Partner Announcement — Black Rhino Reserve Wildlife Trust
The Black Rhino Reserve Wildlife Trust to be an Inaugural Supply Side Project on the EARTH Token Natural Asset Exchange
The Black Rhino Reserve Wildlife Trust, charged with protecting and conserving species on the Black Rhino Game Reserve situated within the 58 000ha Pilanesberg National Park in the North West Province of South Africa, has partnered with impactChoice to create a new natural asset class which will be made available for trading on the EARTH token Natural Asset Exchange — a blockchain and cryptocurrency first.
15 November 2017, Mauritius — impactChoice and The Black Rhino Reserve Wildlife Trust are excited to announce that they are jointly creating an all new natural asset class that will be made available for trading to EARTH token holders on the Natural Asset Exchange (NAE). It is anticipated that this natural asset class will stir buyer interest from corporations, businesses, non-profits and organizations looking to invest in environmentally sustainable mitigation products. This will also be a blockchain and cryptocurrency first, offering interested parties and individuals a platform that allows them to bypass middlemen and directly contribute and fund projects that seek to preserve the environment for future generations.
Among Southern Africa’s game reserves, the Pilanesberg National Park is possibly the most accessible, being situated in the ecologically rich transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld. The vast area provides thrilling big game viewing in a malaria-free environment with a wide variety of accommodation on offer in the surrounds of the park.
“Rhino Poaching in South Africa has reached an unprecedented level. We are currently under siege in a battle to save the last remaining wild rhino population in Africa. Approximately 75 percent of wild African Rhino reside in South Africa so it is imperative we succeed in our conservation mission. We are excited to partner with impactChoice to create a new natural asset class on the Natural Asset Exchange, and trust this initiative will result in much-needed awareness and funding participation for the Conservation Protection Unit.” — Andrew Jackson — Conservation Protection Unit — Black Rhino Wildlife Trust
According to the African Wildlife Fund, more than 900 rhinos have been poached across Africa over the past three years. Since the start of this year, 181 rhinos have been killed in South Africa, according to official figures. In the last two weeks alone, 7 rhino’s have been killed in the Pilanesberg National Park. Elephants are also being poached at an alarming rate.
impactChoice and The Black Rhino Reserve Wildlife Trust will jointly create a new natural asset class specifically aimed at the protection of species within the geographical confines of the Black Rhino Game Reserve and the Pilanesberg National Park. Proceeds in EARTH tokens from the sales of this asset class will be used by The Black Rhino Reserve Wildlife Trust to augment fundraising campaigns to, amongst others, equip the Anti-Poaching Unit and help them curb the rampant poaching problem in the area.
“Having personally visited Black Rhino Game Lodge in 2015 and having seen the devastating effect of poaching first hand I’m thrilled at the partnership between impactChoice and The Black Rhino Reserve Wildlife Trust. Not only will the partnership result in global exposure and much-needed funding for equipment to be used by the Anti Poaching Unit; it also demonstrates the capabilities of the Natural Asset Exchange in being able to cater for new natural asset classes that are geared towards protecting the environment.” — Leonard Harley — Managing Director, impactChoice.
Over the coming months leading up to the launch of the Natural Asset Exchange, impactChoice and The Black Rhino Reserve Wildlife Trust will jointly be developing the underlying protocols of this new asset class. The Black Rhino Reserve Wildlife Trust joins the Kariba REDD+ project as inaugural partners in providing natural assets for trade on the Natural Asset Exchange platform at launch.
impactChoice will launch a token pre-sale of its ERC20 Standard cryptocurrency, EARTH Token (EARTH) on November 17, 2017. The main token sale will commence one week later on November 24. The goal of the project is to combine the strengths of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency with years of experience creating Environmental Sustainability Solutions in establishing a global Natural Asset Marketplace (Natural Asset Exchange) that removes current barriers to participation in activities that preserve our Environment while providing all stakeholders with tangible assets that appreciate in value as the market matures and grows. For more information on the upcoming EARTH Token sale, please visit https://earth-token.com
About Black Rhino Game Reserve
The Black Rhino Game Reserve is set within a Tamboti forest at the foot of an ancient volcanic crater within the 58 000 ha Pilanesberg National Park. This wilderness area in the North Western corner of the park has become renowned as one of South Africa’s most exciting big five eco-tourism destinations. A mere 33 km from Sun City this ‘Malaria Free’ safari destination is within easy reach of Gauteng and the Johannesburg International Airport in South Africa. The reserve is home to the Big 5 — lion, leopard, rhino (black and white), buffalo and elephant — as well as cheetah and the African wild dog. Most of the antelope species that occur in the reserve along with the birdlife are nothing but prolific.
The Black Rhino Reserve Wildlife Trust was formed by lodge owners within the reserve. Warren Joffe and Deon Strydom(Pilanesberg Private Lodge), as well as Chris Basson (Mubali Lodge) thought it imperative to form a trust to conserve the natural environment, to assist and also run different projects within the reserve to ensure the future of all species.
About impactChoice
impactChoice is a leading provider of environmental sustainability solutions. The blockchain based Natural Asset Exchange platform and the accompanying native EARTH Token (EARTH) creates a unique opportunity to invigorate the Natural Asset Market. It enables all stakeholders in the value chain to participate by transforming Environmental Sustainability from a financial burden to a business incentive and by finally providing all contributors with tangible assets that will appreciate in value as the market grows, in turn allowing the market to grow organically and achieve its full and massive potential.
