A resource for those involved in African conservation

African Wildlife Foundation’s AFRICAN LANDSCAPE 2014.ISSUE 1

IN THIS ISSUE A Cohesive Strategy to Conserve the By Scott Berendt Senior programme design officer

ocated in the Equateur Province of the practices and an overdependence on timber and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), non-timber forest products. the Maringa–Lopori–Wamba (MLW) Lforest landscape encompasses 74,500 km2 of Reducing biodiversity loss lowland rain and swamp forest. The landscape Since 2003, the African Wildlife Foundation AWC updates 4 is part of a critical carbon sink and biodiversity (AWF) has led a consortium of organisations area within the Congo Basin forest ecosystem. to reduce the rate of forest degradation and This ecosystem is home to diverse, rare and en- biodiversity loss across MLW. AWF’s work has demic species, including the endangered , been implemented primarily with funding from the vulnerable forest , golden cat, giant the U.S. Agency for International Development pangolin, Congo peacock, and numerous other USAID), through its Central Africa Regional rare primates, amphibians, reptiles and birds. The Programme for the Environment (CARPE). region boasts more than 600 known tree species. At the start of its engagement in this ecosys- This part of DRC is also extremely remote. It is tem, AWF determined areas of ecological one of the poorest and least-developed regions significance using its Landscape Conservation in the country. Approximately 800,000 people Process, a threat-based scientific analysis. It Building a school in DRC 10 reside here, and, because of a lack of sustainable then conducted a participatory process with income-generating opportunities, many rely on stakeholders that considered both ecological the landscape’s natural resources to satisfy basic and socioeconomic factors and, using Marxan livelihood needs, including food, fuel, medicine, spatial modelling software, strategically selected income and shelter. macro-zones within the landscape. Data used in these decisions included forest cover, species Thus the primary threats to the ecosystem are habitat suitability, ecological integrity, population driven by the area’s pervasive poverty. These demographics, infrastructure, and current and threats include illegal hunting/poaching for projected land use. As a result of this process, consumption and trade, and habitat three macro-zones were established: rural de- destruction and fragmentation brought about velopment zone, protected area and extractive Protected giraffe area 15 by deforestation, unsustainable agriculture resource zone. continued on page 6

2 African Wildlife Foundation’s African Landscape

AWF Senior Staff

Patrick Bergin Life and Conservation, Interconnected Chief Executive Officer Kenya/United States eople outside of conservation merce in natural resource management. Jeff Chrisfield sometimes think that our work is a The article can be found on pages 4 – 5. Chief Operating Officer United States narrowly defined endeavour, quite Papart from other functions in society. Political risk Daudi Sumba Despite these positive stories, our work Vice President for In reality, the management of natural Programme Design and resources is interconnected with other is not without political risk. Many people Government Relations areas of life. do not make a connection between Kenya conservation, politics and development, Kathleen Fitzgerald In the Democratic Republic of Congo, but seemingly disparate events have the Vice President for example, poverty and a lack of sus- capacity to severely impact on conserva- for Conservation Strategy tainable livelihood opportunities in the tion success. The Ugandan government’s Kenya/South Africa Maringa–Lopori–Wamba landscape had passing of an anti-homosexuality law Craig Sholley created a situation in which people are in February—while AWF is working to Vice President for Philanthropy illegally hunting for bushmeat and clear- promote tourism opportunities to this and Marketing ing forests for agriculture. United States country—has the potential to impact Technical Directors: Jef Dupain Director, Great Apes Programme Kenya Dave Loubser The management of Programme Director, Climate Change Kenya natural resources is Brian McBrearity Director, Conservation Enterprise interconnected with Kenya Philip Muruthi other areas of life

Senior Director, AWF Conservation Science Kenya Landscape Directors: Charly Facheux Through our partnership with USAID, success in delivery of our work, for Director, Congo Landscape AWF has been able to work with com- example. And in South , conflict Democratic Republic of Congo munities in this part of the Congo for that erupted in December disrupted the Benson Lengalen the past 10 years to develop participative work of AWF’s James Kahurananga, who Coordinator, Samburu Landscape Kenya land-use plans and engage residents in was advising the Ministry of Tourism and the active management of the forests in Wildlife Conservation on best practices Pascal Rouamba Manager, Regional Parc W Landscape which they live, all while delivering live- in conservation policy implementation. It Burkina Faso lihood improvements. Our cover story has also disrupted our forthcoming work John Salehe outlines AWF’s successes in increasing supported by the Royal Netherlands Em- Director, Maasai Steppe conservation outcomes and household bassy around the Imatong Mountains. Landscape, Tanzania incomes, and discusses our plans to Kaddu Sebunya build upon those successes over the next It is a reality of conservation that AWF Chief of Party, USAID/Uganda five years. must work in many diverse contexts Tourism for Biodiversity Programme and countries. Each of these presents Uganda In Ethiopia, the activities of impov- its own challenges and opportunities, Nasson Tembo erished communities around Simien although AWF proactively anticipates Director, Kazungula Landscape Zambia Mountains National Park are putting many of these—including political risks pressure on this ecologically vital pro- such as those that I mentioned—in our Fiesta Warinwa Country Director, Kenya tected area, which is also a World Heri- programme design. But as we work to tage site (see story, opposite). AWF is accomplish our mission, AWF remains African Landscape is published assisting the Ethiopian Wildlife Conser- hopeful for progress in many areas of three times a year, thanks to funding vation Authority in developing this park society—more than ever, our conserva- support from the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Kenya. in a way that will also increase income tion success depends upon it. P.O. Box 48177, 0100 opportunities for local communities. Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 20 2710367 Fax: +254 20 2710372 Meanwhile, AWF’s African Wildlife [email protected] Capital is supporting Africa’s growing awf.org entrepreneurial community, with the © 2014 African Wildlife Foundation understanding that there is a way to Daudi Sumba positively engage enterprise and com- Vice president for programme design and government relations 2014.ISSUE 1 3

In Ethiopia, Maximising IN BRIEF

Tourism to Minimise Threats  In the Mau Forest Complex, AWF planted—and By Kathleen Fitzgerald Vice president for conservation strategy now monitors—more than 160,000 indigenous trees in 2013. Home to some of Ethiopia’s most unique and threatened species,  AWF provided funding to support a meeting to including the Walia ibex, Ethiopian wolf and Gelada monkey, form the Wildlife Enforcement Network (WEN) Simien Mountains National Park is known for its spectacular views, sheer cliffs, steep escarpments and mountainous terrain. of Southern Africa in the last quarter of 2013. Approximately 16,000 people visit this World Heritage site The meeting was convened by the U.S. Department annually. of State.  Through its partnership with Honeyguide Simien is vital ecologically. Less than 3 percent of Ethiopia’s highlands are not under cultivation, and the park itself is Foundation, AWF is employing tracker dogs to surrounded by impoverished communities engaging in low- monitor Manyara Ranch Conservancy in the productivity agriculture, such as wheat and barley. Threats include Maasai Steppe landscape. ecosystem degradation and habitat loss due to encroachment from  Two rhino calves have been born in Mosi-oa-Tunya livestock, tree cutting and agriculture. National Park in Zambia since December. AWF has Comprehensive tourism plan been supporting the park since 2006. In 2011, the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA),  AWF has signed an MOU with the government Ethiopia’s protected area authority, requested AWF’s assistance in of Cameroon, making AWF the only officially the development and conservation of Simien. recognised partner working in the Dja Biosphere Reserve. AWF organised a team of tourism experts to travel with EWCA staff to Simien to assess the tourism potential and identify areas  Through its Species Protection Grants programme, of need. Based on their recommendations—and input from AWF is now supporting the protection of close to EWCA, local communities and tour operators—AWF developed a 20 distinct populations of , rhinos, large comprehensive tourism plan that provides a strategic framework carnivores and great apes across Africa. for tourism development and related investment in the park. The plan is designed to help address overcrowding and poorly regulated tourism development, disperse usage to underutilised areas and transform tourism into a viable source of revenue for the park and surrounding communities. ON THE RADAR EWCA approved the plan in 2013, and we have since moved  The Zambian government recently awarded a forward with implementation. An economic assessment was conducted to determine ways to help communities improve their mining concession in Lower Zambezi National lives, and AWF is in the process of rolling out these programmes. Park. AWF protests and urges Zambia to uphold Through the generous support of donors and foundations, such as its commitments to international biodiversity the Headley Trust, AWF recently trained more than 60 community agreements. A court has granted a stay of guides. These activities are complemented by two African Wildlife execution for the time being. Capital investments in wildlife-based tourism development in and around the park and by funding support provided by AWF to the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Project. AWF and EWCA believe that Simien has the potential to be a model park for Ethiopia and together will work to translate this vision into reality.

AWF is assisting the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority in implementing a tourism plan for Simien Mountain National Park. Jef Chrisfield 4 African Wildlife Foundation’s African Landscape

A Record of Results With African Wildlife Capital Andy Austin

Using a debt and quasi-equity based financing model, African Wildlife Capital has found a new way of achieving conservation in Africa.

WF first launched African Wildlife with local pastoralists to purchase course of its work, from launching ACapital (AWC) in 2011. In the and distribute their livestock the first-ever conservation-driven nearly three years since, AWC has and has traded cattle with 2,000 interest rebate scheme as part of moved quickly and successfully to households in 10 different an investment into Asilia Lodge to provide financing to a variety of small community conservancies; financing the development of the first and midsize African companies—and, • Bale Mountain Lodge, an ever conservation tourism concessions as a result, has been able to provide Ethiopian company that built within Kenya’s national forests under another way to ensure conservation the country’s first-ever high-end Kenya Forest Service. results on the continent. ecotourism facility; • Village Ways, a successful social Use of conservation covenants The rapidity with which AWC has enterprise firm looking to build a According to AWC Investment Man- been gaining initial results may be due network of traditional community ager Giles Davies, “The AWC model in part to its financing model. Rather guesthouses in Kenya, Uganda, applies the positive power of risk to than operating as a grant provider on and near Simien Mountain generate financial and conservation a grant-based financing model, where National Park in Ethiopia performance.” money is disbursed to projects with (for more on Ethiopia, see “In AWC emphasises conservation perfor- no expectation of repayment, AWC Ethiopia, Maximising Tourism mance through the institutionalised offers debt and quasi-equity based to Minimise Threats” on page 3) use of conservation covenants— financing to viable businesses in Africa. for cultural, trekking and wildlife conservation-oriented goals that com- Companies agree to repay loans over a tourism; and panies are contractually obligated to period of up 10 years, with interest or in • COMACO (Community meet. The covenants typically require return for revenue-based royalties. Markets for Conservation) action in such areas as wildlife and wild Ltd., a community-based food 9 deals and counting land management, conservation educa- processing and distribution Thus far, nine deals have been executed, tion and training, and conservation business in Zambia working with for a total of US$7million in financing management planning. local farmers. now under AWC management. They The results have been impressive. In include investments from US$250,000 Other projects are in the pipeline, Namibia, for example, AWC provided a to US$2 million to companies in with many featuring unique financing unique tourism development loan to a various parts of Africa, such as: arrangements or business models— community-based conservancy in Sep- another hallmark of AWC’S approach. • Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a working tember 2012 to allow the conservancy AWC, in fact, has pioneered many ranch and conservancy in to make structural improvements to its innovative arrangements in the northern Kenya that partners lodge. Less than a year later, Grootberg 2014.ISSUE 1 5

A Record of Results With African Wildlife Capital Project to improve food security, conservation in southern Tanzania By Brenna Thompson Foundation and corporate relations officer

WF has launched a new programme in the Southern Highlands Aof Tanzania that models solutions for balancing improved agricultural production and food security with biodiversity protection. This three-year project, funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, builds on African Wildlife Capital’s sustainable agriculture investments in the nearby Rungwe Avocado Co. and AWF’s land-use planning expertise. In 2012, AWF’s subsidiary, African Wildlife Capital, provided financing to Rungwe to implement certain agricultural innovations and expand operations in exchange for commitments to conserve biodiversity. Rungwe is expanding its outgrower programme to up to 5,000 smallholder farmers, who receive technical advice and enjoy access to international markets in exchange for agreements to protect wildlife, not encroach in protected areas and implement sustainable agricultural practices and other measures that minimise the impact on biodiversity and ecological services. These agreements, known as “conservation covenants,” are central to African Wildlife Capital’s strategy to advance enterprise in ways that sustain wildlife. AWF monitors adherence to the covenants and, Lodge was remodeled and is now on through this new initiative in the Highlands, will gather information track to generate nearly US$1 million in on how the Rungwe covenants are delivering measurable benefits revenues for the fiscal year, its highest- to biodiversity, water quality, soil health and other dimensions of grossing year ever. (AWC’s engagement ecological health. with Grootberg prompted the Namibian Development Bank to run a workshop Replicate model to investigate the institutional role it, AWF will review specific agricultural practices and develop a too, may play in further developing this framework for determining which covenants have the greatest sector.) conservation value while still being relatively easy and cost effective for farmers and companies to execute. This information will help The lodge has also followed through AWF replicate the model with other companies in the region and on its covenants, which covered issues enable others in the conservation and agriculture communities such as zonation, land management and to adopt similar practices. Together we aim to demonstrate how, good governance. Wildlife is increas- through careful planning and management, food security and wildlife ing on the conservancy—where lion conservation goals can be delivered concurrently in landscapes across sightings would have been unheard of sub-Saharan Africa—with an end result of a more stable, beneficial just a few years ago, for example, today, environment for people and wildlife alike. 10 to 15 roam on conservancy grounds. All game drives record the presence or absence of wildlife, and management A new project in southern Tanzania will build on work done with Rungwe Avocado Co. is conducting additional training for staff in tourism and conservation. Finally, lodge revenues are posted in the conservancy management office for full transparency. “AWC aims to revolutionise the devel- opment of conservation enterprise in Africa,” Davies says. “We’re rewarding commercial viability, promoting finan- cial efficiency, and ensuring conserva- tion impact.” Caroline Schmidt 6 African Wildlife Foundation’s African Landscape

continued from page 1

The rationale for these macro-zones was to: Congolese government as the model to guide national land-use planning efforts; 1) Protect critical habitat for target species, in particular, •  Facilitated the collaboration between community bonobo and forest members and local elephant and their authorities to execute habitat, through fine-scale participatory large expanses of During the 10-year timeframe, mapping and land-use forests, swamps and AWF designed a land-use planning, which led rivers; to the designation and 2) Ensure landscape- plan covering approximately respective management level connectiv- of 243,010 hectares ity among different 70 percent of the landscape as permanent forest areas of ecological and almost 1.5 million significance, result- hectares as non- ing in ecosystem permanent forest; resiliency, an integrated carbon sink and mitigation of • Created two protected areas with high concentrations climate change; of target species—the 362,500-hectare Lomako– 3) Provide a means of integrating conservation and Yokokala Faunal Reserve and the 110,000-hectare development/livelihoods across the landscape and Iyondji Community Bonobo Reserve—and developed securing social acceptability of activities; and performance-based management plans for each; 4) Create areas in which to implement conservation •  Helped increase productivity of select agricultural interventions at a manageable scale that can help to crops in agriculture zones through the promotion deliver conservation impact and further landscape- of appropriate crop management practices, which level conservation. contributed to the fallow period being extended from two years to four years and helped reduce community Guided by this strategic conservation approach, AWF dependence on forest-based livelihoods; and achieved tremendous success under the first two phases of •  Expanded down-stream market access for products CARPE. During the 10-year timeframe, for example, AWF: produced in agriculture zones by facilitating the •  Designed a land-use plan covering approximately 70 river transport of 150 tons in 2010, 230 tons in 2011, percent—5.2 million hectares—of the landscape; and 400 tons in 2012, thereby diversifying economic •  Developed a macro-zone land-use plan—which opportunities for nearly 70 communities. incorporated spatial modelling, community and Throughout this time, AWF’s programme have featured public participation and a formal recognition broad-based community engagement and have included process—that was officially recognised by the MLW Landscape, Democratic Republic of Congo

Yala (proposed) 2014.ISSUE 1 7

AWF has worked with communi- ties to provide sustainable income alternatives to the bushmeat trade, which threatens wildlife populations. Under one project, women are being trained in tailoring, diverting them from the bushmeat business. The result this far has been a marked decrease in the bushmeat trade in the Basankusu, market, one of the largest in the landscape. Jef Dupain AWF’s particptative land-use plan- ning process has been recognised by the Congolese government as a model for the country. The result has been a land-use plan that cov- ers 5.2 million hectares and saves 243,000 hectares of forest from deforestation. Scott Berendt Training in sustainable agriculture has increased the fallow period of plots from two to four years. AWF also supplied a barge to transport agricultural products to down-stream markets, previously a limitation that had prevented locals from maximising their income opportunities. Charly Facheux 8 African Wildlife Foundation’s African Landscape

women and youth in its participatory process. In addition, term sustainability of the MLW landscape, particularly with AWF follows internationally recognised Free Prior Informed regard to biodiversity conservation and climate change Consent processes. mitigation and adaptation efforts. Plans under Phase III AWF’s goals under CAFEC are ambitious. While working As a result of AWF’s programmes under the first two phases to improve management of Lomako and Iyondji Reserves, of CARPE, communities in for example, AWF the MLW landscape made will move forward on measurable economic and establishing a third environmental conservation Three macro-zones were protected area, Yala, improvements. “In Djolu, located in northern for example, we increased established: rural development MLW—essentially cre- household revenues by ating a critical triangle 15 percent,” said Congo zone; protected area; and of protected areas an- Landscape Director Charly extractive resource zone choring the landscape Facheux. “Even better, (See map on page 6). the communities are now actively working to protect As part of the climate the forest.” change mitigation and adaptation efforts, AWF will implement a Reducing Emis- In 2013, AWF was awarded a five-year grant from USAID, sions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) which includes funding from the Norwegian Agency for project covering more than 216,000 hectares (See story on Development Cooperation (Norad), to continue its efforts right). To further maintain the rich biodiversity of the area, in the MLW landscape. This current phase of the CARPE AWF plans to implement collaboratively designed, improved project, Central Africa Forest Ecosystems Conservation zoning and management plans in community-based natural (CAFEC), will continue through September 2018. Under resource areas and timber concessions. It will also strengthen CAFEC, AWF will build on these past successes to scale up wildlife protection mechanisms directed at reducing poach- its field-tested, proven development models for the long- ing and bushmeat consumption of targeted species (both

AWF created two community reserves in the Congo landscape, both of which are protected by the Congolese wildlife authority. A third reserve is being planned. 2014.ISSUE 1 9

field-based law enforcement and judicial improvements). Ef- forts will also be made to institutionalise wildlife and forest protection and conservation policies, in collaboration with Congolese officials. Other planned activities include solidifying sustainable conservation-linked alternative livelihoods and economic incentives, including carbon revenue and agriculture in ap- propriate zones. AWF also wants to conduct skills training REDD+project and strengthening organisational capacity of local, provincial and national DRC community-based organisations, as well kicks off as government agencies and institutions. AWF has already kicked off At the conclusion of the CAFEC project, the MLW landscape the Reducing Emissions from will benefit from strengthened local, regional and national Deforestation and Forest capacity for sustainable land and biodiversity management Degradation (REDD+) portion of and monitoring and the provision of widespread, significant its work under the U.S. Agency and well-managed economic incentives that catalyse stake- for International Development’s holders to adopt forest conservation best practices. Further, Central Africa Forest Ecosystems threats to biodiversity will be mitigated and greenhouse gas Conservation programme. In emissions from forest degradation and deforestation will be February, AWF’s Congo landscape reduced. team and Climate Change Director Dave Loubser met with partners, Combined, these efforts—from AWF’s first 10 years in the including Wildlife Works, Wildlife landscape through to our planned activities in the coming Research Institute, Institute of five years—will address the socioeconomic factors under- Tropical Agriculture and University scoring the conservation threats to this ecosystem and, ulti- of Maryland, to review the mately, solidify the ecological integrity of the Congo Basin. proposed REDD+ project area and have been habituated in the community reserves. There are signs that determine next steps. “All the other wildlife presence is increasing as well. partners were impressed with the landscape and the team and are excited about building on the work that AWF has already done to ensure a successful REDD+ programme,” related Loubser. Jef Dupain Charly Facheux Martin Harvey 10 African Wildlife Foundation’s African Landscape Scott Berendt

Momentum Gathering With AWF Conservation Schools mplementation of the AWF Conservation Schools (ACS) an office for teachers, a reading room/library, latrine block, programme continues to gather momentum, with a play area, water access, gardens, nature paths and outdoor variety of projects and partnership initiatives underway. education space. All classrooms will look out into the forest, I further reinforcing the connection between the school and In 2013, AWF determined it will build a new school in the conservation. Ilima community of the Democratic Republic of Congo, within the Maringa–Lopori–Wamba landscape. AWF chose Other schools this location in particular because of the community’s While construction at Ilima School continues, AWF has proactivity in adopting, begun planning for expansion and adhering to, a to Lupani Conservation Primary land-use plan and other School in the Kazungula landscape conservation actions Supporting primary school and upgrades to the Manyara Ranch that protect habitat for education often involves Conservancy (MRC) School in the the endangered bonobo. Maasai Steppe landscape. A new After thorough more than just providing kitchen, technology lab and other assessments of the features will be added to Lupani’s construction site a physical structure campus; foundation, floor and options, as well as roof upgrades will be performed interviews with parents, at the MRC School, along with students, teachers and other relevant community members landscaping to prevent erosion. by AWF’s architectural partner, MASS Design Group, plans were drawn up for a sustainable school that is appropriate Meanwhile, to keep pushing AWF’s mission of developing from both an environmental and climatic standpoint. quality education in rural, high-conservation-value land- scapes forward, staff have conducted scoping for two new Construction began in January of this school, which will conservation schools specially designed for Afromontane span tropical forest and agricultural areas. The building climates, in Ethiopia outside of Simien Mountains National itself will feature brick walls that go up two thirds of the Park and in Rwanda by Volcanoes National Park. Based on a way to the ceiling to allow for unrestricted airflow. The team scoping trip to Simien in March, AWF has determined bricks will be sourced locally. The roof shingles will be it will rebuild a school in Adisge for the Ethiopia portion of made from a local hardwood, additionally minimising the programme. the cost of having to ship materials into the remote landscape. Local community members are being employed If all goes well during the due diligence and planning phas- in the construction of the school; their involvement will es, AWF will begin construction or school improvement for ensure that maintenance and upkeep in the future could some of these schools by the end of the calendar year. be performed locally rather than having to hire outside contractors to travel into the area. Beyond infrastructure As AWF has implemented more pieces of its ACS As the walls at Ilima School continue to grow, excitement programme, a key consideration has been the idea that continues to increase in the community. The school will primary school education often involves more than just likely be finished by October. When completed, Ilima providing a physical structure. To that end, AWF has been School will boast six classrooms, six teacher houses plus working with AAR Beckmann Trust’s Trees for Health 2014.ISSUE 1 11

project since November 2013. This project combines the health of the environment with children’s health. AWF and AAR Beckmann Trust held two deworming events at MRC School—in March, the most recent event, more than 940 About the AWF Conservation students at Manyara Ranch School were given deworming Schools programme pills and benefitted from health talks on hygiene, sexuality and HIV/AIDS. This health initiative is expected to take AWF launched the AWF Conservation Schools (ACS) place quarterly. programme in 2013 as another way to work with communities to encourage conservation. In exchange for a target While it will not be practical for all of its conservation community agreeing to take certain conservation actions, schools to boast high-end technology, AWF is nevertheless AWF would build and support a primary school. looking into how best to meet potential technology needs at various ACS sites. One viable option: e-readers to serve The ACS programme includes up to four components: as a library and to enhance literacy. These Android tablets • School and campus construction; will come pre-loaded with a suite of educational apps • Teacher training and support; that are supportive of and consistent with the country’s • Conservation curriculum; and curriculum.Zambia’s Ministry of Education has already • Technology. endorsed a tablet, which comes preloaded with eight lan- guages and 12,000 programmes for use in schools, so AWF will be fitting in nicely with these trends. Finally, AWF is researching various teacher training View the latest Ilima construction options as the ACS programme evolves to encompass a photos on the following pages whole-school model.

AWF and a partner has conducted deworming clinics for more than 900 students at Manyara Ranch School in Tanzania (below). Outside Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda (bottom), AWF is considering supplementing our mountain gorilla work with a new conservation school. A new school in the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia will help with the conservation of the Ethiopian wolf. John Salehe AWF Martin Harvey 12 African Wildlife Foundation’s African Landscape

In DRC, a new school grows AWF’s newest conservation school is the Ilima School in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The school will reinforce some of the conservation actions already taken by this community while also helping to open up new opportunities for residents, through access to better education and, in the near term, through jobs and training during the construction phase of the school. When finished, the school will be a beautiful and environmentally appropriate example of how infrastructure can enhance conservation efforts.

View a video about the construction of Ilima School, at awf.org/beyondilima Craig R. Sholley

The old Ilima school, before construction began, was not conducive to learning. AWF/Mass Design Group AWF/Mass

AWF and its architectural partner, MASS Design Group, carefully planned for a sustainable school that is appropriate to both the area geography and the regional climate.and here and here and here.

HAbITAT

SCHOOL

AGRICULTURE ENTRY Mass Design Group (4) The school is sited in a location that bridges both tropical forest and agricultural areas, reinforcing the importance of the land and natural resources.

MASTER PLAN AWF ILIMA SCHOOL 2014.ISSUE 1 13

Workers are gaining new construction knowledge, which has the dual benefit of increasing sustainable livelihood opportunities for them and ensuring their ability to maintain the building structures, rather than outside contractors trekking to this remote area.

The roof shingles are made from a local hardwood, minimizing the cost of The building will feature brick walls that go up two thirds of the way to the having to ship non-native materials into the remote landscape. ceiling to allow for unrestricted airflow in this tropical climate. 14 African Wildlife Foundation’s African Landscape

In Tanzania, Formalising Community Natural Resource Management

By John Salehe Director, Maasai Steppe landscape Max Chiswick

WF has facilitated a process that has established five WMAs have two key purposes: to protect Tanzania’s wild- Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in five dis- life and ecology, and to bring benefits to local communi- tricts in northern Tanzania. WMAs are established ties. Through AWF’s work, we have assisted (or, in some Aas a means of ensuring direct tangible community benefits cases, are currently assisting) communities in establish- from wildlife revenues and good conservation plans and ing Burunge, Enduimet, Makame, Randilen and Natron wildlife protection efforts are in place. Key partners to this WMAs. These WMAs help protect areas around Lake process have been the community leadership, government Natron and Kilimanjaro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara wildlife division, other local conservation organisations and National Parks. Village game scouts ensure that the dedi- district officials, with AWF acting as facilitator. cated areas are safe from encroachment, grazing (where applicable), poaching and other destructive incidences such as fires. Key challenges WMAs do face key challenges. These include: • The ability to manage expectations from communities; • Managing poaching; • Getting existing investors to comply with WMA requirements; • The capacity to deliver on investors’ interests; • Balancing trust between key players with regard to management of funds; • Revenue management or distribution; • Making WMAs financially self-sustainable; and • Unclear long-term financial growth. Some resident investors also see WMAs as an additional cost rather than a helping hand. AWF It’s true that forming a WMA can cost a substantial amount of money, often between US$100,000 to US$200,000. Despite the costs and the time to set up—it can take three In wildlife management areas such as Enduimet, village game scouts patrol years or more to establish—many communities still pro- protected areas to make sure no grazing or poaching is taking place. ceed with the process because there are many advantages to 2014.ISSUE 1 15

becoming a WMA. AWF Finds Ways for Humans, For example, Burunge—which consists of nine villages—has been able to proceed with sev- Giraffes to Coexist in Niger eral development projects. These have included construction of buildings for a health clinic, By Theo Way Nana Conservation management classrooms, teacher houses, and village and ward trainee, Regional Parc W offices; contributions for families that are hunger stricken; road construction; and construction of he West African giraffe has an estimated total shallow wells, toilets and water projects. population of only 403 individuals. This endangered giraffe subspecies is solely found in Niger, in an area of Expected benefits Tapproximately 84,000 hectares. In northern Tanzania, each WMA is at different maturing stages, but Burunge and Enduimet are The West African giraffe lives outside of protected areas, more advanced. Even so, many of the WMAs have mainly on community lands and farms. This coexistence with already met some of the expected benefits, including: humans is not without consequence for the giraffes—given that communities are primarily engaged in agriculture, extensive • Bringing communities to the center of wild- livestock herding and charcoal burning, giraffe habitat is being life conservation; degraded and reduced. In addition, the area is dry and suffers • Better rapport between conservation groups from the effects of climate change and land-use change. The and community leadership; giraffes therefore frequently feed on farmers’ crops for survival, • Increased area under protection beyond the leading to human–giraffe conflict. In Tanzania, Formalising Community Natural central government’s protected areas; • Contribution of additional funds for conser- To address this issue, AWF, together with its government and Resource Management non-governmental partners—namely Direction de la Faune et de la Chasse (or DFC), Association pour la Valorisation de l’Ecoturisme au Niger (or AVN) and l’Association pour la Sau- Many of the WMAs have vegarde des Girafes du Niger (or ASGN)—began working with already met some of affected communities in 2012. The partners have implemented a number of activities to mitigate human–giraffe conflict, the expected benefits, including sensitisation meetings at each of the eight local villages, where AWF provided technical information on how to including a more stable avoid conflict with giraffes; the identification and mapping of wildlife habitat that conflict areas; and the formation of conflict-resolution commit- tees, which include representatives from the communities and provides for increased the local administration. wildlife populations and Based on these actions, the need to secure and conserve giraffe habitat was confirmed as one of the key strategies to ensure better biodiversity effective reduction of conflict. AWF and its partners therefore led a giraffe habitat restoration exercise in 2012 and 2013, working with two villages to plant vation from the private sector; approximately 5,300 acacia trees in an • A more stable wildlife habitat that provides 11-hectare space. The organisations also for increased wildlife populations and better established a Zone de mise en defens, biodiversity conservation for local, national a 20-hectare, non-degraded area and global benefits; and identified by community as an area • Provision of good community conservation where they would avoid human demonstration areas for replication in Tanza- activities such us cutting trees nia and beyond. and growing crops. There are still a number or challenges with The mitigation plan for human– WMAs, but AWF aims to use the lessons learned giraffe conflict still needs to be from its five pilot programmes to help ensure the completed, but AWF with the process becomes more efficient and more revenue support of its partners has is directed to communities and conservation. taken a significant step in the protection and AWF has developed a practical handbook for setting conservation of West up WMAs in Tanzania. To download, visit awf.org/ African giraffe. WMAhandbook Shana Laursen 16 African Wildlife Foundation’s African Landscape

African Wildlife Foundation is grateful AWF to Expand Antipoaching Work Into for the support of all our funding partners, Northern Cameroon including: WF has identified northern Camer- the protected areas in this region. oon as a priority landscape for future conservation efforts. The area of focus This landscape is an important stronghold for Aincludes three core protected areas—Faro wildlife in West Africa. The area is remote, National Park, with limited tourism, making it vulnerable to where AWF is poaching. Work- supporting anti- ing together, poaching efforts; This landscape is an AWF and GIZ Bénoué National important stronghold for will enhance Park; and Bouba the protection N’Djida National wildlife in West Africa of wildlife, by Park—and their developing an ef- extensions into fective system for neighbouring Nigeria and Chad. In response the identification to the alarming elephant poaching that oc- of and communications on wildlife hotspots curred in Bouba N’Djida in 2012, when more and threats, establishing and training anti- than 400 elephants were poached in less than poaching teams, and building the capacity of one month, AWF is partnering with GIZ to national and local protected area authorities increase antipoaching efforts and better Currentsecure Projects in various antipoaching efforts. Aspirational Projects

Nile R.

Niokola-Koba Niger R. Regional Parc W Simien Mountains

Gola Forest COTE Faro National Park D'IVOIRE Bili Niger Delta Chimps Uele Ethiopian Highlands Bale Mountains Tai-Sapo Forest Murchison Kidepo Valley Dja Samburu Congo Falls Budongo Lake Mburo Valley Congo R. Kalinzi Mau Forest How AWF Virunga Kilimanjaro Lamu Serengeti Tsavo/Ngulia Approaches Maasai Steppe Ruaha Katavi

Conservation Luangwa Selous Lake Indian Ocean Kafue Malawi WF achieves conservation impact in Zambezi Marine

Zambez Skeleton Africa by focussing on high-priority, large i R. A Coast AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION Okavango Kazungula landscapes that have the potential to conserve Etosha Save Conservancy Grootberg viable populations of African wildlife as well Lodge Kalahari Headquarters Limpopo Ngong Road, Karen as key habitats and ecological systems well into P.O. Box 310, 00502 the future. Nairobi, Kenya +254 20 276 5000 Ora KwaZulu-Natal These landscapes are composed of different nge R. fax +254 20 276 5030 land units—national parks, private land and Great Fish community land—within a single ecosystem River Nature Washington, DC Office Reserve 1400 Sixteenth Street, NW, Ste. 120, ranging in size from 7,000 km2 to 95,000 km2. Washington, DC 20036, USA Many extend across the borders of multiple Current Projects +1 888 494 5354 countries. Aspirational Projects fax +1 202 939 3332

Nile R. awf.org Target landscapes are selected based on a detailed analysis that examines the region’s Niokola-Koba priority conservation actions specific to the Ethiopian Highlands Niger R. Regional Parc W biological, ecological, social and economic area. AWF works in the following strategic Simien Mountains opportunities. In each landscape, AWF works areas: land conservation, species protection, closely with partners and stakeholders—Gola Forest COTE conservationFaro Nationalenterprise, Park education and capacity including national and local governments,D'IVOIRE Bili Cover Photo Credits: Martin Harvey, building,Niger Delta Chimpsand climate change. PolicyUele is a cross-Juba Ethiopian Highlands Andy Austin, Scott Berendt and Shana Laursen. communities, research organisations, other Nimule Bale Mountains Tai-Sapo Forest cutting theme that underscores all Murchisonof AWF’s Kidepo Valley Dja Samburu NGOs and the private sector—to develop Congo Falls programmes. Budongo Rift Lake Mburo Valley Congo R. Kalinzi Mau Forest Virunga Kilimanjaro Lamu Serengeti Tsavo/Ngulia Maasai Steppe

Ruaha Katavi

Luangwa Selous Lake Indian Ocean Kafue Malawi Zambezi Marine

Zambez Skeleton i R. Coast Okavango Kazungula Etosha Save Conservancy Grootberg Lodge Kalahari Limpopo

Ora KwaZulu-Natal nge R.

Great Fish River Nature Reserve