History
About
African People & Wildlife (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 250 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.
Finding the Balance
We believe 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 76 communities in six conservation landscapes across northern Tanzania, and our impact is growing to critical ecosystems in Kenya, Botswana, and Angola.
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 ten-acre campus operates on twenty-four-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 forty-seven full-time Tanzanian staff members who are based at the organization’s headquarters at the Noloholo Environmental Center.
Looking Back and Forward
Discover the milestones that have shaped APW and guide us toward the future! Visit our interactive timeline looking back at 20 years of growth and impact. To learn more about who we are today and the years to come, the "20 Years of Roar" report offers special insights from our team and a closer look at where we plan to go.
For lasting, positive impact around and outside of protected areas, we need to help the people living there to use their resources sustainably while also benefiting conservation.
Charles Trout, Chief Program Officer
Related
Our Holistic Approach
We create a more balanced world by delivering win-win outcomes for people and nature.
Our People
Get to know our founders, staff, and field team members.
Our Vision
We envision a world where Africa’s people and wildlife coexist and thrive in vibrant, healthy landscapes.
