The Foundation
The Foundation was established in 2016 to help create, within Somaliland, opportunities for developing knowledge of the country’s biodiversity and its sustainable management. At that time, most knowledge about the country’s biodiversity came from foreigners, primarily because there was not, and never had been, an opportunity to gain the education needed in Somaliland. The Foundation is working to change that situation.
Somaliland's biodiversity
Somaliland is a “global biodiversity hotspot.” This means it has an unusually high number of species. Among these are many known only from Somaliland, some of which have not been seen for some time, others of which have become less common. Reasons include overuse, changes in land use, increasing aridity, and lack of knowledge. A few species thought to be rare in Somaliland are more common than was thought. It is a matter of knowing where to look. Such knowledge is critical to creation of management practices that conserve Somaliland's existing biodiversity while improving the well-being of its people.
About Somaliland
Somaliland lies along the south side of the Gulf of Aden. It has functioned as a democratic, independent country since declaring its independence in 1991. Most Somalilanders rely, directly or indirectly, on the country’s natural resources for their livelihoods. Conserving these resources requires developing knowledge and skills in many areas. The Foundation’s goal is to promote opportunities for doing so within Somaliland. Its Somaliland office is the Biodiversity Museum at the University of Hargeisa.
Activity Reports
Each year, the Foundation’s secretary/treasurer prepares an annual report for other board members on the Foundation’s activities during the previous year. To read them, click the appropriate link. They are only available in English. Starting in 2022, we shall make them available in both English and Somali and include some pictures.
Poster and supplementary information for Botany 2023 .
The Foundation's Board
The Foundation’s board has five members, two from Somaliland and three from the US. The President is Ahmed Awale, a leading Somaliland environmentalist. Mary Barkworth, a botanist, serves as both Secretary and Treasurer. Others are: Abdisalam Yassin, President of Shifa University in Hargeisa; Anjanette DeCarlo, a scientist focused on resin production for sustainable development; and Steve Jesseph, an expert on corporate responsibility and sustainable business.
