Community Natural Resource Management

The future of northern Tanzania’s rangelands lies in the hands of the local people. Due to the negative effects of climate change, increasing livestock populations, and shifts in land use, the quality of critical pastures is declining. APW helps rural communities to preserve their livelihoods through effective natural resource management.

OUR IMPACT

2,646+

adults trained in natural resource management

$45k+

in small grants allocated to support community-driven conservation projects

787,252

acres of critical grasslands managed by communities

As part of APW's community natural resource management program, a rangeland monitor measures the grass height in a local pasture.

Sustainable Rangelands Initiative

Our Sustainable Rangelands Initiative mobilizes local governments to make timely decisions about the management of their grasslands. In partnership with a team of volunteer rangeland monitors, we use a mobile-based reporting system to help assessors provide regular updates on pasture quality to their community networks. The program is currently operating in 20 communities across northern Tanzania.

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Noloholo Environmental Small Projects Fund

The Noloholo Environmental Small Projects Fund empowers local people to lead their own conservation initiatives. Communities involved in our rangeland program can apply to receive access to capital—a rare asset in rural Africa—to implement projects that protect vital watersheds, supply rainwater to local schools, and conserve pastures for use during drought conditions.

Young Maasai girls stand by barrels of harvested rainwater.

Environmental Management Tools

APW makes a long-term commitment to its community partners. As a nimble and flexible organization, we are responsive to local needs as people tackle the evolving challenges of wise natural resource management. Whether making use of our in-house toolbox—including a series of environmental management trainings—or engaging partners like the U.S. Forest Service, we help provide the technical resources and expertise required to ensure the positive ecological impact of local projects.

“I’ve learned so much. I never realized that so many things we do are harmful to our environment. Sharing what I have learned with others is making a real difference in our community. Now, we have some hope for the future.”

Community Natural Resource Management