Africa

David's Dispatches

Africa director David Banks shares his experiences in the field and views on conservation.

David Banks is a veteran of both The Nature Conservancy and the African continent, having served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana. David has led conservation efforts in many places, including Alaska, over his nearly 20 years with the Conservancy.

David ventures out to the field frequently, meeting with conservation partners, government officials and the people who live where we work. He shares his experiences and his views on the future of conservation in Africa here.

Mozambican fishermen_215x143Fishermen of the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago, Mozambique. © Matt Brown/TNC
The Forgotten Coast

David recalls the wonders and occasional horrors of a scientific survey in Africa's newest and largest marine reserve. Read post

Safaricom zebras_215x143Zebras cross Safaricom Marathon course on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. © Tusk Trust
Don't Look Back

Running across Africa's grasslands tends to result in hungry animals chasing you, so why is David planning to do just that? Read post

Puku_215x143Puku (Kobus vardonii) in Kafue National Park, Zambia © Kenneth Coe
Two Weeks: Zambia

The second leg of David's two-week journey takes him to Zambia's Kafue National Park and to visits with tribal elders. Read post

Swema Kabliya_215x143Swema Kabliya walks to get water in the village of Nkonkwa, on Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania. The Nature Conservancy is launching a large-scale effort in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem with Pathfinder International and the Frankfurt Zoological Society to address chimpanzee habitat protection, fisheries management, freshwater protection and community development, including reproductive health. © Ami Vitale
Two Weeks: Tanzania

On the first leg of a two-week project tour, David travels to the Mahale Mountains and visits villagers along Lake Tanganyika. Read post

Laikipia Maasai thumb_215x143Member of a local Maasai community in the Laikipia district, where The Nature Conservancy works with local partners to conserve the Northern Kenya Rangelands for wildlife and people. © Henner Frankenfeld/Redux Pictures
Laikipia National Park

Kenya’s first new national park in 25 years will provide long-term benefits to wildlife and people. Read post

peoplematter previewFishing boat on Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania © David Banks/TNC
When People Matter

Stark contrasts between Tanzania and Ethiopia convince David that conservation must connect with people. Read more

Hadza thumbHadza man, Yaeda Valley of Tanzania © David Banks/TNC
Powwow in the Yaeda Valley

David reflects on the first gathering of elders from Tanzania's Hadza people and their imperiled lands and culture. Explore

Ivory thumbMichael Ntosho from the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with ivory confiscated from poachers in Kenya. © Henner Frankenfeld/Redux Pictures
A Visit to China

David visits China to learn more about its operations in Africa and discovers a land oozing with contrasts. Explore

African elephant WOPA081015_D070 215x143An african Elephant (Loxodonta africana) drinks from a well at the Sarara Camp and Namunyak Conservancy on the Northern Rangelands of Kenya. Photo © Suzi Eszterhas
The Elephant Collar

To better understand elephant movements, David Banks joins Iain Douglas-Hamilton of Save the Elephants to collar an elephant at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Explore

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Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

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Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

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