Company registration number: 11632911 Charity registration number: 1183328 

## Connected Conservation Foundation 

(A company limited by guarantee) 

Annual Report and Financial Statements 

for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 

Stewart & Co Accountants LLP Knoll House Knoll Road Camberley Surrey GU15 3SY 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Contents** 

|Trustees' Report|1 to 21|
|---|---|
|Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities|22|
|Independent Examiner's Report|23|
|Statement of Financial Activities|24|
|Balance Sheet|25|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|26 to 35|





## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

## **Reference and Administrative Details** 

## **Trustees and officers** 

The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows: 

Trustees: Mr D D Ward Mr A L Rhodes Mr J E M Baille Mr B Watson Charity Registration Number: 1183328 Company Registration Number: 11632911 Registered Office: 1 King William Street London England EC4N 7AR Independent Examiner: Stewart & Co Accountants LLP Knoll House Knoll Road Camberley Surrey GU15 3SY 

## **Objectives and activities** 

## **Objects of the charity** 

The charity's objects, as set out in its Articles of Association, are 

- To promote, for the benefit of the public, the conservation, protection and improvement of wildlife, in particular but not exclusively through the development and application of innovative technology; and 

- Such other purposes, determined by the trustees, at their sole discretion as are exclusively charitable under the laws of England and Wales. 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **Aims of the charity** 

We are in a state of planetary emergency. We're facing interconnected challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, zoonotic disease exposure and land degradation. The abundance of life on Earth is being driven to extinction. WWF’s Living Planet Report 20211, shows an average 69% decline in global wildlife populations since 1970. The findings are stark. Our natural ecosystems - which sustain a magnitude of remarkable biodiversity and our very existence - are fragile and under significant threat. 

Urgent and united global action is required. The United Nations is calling for world governments to protect 30% of the planet by 2030. Technology has a critical role to play in helping reach this target and stopping the sixth mass extinction of life on Earth. We must bring together capabilities and resources to equip teams with efficient and effective tools to scale up the implementation of conservation actions, steer sustainability strategies, mitigate threats and capture the benefits. 

Connected Conservation Foundation (CCF) works to protect and restore wildlife populations and natural ecosystems through technology. Our vision is to equip those at the forefront of environmental protection with game-changing conservation technologies. By 2030, using technology, we can help protect over 30 million hectares of natural habitat and conserve 50+ threatened species whilst improving the lives of more than 10,000 local people living in and around reserves. Helping organisations work towards the UN’s targets to protect 30% of the planet by 2030. Securing wilde spaces for wildlife, ecosystems and humanity to thrive. 

CCF contributes to the following UN Sustainable Develop Goals: 

4: Life on Land. Stopping wildlife poaching and human-wildlife conflict, where technology gives an early warning of threats to prevent the deaths of wildlife and local people. 

13: Climate action. Strengthening resilient ecosystems, where technology helps manage habitats and natural resources sustainability for wildlife and local people. Where healthy habitats remove CO2 from our climate. 

15: Quality education. Increasing training and opportunities for local people to grow their technical skills and capabilities. 

16: Peace and Justice. Bringing peace and security to local communities and those at the forefront of nature protection, to keep them safe. 

1 WWF’s Living Planet Report (2022) 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## _**Our technology solution**_ 

Since 2015, the Connected Conservation initiative has been working to unite the capabilities of technology companies (including Cisco, NTT.Ltd, Airbus Foundation and Microsoft) to provide impactful conservation technology solutions to local conservation partners across Africa. 

Working closely with local field partners, we support ground teams to design and implement appropriate, landscape-scale, technical solutions for conservation, environmental management and community co-existence. We now have long-running projects in nine protected areas across Kenya, South Africa and Zambia. Our work is helping protected area managers restore and protect over 30+ threatened species including, black and white rhinos, African elephants, pangolins, leopards, lions, hippos, cheetahs, wild dogs, brown hyenas and the southern ground hornbill. 

Protected areas have a wide range of operating capabilities and levels of technical maturity. We help parks with a variety of technology needs; from simply installing and enabling reliable internet connectivity at reserve headquarters; to implementing a large-scale, communication and connectivity backbone network across large and remote areas; to an advanced proactive solution that can pre-empt threats and issues via a network of sensors and cameras. These technologies enable conservation managers to track people, rangers, visitors, vehicles, natural resources and wildlife across huge landscapes. Real-time data is transferred to a central operations room, giving rangers 24/7 visibility across their reserve and early warnings of conservation threats, to help stop any issues before they can occur. 

Throughout 2021-22, CCF and partners have upscaled our deployed network connectivity and communications infrastructure across an additional 3,000,000 hectares of unique and precious habitat. Now, a combined total of approximately 5,000,000 hectares of wilderness is protected with technology solutions. Moreover, this year, we've expanded our collaborations to increase support to five new protected areas in Kenya and have helped equip three new central operations rooms. 

We're also helping empower over 150 rangers with crucial communications and data collection devices, keeping them safe whilst protecting threatened species and delivering peace and security to local communities. 

## _**Conservation challenges we seek to address**_ 

Technology enables our partner’s conservation teams to multiply their capacity and increase the speed of decision-making and response times, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of conservation management interventions. We strive to help strengthen their capabilities to address the following challenges: 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **1. Protecting species and supporting peace and security** 

The Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) threatens many endangered species. Poaching rates have recently surged in South Africa, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, due to a lack of tourism and reduced local law enforcement capacity. In 2021, 451 rhinos were killed in South Africa2 - the first time in six years where the country has recorded an increase in rhino poaching incidents. Furthermore, around 150 rangers worldwide die each year protecting wildlife, with poacher conflicts responsible for 50% to 70% of ranger deaths on the job3. New data from TRAFFIC confirms that at least 23.5 tonnes of pangolins and their parts were trafficked in 2021 alone4. Elephants also remain a target of poaching syndicates across the continent. 

IWT weakens the rule of law, as local officials and community members are incentivised to participate in criminal networks due to disproportionate economic rewards available, undermining peace and security within local communities. IWT impacts livelihoods too. The loss of flagship and iconic species threatens local wildlife-based economies dependent on tourists seeking experiences with majestic species.5 

CCF technologies are supporting law enforcement and anti-poaching teams to reduce wildlife and ranger deaths by substantially increasing the chances of detecting and apprehending suspects. 

## **2. Improving coexistence between humans and wildlife** 

As human populations increase and space for nature declines, human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is becoming a predominant threat to wildlife and local people. More than ever, species including elephants, lions and hyena, are sharing space with local communities, resulting in injury and death of people and wildlife, damage to property and crops, alongside a dramatic increase in livestock predation. 

There is increasing competition between wildlife and local communities for grazing and water resources. This is predicted to escalate as the world feels the effects of climate change 6. Furthermore, in retaliation, people’s anger and frustration leads to local people using poison to kill or injure wildlife. 

What is often lacking in these situations is data indicating where and what the problems are in order to preempt conflict. Early-warning technologies can help conservancies collect this data and enable communities to mitigate HWC events. Additionally, aerial and sensor data helps our partners map changes in water resources, human settlements, grasslands, invasive plant species and wildlife corridors. This data helps managers predict conflict zones, plan response plans to climate-driven events and inform management plans for the sustainable and shared use of resources. 

2 Save The Rhino 2022, Poaching Statistics [online] Viewed 01 Aug, 2022 

3 The Thin Green Line Foundation [online] Viewed 01 Aug, 2022 

4 TRAFFIC [online] Viewed 01 Aug, 2022 

> 5 Greg L. Warchol (2004) The Transnational Illegal Wildlife Trade, Criminal Justice Studies, 17:1, 57-73, DOI: 10.1080/08884310420001679334 

> 6 Briana. Abrahms (2021) Human-wildlife conflict under climate change, Science; Vol 373, No. 6554, DOI: 10.1126/science.abj4216 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **3. Restoring healthy habitats and resilient ecosystems** 

Ecosystems support all life on Earth. With only 15% of Earth's landmass protected, the United Nations is calling for world leaders to increase protected areas to 30% of the planet by 2030. Technologies are vital in helping achieve these goals as they can prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems and restore natural processes that remove Co2 from the climate, create suitable habitats for endangered species, whilst sustaining water, soil and vegetation for local people. 

Encroachment from agriculture and livestock farming is threatening grasslands, forests, and savannahs. There is increasing competition for grazing, whilst climate change is exacerbating flooding and drought. By making environmental monitoring technologies available (including high-resolution satellite imagery and network sensors), we’re enabling conservationists to monitor wildlife and map natural ecosystems, alongside getting early warning of illegal activities, such as charcoal burning or bush clearing. This crucial data feeds into management plans for sustainably using water, soil and vegetation, helping support people and wildlife to co-exist and thrive together. 

## **4. Developing technical capacity to sustain technologies** 

Technology alone will not solve these conservation challenges. Tools need to be used effectively by local people to deliver the desired conservation outcomes. However, local conservation practitioners have varying levels of technical skills and knowledge to harness the technology and a lack of understanding of the best technologies for the job. Investment in people and their technical education must be sustained long-term to ensure the benefits are realised and continue beyond the technology implementation phase. 

## **Objectives, Strategies and Activities** 

To address these challenges, we aim to: 

1. Make effective technology and intelligence available to conservation teams at the forefront of environmental protection, aiding them to pre-empt, manage and mitigate conservation challenges. 

2. Provide education and ongoing support to build local technical capacity and ensure technologies are locally and effectively managed. 

3. Foster trust and collaboration across partners, conservationists, technologists and academia to accelerate the implementation of appropriate technologies. 

4. Catalyze investment and accelerate sustainable solutions to scale long-lasting conservation impact. 

5. Be conservation-led and governed by a robust technology impact measurement framework to ensure multi-partner investments consistently deliver planned conservation outcomes. 

Our activities span ongoing work to equip conservation teams with technologies across nine protected areas, where communications, network connectivity and devices support conservation efforts. Supported projects are helping: stop rhino poaching in South Africa; enable prevention of illegal fishing in Zambia; monitor and manage wildlife health during extreme drought in Kenya; and conduct ecosystem monitoring to prevent habitat degradation, and improve wildlife and community co-existence across partner sites. 

We’ve helped nature reserves design and acquire the right technologies for their needs and challenges, fundraising for proven technologies that scale up their conservation efforts. We’ve been successful in securing new investment and supporters. Whilst improving CCF’s capabilities to join and target donated resources for exponential impacts. 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **CCF’s main activities against these objectives within the period** 

1. Expand our support to five new Protected Areas in Northern Kenya. Creating the largest network across park borders, bringing connectivity and sensing technologies to new community-led conservancies. Enabling conservation teams in these reserves to use technology to monitor wildlife, reduce human-wildlife conflict, stop illegal poaching, assist with environmental monitoring and support peace between local communities. 

2. Extend connectivity and security technologies in Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa. Developing and deploying new static and mobile technology solutions that help teams secure previously unprotected areas of the park and adapt their strategies to thwart changing poaching tactics, to stop poaching of rhinos and pangolins. 

3. Equip Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa, with new long-range thermal cameras to detect people entering the reserve and improve Madikwe’s security operations to tackle escalating poaching threats. 

4. Build conservation technology capacity for local reserve engineers and field staff. 

5. Bring new innovations to the ground, trial and identify tools that improve conservation outcomes. 

6. Enhance the Connected Conservation solution with resources and capabilities from new partners. Harnessing new emerging technologies. 

7. Develop an impact monitoring framework for conservation technologies. To improve reporting on the effectiveness of technology interventions. 

8. Grow our global awareness, communications, fundraising and operational capabilities. 

9. Maintain current Connected Conservation technology solutions in partner sites. 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

For this reporting period the main activities undertaken include: 

## _**1. Expand our support to Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) across five new protected areas in Northern Kenya.**_ 

Through collaboration, a backbone network and wide range of devices have been deployed to improve protected area effectiveness in new sites. Sensors are providing real-time data and communications from remote locations ranging from radios, long-range high-resolution PTZ cameras, livestock trackers, fence sensors, vehicle trackers, water tank level detectors, weather stations and diesel tank probes. Since the network rollout, NRT has on-boarded 74 devices with hundreds more sensors planned for deployment in the next period, to help manage ecosystems and protect wildlife, including Black Rhino, elephants, lions, and cheetahs. 

This real-time data is transmitted through the network across NRT conservancies and into NRT Centre’s operations room, allowing teams on the ground to take quick and effective conservation actions to prevent conflict and protect species and rangers. 

These technologies are helping the conservancies improve operations and deliver a range of conservation impacts, including empowering equitable community stewardship and sustainable management of ecosystem resources. 

CCF has also supported ground-breaking methods for Wildlife Monitoring in NRT’s remote Sera Wildlife Sanctuary. For the first time, the team has connected live streams of high-res PTZ RGB and thermal Cameras to monitor wildlife across five key watering holes. Sera is sadly suffering from a prolonged two-year drought, so these water holes have become crucial for animals to visit to survive. 

The footage from these camera installations is being sent via a new high bandwidth network, travelling over 200 km across Kenya’s arid and hostile bushland, to the central control room. 

These cameras now enable teams to monitor the health of Sera’s wildlife remotely, providing a thorough view of each animal’s body condition, without needing to fly an hour to reach the project site. This revolutionary infield monitoring is enabling quicker decision-making on conservation interventions during challenging times. 

## _**2. Extend connectivity and security technologies in Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa.**_ 

Sabi Sand Nature Reserve (SSNR) was pioneered by local landowners in the 1950s, encompassing 65,000 hectares. It shares a border with the world-renowned Kruger National Park. Between the two, there are no fences, allowing wildlife to roam freely across huge, dynamic natural landscapes. Sabi is home to the big five and has gained international recognition for its collaborative approach to protecting endangered species and ensuring that this unspoiled area retains its unique character for future generations. 

We’re continuing to support the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve team in safeguarding rhinos, elephants, pangolin and other species exposed to bushmeat poaching, and a recent increase in illegal wildlife trade activity in South Africa. 

Now in Phase 3, we’re helping develop and deploy new static and mobile technology security solutions that help teams safeguard previously unprotected areas of the park. 

Alongside partners, we are extending Sabi's LoRaWAN network and deploying a new virtual fence line of sensors, a mobile mast connectivity solution, AI powered analytics on camera and drones. Boosting greater protection of new landscapes at SSNR. 

This greater coverage, coupled with mobile intelligence solutions, is supporting SSNR to counter ever-changing poaching tactics and stay one step ahead. 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## _**3. Equip Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa, with new long-range thermal cameras to detect poachers**_ 

Madikwe Game Reserve (750km2) is one of the biggest and most ambitious rewilding projects in the history of South Africa, recovering landscapes and populations of white and black rhinos, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, lions and African wild dogs, alongside 400+ species of birds. Fragmented farmland has been united, whilst fences have been removed and invasive sickle bush is being reduced to expand and create rich grasslands. More than 30 lodges have established tourism infrastructure, supporting over 1,000 jobs from the wildlife economy. Threatened species are recovering, and the community is benefiting. 

Sadly, this achievement is being undermined by rhino poaching. Madikwe has significant populations of both white and black rhino, and is one of the few reserves whose rhinos have not been dehorned, making them a primary target by rhino poachers. 

In 2021, CCF donated long-range thermal cameras, poles, solar power, batteries and antennas for three new PTZ installations. These have been tactfully implemented along the fenceline to monitor known poaching entry and exit routes along Madikwe’s perimeter. Video feeds from these cameras have been integrated into the 24/7 operations room (365 days) and have been incredibly effective at detecting poachers entering the reserve. Every poacher who has passed in front of the thermal cameras has been immediately detected and stopped in their tracks. 

CCF has also assisted Madikwe Futures in gathering its technology requirements to connect other areas of the park with a LoRaWAN network. We’ve funded the purchase of LoRa-enabled sensing devices and communication PTT radios, to connect and track vehicles and rangers within the park, as well as detect changes in the electricity voltage of the perimeter fence (which could indicate a potential incursion). In 2022-23, this real-time alerting data will be integrated into the operations room, giving immediate and early-warning alerts of suspicious activity. 

## _**4. Build conservation technology capacity for local reserve engineers and field staff.**_ 

We invest in long-term support and the development of the technical skills of our field partners. We encourage knowledge sharing and best practices between sites and fund specialist training for conservation technology leaders on the ground. 

With each protected area differing in their unique challenges and landscape, CCF and partners help local teams understand the technologies on offer, including areas for improvement, vetting the benefits and navigating through the “hype”. 

Alongside mentorship, we’re also investing in local people. This year, we’ve been delighted to support Northern Rangelands Trust's GIS and Wildlife department in undertaking third-party training to help our local partners build technical capacity. The team came away with new skills including remote sensing fundamentals, ArcGIS Pro, image classification, image analysis and its applications in change detection and environmental modelling, story maps, dashboards, web maps and Geoportal. The development of these new skills and software will enable NRT’s team to help deal with their changing landscapes and sustainably manage natural resources. 

CCF also ran an education and demonstrator event in Sabi Sand, South Africa in December 2021, to share lessons learned on applying conservation technologies. The Environmental Minister of Uganda attended alongside NTT.Ltd, Smart Parks and NRT’s operational lead, researchers and ranger teams. It provided a valuable opportunity to interact with different experts and exchange knowledge on conservation technology projects. 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## _**5. Bring new innovations to the ground, trial and identify tools that improve conservation outcomes.**_ 

Working with conservancies and NTT’s engineers across our network, we’re trailing and testing new technologies to evaluate their benefits for conservation, including: 

## _a) Artificial Intelligence (AI) detection on video feeds from thermal cameras_ 

CCF worked with Sabi Sand in a pilot phase to trial the application and integration of AI-powered surveillance into the Connected Conservation solution for anti-poaching efforts. 

Over six months, we’ve collaboratively tested AI to monitor the video from thermal cameras 24/7 and generate automated alerts when animals or humans cross, so teams can respond quickly. This pilot is helping to understand the value of AI to assist with 24/7 surveillance and filtering of live video streams from strategically placed cameras within the reserve to detect intruders and raise real-time alerts. We’re now analysing results before a joint decision will be made, between the participating organisations, on further implementation of this AI technology. 

## _b) Nomadic masts_ 

Together with partners, we’ve also developed an innovation called the ‘The Nomad’. The Nomad is a mobile outpost, on an easy-to-move trailer, providing real-time visual capabilities, Wifi and LoRa connectivity, wherever it is deployed. It can be redeployed anywhere in under three hours. It offers Sabi Sand operations rapid access to connectivity, high-res visual data and communication from any remote area. Giving Sabi’s anti-poaching teams visibility into currently unconnected areas of the reserve, to detect poachers and execute more complex security operations. By enhancing coverage, and adding portable intelligence solutions, we’re helping Sabi Sand to counter ever-changing poaching tactics and stay one step ahead. 

## _c) Drones_ 

For the first time, together with Sabi Sand, we’re trailing live streaming of video from autonomous drones. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are deployed in response to poaching events and use thermal video detection to identify and track intruders. As the drone follows the movement of suspects, its position is broadcast in real-time to all anti-poaching units. This gives them an up-to-date understanding of the moment of poachers, as they attempt to leave the reserve. 

## _**6. Enhance the Connected Conservation solution with resources and capabilities from new partners. Harnessing new emerging technologies.**_ 

By uniting resources and capabilities from our technology partners: NTT.Ltd, Microsoft and Airbus Foundation, we’ve embarked on remarkable new developments. We’ve driven an innovative pipeline of new technologies, where our bold thinking and field-based insights are shaping emerging conservation technologies. These fall under two principle projects: 

_Project 1) Airbus Foundation: Exploring application of new high-resolution satellite data to various use cases to monitor wildlife and ecosystem health._ 

In July 2021, Airbus Foundation signed a five-year partnership agreement to join forces with CCF to couple Airbus’ high-resolution satellite imagery and unmanned aerial vehicles, with CCF’s on-the-ground conservation technologies, to protect endangered species and natural ecosystems. 

We’ve united Airbus Foundation’s satellite imagery, donated to CCF, with insights from our conservation field partners, to explore the value of high-resolution satellite imagery and AI for multiple conservation purposes including: 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## _a) Modernising wildlife surveys and tracking the movement of large mammals_ 

Wildlife surveys in savannah environments are typically done using aerial counts with manned aircraft, which often take months to conduct and are expensive in aircraft, hire, fuel, and manpower. Studies have shown satellite imagery and deep learning as a potentially viable monitoring technique in constrained use cases with set 7 8 conditions especially over homogenous landscapes , . 

With our partners NTT.Ltd, Airbus Foundation, Microsoft AI for Earth, Madikwe Futures Company NPC and Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), we’ve investigated the feasibility of using AI-powered techniques and satellite images in ecology studies and to modernise wildlife surveys methods. 

This field-based study set out to compare the accuracy of different methods to identify large mammals using the highest resolution satellite imagery available from Airbus (namely Pléiades and Pléiades Neo). The project found both AI and human detection on satellite imagery across the heterogeneous landscape presents many opportunities for error and variable results. 

Conservation teams at NRT and Madikwe Game Reserve, concluded the accuracy of both AI and human detection of species on satellite imagery was not satisfactory in comparison to or to replace traditional wildlife survey techniques. Findings have been summarized in a soon-to-be published report, falling in the next period. 

Our next phase of this project will focus on identifying the species and situations, where 50cm and 30 cm resolution satellite imagery can be of value in locating other animals in homogenous, hard-to-reach environments and what additional value it can bring to biodiversity conservation efforts. It was found that when isolating scenarios to areas with only one known species found in a homogenous nature for example in open areas, the potential for more accurate results can be expected. 

A notable outcome and learning of this recent study considers using the model to provide a heatmap of potential sightings as an indicator of ‘where to look' with the human-eye in a satellite image. Field teams believe this would be useful for certain use cases, including, locating hard-to-find colonies or herds of certain species in remote areas. Future work will advance this line of research. 

_b) Map and baseline ecosystem health and interconnectivity, to establish new protected areas_ 

Our most recent project with Airbus Foundation has taken satellite images of the extensive Lorian ecosystem for Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT). This high-resolution satellite imagery of 1900 km2 has enabled NRT researchers to plan conservation activities. These will give a baseline to measure ecosystem recovery over the next ten years for NRT and partners' conservation projects. The project will use the data to define new protected areas, where research will survey species, and categorize and map vegetation types, including the status of the invasive Prosopis juliflora tree, alongside hydrology channels and human settlements. 

Furthermore, Kenya government agencies including Museum Kenya, Kenya University and the Kenya Wildlife Service, will use insight from this imagery for planning mitigation of human-wildlife conflict events between elephants, lions and local people. This will play a profound role in establishing wildlife corridors where species and communities can co-exist together. 

> 7 Duporge, I., Isupova, O., Reece, S., Macdonald, D. and Wang, T., 2020. Using very‐high‐resolution satellite imagery and deep learning to detect and count African elephants in heterogeneous landscapes. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, 7(3), pp.369-381. 

> 8 Xue, Y., Wang, T. and Skidmore, A., 2017. Automatic Counting of Large Mammals from Very High-Resolution Panchromatic Satellite Imagery. Remote Sensing, 9(9), p.878. 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## _c) Mapping roads and creating up-to-date maps_ 

Airbus satellite imagery is helping ground teams monitor and manage the balance between tourism, conservation and security. We’ve started producing annual satellite captures to help create up-to-date reserve maps. This new visibility is providing managers with valuable data to decide where to deploy and relocate resources and anti-poaching technologies, including cameras at weak spots so rangers can get an early warning of threats. 

Identifying new and changing road networks from these images, is also giving teams early warnings of potential extraction and conflict activities, including poaching, charcoal burning and bush clearing - guiding the team on where new road connectivity is needed within the park. The images also help identify which new roads are encroaching into species’ strongholds so that managers can prioritize where to close off or repair roads. 

_Project 2) Improving the Connected Conservation integration platform, making it quick and easy for field teams to plug and play new third-party, LoRa-enabled, sensing devices._ 

CCF and NTT.Ltd, partnered with Microsoft to co-finance and co-develop an IOT sensor integration platform that enables field partners to onboard new sensors quickly and easily, with a low-code approach, for rapid data visualisation in Earth Ranger. This project improves the scalability of the existing Connected Conservation solution, where a new device type can be on-boarded in under an hour. So far, collection and decoding for up to 10 different sensor types have been completed. Each time a conservancy integrates a new sensor, this new device option becomes available to all other partner reserves. 

## **7. Develop an impact monitoring framework for conservation technologies** 

One barrier to successfully scaling effective conservation technologies is the lack of an effective evaluation framework for understanding the impact of technology within the conservation context. To overcome this, CCF recognised the need for a robust Impact Measurement Framework for Conservation Technologies to: 

- Help protected area managers demonstrate the benefits of technology to manage and build a business case for 

- implementing the right tools. 

- Ensure any technology intervention delivers the planned conservation outcomes. 

- Reduce wasted time and resources and relieve the burden of reporting 

CCF and Conservation Alpha united conservation experts and technology companies to define a new framework. Participants included African Parks, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, SANParks, Northern Rangelands Trust, 51 Degrees, NTT.ltd, Terra-Nautics, Conserve Global and Bhejane 360 in a collaborative workshop on 9 February 2022. We documented the outputs and first iterations of the framework. We then scoped these to develop a taxonomy to better measure how technology brings: 

- Improved operational effectiveness 

- Improved cost-effectiveness 

- Reduced risk for the organisations, park, wildlife or staff 

Working with our partners, we’re now moving into Phase 2 to apply, test and refine the Impact Framework in SSNR and NRT. The framework will be shared openly with the conservation community, allowing all practitioners to benefit and help ensure impactful solutions are developed and deployed. 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **8. Grow global awareness, communications, fundraising and operational capabilities.** 

CCF has become an established leader in technology and conservation. Connected Conservation was recognised at the highest level by the Secretariat at COP15 in Kunming during September, 2021. Featuring alongside other leading Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives, we’re being showcased as a noteworthy conservation practice in the new ‘100+ Biodiversity Positive Practices and Actions Around the World’ book. Our collaborative work has also been nominated twice for 2022’s prestigious Earthshot Prize under their ‘Protect and Restore Nature’ Award. 

We’re also strengthening the alliance between sport and nature by deepening our relationship with Birdies4Rhinos, a group of twenty-one international golfers who are fundraising for CCF, making a donation for every birdie they score. 

European Tour players, Justin Walters and Dean Burmester, are inviting more players to join them, including most recently, the Olympic Champion and US Open champion, Justin Rose. Increasingly, well-followed players are using their social media platforms and agents to raise awareness of rhino poaching. 

Storytelling for Connected Conservation can unlock new funding and partnerships. In February 2022, CCF found the right marketing professional to join the team to tell our story. Welcoming our Communications and Fundraising Manager on board, we’re delivering our marketing strategy and deepened how corporate collaboration can deliver impact solutions for protected areas managers worldwide. 

We’ve been accelerating our social media presence throughout 2022 and developing content strategies that tell CCF’s stories of supporting and equipping our partners. 

Our team members have also presented at iconic events including the Earth Ranger conference in South Africa in 2021. Through these events, we've shared our learnings with others, helping others on their technology journey and advancing best practice approaches within the conservation community. 

## **9. Maintaining current Connected Conservation technology solutions in partner sites.** 

Through 2021-2022, CCF’s local engineer partners in Dimension Data have donated resources to work across all field projects to assist with the ongoing maintenance and management of the technology solutions deployed in Phases 1 and 2. Each quarter, the team services field partners' air conditioning units, generators and uninterrupted power supplies (UPS). The team also remotely monitors crucial network elements including servers, switches, routers, firewalls and point-to-point radios. 

Monthly and fortnightly meetings are held with each site, providing mentorship, technical support and direction. Consultancy across a broad spectrum is offered by our technology partners, Dimension Data Kenya and South Africa, guiding reserves through decision-making, servicing and planning and ensuring all systems are in frequent use, reliable and operating to their full capabilities. 

Our engineer partners also provide assistance and replacement of damaged kits caused by lightning strikes. On average, three storms a year damage equipment. 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **How do these activities relate to our longer-term aims and objectives?** 

Long-term, we aim to equip conservation managers with appropriate and impactful tools to help recover and protect 50+ threatened species, across 10,000,000 hectares and benefit 10,000 local people living in or around reserves, situated in underserved geographies. 

All activities during the period have helped CCF improve our capabilities and approach to deliver longer-term aims, across three focus areas: 

1. Landscape-wide implementation of robust, proven technologies - to help our partners stop poaching, manage vital ecosystems and improve conservation operations across vast areas. 

2. Catalyze investment and supporters to address our conservation partner’s technology needs. CCF unites capabilities and targets technology resources for maximum conservation impact. 

3. Bring innovation to the ground, harnessing emerging technologies and evaluate their potential to deliver conservation outcomes. 

Significant steps achieved this year to realise our longer-term aims, include: 

• Leveraging donated satellite imagery. This is enabling rapid protection and monitoring of exponential additional hectares. We’ve secured a five-year partnership with The Airbus Foundation to apply this critical data to biodiversity conservation globally. Already, the partnership has enabled poaching incidents to be detected from space and supports the case for the declaration of new protected areas in Northern Kenya. 

- Upgrading our technology solutions and platform to enable future scaling and expansion. 

- Building trust with conservancies, to expand our work, so we can help more protected areas. 

## **Public benefit** 

The above activities have been undertaken to preserve our planet’s rich biodiversity and natural resources. 

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **Achievements and performance** 

The increase in species numbers and habitat health improves over long periods. Therefore, metrics on an impact pathway help us validate the intermediary success of individual projects year-on-year. 

This year, our partnerships have scaled up to equip conservation managers with game-changing technologies to manage and protect an additional 3,000,000 hectares of wild ecosystems. We're also growing partnerships with Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Northern Rangelands Trust, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Ol Jogi, Loisaba and Madikwe Game Reserve. 

## **Achievements in stats:** 

• 30 threatened species are better managed and protected using technology, including the black and white rhinos, African elephant, pangolin, leopard, lion, hippo, cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena and giraffe. 

• The addition of 3,000,000 new hectares connected, now totalling approximately 5,000,000 hectares of wilderness, better managed and secured across unique habitats in Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia. 

• Five new conservancies have been equipped with network connectivity and LoRaWAN. With a total of nine reserves now enabled with networks and real-time data coming into operation centres for better analysis, informed conservation action and research. 

• A further 50 rangers are now equipped with connectivity and communications to keep themselves and wildlife safe, totalling 150+ rangers. 

• Response times have been reduced from 30 to 7 minutes in Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, with real-time data bringing improved management and protection. 

• There have been zero rhinos poached in Kenya since 2021, where teams are supported by CCF’s technologies. 

• 12 poaching incursions were thwarted in SSNR this year with the help of our technology. If each incursion potentially equals a rhino death, Sabi Sand has saved 12 rhinos from harm. 

• Zero poachers went undetected when passing Madikwe’s newly installed long-range thermal cameras. Each inclusion has been immediately spotted and stopped. 

• Six new high-resolution cameras are now sending live stream video over 150 km from Sera Wildlife Sanctuary to NRT Centre, to monitor the health of endangered species, in inaccessible areas, at times of severe drought. 

• 3000km2 of wilderness in Madikwe and NRT has been better managed and protected using high-res satellite imagery, adding a critical data source to the Connected Conservation Solution. 

• Three deceased rhinos were sadly detected from space in high-resolution satellite imagery, assisting in the criminal intelligence in the poaching incident investigation. 

• Two new corporate partners have added support to CCF for the period: Airbus Foundation and Microsoft. We’re grateful to all our partners for the growth in support to make all these achievements possible. 

• Four new innovative solutions are being developed, trialed and evaluated against conservation outcomes. 

Page 14 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **Review of charitable activities undertaken** 

From 2021 to 2022, the world’s economies began to recover from the Covid Pandemic. Whilst travel restrictions began to ease in April 2021, the supply chains of technology companies remained stagnant. A backlog in shipping and equipment delivery meant further challenges and delays to the implementation of Connected Conservation solutions. Throughout the year, the situation improved significantly and CCF was able to deliver on its plans to equip conservation teams with technologies that help them achieve more impact, faster. 

Despite the challenges, the CCF team has worked tirelessly, with limited resources, to support our local partners, their communities, and our stakeholders to deliver their combined conservation impacts. We’ve scaled considerably during the year to help more local conservation partners. 

## _Review of principle activities:_ 

1. Maintain the existing Phase 1 technology implementation in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and deploy Phase 2 expansion across five neighbouring conservancies in Northern Kenya. 

The total area connected in Northern Kenya Lewa Wildlife conservancy now covers 3,000,000 hectares. CCF partners have helped maintain the Phase 1 technology that was deployed in 2019, whilst also implementing the extension across five new conservancies including: Lewa, Sera, Ol Jogi, Loisaba and NRT Centre. This now brings digital communications and connectivity to the conservation management teams across all reserves. Over 100 rangers who work in the region are now equipped with digital radios, network sensors and real-time information for improved situational awareness. Ongoing technical consultancy and support has helped build local technical skills and capacity of on-the-ground conservation technology leaders. 

2. Maintain the existing Phase 1 & 2 Technology Solution in the Pilot Project, South Africa and deploy Phase 3 extension into new areas of the reserve 

Before the Connected Conservation pilot project was implemented, this South African Private Game Reserve lost rhinos to poaching at a rate of one rhino per week. In the first 18 months of deployment, the pilot project reduced rhino poaching by 96%. Furthermore, between 2017 and 2018, not one single animal was poached. Response times to alerts on suspicious activity were also reduced from 30 to just 7 minutes anywhere in the park, helping rangers quickly intervene and stop poaching before it could occur. 

During 2019, poachers changed their tactics to avoid security measures, and poaching incidents increased again. In 2020-21, the technology was repositioned to stay one step ahead, helping to reduce the rate of poaching. In 2021-2022, 12 potential poaching incursions in Sabi Sand Nature Reserve were detected with the help of Connected Conservation technologies. If each incursion potentially equals a rhino death, SSNR saved 12 rhinos from harm during this period. 

Our ongoing technical consultancy and support have also facilitated SSNR to maintain 100%, around-the-clock operation of security technologies. Giving an early warning of poaching incursions through fence alarms, cameras and drone detection technologies. Additionally, CCF has helped Sabi access and trial four new impactful conservation technology solutions, two of which have been rolled out effectively. 

## **Fundraising performance achieved against fundraising activities set** 

During this accounting period Connected Conservation Foundation raised corporate and philanthropic donations in line with fundraising targets to implement the planned activities, principally from Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) Ltd. 

Page 15 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **Investment performance achieved against investment activities set** 

No investments have been made in this accounting period and no material financial investments are held. 

## **Factors relevant to achievement of objectives** 

Adequate funds have been raised to carry out planned activities within this accounting period. 

Following the Covid related delays to our project implementation, Phase 2 with NRT and Phase 3 of Sabi Sand Nature Reserve have now been deployed. Deployment of neworks for Madikwe Game Reserve will fall in the next period. Commitment has been made by CCF to complete all phases of work against our shared roadmap. 

## **Financial review** 

Our total income for our third year of operation was $275,430. Income and donations from corporate partnerships totalled $275,000 with $430 of income from individual giving. 

Our expenditure was $238,913. Our primary expenditure of $86,169 was allocated to grants direct to conservation partners for the purchase of technologies to meet their challenges and needs and develop their technical capabilities to use conservation tools. $37,940 was spent on developing the CCF website and marketing materials, which were launched in the previous period, with invoicing falling within this financial year. $80,729 was spent on; staffing costs for the wider team to catalyze investment; programme management of field projects; fundraising and communications and the development of technical capacity in the field. Other expenses were allocated to cover IT costs and the development of an impact measurement framework to understand the conservation return of CCF technology investments. 

## _**Policy on reserves**_ 

The charity has no formal reserves policy. Reserves held by the charity are monitored and regularly reviewed by the trustees to ensure that the level of reserves held will sufficiently cover expected levels of future expenditure. 

On 31 March 2022 the charity holds total funds of $404,989. All of these funds are unrestricted, and therefore total free reserves for the charity are $404,989. 

## _**Principal funding sources**_ 

CCF is extremely grateful to our supporters and donors, without which none of our achievements are possible. We would like to thank: 

- Dimension Data Proprietary Limited 

- Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) Limited 

- Birdies for Rhinos 

- Microsoft 

- Airbus Foundation 

Page 16 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **Plans for future periods** 

## **Aims and key objectives for future periods** 

In the next accounting period, the Connected Conservation Foundation aims to continue its work, to equip environmental professionals with tools to protect and manage more threatened species in new geographies. 

Specific objectives induce: 

## _**a) Reduce poaching in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa.**_ 

Madikwe urgently needs new early warning technologies to help tackle the dramatic rise in rhino poaching. With only 6,195 black rhinos left in Africa9, this rate of poaching across the continent would mean this iconic species could go extinct in five years. 

CCF and partners will help Madikwe deploy a LoRaWAN network into Madikwe Game Reserve located next to the Botswana border. This new connectivity will allow the implementation of network sensors, including fence alarms and vehicle trackers, to raise early warnings on incursions to help eradicate rhino poaching. 

## _**b) Improve human wildlife coexistence in Kafue, Zambia.**_ 

In Kafue National Park, Zambia, African Parks have been granted conservation management of this spectacular landscape. CCF will onboard African Parks as a new CCF conservation partner and plan the distribution of new technologies from the Dimension Data office in Botswana to Kafue, Zambia. New deployments will build on CCF’s existing Phase 1 project in the region to expand the network to new areas of the reserve and help establish a new operating centre in the central region. Equipment will help African Parks rangers extend conservation management and protection of this wilderness, aiming to reduce human-wildlife conflict in key areas. 

## _**c) Improve wildlife and ecosystem management across additional NRT member conservancies**_ 

NRT is looking to upscale technologies by increasing area connectivity coverage and bringing more community-led conservancies onto the LoraWAN network. CCF will help local partners in NRT extend their coverage to improve conservation efforts across the landscape with long-term plans to scale out to over 20 conservancies and national parks in Kenya. 

Significantly increasing the number of connected hectares and the donation of more sensing devices, will increase capabilities for real-time information across the region. New conservation challenges will also be explored, including tracking grazing herds between conservancies, to ensure rotation grazing plans are followed so grasslands and soils remain healthy and sustained for both wildlife and local livestock. 

Sensing technology may also help bring accountability to NRT’s ecosystem management plans and help NRT prove that vegetation across the reserve is removing Co2 from the climate. Validating the level of Co2 removal is essential to unlocking finance from carbon credits schemes, which will bring essential funding to conservancies and local people, who are living on the front lines of climate change. 

9 Save The Rhino 2022, Poaching Statistics [online] Viewed 01 Aug, 2022 

Page 17 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## _**d) Bring reliable Connectivity to all Park HQs across 19 African Parks, for improved conservation operations**_ 

Communication and connectivity are vital to modern-day park management. A reliable internet connection is at the heart of conservation operations and is essential to African Parks for wildlife management and protection and thriving community coexistence. Tackling the current connection instability in African Park’s remote regions will ensure zero downtime connectivity - a vital requirement to keep wildlife, staff and local people safe. 

CCF and partners will help African Parks secure and deploy 24 enterprise-level Meraki router devices across their 19 sites, including in countries Chad, Benin, Angola, and Malawi. The equipment will help teams better manage their connectivity and operations, enabling African Parks to manage the use of bandwidth in all parks remotely from one location, ensuring bandwidth and data are 100% dedicated to vital conservation work. 

## _**e) Improve monitoring and management of species and their habitats using high resolution satellite data**_ 

_Launch of our ‘Satellites for Biodiversity Award’_ 

We will launch a new global grant award, ‘Satellites for Biodiversity’ in partnership with Airbus Foundation, to accelerate the use of high-resolution satellite imagery for biodiversity conservation. The grant will support global projects looking to monitor and manage threatened species and their habitats. Proposed solutions may include wildlife monitoring of colonies and groups of species in hard-to-reach areas, mapping wildlife habitats, supporting protected areas for sustainable management of resources, understanding migration routes and changing human settlements to help improve human and wildlife coexistence. 

Following on from our research (see section 6a), applicants will be welcomed to apply to continue this line of work in new geographies, to further understand where these technologies can enhance habitat and species monitoring in new situations and geographies. 

Winners will receive access to the most advanced optical satellite imagery at 30cm spatial resolution from Airbus Pléiades Neo and 50cm from Pléiades, $5,000 USD of financial funding, access to Airbus’ Archive Library on request, free ESRI software and support and guidance from leading experts at Connected Conservation Foundation & Airbus Foundation. 

## _**f) Secure new supporters and collaborators**_ 

Fundraising during the next period will continue to help more parks secure game-changing technologies 

## **Activities planned to achieve aims** 

To achieve the above CCF will: 

a) Work with the Dimension Data implementation team in South Africa to roll out LoRaWan networks and sensors in Madikwe Game Reserve. Providing ongoing support and assistance 

b) Organise the shipping of new network equipment from Botswana to Zambia for implementation by African Parks in Zambia 

c) Secure donations from Cisco for Meraki router devices, organise logistics, to equip African Parks HQs in 19 sites 

d) Design, coordinate and run a new grant programme in collaboration with the Airbus Foundation e) Scope, plan and rollout extension of the LoRa Network across NRT conservancies f) Continue to support all our existing technology installations 

g) Evaluate projects and work with local partners to improve application, performance and maintenance of technologies 

Page 18 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **Structure, governance and management** 

## **Nature of governing document** 

Connected Conservation Foundation is a charitable company (company number 11632911) limited by guarantee and a registered charity (charity number 1183328). Its governing document is its Articles of Association. 

## **Recruitment and appointment of trustees** 

Trustees were recruited based on their experience and expertise in the context of wildlife conservation and technology. Directors have also been chosen to represent the views of contributing partners. All Directors are willing to act as a director and have been nominated in writing by the founding member. They have been appointed by resolution of the Directors. 

## **Induction and training of trustees** 

Two meetings were held to update the Board of Directors on the charity's progress and develop ongoing strategy. Mr B Watson and Mrs S. Maxwell presented the strategy and financial aims for the upcoming periods and this was agreed by all Directors. There have been no changes to the list of representatives on the Board of Directors. 

## **Arrangements for setting key management personnel remuneration** 

Policies around setting remuneration, include an assessment of competitive pay for executive level staff in Foundations. The Foundation has set benchmarked salary bands to attract and retain appropriate personnel and ensure transparency and fairness in the use of charity resources. Payroll and associated benefits for newly recruited staff have been established with accounting firm Stewart & Co Accountants LLP. 

## **Organisational structure** 

The Board of the Foundation is made up of 4 unpaid Trustees. Mr B Watson is the Executive Chairman and Founder of the Connected Conservation Foundation and will table decision-making with the Board of Directors. The following types of decisions are taken by the charity’s Trustees and remaining decisions are delegated to staff. 

Director decisions include: 

- agreeing strategy; 

- approving major commitments; 

- financial review and approval; 

- partnership engagement and due diligence; 

- senior level recruitment; 

- risk management and mitigation. 

CCF’s Executive Director reports into the Executive Chairman and provides inputs to the Board for informed decision-making. Foundation staff will report into the Executive Director and be responsible for day-to-day decision-making, to execute operations, project delivery, marketing and communications. 

All other decisions are delegated to the staff. 

Page 19 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **Major risks and management of those risks** 

CCF has reworked the identification of risks within the risk register. We've reviewed these with specified members of the senior team and Trustees, to help track, manage and drive mitigation strategies. The designated risk owner reports on each risk, at required intervals, to all Trustees and Senior Leads. 

The Trustees review the Charity’s Risk Register annually at its AGM and consider the following: 

## _Financial risk_ 

In recent years, there have been significant changes to corporate, philanthropic and government funding. The global pressures of recovering from the Covid Pandemic, inflation, the Ukraine war, Brexit and the energy crisis has impacted fundraising success. Increasingly, CCF has seen a shift in corporate focus from biodiversity to humanitarian or climate change relief efforts. We anticipate the next period will be more challenging to bring income opportunities into CCF. CCF is now concentrating on building relationships and bringing in a new primary corporate sponsor and diversifying income streams. 

Corruption within local organizations remains a continual risk. CCF has developed due diligence processes, documentation, checks and balances to assess new partners and manage our trusted relationships. 

## _Political instability_ 

Government changes in Botswana have prevented a previously announced project from going ahead. The intended project site sadly lost all rhinos to poaching, so the planned anti-poaching security technologies delivered to Wilderness Safaris Botswana were no longer of value in the planned reserve. CCF is ensuring this equipment will not be wasted and are arranging to transfer the kit to an alternative site in Zambia, whilst remaining owned by the Wilderness Safaris Group. By building a trusted network of established partners, CCF is assured that donated tools will always and only be used for impact to protect endangered species within the partner network. 

## _Covid-19 Pandemic_ 

At the beginning of the period, travel restrictions slowed and sometimes halted our ability to deploy technology solutions in the field, delaying progress in line with original schedules. Local engineers were unable to travel to protected areas in remote locations to install equipment. Any return to Covid restrictions will have a significant impact on CCF’s delivery roadmap. CCF is working tirelessly to complete all planned implementations while the situation is normalised. 

## _Working overseas with changing political frameworks_ 

Unpredictable contexts in working overseas can impact our activities. There are several unpredictable political, social and economic contexts in some countries we work in. 

We watch the situation in each country, liaising with Dimension Data’s in-country offices regarding the current situation. We work with these teams to develop scenario planning. Risk management is performed to safeguard our staff and colleagues, and is conducted at regular intervals during our projects. We always reflect on the design and approach of our programmes. This year, changes to government policy on data security and control have halted the implementation of projects in Botswana. CCF is working to resolve this with future projects, so due diligence is done on all contextual conditions to ensure projects will be successful. 

The Board is confident that the appropriate steps have been taken to mitigate the potential impact of these risks occurring. 

Page 20 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

## **Small companies provision statement** 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006. 

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 19 December 2022 and signed on its behalf by: 

**SIGNED SECURELY 20/12/2022 at 5:13:50 AM UTC** 

......................................... Mr B Watson Trustee 

Page 21 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities** 

The trustees (who are also the directors of Connected Conservation Foundation for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland". 

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Approved by the trustees of the charity on 19 December 2022 and signed on its behalf by: 

**SIGNED SECURELY 20/12/2022 at 5:13:50 AM UTC** 

......................................... Mr B Watson Trustee 

Page 22 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Connected Conservation Foundation ('the Company')** 

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’). 

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. 

## **Independent examiner’s statement** 

Since the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies. 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Connected Conservation Foundation as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)]. 

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 


...................................... Lucy Evans, FCA 

Stewart & Co. Chartered Accountants Knoll House Knoll Road Camberley Surrey GU15 3SY 

19 December 2022 

Page 23 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2022 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)** 

|**Note**<br>**Income and Endowments from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>3<br>Total income<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Charitable activities<br>13<br>Total expenditure<br>Net income<br>**Other recognised gains and losses**<br>Other gains/losses<br>14<br>Net movement in funds<br>**Reconciliation of funds**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>Total funds carried forward<br>8<br>**Note**<br>**Income and Endowments from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>3<br>Total income<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Charitable activities<br>13<br>Total expenditure<br>Net income<br>**Other recognised gains and losses**<br>Other gains/losses<br>Net movement in funds<br>**Reconciliation of funds**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>Total funds carried forward<br>8|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**$**<br>275,430<br>275,430<br>(227,951)<br>(227,951)<br>47,479<br>(2,511)<br>44,968<br>360,021<br>404,989<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**$**<br>266,741<br>266,741<br>(36,333)<br>(36,333)<br>230,408<br>9,947<br>240,355<br>119,666<br>360,021|**Total**<br>**2022**<br>**$**<br>275,430<br>275,430<br>(227,951)<br>(227,951)<br>47,479<br>(2,511)<br>44,968<br>360,021<br>404,989<br>**Total**<br>**2021**<br>**$**<br>266,741|
|---|---|---|
|||266,741|
|||(36,333)|
|||(36,333)|
|||230,408<br>9,947|
|||240,355<br>119,666|
|||360,021|



All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2021 is shown in note 8. 

The notes on pages 26 to 35 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 24 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **(Registration number: 11632911) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2022** 

|**Note**<br>**Current assets**<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>6<br>**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**<br>7<br>**Net assets**<br>**Funds of the charity:**<br>**Unrestricted income funds**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>**Total funds**<br>8|**2022**<br>**$**<br>412,205<br>(7,216)<br>404,989<br>404,989<br>404,989|**2021**<br>**$**<br>363,906<br>(3,885)|
|---|---|---|
|||360,021|
|||360,021|
|||360,021|



For the financial year ending 31 March 2022 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 

Directors' responsibilities: 

- The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and 

- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. 

The financial statements on pages 24 to 35 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 19 December 2022 and signed on their behalf by: 

**SIGNED SECURELY** 

**20/12/2022 at 5:13:50 AM UTC** 

......................................... 

Mr B Watson 

Trustee 

The notes on pages 26 to 35 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 25 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022** 

## **1 Charity status** 

The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation. 

The address of its registered office is: 1 King William Street London England EC4N 7AR 

## **2 Accounting policies** 

## **Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates** 

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. 

## **Statement of compliance** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). They also comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011. 

## **Basis of preparation** 

Connected Conservation Foundation meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. 

The financial statements are prepared in USD, which is the functional currency of the entity. 

Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest $. 

For the purposes of the Annual Return submitted to the Charity Commission, the exchange rate used to translate these financial statements to GBP is 1.1331, being the exchange rate at the date these accounts were prepared. 

## **Going concern** 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. 

The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. 

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity. 

Page 26 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022** 

## **Income and endowments** 

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably. 

## _**Donations and legacies**_ 

Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. 

## **Expenditure** 

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs. 

## _**Charitable activities**_ 

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. 

## **Support costs** 

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage. 

## **Governance costs** 

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses. 

## **Taxation** 

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. 

## **Cash and cash equivalents** 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. 

Page 27 



## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022** 

## **Borrowings** 

Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing. 

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges. 

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date. 

## **Foreign exchange** 

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates of exchange prevailing at that date. 

The results of overseas operations are translated at the average rates of exchange during the period and their balance sheets at the rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising on translation of the opening net assets and results of overseas operations are reported in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity (attributed to non-controlling interests as appropriate). 

Other exchange differences are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which they arise except for: 

1) exchange differences on transactions entered into to hedge certain foreign currency risks (see above); 

2) exchange differences arising on gains or losses on non-monetary items which are recognised in other comprehensive income; and 

3) in the case of the consolidated financial statements, exchange differences on monetary items receivable from or payable to a foreign operation for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur (therefore forming part of the net investment in the foreign operation), which are recognised in other comprehensive income and reported under equity. 

## **Fund structure** 

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. 

## **Financial instruments** 

## _**Classification**_ 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities. 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022** 

## _**Recognition and measurement**_ 

All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. 

Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the charity intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. 

Financial assets are derecognised when and only when a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled, b) the charity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or c) the charity, despite having retained some, but not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party. 

Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires. 

## **3 Income from donations and legacies** 

|Donations and legacies;<br>Donations<br>**Total for 2022**<br>Total for 2021|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**$**<br>275,430<br>275,430<br>266,741|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**$**<br>275,430|
|---|---|---|
|||275,430|
|||266,741|



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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022** 

## **4 Independent examiner's remuneration** 

|**4**<br>**Independent examiner's remuneration**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2022**|**2021**|
||**$**|**$**|
|Examination of the financial statements|2,225|2,439|



## **5 Taxation** 

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation. 

## **6 Cash and cash equivalents** 

|**6**<br>**Cash and cash equivalents**|||
|---|---|---|
|Cash at bank<br>**7**<br>**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**<br>Other taxation and social security<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals|**2022**<br>**$**<br>412,205<br>**2022**<br>**$**<br>2,536<br>2,455<br>2,225<br>7,216|**2021**<br>**$**<br>363,906|
|||**2021**<br>**$**<br>1,341<br>319<br>2,225|
|||3,885|



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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022** 

## **8 Funds** 

|**8**<br>**Funds**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Balance at 1**<br>**April 2021**<br>**$**<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>**_General_**<br>General<br>360,021<br>**Balance at 1**<br>**April 2020**<br>**$**<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>**_General_**<br>General<br>119,666<br>**9**<br>**Analysis of net assets between funds**<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Total net assets<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Total net assets|**Incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**$**<br>275,430<br>**Incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**$**<br>266,741|**Resources**<br>**expended**<br>**$**<br>**Other**<br>**recognised**<br>**gains/(losses)**<br>**$**<br>**Balance at**<br>**31 March**<br>**2022**<br>**$**<br>(227,951)<br>(2,511)<br>404,989<br>**Resources**<br>**expended**<br>**$**<br>**Other**<br>**recognised**<br>**gains/(losses)**<br>**$**<br>**Balance at**<br>**31 March**<br>**2021**<br>**$**<br>(36,333)<br>9,947<br>360,021<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Total funds at**<br>**31 March**<br>**General**<br>**$**<br>**2022**<br>**$**<br>412,205<br>412,205<br>(7,216)<br>(7,216)<br>404,989<br>404,989<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Total funds at**<br>**31 March**<br>**General**<br>**$**<br>**2021**<br>**$**<br>363,906<br>363,906<br>(3,885)<br>(3,885)<br>360,021<br>360,021||**Balance at**<br>**31 March**<br>**2022**<br>**$**<br>404,989|
|||||**Balance at**<br>**31 March**<br>**2021**<br>**$**<br>360,021|
||||||
||||404,989||
||||**Total funds at**<br>**31 March**<br>**2021**<br>**$**<br>363,906<br>(3,885)||
||||360,021||



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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022** 

## **10 Financial instruments** 

## **Categorisation of financial instruments** 

|**Categorisation of financial instruments**|||
|---|---|---|
|Financial assets measured at amortised cost<br>Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost|**2022**<br>**$**<br>412,205<br>(4,680)|**2021**<br>**$**<br>363,906|
|||(2,544)|



## **11 Related party transactions** 

During the year the charity made the following related party transactions: 

## **Mr B Watson** 

(Mr B Watson is a trustee) 

Mr B Watson was reimbursed for travel expenses for $1,256 (2021: $Nil). At the balance sheet date the amount due to/from Mr B Watson was $Nil (2021 - $Nil). 

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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022** 

## **12 Analysis of governance and support costs** 

|**Support Costs**<br>Bank charges<br>Computer and Website costs<br>Staff Costs<br>Legal & professional fees<br>Other expenses - Travel<br>Measurement & Evaluation<br>**Governance costs**<br>Independent examiner fees<br>Examination of the<br>financial statements|**NRT**<br>**Project**<br>**$**<br>-<br>9,485<br>20,182<br>-<br>2,810<br>-<br>32,477<br>-<br>32,477|**Madikwe**<br>**$**<br>-<br>9,485<br>20,182<br>-<br>2,810<br>-<br>32,477<br>-<br>32,477|**Core**<br>**$**<br>762<br>18,970<br>40,365<br>450<br>5,618<br>8,438<br>74,603<br>2,225<br>76,828|**Total**<br>**2022**<br>**$**<br>762<br>37,940<br>80,729<br>450<br>11,238<br>8,438<br>139,557<br>2,225<br>141,782|**Total**<br>**2021**<br>**$**<br>198<br>523<br>32,854<br>319<br>-<br>-|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||33,894<br>2,439|
||||||36,333|



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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022** 

## **13 Expenditure on charitable activities** 

## _**Analysis by fund**_ 

|**Note**<br>NRT Project<br>Madikwe<br>Allocated support costs<br>12<br>Governance costs<br>12<br>**Total for 2022**<br>Total for 2021<br>**_Analysis by type_**|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**$**<br>23,000<br>63,169<br>139,557<br>2,225<br>227,951<br>36,333|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**$**<br>23,000<br>63,169<br>139,557<br>2,225|
|---|---|---|
|||227,951|
|||36,333|
||||



|NRT Project<br>Madikwe<br>**Total for 2022**<br>Total for 2021|**Activity**<br>**undertaken**<br>**directly**<br>**$**<br>23,000<br>63,169<br>86,169<br>-|**Activity**<br>**support costs**<br>**$**<br>38,283<br>103,499<br>141,782<br>36,333|**Total**<br>**expenditure**<br>**$**<br>61,283<br>166,668|
|---|---|---|---|
||||227,951|
||||36,333|



## **14 Other recognised gains/losses** 

|Foreign currency (gains)/losses|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**$**<br>2,511<br>2,511|**Total**<br>**2022**<br>**$**<br>2,511<br>2,511|**Total**<br>**2021**<br>**$**<br>(9,947)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||(9,947)|



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## **Connected Conservation Foundation** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2022** 

## **15 Staff costs** 

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows: 

||**2022**||**2021**||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**No**||**No**||
|Administrative||2||1|



The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were $80,729 (2021 - $32,854). 

## **16 Trustees remuneration and expenses** 

During the year the charity made the following transactions with trustees: 

## **Mr B Watson** 

$1,256 (2021: $Nil) of expenses were reimbursed to Mr B Watson during the year. 

Mr B Watson was reimbursed for travel expenses. 

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year. 

No trustees have received any other benefits from the charity during the year. 

Page 35