Conservation Lower Zambezi is a Gem Worth Preserving
This Special Organization in Zambia is Growing Quickly and Needs Our Support
Deep in southeastern Zambia is one of the most breathtaking corners of the world. Teeming with wildlife and protected from tourism, Lower Zambezi National Park is a true, unspoiled treasure in the heart of Africa.
Since 1994, Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) has played a huge role in this special place -- protecting wildlife from poaching, educating local children about the environment, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict in Lower Zambezi. The organization operates in a massive area in and around the park, covering about 20,000 square kilometers.
According to CEO Ian Stevenson, there are three key pillars of focus for CLZ:
- Environmental education: CLZ works with 65 schools around the national park and regularly brings students to Base Camp where they are educated on the environment and their valuable local resources. Students also have the opportunity to go on river and boat cruises and game drives so they can gain an appreciation of what CLZ is trying to protect.
- Law enforcement: CLZ has a robust presence in law enforcement to support the region. The organization operates several specialized law enforcement units including routine foot patrols, a newly formed marine unit to patrol rivers, a canine unit, a Rapid Deployment team, an aerial unit with a full-time plane, and a prosecution team to oversee court cases from the field.
- Community outreach: Through this program, CLZ supports women in the area and their livelihoods -- from farming to sewing to raising poultry. Thanks to these initiatives, CLZ has even established two all-female teams in its law enforcement division. This is also the pillar through which CLZ helps manage human wildlife conflict: supplying local villages with elephant-proof grain silos, electric tape fences that can’t be used as snares, and bicycles and community scouts to quickly respond to incidents.
CLZ is also developing a fourth pillar of focus in research and restoration. Each pillar is vital to the work of CLZ, and the organization is always in need of funding to help with initiatives, operations and administrative costs.
But there’s one project in particular right now that CLZ wants to see funded: A new lodging space to accommodate CLZ’s growing management team, which continues to expand along with the organization's programs. Currently CLZ employs about 80 people from Zambia, 30 of whom are based at the CLZ Base Camp, and they need accommodations at CLZ’s base camp.
Trying to raise funds to build a suitable shelter is difficult, and Ian said he wants to offer a simple but comfortable housing option. He envisions a duplex, which would offer two bedrooms for two managers with a communal area for cooking, eating and sitting in between.
With proper accommodations, CLZ can bring a longer term and higher level of management to support its activities and continues its mission to conserve Lower Zambezi and its precious resources for years to come. The total dollar amount expected for this large project is $30,000.
Africa Hope Fund has been a friend to CLZ for many years, and the partnership is an important one as we continue our shared mission of conservation and education in Zambia. Will you help us raise funds for CLZ’s base camp duplex? Click here to donate!