Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC)

Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) http://archive.benchmarkemail.com/IRDNC

IRDNC Trust strives to improve the lives of rural people by diversifying the socio-economy in Namibia's communal areas to include wildlife and other valuable natural resources. We believe this will, in turn, secure a long-term place for wild animals outside of national parks, and significantly reduce the pressure on these areas in the future. The Trust further aims to build up the capacity of rural Namibians, and to assist them to develop a civil society whose members can sustainably manage and benefit from their local natural resources.

The problem is not always a lack of funding.Sometimes, community conservation struggles because decisions are not unders...
09/10/2026

The problem is not always a lack of funding.

Sometimes, community conservation struggles because decisions are not understood, benefits are unclear, and people feel left out.

When we asked what leaders should report back on more often, many of you pointed to two important things:

Finances and challenges.

That matters.

Trust grows when communities understand not only what is going well, but also what is difficult. They want to feel included in decisions that will effect their quality of life. They want to know what money came in, how it was used, and what decisions still need to be made.

That is why leadership spaces matter.

2 months ago, 26 chiefs from different Kunene conservancies came together in Opuwo for the first Kunene Chiefs Forum for Conservation, held in partnership with KRCCA and the EU Delegation to Namibia through the project Building Stronger Natural Resource-Based CSOs to Improve Community Rights and Benefits.

In Zambezi, leadership shows up through women in decision-making, Community Game Guards on the ground, and bookkeepers strengthening accountability.

Different landscapes. Different roles. Same lesson:

Community conservation survives when leadership is local, transparent, and trusted. Tell us how you think we could assist conservancies report back better?

We meet under the tree today with sad news, Ba Gulbert Luswaniso, affectionately known as Ba Jamu, who served as an Indu...
05/10/2026

We meet under the tree today with sad news, Ba Gulbert Luswaniso, affectionately known as Ba Jamu, who served as an Induna of the Masubia Traditional Authority in Zambezi passed away on the 1st of October.

Ba Luswaniso was a respected leader, a friend to conservation, and a familiar presence at many Zambezi conservation meetings. His support, wisdom, and commitment to community conservation will be deeply missed by those who worked alongside him.

As Ba Janet, IRDNC’s Senior Advocacy Manager in Zambezi, shared:
“He was a hero in conservation and will be missed.”

IRDNC extends heartfelt condolences to the Masubia Traditional Authority, his family, community, and all colleagues in conservation who knew and worked with him.

May his soul run forever free with the buffalo's he always marvelled at and may the decisions he's made for the Masubia people always be remembered.

Did you know: When communities have the tools to grow, the harvest becomes more than food.It becomes dignity, stability,...
16/09/2026

Did you know: When communities have the tools to grow, the harvest becomes more than food.

It becomes dignity, stability, and one less worry.

From garden rows to full sacks of maize, these are the quiet wins that help families and communities face the next season with more confidence.

This is why conservation work must also support the people who live closest to the land, depend on it, and work every day to build something more secure from it.

What tools do you think communities need to produce these types of harvests continuously? Share your answers in the comments/dm us to give us some ideas.

The real list might surprise you.

Conservancies don’t run on vibes. When we asked last week how you think conservancies make money, most of you were right...
09/09/2026

Conservancies don’t run on vibes.

When we asked last week how you think conservancies make money, most of you were right on track.

Tourism, lodges, conservation hunting, game drives, guiding, farming, Devil’s Claw, cultural crafts, and managing natural resources all play a role.

But here’s the important part: when COVID-19 hit and tourism crashed, cultural crafts helped keep income moving in some conservancies.

That is why the goal is not to remove tourism from the picture. Tourism still matters. Alot.

The goal however, is to build conservancies that are not dependent on tourism alone.

Because strong conservancies need more than one income stream. They need options that can carry communities through both good seasons and difficult ones.

You were not wrong.When we asked what community work looks like, you said:“Endless meetings.”“Impact driven.”“Sharing kn...
19/08/2026

You were not wrong.

When we asked what community work looks like, you said:

“Endless meetings.”
“Impact driven.”
“Sharing knowledge.”
“Progress over perfection.”
“Solving shared problems.”

And honestly, yes.

One of IRDNC’s earliest Lessons from the Field is simple:

Build real relationships with communities, not only relationships around conservation.

After 45 years, we have learned that community work starts with listening, showing up, moving at the community’s pace, and working through shared problems together.

It is not done for people.
It is built with people.

Follow along as we share more Lessons from the Field.

It may look like just another meeting…But this is where strong conservancies are built.Anabeb Conservancy is currently h...
13/08/2026

It may look like just another meeting…

But this is where strong conservancies are built.

Anabeb Conservancy is currently holding its AGM, a space for members to ask questions, raise concerns, and take part in decisions about their land, wildlife, livelihoods, and future.

These meetings may not always make the flashiest headlines, but for IRDNC, supporting conservation means being present in these moments too. Not only in the field, but also in the governance spaces where communities reflect, plan, and hold each other accountable.

This is Goal 1 of IRDNC’s Strategic Plan in action: stronger conservancies and accountable governance.

Photos by: Kephas Itaratjike

Growing food shouldn't mean losing it overnight.This year, maize harvests from IRDNC-supported community gardens in Kune...
05/08/2026

Growing food shouldn't mean losing it overnight.

This year, maize harvests from IRDNC-supported community gardens in Kunene reached 3.6 tonnes (3,680 kg)—600 kg more than in 2025. A promising step forward.

But the reality remains harsh: almost 2 tonnes of maize were still lost to elephants, destroying months of hard work in just minutes.

These photos tell the story of families working tirelessly to secure food for the year, only to see crops trampled or eaten before harvest.

You can help our Kunene Elephant Walk (KEW) Rangers protect both people and elephants. By donating gramophones or strobe lights, you'll help communities safely deter elephants from their gardens without causing harm.

Every harvest saved is another family with greater food security.

Photos by .schmielewski

In the early hours of 27 July 2026, one of Namibia's respected CBNRM icons, Muhonge uetu Gustav Tjiundukamba, passed on....
31/07/2026

In the early hours of 27 July 2026, one of Namibia's respected CBNRM icons, Muhonge uetu Gustav Tjiundukamba, passed on. We are still coming to terms with this sad news. On this World Rangers Day, it is only fitting that we honour his life, recognise his contribution to CBNRM, and pay tribute to his lasting legacy.

Long before communal conservancies became the foundation of Namibia's conservation success, Tate Uetu was bringing people together. A respected peacemaker, he dedicated his life to resolving disputes, strengthening communities, and building the trust that made community conservation possible.

Working alongside the late Garth Owen-Smith and many others, he helped lay the foundations of Namibia's internationally recognized CBNRM programme. His wisdom also helped peacefully resolve conservancy boundary disputes, including the historic reconciliation between Sesfontein and Anabeb, a lasting symbol of unity and reconciliation. He was the chairperson of Omatendeka Conservancy and also the Chairperson of Kunene Communal Conservancy Association (KRCCA)

As IRDNC Executive Director John Kasaona reflected:

"Without the work that Tate Uetu put in, there would be no CBNRM, no conservancies, and no People's Parks."

Roger Collinson remembers Muhonge Uetu Gustav Tjiundukamba as a born leader with a great passion for conserving wildlife. And Mendes Vinte recalled him as a "Fearless lion, a man who spoke his mind without hesitation or compromise"

Those who knew him will remember his wisdom, humility, unwavering faith, warm smile, and the quiet respect he commanded wherever he went.

Rest in eternal peace, Muhonge Uetu.

31/07/2026

15 second dopamine dose for your timeline.

Remembering Andrew? That walked 11/36 km before getting a lift? That's him on the left. And if you know Kunene Elephant Walk then you definitely have seen Edward (on the right).

These are only 2 rangers you see in a video but in total, IRDNC supports about 500 elephant rangers, rhino rangers, lion guards and community game guards. 40% of them female and 80% of them youth under 35. One story resonates through them all "This work is not easy, but to see nature in balance is what keeps us going" - Andrew !Used, Anabeb Community Game Guard and Lion HWC ranger.

Traditional leaders and representatives from 31 conservancies from North-West Kunene are currently sitting together (Day...
24/07/2026

Traditional leaders and representatives from 31 conservancies from North-West Kunene are currently sitting together (Day 4/5), to talk about their achievements and challenges in the past 6 months, and to strategically plan for the remainder of the year, TOGETHER. Discussions, arguments, lessons, advice, laughter, sandstorms, planning and everything in between is how conservancies learn, improve and operate. This is the foundation of our achievements throughout the past 44 years. More details to follow.

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7 Rossini Street, Windhoek West
Windhoek
9000

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+26461228506

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