At APW, we believe empowering, educating, and enabling local people with the skills, knowledge and resources necessary to self-manage their environments is the crucial first step in developing long-term commitment to and capacity for environmental and biodiversity conservation. We are dedicated to empowering the next generation of environmental leaders by providing educational opportunities for both children and adults in the rural communities where we work. Some of our ongoing initiatives include:

Conservation Education for Rural Primary School Children

Based on our “Mazingira Yako ~ Your Environment” series of conservation workbooks, this program encourages students to engage their families in the learning process, thereby reaching the community at large. By working within the national educational curriculum and in partnership with local schools, we are able to reach hundreds of students each year.

Training of Village Game Scouts

In order to combat poaching, deforestation for charcoal burning and other environmental abuses, APW supports the training of village game scouts at nationally accredited institutions. For example in our Selous-Niassa project site, 30 game scouts are now busy monitoring wildlife while reducing game meat poaching within a local conservation concession also supported by APW.

The Noloholo Environmental Center

Recognizing the need for local training in natural resource management, APW is currently building an environmental center, the first of its kind in northern Tanzania. With the planned provision of courses, seminars and workshops in environmental conservation and improved land-use management, our bush-based center will be a leading environmental resource for local communities, conservation organizations and government authorities throughout Tanzania.