Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation

Located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation (SVC) was created as a memorial to Sam Veasna, former head of the Siem Reap provincial wildlife office, and a key player in promoting conservation initiatives in Cambodia. Instrumental in discovering the population of Sarus Crane at Ang Tropeang Thmor, he succeeded in having it declared a Sarus Crane Protected Area by Royal Decree. He rediscovered the Bengal Florican in Kompong Thom, until then believed to have been extinct in Cambodia, and worked closely with local villagers to promote conservation efforts. Veasna died at the age of 33 of malaria contracted during field work. Friends, family and colleagues established the center as a tribute to him.

The SVC opened in January 2003, and in collaboration with partners such as Wildlife Conservation Society - Cambodia Program and local communities in birding destinations, has been developing activities to promote wildlife conservation, including:

Facilitating trips to several important bird areas in Cambodia
Building capacity for Cambodians to enable them to generate income from ecotourism
Ensuring local communities benefit from foreign visitors.Hosting public events and lectures aimed at both Cambodians and foreigners
Developing interpretive material and a resource library on topics relating to Cambodia’s environment

The Sam Veasna Fund

The aim of the Fund, initially established with donations from friends and colleagues, is to perpetuate Veasna’s spirit and passion by supporting Cambodians working to conserve wildlife.

Cambodian students and scientists will be able to apply to the Sam Veasna Fund for small grants to sponsor conservation-related fieldwork, such as:

wildlife surveys, particularly those focusing on threatened birds and mammals,
conservation activities, including awareness raising,
research projects in natural sciences and conservation.

- Sam Veasna Center Calendar -

Acknowledgements

SPONSORS
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to current and past supporters, including Wildlife Conservation Society, Oriental Bird Club - Smythie’s Fund, the Royal Belgium Institute of Natural Sciences, and CRAVO. SVC also heartily thanks Eleanor Briggs, Colin Poole, Joe Walston and the countless individuals, birders and friends who have visited the center, taken birding trips with us and made generous donations.

PHOTOGRAPHS
SVC acknowledges the following contributors: Eleanor Briggs, Allan Michaud, Dave Farrow, Dennise Gambade, James Eaton, Terry Whittaker, Howie Nielsen, Kristen Davies, Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program.