About Us

Connecting You to Conservation

Do you want a charity that can bring you closer to endangered animals?  Then the Red Endangered Animal Connection Trust (REACT) is the one for you.  It's goal is to get you working directly with projects in the UK and across the worldso that you can learn and contribute to animals that are on the brink of extinction. 

REACT does this in a three ways:

  • we inform you about ways in which you can contribute every day, whether it is by signing a petition or making consumer choices, through Facebook or Twitter;  
  • we let you know how you can volunteer in projects across the world; by working in cooperation with other organisations or by setting up projects oursleves;
  • give you the opportunity to fundraise money for endangered animals;

REACT works with many organisations in different parts of the world.  Every year, we select certain species and concentrate on helping you connect to them.  This year, we are focusing on the Bornean orangutan, the Malayan sun bear and the Asian pygmy elephant.  These are all species that are classified as ‘threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (giving rise to the ‘Red’ in REACT) is the most comprehensive and respected inventory of species at risk.

These are 'umbrella species'; species that require large areas of land.  Conserving these animals means that other species that share the same habitat are also protected.  For example, an orangutan requires anything from 1 to 30 Km2 of land (though their territories may overlap), or a Sun bear can range from 10Km2 to 25 Km2.  By protecting orangutans, sun bears and elephants, you help to protect thousands of other species of amphibians, mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, plants and other species live.

 Here are three examples of how people have connected to endangered animals thanks to REACT:

  • Tree planting in England's largest native reforestation project
  • Running a half marathon to fundraise money for Bornean orangutans and Sun bears
  • Volunteering in Borneo in an orangutan rescue centre 

 

REACT Philosophy

It is our belief that one person can make a difference.  REACT is a way for people to become involved in a cause they are passionate about by contributing their time, energy and money to become better informed, help raise awareness and contribute directly to conservation. 

REACT achieves this by developing meaningful projects and creating channels to help those projects.  Some people may choose to make a direct donation or set up a fundraising event, others may work at a project, younger people might choose to join an education project, or experienced professionals may volunteer their skills.

The projects themselves are developed following the principles of sustainability.  REACT works with local Government and communities as much as we help animals.  Social and economic solutions are important in creating successful environmental outcomes.  It is essential that local people understand the importance of their environmental heritage and can benefit from it.  

 

Charity Objective

REACT is an incorporated charity under UK law, charity registration number 1136449 with the Charity Commission, and company number 7089652 with Companies House.  Our constitution requires us to fulfill the following charity objective:

"To promote the preservation and conversation of endangered species, and to advance the education of the public in these areas, by providing, arranging and assisting volunteer-based wildlife and conservation projects."

 

How REACT was formed

The founder, Guillaume Feldman, worked in Asia for six years and set up and developed a number of volunteer programmes with orangutans, elephants, sun bears and turtles.  Most notably, Guillaume started the Great Orangutan Project and set up orangutan projects in Matang Wildlife Centre (a rescue centre managed by Sarawak Forestry Corporation), Zoo Negara (the Malaysian national zoo), Samboja Lestari (a reforestation and rescue centre run by BOS), and the Kinabatangan in Sabah (a project helping wild populations).

Additionally, Guillaume was part of the team that developed the amazing Wild at Heart education programmes which has attracted some of the world's most prestigious international schools.

In 2009, Guillaume started REACT.  This has allowed more people to become more involved in these projects and contribute even more.  Being a charity has allowed us to tap into grants and donations that were never available before and strengthen the conservation outcomes whilst remaining true to the spirit of collaborative and inclusive conservation.