2,000 Living Walls… and More to Come
It’s official: 2,000 Living Walls have been installed in vital wildlife habitats and rural villages across northern Tanzania! Designed to keep lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other carnivores away from livestock – avoiding retaliatory injuries and killings – these predator-proof corrals are made of sturdy chain link and living native trees and have a 99% success rate.
The program benefits 23,664 people living with wildlife and protects nearly 310,000 head of livestock valued at more than $39 million. As an added benefit, more than 344,000 trees have been planted along the way to this exciting milestone. Want to dig deeper? Explore our data and an interactive map in the Living Walls ArcGIS Dashboard.
Living Walls will continue to be an essential part of our toolbox for human-wildlife coexistence, especially given their contributions to lion recovery in the Tarangire ecosystem. With new efforts already underway around Mikumi National Park, and increasing demand in other regions where conflicts remain high, we are grateful for partnerships with local people and the support of our donors that make these solutions possible. Thank you!
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Babati Women Embrace Beekeeping
The Women's Beekeeping Initiative is buzzing with excitement as new women’s groups in Babati District were equipped with beekeeping gear at a special handover event in January.
The program, which conserves wildlife habitat while promoting sustainable enterprise, grows ever-stronger with the new participants – now more than 1,900 beekeepers! In this new area, the beekeepers will hang their hives in the village forest to protect its trees while producing golden honey for their businesses.
There were 370 people in attendance at the event, including esteemed officials from the District, and new members celebrated the start of their honey-based businesses with a lively Mbugwe traditional dance. APW storyteller Emily Paul was in Ngoley to capture the joyous atmosphere, noting "It is not just about working with communities. It is about being part of the community."
"My message for the newly selected scholars is, 'They are stars.' A bright future is in their hands. Everyone is unique, yet capable of fulfilling his or her dream."
Revocatus, Environmental Education Senior Program Officer
New Scholars Pass the Test
Congratulations to Deborah, Longishu, Mathayo, and Angel for earning full-ride scholarships to secondary school through our Environmental Scholars program! Administered by Revocatus Magayane (a.k.a. Master Revo), this year's scholarship exam and subsequent interviews were the final steps for hundreds of motivated wildlife club members. While current funding only opened four spots this year, we're proud to support these students in pursuing their educational goals and future careers.
For $200/month, you can help a future scholar reach their dreams! Learn about ways to give, including recurring monthly gifts.
Training for Conservation Action
Our community rangeland monitors and human-wildlife coexistence officers kicked off the year with annual refresher trainings across Tanzania. Led by our program officers, these sessions keep our frontline conservationists updated on the latest data collection protocols and Esri-based software for their mobile devices, ensuring we maintain data quality and accuracy.
They also receive training in essential skills like wildlife tracking and habitat assessment, fostering open dialogue and knowledge sharing among their network. We commend their continued dedication to protecting wildlife and natural resources – everyone is excited for another year of conservation action!
Your Safari Adventure Awaits
September 22 - October 2, 2024
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day Tanzania safari with African People & Wildlife! Led by Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld, our Co-founder/CEO and National Geographic Explorer, you’ll enjoy world-class accommodations and discover breathtaking landscapes, including Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti. Experience our conservation work up close with exclusive behind-the-scenes access.
Hurry, only six spots are available! Secure yours by June 21. Visit our travel hub on the Elevate Destinations website for all details and pricing.
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Mark Your Calendars: CBA18 in Arusha
We are proud to serve as a co-host for the 18th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change (CBA18) happening in Arusha, Tanzania, from May 6-9. CBA is the only adaptation conference that puts the lived experiences and knowledge of local people at the center – enabling the most vulnerable communities to discuss their priorities, share approaches, and shape decisions for adaptation at a local level.
Want to participate in discussions, skill-shares, and knowledge exchanges? Registration is open now. A limited number of subsidized tickets and travel sponsorships are available to students, representatives of community-based organizations, small NGOs, and local government officials.
Our Tanzania Team is Growing
We're excited to announce the expansion of our team in Tanzania, welcoming three new staff members since the start of the year. Their roles will enhance our ability to support women and girls as well as facilitate education, training, and conservation opportunities based out of the Noloholo Environmental Center.
- Fatuma Salum, Women’s Empowerment Officer
- Susan Chege, Youth Environmental Education and Girls Club Officer
- Maria Emmanuel, Operational and Logistical Management Officer
As shown in the image below, Susan (at right) wasted no time connecting with students in rural secondary schools last week!
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Field Notes
BLOG | Reflecting on a Visit to Tanzania
Molly Dodge, Director of Conservation Partnerships, shares her recent experiences visiting programs in Tanzania. From meeting team members to engaging with local communities, her reflections are a glimpse into our commitment to biodiversity and coexistence.
SOCIAL | Conservation Champions at Noloholo
Our education team was thrilled to host a group of young women from The Girls Foundation of Tanzania for the second year. Head to Facebook to see photos of their trip, which included amazing wildlife sightings and outdoor learning!
