The Ellen DeGeneres Campus in Rwanda, since its official launch in 2022 has become one of the remarkable and most visited places in the country. It represents hope and a great future in mountain gorilla conservation, research and studies, thus continuing to promote Dian Fossey’s legacy. The main mission of establishing this Research Center was to create a spacious and conducive environment where different stakeholders in conservation such as conservation partners, researchers, scientists, tourists, students, and local community members engage and interact among themselves for the greater collective goal of protecting mountain gorillas and the areas they live in.
The Dian Fossey Fund has relentlessly worked towards the conservation of the endangered mountain gorilla populations and offered support to the people that share these Great Apes’ forest home (local communities) for over 50 years and still counting. The now existent Research Center started with two tents that were set up on the foothills of Karisimbi and Bisoke (known as Karisoke) in 1967 but as the workforce grew from one person (Dian Fossey herself) over 300 individuals, there was a dire need for more space to accommodate the growing team.
Before the Ellen DeGeneres Campus was established, Dian Fossey Fund staff worked out of a tinny rented space with limited facilities (one classroom and a kitchen that was converted into a Laboratory) and during the 50th anniversary of Dian Fossey Fund in 2018, a strategic decision was made by the leaders, a decision that saw the establishment of this state-of-art Center. The 20-year dream was to create a modern and purpose-built facility that would expedite conservation work and science.
As they say “good deeds don’t go unnoticed” and within few months of announcing this strategic decision, Dian Fossey Fund received a lead gift from popular TV host Ellen DeGeneres (who is a huge animal lover) and her wife Portia de Rossi. This opened more doors as thousands of donors, small and large joined hands supporting the project and that’s why the state-of-art and Purpose-built research and learning facility now exists in Rwanda. Opened in February 2022, the Research Center facility is Award-winning MASS Design Group’s vision and was recognized as one of the “top 10 most anticipated architectural projects in Africa. Additionally, it also appeared on CBS “60 minutes” as well as in the “Architectural Digest”.
During the establishment of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, mostly locally-sourced materials and supplies with low carbon footprint were used, there was reforestation of previously agricultural land, rainwater harvesting and use of green roofs was emphasized. This were in line with the country’s long-term Sustainable Development Goals. Generally, more than $15 million was invested in Rwanda’s economy and over 2,400 construction jobs were created for the local communities.
The multi-acre Research Center is adjacent to Volcanoes National Park hence becoming a must-visit site for travelers exploring the Gorilla Sanctuary. It is made up of three major buildings that were named after prominent conservationists and they include the “Rob and Melani Walton Education Center”, the “Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery” and the “Sandy and Harold Price Research Center”. There are also a number of well-furnished housing structures for visiting students and Researchers.
It is undeniable that Research and Science is the heart of Mountain gorilla conservation and has also been the Core of what is done at Dian Fossey Fund thus the “Sandy and Harold Price Research center” is crucial in fostering research in Physiology, paleontology, and genetics. The five-fold expansion in Laboratory space makes it possible to work with scientific collaborators and students. Also, training opportunities for passionate young conservationists in Africa will be provided
Mountain gorilla conservation is also about learning (education) and passing knowledge. For this reason, the increased classroom space, together with the computer laboratory, and science Library intensifies teaching opportunities with local, regional, and International Universities. Also, conservation-related workshops, seminars, trainings, and conferences will now be hosted without worrying about Venues. One thing you will love about the Ellen DeGeneres Campus is that learning goes beyond the four walls of the classroom hence there is a living Laboratory with over 250,000 native plants that make up the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Trails. Here, visitors can gain experience by undertaking Botany field trips.
If you are more interested in learning about the history of Mountain gorilla Research and Conservation, then feel free to explore the “Cindy Broder Conservation gallery” where you will go from Dian Fossey’s time until today.
When is the Ellen DeGeneres Open for visits?
This Research Center is open between 9am and 5 pm every day (except for 7th April in honor of the Genocide Remembrance Day) and guided tours can be enjoyed by travelers or all age groups. You might want to grab a cup of coffee and a snack during your tour and for this reason, just check out the Gorilla Café and if you are interested in some local crafts and gorilla carvings or portraits as souvenirs, make a stop at the gift shop. It is however advisable to wear warm clothing (preferably a sweater) during the Ellen DeGeneres Campus tours because temperatures sometimes extremely chilly.