Akashinga

Akashinga, formerly international anti-poaching foundation, aligns with addressing 15/17 un sustainable development goals, the global 30x30 challenge, protecting our planet challenge, the aichi biodiversity targets, and agenda 2063 of the african union. At Akashinga, we address social issues to provide conservation outcomes that protect millions of acres of rich biodiversity across africa. Those most affected by the climate crisis are an integral part of the solution. That is why our efforts are rooted in community. We believe in gender equality, thriving local communities, and elevating those who have been traditionally excluded from frontline and leadership roles. Akashinga - formerly the international anti-poaching foundation (iapf) - is relentlessly committed to forging a sustainable future on a healthier planet by addressing the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and the future of all species, including our own. 1.) Akashinga - nature protected by women - Akashinga's approach to protecting nature at scale elevates and empowers communities and women as leaders protecting wildlife and the critical wilderness landscapes they call home. In an industry where women are outnumbered by men 100:1 at an operational level, Akashinga places women in authentic leadership roles and creates pathways to foster the next generation of female conservation experts. Wilderness land designated as concessions and conservancies, under the custodianship of local rural communities, makes up more than twice the area held under national park portfolios across the african continent. If community needs are not addressed as a central strategy of conservation, these areas will be at risk, leaving only isolated pockets of wilderness and fragmented ecosystems behind. Akashinga partners directly with communities in holistic wildlife protection, working closely with all levels of society to move away from the adversarial, exclusively male-led models of protection and rehabilitation to safeguard wilderness areas that connect fragmented ecosystems. The model brings a more effective, just, and sustainable concept of conservation which is highly adaptable to varying landscapes. The Akashinga model uses social impact approaches such as gender equality, healthcare, education, water sanitation, and infrastructure development to achieve conservation outcomes. In 2023, over 16,400 people gained increased access to clean water, with over 5,000 patients treated by clinics supported by Akashinga. Zimbabwe landscape - the zambezi valley, in which the Akashinga project is located, is one of the most biodiverse and important ecosystems in southern africa (the zambezi basin contains about 7000 species of plants, 200 mammal, 700 bird, 300 reptile and amphibian, 150 fish, and over 1100 butterfly species, amongst others). The ecological complexity of the system, with fragile interspecific relationships and reliances, means that even small environmental disturbances are severely felt. Of vital importance is that the zambezi valley, and greater zambezi basin, is both a catchment area and a conduit for the numerous tributaries that feed into one of the world's great rivers, and thus holistic habitat conservation in this area is an urgent priority so as to prevent erosion, siltation, agrochemical poisoning, and loss of biodiversity; where failure to protect this habitat will have significant ripple effects felt for hundreds of kilometers downstream that further impacts this critical ecosystem. The lower zambezi valley contains one of the largest remaining elephant populations in the world, and the phundundu area (directly adjacent to and acting as a buffer zone for mana pools national park - a unesco world heritage site) contains a healthy and growing population. Of conservation significance, phundundu boasts an intact predator guild - with resident lion, leopard, wild dog, spotted hyaena, and occasional cheetah. This is an excellent indicator of system health and overall biodiversity. There are also healthy populations of pangolin and pythons, where they are well protected from the illicit international wildlife trade. Mozambique landscape - spanning 2.2 million acres, including 40 miles of coastline, the coutada 5 area is a comprehensive blend of terrestrial, coastal, and marine conservation. This country programme, initiated in 2022, has achieved notable advancements in 2023. We aim to extend protection offshore, helping to create a transformative conservation corridor that connects three national parks and 7 million acres of land with distinct ecosystems and enormous biodiversity. Following the successful training and graduation of the inaugural group of Akashinga rangers in june 2023, the region is now under the protection of a proficient team of women, dedicated to safeguarding wildlife and natural resources. The deployment of these rangers has yielded tangible and positive outcomes for conservation efforts, and the programme's commitment to taking proactive measures against illegal wildlife activities is evident through law enforcement actions.botswana landscape - in 2021, our partnership with ngo kalahari research and conservation (krc) expanded our initiatives into botswana. Operating within the vast greater kgalagadi transfrontier park, covering five million acres, we focus on protecting thriving lion, wild dog, and leopard populations. As the challenges of poaching and human encroachment escalate, safeguarding these species becomes crucial for maintaining the ecological balance of the region. Our comprehensive strategy involves various projects aimed at preserving the biodiversity of the kgalagadi. Notable efforts include the kgalagadi lion and wild dog projects, carnivore surveys utilizing fifty camera traps, satellite tracking of vultures, and the conservation performance payment (cpp) project, which effectively addresses livestock incursions. This multifaceted approach promotes coexistence, while our tracker training initiatives contribute to building local conservation capacity. Embracing a community-led model, we have created over 80 jobs, providing stable income sources and emphasizing both gender equality and wildlife conservation.

Education and outreach - while focused primarily on field work and on the ground results, we also seek to educate the public about the important issues of conservation, wildlife protection, and its climate implications, as public opinion and pressure plays an important role in bringing an end to poaching and protecting nature. The uniqueness and success of Akashinga generates empathy and vast media interest. We also facilitate education and outreach opportunities in the areas we serve to foster an appreciation of nature and wildlife in the next generation of local leaders. In 2023, Akashinga awarded 200 primary and secondary education scholarships. Notably, these scholarships play a pivotal role in advancing female empowerment, with 70% of them being exclusively granted to girls, and includes activities like conservation club, tree planting, and community gardens.

Lead ranger - lead ranger addresses the limited capacity at higher levels within africa's conservation community, providing advanced training, development, and mentorship of high-quality rangers and ranger managers. Lead ranger produces exceptional instructors able to embed within their own units and give lasting benefit. The program is iso 9001 certified, an internationally recognized certification that ensures benchmarks of high-quality standards using relevant, up-to-date, and evidence-based curriculum. The program is a collaborative partnership between Akashinga, thin green line foundation, and ranger campus.

Wildlife crime unit (wcu) - due to the sensitive nature of the work, wildlife crime unit (wcu) is a less-publicized program. This work focuses on the wildlife smuggling supply chain. Wcu investigates activities about wildlife crime with the intent of prosecuting criminals involved with trafficking. Working with local authorities in each of the countries we operate, continuous pressure is applied to illegal networks helping to drive downturn in poaching.