About Us: Helping people connect with parks around the world

Guhonda, silverback mountain gorilla at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda by Rick LoBello.

For over 37 years Rick has dedicated his life to conservation education. After working and living in national parks as a park ranger, researcher and administrator, Rick developed a conservation education vision for his life that would enable him to use his talents to promote the conservation of endangered species and related habitats in third world countries.

In demonstrating his commitment to international conservation, in 1994 Rick sponsored an environmental education project in Zambia at North Luangwa National Park. Working closely with the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the Owens Foundation, Rick designed and published a 40 page environmental education guide for school children living near the park.

In the years that followed his leadership skills have resulted in a number of noteworthy projects including ongoing efforts to help create a US/Mexico International Peace Park and directing an award winning multi-media education program at Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks.

Rick's writings have been published in park brochures and newspapers, trade journals and in nationally distributed magazines like Defenders of Wildlife and Texas Parks and Wildlife.  During his tenure at Big Bend National Park his writings and other advocacy efforts helped to call attention to the status of rare mammals in the park including the endangered Mexican black bear population that began a natural recolonization in the park from Mexico during the late 1980s.  

Rick's accomplishments have been recognized and honored by high-level government officials in the Department of the Interior and by Rotary International.

In 2002 Rick became the Education Curator of the El Paso Zoo where he works on a wide variety of conservation projects both locally and regionally.

In 2009 on behalf of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Rick authored Guide to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park: Home to Critically Endangered Mountain Gorillas available on Amazon.com.  His travels over the years have taken him to various parts of North America, Costa Rica, Europe, the Middle East, Egypt, Rwanda, Kenya and China.

Join Us

Advisory Council

Brandon Thiessen
Burundi

Jeta Fawoh
Pan African Sanctuary Alliance
Cameroon

Carol S.K. Liu
Ocean Park, Hong Kong
China

Chris Senga
Global South Entertainment
Democratic Republic of the Congo

Fabiola Riva Melofiro
Pava Aliblanca
Peru

Felix Ndagijimana
Rwanda

Judy Ackerman
Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition
Texas, USA

Laura Erickson
Texas, USA

Jim Tolbert
Texas, USA

Stephanie Seay
Bison Field Campaign
United States

Silverback mountain gorilla in Rwanda

With his latest book, Guide to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Home to Critically Endangered Mountain Gorillas, former National Park Service ranger, naturalist, Conservation Education Speaker and Author Rick LoBello provides a comprehensive look at one of Africa’s most important wildlife conservation areas with detailed information on how to plan for a trek to see the mountain gorillas, made world famous by the late Dian Fossey and National Geographic.   

The 248 page travel guide with color pictures throughout includes an overview of the region's human and natural history, the story of Dian Fossey, information on how to observe mountain gorillas in the wild and other ecotourism points of interest in Rwanda.

It’s the book every traveler on safari to see mountain gorillas wishes they had when they were starting out.  LoBello, the Education Curator at the El Paso Zoo and former Executive Director of the Big Bend and Carlsbad Caverns Guadalupe Mountains Associations, developed the overall approach for the guidebook after spending twenty-five years helping national park visitors connect with and understand some of the country’s most outstanding natural treasures at Big Bend, Yellowstone, Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks.  

“Over the past 15 years the people of Rwanda have come an incredibly long way in rebuilding their country after the terrible genocide of 1994.  As was the case during the 1980s ecotourism is once again becoming an important part of the country’s economy and under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, Rwanda may now be one of the safest countries to visit on the African continent. The country truly can be described as a “new Rwanda” and it is my hope that this book will encourage its readers to take an interest in helping Rwandans move towards a brighter future.” says LoBello. “Over 100,000 people from around the world have now visited the park and more are on their way.  Don’t let the expense and effort that is required in getting there keep you from adding the location to your travel plans.  A trip to Volcanoes National Park is one of the most amazing wildlife adventures to be found anywhere in the world.” 

Order Your Copy from CreateSpace.com and Rick will be able to donate $5 to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.
Books are also available from Amazon.com. 

Website founder Rick LoBello with a baby giant panda in China

Website Contact Information
Rick LoBello, 915-474-1456
rickllobello@cs.com