Peace Parks Foundation’s conservation success demonstrates the power of partnerships
Conservation that is resilient is never a singular effort. It flourishes through collaboration – governments, communities, conservationists, and donors united by a shared commitment to protect nature and uplift those who call it home.
Peace Parks Foundation is a force for change on two powerful fronts. First, by co-managing protected areas alongside governments and local communities. Second, by connecting these parks and conservancies into vast, cross-border conservation networks known as transboundary landscapes. These connected ecosystems enable wildlife migration, climate adaptation, and co-existence.
“The protected areas are the building blocks – the landscapes are the vision,” says Peace Parks Foundation CEO Werner Myburgh. “Through long-term agreements with governments, communities, and like-minded partners, Peace Parks co-manages eight protected areas across 60,795 km² in southern Africa. By 2030, we will expand to 11 protected areas covering 83,946 km² – unlocking the potential of landscapes spanning 680,000 km².”
Peace Parks’ bold vision for 2050 is to safeguard people and nature in 17 transboundary landscapes covering 980,000 km².
“This stands to become one of the world’s largest conservation initiatives – supporting sustainable economic development, biodiversity conservation, regional peace and stability,” he says.
Building alliances, catalysing progress
The year 2024 brought remarkable progress, fuelled by strong partnerships at every level. Three milestones in governance defined the year, placing communities at the centre as co-creators and decision-makers in the future of conservation.
- In Zambia, a landmark 20-year co-management agreement was signed by the Government of Zambia, the Barotse Royal Establishment, WWF, and Peace Parks to steward the vast 24,727 km² Sioma Ngwezi Complex.
- In South Africa, a Memorandum of Understanding initiated in Tembe Elephant Park by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the Tembe Traditional Authority, the Tembe Community Trust, and Peace Parks explores a possible co-management model.
- In Zimbabwe, co-management of the iconic Greater Mana Pools landscape, which spans 9,572 km², began with the recent appointment of its first Trust director.
“Building alliances at every level is key to accelerating our impact,” says Myburgh. “Conservation succeeds through trust, shared ownership and recognising that people and nature are deeply connected.”
Healing landscapes herd by herd
A key innovation gaining momentum across the region is the Herding for Health initiative, developed in partnership with Conservation International. Operating where livestock, people, and wildlife intersect, it empowers herders to manage cattle in ways that restore rangelands, strengthen livelihoods, and promote peaceful co-existence.
100,000 reasons to restore the wild
Since Peace Parks began restoring parks, 18,170 game animals representing 27 species have been translocated to recovering parks in partnership with governments, wildlife professionals, NGOs, and our donor community. In 2024, spotted hyenas released in Maputo National Park boosted the park’s carnivore numbers. Aerial surveys and growth models show that reintroduced species have now flourished to over 100,000 animals – revitalising ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and building climate resilience.
Funding as a catalyst for change
To support this compelling vision, Peace Parks launched the Partners4Nature Fund in 2024 to raise USD 100 million for transboundary conservation by 2027. Our founding donors – Chairman Johann Rupert, board member André Hoffmann, and COmON Foundation founder Wijnand Pon – committed USD 1 million each per year for 10 years. The UK People’s Postcode Lottery addition of USD 1 million ensured the launch of this dynamic conservation funding platform. The fund provides critical flexibility in ever-changing frontier landscapes, allowing a quick response in droughts and wildlife crises, and as new opportunities arise.
“These outcomes show that large-scale impact is possible when shared goals are backed by deep, cross-sectoral collaboration,” says Chairman Johann Rupert. “Success in conservation relies on trust, a shared purpose, and long-term vision – and strong relationships with our partners.”
View or download Peace Parks Foundation’s 2024 Annual Review.
