Who we are
We are a regional conservation organisation putting healthy biodiversity and proper management of natural resources in the Albertine Rift region, Africa Great Lakes and African Mountains at the forefront of our mission.
Our story
Founded in 1995, the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS Network) is a regional non-governmental organization dedicated to championing biodiversity conservation, landscape restoration, and sustainable natural resource management across the Albertine Rift, the African Great Lakes, and African mountain ecosystems. Headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, ARCOS works at the intersection of environmental integrity and human well-being. Through collaborative initiatives with local communities, government institutions, and international partners, the organization empowers civil society, promotes climate change adaptation, and restores degraded landscapes to secure essential ecosystem services for future generations.
Driven by a holistic "Nature and People" philosophy, ARCOS integrates evidence-based conservation science with grassroots community development. Key strategic initiatives (ranging from nature-based community financing and sustainable agriculture to climate-smart agroforestry and environmental governance) serve as scalable models for sustainable development. By bridging science, practice, and policy, ARCOS continues to foster resilient ecosystems and thriving livelihoods, ensuring that both nature and people prosper together across priority landscapes in Africa.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Over the years, ARCOS Network has earned international acclaim for its pioneering conservation and community resilience efforts across priority landscapes.
This impact has been recognized through prestigious global honors, including the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions (2012), the One Tree Planted Award (2023) for long-standing landscape restoration, and the King Albert Mountain Award (2024) for outstanding contributions to mountain ecosystems and sustainable development.
Mission
Conservation At Heart: We aim to build a sustainable future for nature and people through the promotion of collaborative actions.
Vision
Building Healthy Ecosystems: Our ecosystems are healthy and provide sustainable benefits for nature and people.
Core values
- Collaborative
- Results Oriented
- Professionalism
- Transformative
- Innovative and Creative
- Sustainable Solution Oriented
- Competent
- Eco-Citizens
- Integrity is our flag
- Responsible First
Our leadership
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Sam Kanyamibwa
Dr. Sam Kanyamibwa is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS). Sam is a professionally qualified conservationist with over 30 years of experience in the conservation field at international level, particularly in Africa.
The team
For over two decades, our team has grown in number and in spirit and has played a massive role to achieve our mission. With over 100 staff across three countries, we are committed to enhance conservation efforts, community development, and collaborative climate action.
