History
History
APW was co-founded in 2005 by Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld and Charles Trout with a mission to create win-win solutions for people and wildlife in Tanzania. They built the organization’s regional headquarters—the Noloholo Environmental Center—on land that was donated by a local Maasai community. Together with their team of more than 150 Tanzanian program officers, educators, scientists, and community members, Lichtenfeld and Trout developed an extremely ambitious, multi-faceted, and strategic approach to conservation that is widely applicable in landscapes where people and wildlife interact.
MEET OUR CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
At TEDx Jackson Hole, Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld describes her journey as a conservationist and the importance of finding the balance between people and nature.
Community-Driven Conservation
We believe that community conservation is most successful when driven by the needs and interests of local people. By respectfully integrating science and traditional knowledge, our programs benefit both people and wildlife. We currently partner with 35 communities in six conservation landscapes across northern Tanzania.
Noloholo Environmental Center
In 2006, APW made history in Tanzania by becoming the first international nonprofit organization to receive land donated by a Maasai community. The Noloholo Environmental Center—which serves as the organization’s headquarters—was built just outside of the border of Tarangire National Park. Noloholo is the only center of its kind in the region and serves as an important resource for local communities, conservation organizations, and government authorities. Constructed using green design methods, the center’s 10-acre campus operates on 24-hour solar power and utilizes rainwater harvesting.


Tanzania People & Wildlife
Tanzania People & Wildlife (TPW) is APW’s sister organization. It is a registered nonprofit organization that implements our programs in the United Republic of Tanzania. In addition to the field team, TPW has more than 37 full-time Tanzanian staff members who are based at the organization’s headquarters at the Noloholo Environmental Center.