Sponsorship
Royalties from book sales alone will not cover the cost of researching, producing, and publishing a comprehensive guide to Namibia's scorpions. A minimum of N$500,000 is needed to make the project possible. Every contribution helps, and support beyond this target will fund additional fieldwork, document more species and localities, and produce an even more comprehensive guide while strengthening our understanding of Namibia's scorpion fauna.
Funds will be used for:
- Travel to obtain photographs;
- Accommodation during fieldwork and writing;
- Necessary photographic, outdoor, and other equipment;
- Permits from the authorities;
- Other logistical and administrative costs.
Sponsor Benefits
This book will showcase one of Namibia's most remarkable and least understood components of biodiversity to both local and international audiences. The book is intended for naturalists, tourists, researchers, students, conservation practitioners, and anyone interested in Namibia's unique wildlife.
By supporting the project, sponsors will be helping to:
- Promote Namibian science, biodiversity, and natural heritage;
- Improve public understanding of an often misunderstood group of animals;
- Support the documentation and conservation of Namibia's unique fauna;
- Encourage nature-based tourism and interest in the country's wildlife;
- Create educational resources for future generations of Namibians;
- Help develop local scientific expertise and research capacity in Namibia;
- Demonstrate a commitment to scientific research, conservation, and environmental stewardship in the country.
Unlike many forms of advertising, a high-quality reference book remains in circulation for many years, providing sponsors with an enduring association with a positive and worthwhile scientific endeavour.
Please note: Contributions support the production of the book. Sponsors do not influence the scientific content, editorial decisions, or conclusions, which remain solely the responsibility of the author and publisher.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding will be a key fundraising mechanism for the project, allowing individuals, families, and organisations to contribute towards producing the field guide.
For South African and International supporters, the campaign is hosted onThundafund, where contributions of any amount are welcome.
For Namibians, a separate crowdfunding campaign will be available locally to contribute towards the project without paying high international transfer fees. Please click on the support button below to be notified when it becomes available.
To thank supporters for their contributions, a range of rewards is available, including:
- Recognition in the book's acknowledgements;
- Advance copies of the completed field guide;
- Corporate sponsorship opportunities, including logo placement in the book.
Full details of the rewards, contribution levels, and campaign progress are available on the crowdfunding page.
Fund Management
Funds will be managed through the Ubuntu Wildlife Trust, a registered non-profit in South Africa and UK, able to issue tax certificates to sponsors from those countries (NPC No. 2015/218115/08, PBO No. 930073764; UK Charity Number: 1189781).
Fieldwork and production of the book has begun in October 2026 using the funds available, with fundraising continuing throughout the project. This approach allows momentum to build while enabling supporters to follow the project's progress and see their contributions making a tangible impact.
Should the project not be completed, any unspent funds will be distributed in proportion to contributors' donations or, with the contributor's consent, donated to a recognised conservation or biodiversity research initiative.
Contact & Support
A downloadable copy of the project proposal for circulation is available as the Sponsorship Prospectus.
To discuss potential corporate sponsorships, please get in touch or email the author, Ian Engelbrecht, directly on ian@namibiascorpions.net.