Environmental education and conservation is critical for the future of South Africa, a country known for its diverse wildlife and natural beauty. Ford has been producing and selling vehicles in South Africa for 100 years and recognises the need to support conservation and environmental sustainability.

Against this background the Ford Wildlife Foundation (FWF) was established in September 2014, funded by the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa and supported by its nationwide network of Ford Dealers. The FWF is unique in its partnership with organisations, who are nominated by Ford and the FWF board, they receive the full-time use of locally-assembled Ford Rangers for a period of two years.

The Ford Rangers enable the supported projects to make a tangible impact in the communities and assist in daily operations such as transporting field equipment, helping vets reach animals in need of medical assistance, or translocating the animals themselves. As an example, the Cheetah Metapopulation Project has amassed over 240 000 kms with their Ranger in two years.

The vehicles operating in all Ford Wildlife Foundation projects are monitored and serviced by Ford’s extensive dealer network to ensure they operate at peak efficiency and can handle the relentless hours and punishing roads.

The FWF supports environmental education, research and conservation projects around Sub Saharan Africa. There are currently 29 projects supported across South Africa, and one project in Mozambique. This comprises 17 conservation projects, seven research projects, and five environmental education projects!

Current projects that the FWF supports include:

• Educational Projects
  • WESSA (Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa) educational projects which includes Umgeni Valley – National Environmental Education Program, Wildcoast and Eco Schools Program, National EIA Training Program
  • DELTA which is the Waterwise Education Team
• Conservation Projects
  • EWT ( Endangered Wildlife Trust) conservation which has the projects of Threatened Grassland Species, Drylands Conservation Program, Ground Hornbill & Large Birds Project, Operation Oxpecker, and the Cheetah Metapopulation Project
  • WWF (World Wildlife Fund) which includes The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project
  • WESSA for the conservation project National Coastal Project
  • Birdlife South Africa / UCT – Fitzpatrick Institute which encompasses Important Bird Areas, The Cape Leopard Trust, Overberg Lowlands Conservation Project, Saving the Survivors (STS) is a rhino and endangered wildlife unit for Africa
• Research Projects
  • University of KwaZulu Natal which oversees the Zululand Nile Crocodile Research Project
  • Sea Search Research and Conservation
  • The Oceanographic Research Institute(ORI) including The ORI Coral Reef Programme

The most recent wildlife conservation project that FWF has been involved in is the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project. This charismatic bird species is both culturally and ecologically important, but sadly has been classified as "Endangered" within South Africa and Namibia.

Any successful conservation action in even one of their expansive territories benefits all the other savanna and grassland species, including threatened species such as vultures, wild dog and cheetah.

Ford South Africa's involvement with the Ford Wildlife Foundation underscores its dedication to protecting wildlife, and all flora and fauna ecosystems. It continues to prove that no matter how big or small, the life of every animal on this earth is one worth protecting.