Spring Field Report: A Conservation Hero Steps Into the Spotlight
An Unsung Hero for Coexistence
When Elvis Kisimir began working in conservation, he wasn’t thinking about awards. As a young Maasai moran, he had seen firsthand the challenges pastoralist families face when wildlife threatens livestock and crops, and he wanted to help find solutions.
Today, his steady leadership has earned international recognition. Elvis, African People & Wildlife’s Human-Wildlife Coexistence Senior Program Officer, has received the Diane Skinner Award for the Unsung Hero in Conservation, presented at the Business of Conservation Conference in Nairobi.
Since joining African People & Wildlife in 2010, Elvis has helped grow the Warriors for Wildlife network to nearly 200 trained community coexistence officers and served a critical role in the development and spread of Living Walls across the country. His recognition reflects the collaborative conservation model that Tanzanian communities are leading every day. Hongera sana, Elvis!
Inside the Toolbox for Living with Elephants
Community response teams on the outskirts of Ngorongoro, Lake Natron, and Mkomazi National Park are learning how to safely guide elephants away from farms using simple but effective tools.
With support from Conservation Nation and a partnership with Running Wild Media, we’ve produced a short video introducing the tools in our human-elephant coexistence toolkits, from powerful flashlights and chili bricks to noisemakers and other non-lethal deterrents.
While we’re excited to share the video with supporters, its biggest role will be in the field. It will help train new members of Warriors for Wildlife, support refresher trainings, and introduce coexistence strategies during community outreach.
Watch the video in English below or click for Kiswahili.
When the Rains Don’t Come
Tanzania has several rainy seasons each year—but when the rains don’t arrive as expected, communities begin to worry. Pastures thin quickly, water becomes scarce, and pastoralist families must find ways to keep their livestock healthy.
At the start of the year, our rangelands team met with leaders from more than 20 villages to review grazing conditions using community rangeland dashboards. In some regions, the situation was severe enough that herders had begun purchasing feed. But in other villages where long-term grazing plans and pasture reserves are in place, livestock were able to weather the season more safely alongside wildlife.
The rains have since arrived, bringing some relief, but the experience underscored why preparation is essential. As the climate becomes more unpredictable, these community plans are helping villages prepare for tough seasons and manage their grasslands for the long run.
Mama Asali Takes the Stage
The women of African People & Wildlife’s beekeeping initiative received exciting recognition this year at the Zanzibar International Trade Fair, where their Mama Asali-brand products earned an award for innovation and design.
What began with honey has grown into a diverse line of soaps, candles, skincare products, and other bee-based goods that support both livelihoods and habitat conservation.
The timing couldn’t be better. Two new honey processing and enterprise centers near Lemooti and Mswakini are nearing completion. With equipment arriving and training underway, the women are preparing to expand production and strengthen their growing businesses.
Planting for Wildlife’s Future
Wildlife Club members at Loibor Siret Primary School celebrated World Wildlife Day with a hands-on lesson in biodiversity. This year’s theme focused on the importance of plant life for wildlife and healthy ecosystems. Club members planted fruit trees and vegetable seeds around their school grounds while learning how native vegetation supports wildlife habitat.
Activities like these connect conservation lessons with real stewardship, and the students are excited to watch their efforts grow in the months ahead!
Field Notes
PODCAST | Brains On – Hoax Hunters
APW’s Neovitus Sianga joins the hosts to talk about the remarkable ecosystems around Lake Natron. Listen starting around 10:10.
MEDIA | Mongabay
Mongabay recently highlighted African People & Wildlife’s Sustainable Rangelands Initiative after receiving the IUCN Tech4Nature Award.
TRAVEL | Conservation Safari in Tanzania
Explore how APW offers small-group conservation safaris connecting visitors with wildlife, communities, and the people leading coexistence efforts across Tanzania.
BLOG | Opening Doors for Women & Girls in Conservation
In case you missed it, hear from Co-founder and CEO Laly Lichtenfeld and meet some of the women in conservation at African People & Wildlife.
