Conservation Education

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David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) has always believed that education lies as the heart of conservation solutions and it is one of the Foundation’s three core operational priorities, alongside fighting wildlife crime and protecting endangered species.

Through our UK and global education programme, along with the work carried out by our ground-based conservation partners, DSWF is working to inspire and motivate children and young adults to positively coexist with nature and protect the natural world.

Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic initially hindered education initiatives, DSWF funding allowed our ground-based conservation partners in Africa in Asia to adapt and utilise technology to ensure our engagement with local communities and children has continued to make a real impact.

Zambia: Conservation Awareness

Over the past six months, DSWF has been working to increase conservation awareness in the Nkala Game Management Area, outside the Kafue National Park in Zambia. Having identified 25 eligible primary schools, DSWF supported a series of teacher training workshops to equip 50 teachers to become Conservation Club leaders. These teachers have since established Conservation Clubs with their grade 5-6 students and began delivering weekly environmental education in an extra-curricular setting to more than 1,000 children.

China: Demand Reduction

Acknowledging the need to reduce the demand for wildlife products in China, DSWF has supported a new campaign with wildlife champion and martial arts super star Jackie Chan. The campaign was released to support China’s decision to ban the trade and consumption of terrestrial wild animals in February 2020 and is currently being spread across social media and billboards in China. The campaign was put on billboards across airports and train stations across China and its associated video gained over five million views online.

Kyrgyzstan: Snow Leopard Education

Whilst Kyrgyzstan remains one of the world’s last remaining strongholds for snow leopards, there is a general disconnect between people and nature, especially among children in the more remote regions and locations. Whilst DSWF funding was originally allocated for in-person eco-camps and in-school nature clubs, our support was redirected towards developing a new remotely delivered conservation education programme for children. This aimed to encourage positive values for nature and to equip children with knowledge as a basis for conservation action and continued learning. The team were able to reach over 300 children and their teachers from 18 rural schools

Guinea: Coexistence

In order to empower communities living adjacent to chimpanzee habitats in Guinea, DSWF has been working in the High Niger National Park supporting an education programme to raise awareness on how human activities and environmental exploitation impact wildlife. The positive impact of these projects is already being felt by our partners who are now regularly being contacted when issues arise prior to any animals being harmed

The Bigger Picture

Over the past 12 months, DSWF have continued our 37-year legacy of providing unwavering support to protect some of the world’s most endangered species. Over the course of 2022 we will continue to support our long-term conservation partners to protect wildlife, tackle wildlife crime and reduce poaching threats alongside engaging and supporting more community groups working to protect wildlife.

Thanks to your help, we have granted over £11 million in direct conservation support to turn the tide on extinction.

Plans for 2022 include the development of a new industryleading education strategy to build on our existing portfolio to create a programme that will incorporate the challenges facing endangered species into the mainstream curriculum. As a result, we hope to instil into the psyche of children, both in the UK and further afield, the need to protect our planet and live greener lives whilst empowering the next generation of wildlife warriors

On behalf of everyone at DSWF and the wildlife we fight to protect, Thank You.

Links:

• Read our 2020-2021 Impact Report
• Read our latest Wildlife Matters Magazine.