A Year of Progress
I am proud to reflect on a year that has been significantly impactful for Peace Parks Foundation. We made great strides in advancing our unique model of integrated co-management in Southern Africa.
Co-management Breakthroughs
This model brings together governments, local communities, private sector partners and civil society to manage parks using private sector best practice – efficiency, transparency, accountability, frugal spending and delivery.
Our two most notable successes this year were:
- In Malawi, we registered the Nyika-Vwaza Co-management Trust and the first CEO and management team were appointed – one of the biggest highlights of the year.
- The Greater Mana Pools Conservation Trust appointed its first director. The Trust manages Zimbabwe’s flagship park; Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and iconic African wildlife experience.
Communities at the Centre
Landscape conservation cannot succeed without the support of the surrounding communities. With Africa’s population expected to double by 2050, we need to address this directly by working with communities to promote coexistence between people and nature. One of the best ways we can do that at scale is carbon financing.
Carbon at Landscape Scale
This year, we made important progress on two community-based forest carbon programmes in partnership with BioCarbon Partners:
- In Zambia, together with the Barotse Royal Establishment, we launched a project to unlock the protection of 1.9 million hectares of forest by communities, with plans to expand to 3.8 million hectares by 2028 – almost double the size of the Kruger National Park.
- In Mozambique, we initiated a programme covering 2.2 million hectares in the Great Limpopo transboundary landscape, combining protected areas and communal lands, with an additional 700,000 hectares under discussion.
These exciting, large-scale projects will generate carbon credits, creating sustainable revenue streams for communities while promoting coexistence with nature.
Restoring Wildlife
The year also saw historic achievements in wildlife restoration:
- We reintroduced 10 critically endangered black rhino to Zinave National Park in Mozambique, creating the country’s first viable breeding population in over 50 years.
- We translocated 385 wild animals from Maputo National Park to Banhine National Park, marking the first step in a 20-year restoration journey for this unique wetland ecosystem.
Over the past 20 years, Peace Parks has reintroduced 18,500 animals to protected areas across southern Africa, which have grown to more than 100,000 in the wild.
Water for People, Stability for Parks
Conservation is not only about wildlife – it’s about people. The year delivered a powerful example of how protected areas sustain life:
- In Malawi, President Chakwera launched the Nyika-Vwaza Gravity-fed Water Scheme, constructed with Peace Parks’ support, to provide clean water to 18,000 people.
- The scheme reduces the need to risk dangerous encounters with elephants, buffalo, hippos or crocodiles by collecting water inside the parks.
Maputo National Park: A 20-Year Journey
Perhaps the most personal highlight for me is the journey of Maputo National Park. When Peace Parks began working here in 2006, the park was an empty landscape with remnants of wildlife and communities using it for grazing and hunting.
- With generous support from donors and partners, we invested in fencing, roads and infrastructure and translocated over 5,400 animals. Today, wildlife is thriving – we counted over 32,000 animals this year, showing a surplus that we are using to restore Banhine.
- In July, this journey culminated in UNESCO designating Maputo National Park as a World Heritage Site, recognising its coral reefs, savannahs, lakes, wetlands and coastal dune forests as one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
From ‘paper park’ to global recognition in under 20 years – this achievement reflects the power of vision, partnerships and persistence.
Looking Ahead Together
I believe our phenomenal progress this year has been due to a combination of ingredients – robust partnerships, community engagement and an unwavering commitment to Africa’s natural heritage. Without people, this work would be impossible. And without our dedicated, professional and hardworking team, it would not have been achieved.
I sincerely thank our Board and our donors, who have been nothing short of extraordinary. Our founder, Dr. Rupert, was fond of saying:
“Conservation without money is just a really nice conversation.”
Thank you for being part of this wonderful journey. Let’s now build on these successes in 2026 and beyond.
Werner Myburgh
