The campaign centres on a striking 2×2 m artwork made up of 340 individual dots, with each dot representing one of the estimated mature Botha’s Larks left in the wild. By sponsoring a dot for a minimum of R500, supporters become a permanent part of the artwork, with their name added alongside their chosen dot. The completed piece will hang at the BirdLife South Africa Grasslands Conservation Centre in Wakkerstroom, serving as a lasting reminder that conservation is only possible because of people who choose to act.

So far, the response has been incredible!

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, more than 270 of the 340 dots have already been sponsored, with many choosing to contribute more than the minimum amount, raising well over R140 000, all of which is channelled to supporting our Botha’s Lark conservation work. Every sponsored dot represents someone who believes that South Africa’s unique grasslands-and the remarkable species that call them home-are worth protecting.

Now we’re entering the final chapter of the campaign.

Fewer than 70 dots remain.

Every rand raised through the campaign goes directly towards conserving Botha’s Lark. Your support helps fund field surveys to discover and monitor populations, intensive nest monitoring during the breeding season, scientific research to better understand the species and the challenges it faces, and increased conservation capacity to ensure this important work continues across the bird’s remaining range.

The impact of these contributions is already being seen in the field. Over the past year, BirdLife South Africa has continued to survey new areas of suitable habitat, strengthened partnerships with landowners, completed the Botha’s Lark Species Action Plan to guide conservation over the coming decade, and expanded our understanding of this elusive grassland endemic through ongoing research and monitoring.

Although Botha’s Lark was recently uplisted to Critically Endangered, there is real reason for hope. Effective conservation is built on collaboration, commitment and sustained support, and every person who sponsors a dot helps make that possible.

The ‘Be One of the 340’ campaign is more than a fundraiser. It is an opportunity to become part of the story of one of South Africa’s most threatened birds. Long after the final dot has been sponsored, the artwork will stand as a tribute to the community of people who came together to help secure the future of Botha’s Lark.

If you’ve been thinking about supporting the campaign, now is the perfect time.

With fewer than 70 dots left, we’re inviting you to become one of the final champions of Botha’s Lark.

Sponsor your dot for a minimum of R500, add your name to the artwork, and help ensure that the Botha’s Lark continues to display across South Africa’s grasslands for generations to come.

Become one of the 340 supporters today by visiting this page.

This campaign was made possible through the generous support of Faansie Peacock and the Firefinch team.