The Mountain Gorilla Education and Policy Program is designed to promote education and impact policy on the ground in Africa and around the world. It is intended to give back to the Protected Area Authorities (national parks organizations) in central Africa where mountain gorillas are found. These are the people on the ground that are protecting the gorillas every day and making research, conservation, tourism and publication possible. We want to increase awareness and understanding of the issues that impact gorillas and people through education and to influence policy in a meaningful way.


An open letter about this Program from Jack Hanna


How it Works


This will be accomplished by the donation of copies of the Mountain Gorilla book to the governments of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. By participating in the Program, donors are paying for copies of the Mountain Gorilla book purchased in bulk directly from the publisher and donating them to the countries through this Program. To view letters from the governments of Rwanda and Uganda that explain how the books from this program will be used in their countries, click on the following links. Rosette Chantal Rugamba, Director of ORTPN (Rwandan national parks and tourism). Moses Mapesa, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (in charge of national parks and tourism). It ranges from training for the national parks guides and rangers, to giving copies to schools in the villages surrounding the parks, to influencing policy makers and more.

The program is structured so that donors write their checks directly to the publisher (Johns Hopkins University Press) who is a 501 (c) 3, so they get a tax deduction (US donors get the tax deduction) for their donation to the Program. That money will then be used to purchase books for the Program providing the governments of these countries with a meaningful, reusable resource at no cost to them.


Program Benefit vs. Administrative Costs


All of the money donated to this Program will go to books, there are no administrative costs. The publisher has agreed to pay for shipping on a one time bulk shipment from the printer, and the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) has agreed to assist with distribution on the ground. The IGCP is a partnership coalition between the African Wildlife Foundation, the Fauna and Flora International, and the World Wide Fund for Nature that is focused entirely on mountain gorilla conservation. They are a well respected and trusted organization that will be helping us with distribution in all three countries on the ground. With the shipping and ground distribution costs covered, 100% of the money donated will go directly to buying books, zero administrative overhead.


Goals, Objectives and Ways to Give


Our target for the program is to get approximately 500 copies of the book donated to each country. Approximately 1/3 of that goal has been met at this time with donations to date. We need to complete funding for the remainder. The book lists for $34.95. Our discounted price from the publisher is $26.21. So here's what we can get for a donor's contribution: (all figures are USD).


  • - $525 - will purchase 20 books for the program
  • - $1,050 - will purchase 40 books for the program
  • - $2,621 - will purchase 100 books for the program
  • - $5,242 - will purchase 200 books for the program
  • - $13,105 - will purchase 500 books for the program

All donors will receive a copy of the book. Donations of $5K or more will receive 10 signed copies of the book and a 16X20 signed fine art print of any gorilla image in the book that the donor chooses. For donors of $5K or more, if we can beat the deadline with the printers, we'll include their name in the book with a thanks for their participation in this program.


If you would like to receive more information on the program and how to give money, please fill out the form below and I will contact you shortly to assist you. If I do not have access to email or communications because I'm traveling, you will be contacted by Jack Holmes from Johns Hopkins University Press. Jack is managing the processing of donations and can take care of your request if I am unavailable. Your information will not be given to anyone or used for any purpose other than contacting you about this program. We are grateful for your interest and support of this important program and will be respectful of your privacy.


Gene Eckhart


Donor Contact Request Form