A&K Philanthropy

Since 1982, when Jorie Butler Kent and Geoffrey Kent first established Friends of Conservation (FOC) in response to pressing needs in East Africa, A&K has been deeply involved in initiatives that support and assist local peoples, environments and ecosystems.

A&K Philanthropy (AKP) has continued core support to FOC, enabling it to make a positive difference for biodiversity and people in the Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem in Kenya, one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically important regions of the world.

As the new millennium approached, AKP support spread to local projects on all seven continents, to assist people in various regions of the world to preserve the unique qualities of their habitats and environment. A&K built on this commitment with the launch of the A&K Climate Change Challenge, an effort to educate the public about the threat posed by global warming and in partnership with FOC directly assist efforts that stem climate change and support research to monitor temperature change in fragile environments.

In 2008, A&K Philanthropy worldwide has raised over US$340,000 for the Nargis Cyclone devastated Myanmar. A&K Myanmar staff personally distributed aid on behalf of the group. Furthermore, A&K is planting more than 30,000 trees worldwide (2,300 in Australia) in 2008 through the Climate Change Challenge.

New and exciting local projects for AKP include:

Daintree Rainforest: Daintree Rainforest: Sir Nicholas Stern stated '18% to 25% of annual greenhouse gas emissions are caused by deforestation and burning of the Earth's tropical rainforests.' AKP, together with Rainforest Rescue are committed to protecting our precious rainforests forever. AKP is partnering with Rainforest Rescue to buy back approximately 1600 square metres of rainforest land near the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest. Click here for more information.


Kiwi Encounter: The kiwi population in New Zealand halves every 10 years and without human intervention the survival rate in the wild is only 5%. The very characteristics that make the kiwi so endearing are its downfall in its fight for survival. AKP, in conjunction with Kiwi Encounter are helping to conserve and protect these delicate birds. Click here for more information.