Uplifting Forces: 2022 Annual Report
We are thrilled to share African People & Wildlife's 2022 Annual Report! You'll find stories of the communities and animals that drive our work across Tanzania, as well as a breakdown of our latest impact stats, financials, and a look at where we’re headed this year. It's an exciting time to be involved with APW, and we invite you to join us in celebrating these shared successes.
The Human-Elephant Peacekeepers
Human-elephant conflict is a major concern in Tanzania's Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As part of our strategy and partnerships in this landscape, we recruited and trained eight human-elephant coexistence officers who have been trained on conflict prevention, mitigation tactics, and community outreach.
These specialized Warriors for Wildlife are already collecting real-time data on wildlife conflict locations, damage, and mitigation efforts using our GIS system powered by Esri – protecting elephants and helping people by identifying corridors and hotspots in need of urgent support.
It has been a privilege to exchange knowledge about human-wildlife conflict with village government members in the Mkomazi landscape. I recognize a new, shared understanding of coexistence by the end of our time together.
David Castico, Human-Wildlife Conflict Prevention Program Officer
Greater Mkomazi: From Knowledge to Action
Mkomazi National Park is a vital wildlife refuge in Tanzania, and its boundaries are home to people who depend on the land for their livelihoods. Like other landscapes where we work, this can lead to conflict with carnivores, overgrazing, and other environmental challenges.
But there's good news. Our partnership with Tanzania National Parks Authority is an opportunity to build bridges in four villages around the park, expanding to other locations over time. This spring, our team held training workshops on rangeland management and human-wildlife coexistence, providing communities with the skills to manage their resources sustainably. Stay tuned for continued progress!
Welcoming Botswana Wild Bird Trust
While our youth education programs are familiar sights at the Noloholo Environmental Center, it’s also the heart of our ACTIVE™ Community Engagement program. We recently hosted a group from the Botswana Wild Bird Trust as part of our ongoing contributions to the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project.
The group's itinerary included a comprehensive on-site ACTIVE™ training session, followed by visits to APW project sites. It was an incredible opportunity to offer expertise and trade ideas among like-minded individuals who share a passion for holistic conservation.
Bringing Life Back to Rangelands
Dense bush, invasive plant species, and soil erosion put pressure on the natural balance of rangelands in northern Tanzania — not to mention the irregular weather patterns due to climate change. The wildlife populations and pastoralist communities that this ecosystem supports need win-win solutions.
Our team partnered with communities in Longido district to rehabilitate 1,355 acres of communal grazing lands that had been nearly lost to bush encroachment and invasive species. Funded through the Land for Life initiative, the project mobilized 477 local people to implement this truly grassroots effort – creating more resilient rangelands with nutritious forage for all grazers to enjoy.
Susan Gets Her Boots on the Ground
Susan Chege Reuben is on a wild ride with APW's Women in Conservation mentorship program! From youth wildlife clubs in the classroom to field-based wildlife conservation and sustainable enterprise development, she's experienced it all. Reflecting on her time so far, Susan says:
“I have learned a lot, and to think of where I will apply this vast knowledge is overwhelming because I can use it everywhere I go. As mentees, we have learned from different programs, and I was especially excited to see women in conservation. For example, we worked closely with women at the Mama Asali center, learning how it operates and how they make wildlife-friendly honey and other products, from harvest stage to packaging."
Be a Force for Nature
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