20 Years of Roar

Twenty years ago, we set out with a dream that seemed simple yet audacious: to help create a world where people and wildlife could truly thrive together... There was no doubt in our minds that this work mattered, even when the mud was thick, there were snakes in our tent, or conventional conservationists were perplexed by our approach. The roar of lions and the trumpets of elephants still call us to act boldly, and we are grateful to stand together with you and the communities who make our mission possible.

One conversation at a time - that’s how we built trust in those early years. Working alongside Maasai communities reinforced an essential truth: protecting wildlife begins with supporting people. As we tackled pressing challenges like human-lion conflict, we found new ways to pair local practices and traditions with conservation outcomes.

The Maasai community of Loibor Siret transformed our vision by donating land for the Noloholo Environmental Center—a gesture of trust anchoring our shared commitment. Together, we created the first Living Walls, watched young conservationists emerge through education programs, and supported villages in southern Tanzania to create Wildlife Management Areas. Along the way, we celebrated as initial skepticism about our approach transformed into genuine enthusiasm. Our programs were taking root—turning into partnerships that would flourish for decades to follow.

Word spread quickly: families with Living Walls were sleeping peacefully, free from the fear of losing livestock to predators. This success ignited a wave of expansion as more communities embraced solutions that worked. The once-quiet Noloholo Environmental Center became a vibrant hub of activity, where students discovered their power as environmental stewards and local leaders stepped into roles tackling challenges like water conservation and rangeland management.

Over 500 Living Walls transformed conflict into coexistence, while education programs inspired thousands of children and adults to protect their natural heritage. Women found new paths to prosperity through beadwork and the start of a beekeeping program, and villages like Loibor Siret established conservation areas to safeguard resources for the future. What began as individual victories rippled outward, reaching more lives and lands than ever before.

As human-wildlife conflict programs grew, new opportunities emerged for conservation that would soon be captured in our ACTIVE™ approach to community engagement. Guided by traditional knowledge and innovation with GIS technology tools, our team worked hand-in-hand with local leaders to coordinate management across communal lands. The creation of a dedicated monitoring and evaluation unit further strengthened our accountability and transparency, tracking progress and refining strategies to maximize impact.

Discussions in village halls and under acacia trees gave rise to sustainable land-use plans that helped to balance age-old pastoral practices with a changing environment. The Women’s Beekeeping Initiative also brought sweet rewards, with women earning income while protecting habitat. From rangeland health to entrepreneurship, this era showed the power of solutions rooted in heritage and bolstered by innovation.

Amid global disruptions, communities innovated to keep thriving—restoring and reconnecting fragmented grasslands, protecting wildlife corridors, and maintaining environmental education through virtual connections. Programs like human-elephant coexistence initiatives quickly launched and expanded, while the Women’s Beekeeping Initiative brought stability and a new women’s mentorship program based at Noloholo reinforced our approach to equity in African conservation.

Data collection became a pillar of progress—a resource returned to communities to guide grazing plans, protect habitats, and resolve conflicts. As we approached our 20th anniversary year, this period reinforced that—with the right tools and support—rural and Indigenous communities are uniquely equipped to shape sustainable futures for both people and wildlife. 

African People & Wildlife’s 20th Anniversary Impact Report reflects on two decades of community-driven conservation, from our early days in the Maasai Steppe to our expansion across Tanzania.

Discover how our initiatives have transformed human-wildlife coexistence, protected big cats and elephants, and empowered thousands of youth and local leaders. Explore the progress made in sustainable grassland management, habitat restoration, and education, all guided by a deep commitment to people and nature thriving together.

Since the beginning, APW has thrived on the strength of partnerships, the power of community, and the generosity of those who share our vision. We are honored to celebrate this journey with our staff, leadership, donors, partners, traditional and government leaders, and community-based teams.

By  donating to APW , you provide vital support to our holistic conservation programs. Consider setting up a  monthly donation  to sustain our efforts, with the ability to pause or change anytime. Please contact  giving@africanpeoplewildlife.org  to explore additional options like bequests and stock transfers.