The Maasai Environmental Resource Coalition is a non-profit organization founded in Kenya in 1987 to stop the illegal appropriation and destruction of the Maasai people's traditional lands. MERC applies traditional indigenous knowledge, education and conservation biology to enhance understanding, trust and cooperation among all parties involved in the conservation of wildlife in East Africa. This approach to conservation management bridges the gap that has long existed between the indigenous communities, the governments of Kenya and Tanzania, and conservation NGOs (non-governmental organizations) on matters related to conservation, wildlife management, and economic development. MERC advocates for the protection of traditional land rights of the Maasai people, and for conservation, management and sustainable use of the great ecosystems of East Africa. Their guiding vision : Preserve the integrity of East African ecosystems, with their rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, for the benefit of the Maasai people, the nations of Kenya and Tanzania, and the present and future generations of the world; Ensure the survival of the Maasai people by preserving our cultural heritage, supporting sustainable socio-economic development within our communities, and protecting traditional land rights and political representation so that we can determine our own future on our own lands.