Conserving our
great wilderness
Supporting conservation organisations achieve their mission.
Creating impact strategies to shift structures and behaviours for the stewardship of our planet.
Bringing over five enriching years of conservation experience across Eastern and Southern Africa, my approach is all about empowering local communities and protecting our great wilderness. Rooted in genuine connections and heartfelt engagement, I help create strategic impact and communication plans that resonate with the people and places we serve. Through deep conversations, research and listening sessions, I uncover the needs and aspirations of each community as well as perceptions, values, and attitudes towards conservation issues, informing strategy development and ensuring diverse perspectives are considered to propel lasting positive outcomes for both people and wildlife.
Furthermore, I establish clear objectives rooted in behavioural science principles, guiding the development of interventions such as educational campaigns and policy advocacy. Collaborating closely with partner organisations, I leverage resources and networks to amplify our collective impact. Additionally, I engage stakeholders in monitoring and evaluation of social impact providing robust frameworks and capacitating local teams in the work of social science and data collection ensuring real-world monitoring to effectively measure the outcomes of conservation efforts and adapt strategies accordingly.
Beyond that, I am committed to synthesising and communicating impact data into accessible reports, presentations, workshops and publications, fostering collaborative decision-making among stakeholders and further promoting a culture of adaptation and learning. I believe that sharing insights and encouraging ongoing reflection on successes and challenges is essential to drive positive outcomes in conservation.
Tracking progress towards empowering communities for sustainable natural resource management in the Okavango Delta.
I had the incredible opportunity to develop an evaluation framework and conduct field research to monitor and quantify progress toward achieving the ambitious goals of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project - empower local communities to take ownership of natural resource management, ensuring sustainable livelihood development and equitable access to benefits for all involved. This initiative is implemented through the Okavango Eternal partnership, spanning across Botswana and Angola.
The National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project has been tirelessly surveying and gathering scientific data on the river system, collaborating closely with local communities and governments to establish permanent, sustainable protection measures for the greater Okavango.
Today, through the Okavango Eternal partnership, the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project is dedicated to conserving this precious area and supporting the sustainable livelihoods of over 21 million people in these countries who rely on these watersheds. Our efforts aim to uphold biodiversity and foster long-term resilience to the effects of climate change on the Okavango and Zambezi River Basins, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.
Creating impact communications to increase tolerance towards lions in Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
I had the honour of crafting and implementing strategic communication, media, and storytelling plans, carefully tailored with input from local communities, particularly the Maasai. Our aim was to foster greater acceptance and tolerance towards lions in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, ultimately reducing human-lion conflicts stemming from shrinking habitats, environmental degradation, and rising poverty.
Moreover, I worked to expand our network of conservation partnerships, collaborating closely with stakeholders, the tourism industry, scientists, and fellow conservation organizations. Together, we sought to magnify the impact of our conservation initiatives and inspire collective action. This included featuring in impactful storytelling documentaries, delivering engaging tourist talks, developing educational school programs, and organizing community events as platforms for shared learning and exchange among the residents of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
In addition to these endeavors, I led targeted research efforts to gain insights into various perceptions and perspectives on coexistence practices, the pivotal role of lion guardians, resilience in the face of climate and political challenges, and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods for pastoralist communities. Furthermore, I prioritized the development of our team members' capabilities and drew upon behavioral change science to ensure that our interventions were rooted in the most effective practices, supported by evidence-based approaches. Through these efforts, we aimed to cultivate a harmonious coexistence and prosperity for both pastoralist communities and lions within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Advancing the field of human-wildlife coexistence as a collective.
I had the privilege of collaborating with the PAMS Foundation to develop educational resources that empowered school children to embrace their role as guardians of our precious natural world. These resources were thoughtfully crafted to resonate with children from various backgrounds and geographies, instilling in them a sense of duty to protect and harmonize with wildlife.
In addition, we built a strong network of partners and curated a comprehensive resource library. This initiative aimed to engage stakeholders from diverse fields including science, conservation, academia, and policy-making, fostering collaboration and the exchange of knowledge.
As part of our commitment to knowledge sharing, we actively participated in workshops, conferences, and forums. Here, we shared insights, experiences, and lessons learned from our work in the field of coexistence, contributing to the collective wisdom of the conservation community. Through these collaborative efforts, we aimed to foster continuous learning and active involvement in the pursuit of our shared conservation goals.