African People & Wildlife

For those who dream of Tanzania’s vast landscapes and rich cultural heritage—thank you for following our work. You’re standing with the people dedicating their lives to protecting Africa’s iconic wildlife and strengthening the communities who share the land.

Throwback to an International Women’s Day celebration earlier this week! Our African Women in Conservation mentees came together with female forces of nature supported by APW: Queen Bees, Community Rangeland Monitors, and Coexistence Officers. Gathering at an event organized by Trias East Africa, there were discussions with other women leaders on cross-border trade, land access, leadership, gender-based violence, and work-life balance. The group shared strategies to expand businesses, advocated for equitable land policies, and called for greater representation in decision-making. The message was clear: Women are powerful agents of change. By seizing leadership opportunities, promoting entrepreneurship (like Mama Asali!), and standing against gender-based violence, they are shaping stronger, more resilient communities.

Proud to shine a spotlight on our Rangelands and MELA teams ?? Together with partner communities, we are blending advanced ArcGIS technology with time-honored community practices to restore and sustainably manage communal lands for livestock and wildlife. Learn more about how these tools help local people conserve natural resources in a post from Methusela Lameck on the Esri Conservation Blog: https://lnkd.in/g3FRyvfh ??: Emmily Tunuka/APW

Happy International Women's Day! These snapshots of Sikoi Rosio offer a glimpse of her transformation from a teenager who hesitated to speak up to the rangeland conservationist finding her voice: https://lnkd.in/gTe7s6Km Sikoi's path to becoming a university graduate and environmental champion shows exactly why we must #AccelerateAction for women and girls everywhere, creating real opportunities for leadership and change in their communities. We're grateful for partners like the Disney Conservation Fund, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, CHASE Africa, and the Wildlife Conservation Network's WISE Fund for supporting our programs for women and youth and making progress possible. #IWD2025

We often think of big, sweeping gestures when we talk about conservation, but sometimes, it's the quiet, consistent work that makes a lasting difference. Like the women of Mama Asali, tending their beehives across the Maasai Steppe – 2,133 hives installed and growing. As Thoreau said, "The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams." Here’s to the women who keep the bees and encourage the light. ??: Emmily Tunuka/APW

We are honored to be a finalist in Esri’s 2024 ArcGIS #StoryMaps Competition! This year’s competition brought together over 570 storytellers from 58 countries, highlighting projects in digital humanities and popular culture, health and safety, humanitarian and disaster relief, nature and physical science, and planning and infrastructure. Our story, "Charting a Path to Human-Elephant Coexistence in Tanzania," showcases how communities and conservationists are using #GIS and other tools to find a balance for people and nature. We are thrilled to be included among so many outstanding finalists! Explore all the finalist stories: https://loom.ly/oiS1KlQ Read our story and vote for the Community Choice Award by March 12: Story: https://loom.ly/YgaC-fE Vote: https://loom.ly/z2NT864

#ThrowbackThursday | What began as a small team has grown into a highly trained force patrolling 700,000 hectares in the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem. APW-supported Community Game Scouts have curbed poaching and reduced illegal charcoal production, all while tracking key wildlife species through semi-monthly wildlife counts. Their rapid response to human-wildlife conflict, including safely recovering lost livestock and assisting injured animals, continues to strengthen trust between communities and conservation authorities: https://loom.ly/ZIzeGAE From their early days on foot to today’s joint patrols and data-driven monitoring, this team of local scouts continues to evolve. And as APW marks our 20th year in 2025, we honor their lasting impact on generations of wildlife and people. #20YearsOfRoar ??: Felipe Rodriguez/APW

For the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate the women driving conservation at APW and across Tanzania. Through our African Women in Conservation initiative and partnerships with 80 communities, we've seen firsthand how female leadership strengthens environmental outcomes. Our team is committed to breaking down barriers through education, mentorship, and a proven approach to conservation that values inclusion and equity: https://lnkd.in/g5CK6y36 To women and girls pursuing careers in science, wildlife, and natural resource management: we see you, we support you, and we're creating new paths forward. ?????? #WomenInScience #WomenInConservation

Encouraging progress in the Muryamunyi, Muriatata, and Lelek grasslands! A recent monitoring visit shows the area is flourishing with the help of sustainable management blended with traditional practices. We also had a chance to connect with the new Longido District Commissioner, delivering hands-on training that provides their team with access to our APW ArcGIS Online Platform. This means they can now track rangeland health more effectively and create data-driven reports and presentations with ease. Seeing GIS technology equip communities to protect and restore their natural resources never gets old. ?

#TBT to 2015 when a group of Maasai women harvested their first batch of honey. What started small has blossomed into nearly 2,000 beekeepers across 109 local groups, producing over 26 tons of honey! But it's about so much more than the sweet stuff - these "Mama Asali" beekeepers are protecting forest habitats and encouraging native plant pollination while gaining financial independence: https://loom.ly/uMiMWD4 As we celebrate APW's 20th anniversary, we're thrilled to see this program stronger than ever with 20+ community leaders stepping up as Queen Bees to monitor hives, track harvests, and support their fellow beekeepers. #20YearsOfRoar ??: Felipe Rodriguez/African People & Wildlife