SI Swimsuit Cover Model Veronica Varekova Teams Up With African Wildlife Foundation to Help Conservation of Land and Wildlife

SI Swimsuit Cover Model Veronica Varekova Teams Up With African Wildlife
Foundation to Help Conservation of Land and Wildlife
INTERNATIONAL MODEL NAMED GOODWILL AMBASSADOR FOR WILDLIFE FOUNDATION

NEW YORK, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The African Wildlife Foundation [AWF]
announced today that supermodel Veronica Varekova, who has been featured in
campaigns for Sports Illustrated and Victoria's Secret, has been named one of
the first AWF Goodwill Ambassadors. Veronica will aid in efforts to raise
awareness and funds to support initiatives focused on conserving large
landscapes, protecting endangered species, and empowering local communities
working in AWF's nine African Heartlands; these vast areas of land are
essential to conservation due to an unmatched concentration of wildlife and
potential to sustain viable populations for the future.

"I made frequent trips to Africa growing up and quickly fell in love with the
continent," Veronica commented. "On my last trip, I was able to experience
AWF's work and accomplishments firsthand, which made me realize how much I
wanted to be involved with this Foundation and help raise their profile in the
US I truly respect and value their mission, philosophy, work ethic, and am
excited to get on the ground to begin my work."

As one of her first projects, Veronica will travel to Rwanda in late October
to liaise with conservationists working in the forested habitat surrounding
the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. This community-owned lodge was created as part
of AWF's Conservation Enterprise program; it provides the community with
economic incentives to conserve their lands and treat wildlife not as a threat
to their livelihoods, but as a boon to their prosperity.

Another newly appointed AWF Goodwill Ambassador and good friend, Ben Stein,
will join Veronica in the hopes to secure a meeting with the President of
Rwanda, Paul Kagame, to show appreciation for his country's work in supporting
the conservation efforts of AWF.

"We could not be more thrilled to have Veronica involved with the African
Wildlife Foundation," noted Craig Sholley, Vice-President for Philanthropy and
Marketing for AWF. "Veronica shares our belief that protecting Africa's
wildlife and landscapes is the key to the future economic prosperity of Africa
and its people. We are confident that her passion for our mission will create
additional awareness of our work."

For more information, please visit the African Wildlife Foundation website:
www.awf.org

About African Wildlife Foundation:
For nearly 50 years the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), together with the
people of Africa, has worked to ensure the wildlife and wild lands of Africa
will endure forever. AWF is the leading international conservation
organization focused solely on Africa. AWF believes protecting Africa's
wildlife and wild landscapes is the key to the future prosperity of Africa and
its people.

SOURCE African Wildlife Foundation

Erin Burke, +1-212-445-8367, eburke@rogersandcowan.com, or Caitlin McNamara,
+1-212-445-8232, cmcnamara@rogersandcowan.com, both of Rogers & Cowan