012.

Cotton farmer outside Fana, Mali

Reforestation, Burkina Faso, 2011-2012
The Burkina Faso desert is swiftly advancing. And due to logging for home use, the country loses 80,000 acres of forest every year. ChildFund and the local IDEES/ACG offers trainings for sustainable land use and alternative sources of income, and provides small wood-saving stoves made of clay. Moreover, in six village communities 'Community forests' will be planted, accompanied by agro-forestry trainings.

In 2011, the Turing Foundation will be donating €30,000 to the project, followed by another €25,000 in 2012.

Energy-efficient wood stove

Sustainable agriculture, Sissili Province, Burkina Faso, 2011-2013
In the poor province of Sissili, Woord en Daad and CREDO are training farm families to make their companies and farming techniques more sustainable. Organic manure will be implemented in their farming, 600,000 bushes will be planted, and walls will be built to prevent water loss and erosion. On a provincial level, agreements will be laid down with regards to conservation and distribution of available resources.

Through 2013, the Turing Foundation will be contributing €80,000 to the project (€30,000 of which in 2011).

Sustainable agriculture in Burkina Faso

Regreening Initiative, Niger, 2011
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, with three-quarters of its surface covered by desert and 85% of its population being entirely dependent on agriculture. Both Ends and the VU Centre for International Cooperation, in association with local organisation CRESA, want to help start the natural regeneration of 80 hectares of land by creating a 'green zone', and by doing so recover nature and improve local living standards. A total of 1,200 farmers and 60 technicians will be trained in afforestation and forest restoration, and 40 village committees will be supplied with necessary materials.

The Turing Foundation will donate a total amount of €118,000 to the project (€45.000 in 2011) that will run until the end of this year.

Regreening Initiative, Niger

Developing organic vegetable gardens and orchards - Séguénéga, Burkina Faso, 2011-2012
The Burkinan organisation ADECUSS will teach 300 women in the extremely poor and dry northern region of Burkina Faso modern market gardening and agricultural techniques (such as how to make compost and how to graft fruit trees) and sales techniques. This way the women can generate income and a sustainable investment is made in soil improvement and biodiversity in this region. A total of 2000 fruit trees will be planted, one well will be dug and three fenced organic vegetable gardens and orchards covering 1.5 hectares will be set up.

The Turing Foundation finances this project of the Burkinan organisation ADECUSS through IUCN NL (€ 33,000) from 2009 until its end in October 2012.

Orchard in Séguénéga, Turing project visit, November 2010

Sustainable manioc cultivation, Ingoré, Guinea Bissau, 2010-2012
Apart from rice, the most important food plants in Guinea-Bissau are manioc, beans and sorghum. Local organisation Acção para o Desenvolvimento promotes the sustainable production of these plants to help land improvement. Pesticides are being replaced by environmentally friendly pest and weed control methods, so nature - especially the important mangroves - can recuperate. A total of 160 farmers from eight villages will be trained in sustainable production. Upon completion of the project, the organisation wants a thousand farmers from 25 other villages to follow this example project.

Through IUCN, the Turing Foundation will donate a total of €44,000 to the project.

harvesting manioc (cassava)

Improved sustainable rice cultivation, Sangaréyah Bay, Guinée Bissau, 2010-2012
In Guinea-Bissau, local organisations ADEPAG and ODIL are collaborating to (re)introduce the sustainable cultivation of rice. Since the years of cheap, imported Asian rice are over, sustainable cultivation of rice is once again a good investment for farmers. Among other things, this project provides 50 hectares of new rice fields as well as trainings and education for engineers. Eventually, rice produce is supposed to increase to 200 tonnes and so generate a sixfold return on produce.

Through IUCN NL, the Turing Foundation will donate €66,000 to the project.

improved sustainable rice cultivation, Sangaréyah Bay, Guinée Bissau, 2010-2012

Sustainable soy cultivation around Lake Siré, Oueme, Benin, 2010-2012
Nature Tropicale focuses on the introduction and supervision of the sustainable cultivation of soy around Lake Siré in Oueme, Benin. A minimum of 50 women and 50 youngsters will be trained to cultivate soy as an alternative source of income to the cultivation of cotton, which is extremely environmentally unfriendly. By locally decreasing the pressure on nature, Lake Siré - host to manatees, for example - can be protected.

Through IUCN NL, the Turing Foundation will donate a total of €33,000 to the project.

Sustainable soy cultivation around Lake Siré, Oueme, Benin, 2010-2012

Sustainable fish production, Oueme river, Benin, 2010-2012
AquaDeD (Aquaculture et Développement Durable) is a young NGO from Benin which especially aims to further develop sustainable fishing in the flood plains of the Oueme river, a recognized nature reserve. The use of whedos - canals filling up during the rainy season, and in which fish remains - and the biological growth of fish feed contributes to the recovery of nature. By training 100 women in a more economical use of wood when smoking fish, this project also plays a role in the improvement of the daily social circumstances of these women.

The Turing Foundation finances this project via IUCN NL, donating € 33,000 from 2010 to 2012.

Sustainable fish production, Oueme river, Benin

Biological cultivation of red pepper, Igbodja region, Benin, 2010-2012
Since 1993, the Beninese organisation Action Plus is active in the fields of agriculture, environment and health care. This NGO is working on a biological agriculture training project for women in Central-East Benin, in the Igbodja region. The aim of the project is to protect the regional forests by using the right crops and production methods for their recovery. This method is called 'agroforestry'. The peppers are in great demand on the local market and can therefore be a welcome source of income for the women.

The Turing Foundation provides funding for this project via IUCN NL by donating € 33,000 between 2010 and 2012.

Biologische teelt van rode peper, Igbodja regio, Benin

Sustainable management of wetlands around Lake Doro, Mali, 2010-2011
The Malinese organisation DONKO aims to improve the sustainable management of Lake Doro and the adjacent tidal areas in the province of Kayes, in the most Western part of Mali. This area is both economically and biologically of great importance. The project area has 9500 inhabitants, living in 8 villages: farmers, cattle breeding nomads and fishermen. In the previous phase of the project several crucial arrangements have been successfully laid down in management agreements with the many users of this area (amongst whom fishermen, farmers, shepherds and foresters). Moreover, investments have been made in sustainable vegetable cultivation, and in more sustainable fishing and forestation methods. The next phase of this project focuses on a further development of alternative sources of income for 300 women by the creation of vegetable gardens, reforestation of 26 hectares of land and by increasing the environmental awareness in school children.

In 2010, the Turing Foundation provides funding for this project via IUCN NL, donating € 33,000.

Vegetable gardens near the wetlands around Lake Doro, Mali

Sustainable agriculture/forestry in the Missahoe Forest Reserve, Togo, 2010-2012
The local organisation Les Compagnons Ruraux works hard to recover the Missahoe forest reserve in Togo. Based on positive results of earlier forest recovery programmes, 7000 people of five villages will be involved in a project of 'analogous planting'. New plantings will have almost the same function as rain forests but will in part consist of economically interesting species, such as coffee, pepper trees and certain fruit trees. In the third phase of the project, which will last one more year, another 50,000 trees will be planted, 10 information campaigns will be launched, the production of cocoa - which has by now started - will be certified and 12 volunteers will be trained in forest fire fighting.

In 2010, the Turing Foundation provides funding for this project via IUCN NL, donating € 44,000. Earlier, the Turing Foundation financed the construction of two schools in this area.

Nursery of economically interesting trees for analogous reforestation, Missahoe Forest Reserve, Togo

Organic gardening and 'night paddocks', Cameroon, 2009-2011
Njamnjama is a vegetable similar to spinach. In Cameroon the traditional production of this vegetable has not been able to keep up with the huge demand. It grows extremely fast and can be grown all year round. Today the farmers increasingly use artificial fertilizers and pesticides for the production, causing water pollution and conflicts between villages. By training 150 women and 20 men, and by setting up 6 hectares of organic gardens, the Maingai AGRO-VET Group aims to introduce a tried and tested sustainable agricultural method in the northwest of Cameroon. In between the gardens there will be 'night paddocks', where the manure is collected to improve the soil. Eventually this project should lead to a fivefold increase in revenues.

The Turing Foundation finances this project that runs until 2011 through IUCN NL (€ 33,000). The Maingai AGRO-VET Group collaborates with ANCO, another partner in nature conservation of the Turing Foundation in this region.

Night Paddocks

Introduction of the organic production of 'Niebe', Burkina Faso, 2009-2012
The floodplains around Lake Darkoye in the northwest of Burkina Faso are in the poor Sahel region, where malnutrition and hunger are still prevalent. The farmers use traditional agricultural methods in combination with strong pesticides. As a result the scarce agricultural land and nature have become exhausted or even poisoned. This project trains 375 farmers in ten villages in the organic production of 'Niebe' (a native type of pulse with a high market value), it invests in storage silos and it teaches farmers sales techniques in order to structurally increase their revenues.

The Turing Foundation finances this project of the Burkinan organisation AGED through IUCN NL (€ 32,450). The project will run until August 2012.

Organic production of 'Niebe', Darkoye Meer, Burkina Faso

more nature conservation projects...

Sustainable conservation and food security, Région Maritime, Togo 2010

Ecological sustainability and the promotion of (small) livestock farming, Burkina Faso, 2010

Sustainable Agricultural Programmes, Burkina Faso 2009

Sustainable agriculture/forestry in the Missahoe Forest Reserve, Togo, 2007-2009