Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation

who we are

Organising responsible tours to remote habitats – benefiting rural communities and promoting wildlife conservation 

Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation (SVC) was founded in 2003 to serve as a focal point for conservation initiatives in Northwestern Cambodia. Our work is conducted in collaboration with local villages, the Government of Cambodia and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Mr. Sam Veasna (1966-1999) was a pioneering Cambodian conservationist who served as the provincial Wildlife Officer in Siem Reap. His work in the field led to the rediscovery and protection of several endangered bird species. The establishment of SVC fulfils one of his dreams – to create a hub for conservation activities in Siem Reap.

what we do

SVC works with communities in remote areas to develop and promote their ecotourism enterprises including conducting workshops to improve their skills and services. Contributions from tourists are used for village development funds, which are tied to the community abiding by no-hunting and land-use agreements. These funds are managed by the village ecotourism committee and are used on projects of their choice, such as wells, roads or school buildings.

For visitors to Cambodia, SVC coordinates custom trips to see rare birds in remote areas, ensures that responsible tourism best practices are followed, and provides trained English-speaking bird/logistics guides.