20 Years of Impact: Bringing Life Back to Community Grasslands
As African People & Wildlife celebrates 20 years of community-led conservation, we are sharing key stories from our 20 Years of Roar anniversary impact report. This series reflects on where we have come from and what lies ahead, including the progress we will share from 2025 as our programs continue to evolve. Read the full report and visit our interactive timeline.
Bringing Life Back to Community Grasslands
Since its formalization in 2017, the Sustainable Rangelands Initiative has empowered communities to combine traditional practices, like rotational grazing, with data-driven tools that support sustainable land management. Local volunteer rangeland monitors track pasture conditions, providing actionable insights to guide decisions that benefit people and nature.
Now active in over 60 villages, the program enables local leaders to restore grasslands, remove invasive species, and conserve water sources. Collaborative planning, from village to regional levels, fosters cooperation across communities, resulting in healthier landscapes that sustain livestock while providing critical habitats for wildlife—including elephants, giraffes, native herbivores, and big cats.
As part of our suite of programs, this initiative plays a vital role in driving human-wildlife coexistence. By blending cultural wisdom with data-driven action, it transforms degraded rangelands into thriving ecosystems, building resilience, protecting biodiversity, and benefiting people for a world in balance.
At first, we were small-scale and focused on just a handful of areas. But the transformation has been mind-blowing. Local communities are leading the charge. Armed with their own knowledge and the support and training we can provide, they’re transforming landscapes with incredible purpose. After all this time, I’m still amazed at how people can heal ecosystems in ways we never imagined.
Neovitus Sianga, Director of Community Conservation and Environment
Impact Snapshot
- 800,000+ acres of critical grasslands under conservation management
- 10,200+ acres of rangelands preserved by APW-supported habitat improvements led by partner communities
- 58 community monitors collecting data about grassland and woodland health
- 24 habitat rehabilitation projects to improve pastures and reduce erosion
Celebrating 20 Years of Roar
We’re grateful to have you with us during this landmark year. Marking 20 Years of Roar reminds us how much is possible when communities and supporters move forward together. If you’d like to honor this moment, making a gift in recognition of the anniversary helps sustain the work and relationships that make coexistence possible. Thank you for being part of the path ahead.
