What is ACNR?

ACNR (Association pour la Conservation de la Nature au Rwanda) is a Rwandan non-profit making NGO based in Kigali, administrative capital of Rwanda.

With the aim of conserving and promoting biodiversity in Rwanda, ACNR projects focus on endangered ecosystems in the country, such as wetlands or forest regions. The organization ensures their protection by developing strategies and action plans e.g. integratng sustainable use of resources into local lifestyles.

ACNR is a membership association with currently 135 physical members from all over the country. 14 Nature or Wildlife Clubs in schools (over 3,500 people) and 5 Site Support Groups form a part of the organization as well.

Respecting the requirements of the law n° 20/2000 of the 26/07/2000 governing the non profit making associations, ACNR can, ipso facto, adhere to the foreign limited companies. The ministerial order no 49/11 of 20 July 2007 grants legal status to the Association pour la Conservation de la Nature au Rwanda (ACNR) and approves its legal representatives.

Background

ACNR was founded by committed teachers and students of the National University of Rwanda in Huye/former Butare (south of the country) in 1992. The founding members, including the present Executive Director Serge Nsengimana, saw the necessity for environmental protection in Rwanda, which could effectively influence the population’s way of dealing with nature.

It held its first General Assembly in May 1992 and began its activities in the following August by creating the first Nature clubs in primary and secondary schools as well as around the Nyungwe Forest (currently Nyungwe National Park) such as Banda and nature clubs. ACNR was recognized by the Government of Rwanda through the ministry of Justice on February 17th, 1994.

During the 1994 genocide, the organization was disintegrated and lay idle. In October 1997 some former members who survived the 1994 tragedy decided to re-launch the activities of ACNR. Since then it has been an active and productive panel for nature conservation in Rwanda.