ABOUT US
Founded in 2012 by artist and conservationist, Alex Beard, The Watering Hole Foundation is dedicated to saving endangered wildlife and preserving the Earth’s remaining wilderness.
Our diverse programs support, foster, and raise awareness of conservation efforts at home and abroad.
WHY WE EXIST
There is a multi-billion dollar illegal wildlife trafficking market that is rapidly and permanently changing our fragile natural ecosystem.
We live in a world with 16,306 species, including animals and plants, on the endangered species list. 20,000 African Elephants are poached annually and the Asian Elephant population has been cut in half over the past two decades. There are only 2,500 Bengal Tigers and around 5,000 Black Rhinos left in the wild.
HISTORY
2012
The Beginning
Aware of the plight faced by endangered species like the wild African elephant, Alex Beard establishes The Watering Hole Foundation with the immediate goal of supporting anti-poaching security in Kenya. Alex begins raising funds through the sale of his own artwork to go toward financing the project.
Emeril Lagasse Foundation
Annual art and charity collaboration for "Boudin, Bourbon and Beer" and "Carnival du Vin"
Artwork donations made to local school and charity auctions.
2013
Save The Elephants: Naracha Ndogo
The Watering Hole Foundation completes its fundraising initiatives and sends financial support to the Northern Rangelands Trust (The NRT) in Northern Kenya to finance the security and observation operations at Naracha Ndogo. In the Mokogodo Hills overlooking the Ilngwezi Plateau, patrols are to be manned by members of the Mokogodo Maasai, a tribe indigenous to the area, and backed up by the NRT’s existing security and developmental structure. This security initiative covering Naracha Ndogo will protect a vital passage for the migratory path of the elephants in the North, keeping the herds safe and the poachers out.
Artwork donations made to local school and charity auctions.
2014
The Watering Hole Foundation Weekend
A multi-day event designed to raise awareness and funds to supports WHF’s Fall programming.
Drawing the Line
Drawing the Line chronicles Alex Beards efforts to help preserve elephants in Kenya. The WHF holds a film screening at The Explorer’s Club in New York City. The Foundation raises $15,000 at the event, which is donated to Kenya-based conservation organization, LEWA.
Artwork donations made to local school and charity auctions.
2015
The Painting of Life, A Drawing the Line Event
In April, Alex participates in the Frenchmen Street Art Market to screen Drawing the Line to an expanded Jazz Fest audience. Alex uses the venue to publicize an online art auction to raise money for The WHF and to begin work on The Painting of Life, a 105 sq foot canvas. Alex sells The Painting of Life for $40,000, the proceeds from which go to The WHF.
Drawing the Line Film Screening Events
Screenings of Drawing the Line are held at the G2 Gallery in Los Angeles, Fort Mason Center Firehouse in San Francisco, and The Brooke Club in New York City to raise awareness about the plight of endangered species. On behalf of The Watering Hole Foundation, Alex Beard donates an embellished print of The Painting of Life, which is auctioned off with monies going to The LEWA Wildlife conservancy.
LEWA Gala Dinner at The Bowery Hotel, NYC
A conservation safari led by Alex Beard in Kenya is auctioned off to support LEWA and the Northern Rangelands Trust.
Emeril Lagasse Foundation
Annual art and charity collaboration for "Line, Wine and Dine"
Artwork donations made to local school and charity auctions.
2016
Ana for Elephants Campaign
Social media campaign is launched to promote awareness of the plight of the endangered African Elephant, resulting in a donation made to the Ngare Ndare Trust and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Jazz Fest Elephant Event
In cooperation with New Orleans artist Jacques Dufforc and social media campaign engineer Ana Finger of Ana for Elephants, Alex Beard builds a life size elephant out of papier mache during an awareness event on the grounds of New Orleans' Jazz and Heritage Festival and at The Art Garage.
LEWA Gala Dinner at The Colony Club, NYC
On Camel Safari Fundraiser
Takes place during Alex Beard's On Camel Safari art exhibition at the George Billis Gallery in NYC to benefit The LEWA Wildlife Conservancy
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Art collaboration effort to save Louisiana coast, The NOLA Gator project
Conservation Safari, Summer ‘16
Led by Alex Beard, a 10 day experience in Kenya tracking wildlife to learn about conservation and the environment.
Artwork donations made to local school and charity auctions.
2017
LEWA Gala Dinner at The Explorer's Club, NYC
Emeril Lagasse Foundation
Annual art and charity collaboration for "Boudin, Bourbon and Beer" and "Carnival du Vin"
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Art collaboration effort and fundraiser to save Louisiana Coast, The Oyster Platter project
Artwork donations made to local school and charity auctions.
2018
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Donate $2,000 to grant efforts
Emeril Lagasse Foundation
Annual art and charity collaboration for "Boudin, Bourbon & Beer"
Conservation Safari, Summer ‘18
Led by Alex Beard, a 10 day experience in Kenya tracking wildlife to learn about conservation and the environment.
LEWA Gala Dinner , NYC
Charlie Wheeler Marathon
Support Charlie's run to raise money to families of anti-poaching victims with donation
Artwork donations made to local school and charity auctions.
2019
Alex Beard hosts the LEWA USA Annual Board Meeting in his home.
Anne Neilson Fine Art, Animalia
Co-host art exhibition with a portion of proceeds going to the WHF.
LEWA Gala Dinner at The Metropolitan Club, NYC
NOLA Dogs Race to the Rescue 5K
Alex Beard supports and donates on behalf of the WHF.
Artwork donations made to local school and charity auctions.
2020
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Art collaboration effort and fundraiser to save Louisiana Coast, The Oyster Platter project
Emeril Lagasse Foundation
Annual art and charity collaboration for "Line, Wine and Dine"
LEWA Wildlife Conservancy: Safaricom Marathon
Due to the covid-19 pandemic, Alex could not participate personally in the marathon, so a donation was made in his place.
Milele Campaign
A grant was made to the Miele Campaign in Kenya.
Artwork donations made to local school and charity auctions.
2021
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Art project with the CRCL - donation of original artwork for auction, design of limited edition print and products, and participation in their annual meeting.
Emeril Lagasse Foundation
Annual art and charity collaboration for November 2021
Wildlife Ranger Challenge
Participated in fundraising for The Ngare Ndare Forest Rangers' Wildlife Ranger Campaign.
Conservation Safari, Summer ‘21
Led by Alex Beard, an experience in Kenya tracking wildlife to learn about conservation and the environment. For details, email The WHF.
Artwork donations made to local school and charity auctions.
2022
Emeril Lagasse Foundation
Annual art and charity collaboration for November 2022 - Created the 20th Anniversary Pig for The Emeril Lagasse Foundation, which sold at the Carnival Du Vin Charity Event.
Conservation Safari, Summer ‘22
Led by Alex Beard, an experience in Kenya tracking wildlife to learn about conservation and the environment. For details, email The WHF.
Toys for Tots
Purchased educational books and toys about animals and wildlife conservation and donated them to Toys for Tots, as well as encouraged our local community to also donate gifts.
Artwork donations made to local school and charity auctions.