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Africa
Conservation in Africa
From the heights of Mount Kilimanjaro to a plentiful coastline, Africa supports some of the most stunning places and wildlife left on Earth. Much remains as it was millennia ago. But population growth and changes in climate have altered Africa’s landscapes over the past 50 years. With increasingly complex challenges comes the need for evolved conservation strategies.
The Nature Conservancy’s vision for Africa is rooted in the people, who have not always been at the table during planning for a sustainable future. Our success depends on involving local communities.
Why? Roughly 60 percent of Africa’s lands and nearly 100 percent of its waters are community property — shared resources that sustain some of the most iconic wildlife and vulnerable people on Earth.
These communal lands and waters outside of Africa’s famed national parks are critical to the continent’s wildlife and people, as the majority of the wildlife live or migrate beyond park boundaries. Our projects in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia and the West Indian Ocean focus on helping local communities, governments and organizations better manage these important shared resources.
Caroline Byrd works with community rangers and scouts to enhance monitoring and protection of Tanzania's wildlife.
A new coalition of Chinese philanthropists announces its first gift to conservation in Africa.
Our partnership is mapping plants and fire impacts to enhance management of Zambia's Kafue National Park.
Africa program director David Banks shares his experiences in the field and views on conservation.
A new elephant corridor is reuniting two long-separated herds and relieving human-wildlife conflict in Kenya.
Elly Overton blogs about her family's move "home" from the United States to Kenya.
Read about the real difference we made in Africa during 2011, thanks to our supporters (PDF, 1MB).
Download our program brochure to learn more about The Nature Conservancy's Africa program.
Read about Africa's biggest conservation achievements of 2010 — made possible by your support! Download today (PDF).
Multimedia
To plan your perfect Valentine's Day celebration, listen to the animals.
Ride along as Caroline Byrd works with Tanzania's community wildlife scouts.
Through the Lens of Kenneth Coe
Ken Coe shares some of his favorite photographs from travels across Africa.
Joining nature conservation and the health needs of people who most depend on and impact the resources being conserved.
Conservation Benefits for People
A recent study demonstrates how the conservation of nature can benefit local communities and help alleviate poverty in northern Kenya.
See how the Conservancy is helping tribal leaders and community land managers conserve more than 2 million acres of communal lands.
Africa in the News
December 10, 2011
Deadly trade: rhino horn poaching surges. Read article in The Telegraph (UK).
December 5, 2011
Lack of policy hampers climate change initiative adaptation. Read article in The Citizen (Tanzania).
December 5, 2011
Study: Adaptation strategy crucial to climate change. Read article in The Guardian (Tanzania).
November 30, 2011
"Ocean" Creatures That Evolved in Huge Lake Under Threat. Read the National Geographic article.
November 8, 2011
Entire Mammal Genus on Brink of Extinction. Read the National Geographic article.
September 26, 2011
Wangari Maathai Knew Nature Pays Huge Dividends -- If We Let It. Read the story at Huffington Post.
How You Can Help
Help the Conservancy's work to preserve natural communities in Africa. Support The Nature Conservancy today.
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