A Bridge for Wildlife and Communities: Exploring Namibia's Skeleton Coast-Etosha Conservation Bridge
Recently, the Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF) team embarked on a fascinating journey to Namibia to learn more about the Skeleton Coast-Etosha Conservation Bridge (SCECB) program.
This ambitious initiative aims to create a vital wildlife corridor by connecting a series of community-managed conservancies situated between Etosha National Park and the Skeleton Coast National Park. Our visit unfolded over five days, packed with meetings with key stakeholders. We met with representatives from WWF Namibia, Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT), and most importantly, the individuals directly involved in the program – the inspiring communities on the ground.
A Landscape Rooted in Community
One of the most striking aspects of the SCECB program is its focus on community-driven conservation. The “People’s Parks” concept is at the heart of this approach. These emerging parks, the first of their kind in Namibia, represent a unique collaboration between communities and the government, allowing communities to retain management rights while receiving support for conservation efforts.
We had the privilege of visiting the emerging Ombonde and Hoanib People’s Parks and to meet with the board of the future Arid Eden People’s Park (AEPP). Established through a collaborative effort that incorporated community needs into the park’s management plan, these People’s Parks exemplify the program’s commitment to balancing human well-being with wildlife protection.
Challenges and Collaboration: Building a Sustainable Future
The road to conservation is never without its hurdles. While some communities like those mentioned above, are impatiently seeking to operationalize these People’s Parks, others are cautiously considering getting on board. These diverse perspectives highlight the importance of open communication and consultation of all stakeholders, which LLF actively supports with its funding.
The debriefing sessions with LLF, WWF, IRDNC, and local communities were crucial in identifying areas for improvement. Strengthening community feedback mechanisms, investing into human-wildlife conflict mitigation, exploring flexible funding options, and fostering a strong partnership between all stakeholders emerged as key takeaways for ensuring the program’s long-term success.
A Glimpse into a Promising Future
The SCECB program represents a groundbreaking approach to conservation in Namibia. By empowering communities and fostering collaboration, it holds immense promise for wildlife populations and the livelihoods of those who share their land. The dedication and innovation we witnessed during our visit leave us optimistic about the future of this vital conservation corridor.
The journey doesn’t end here! We at LLF are committed to supporting the SCECB program and will continue to share its progress. Stay tuned for future updates on this inspiring initiative that is building a bridge for wildlife and communities in Namibia.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the Rob Walton Foundation for match funding this program and making these conservation efforts possible. This grant also would not have been possible without the generous contributions from the German Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ), France’s Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).
