Conservation Lower Zambezi joins African Parks’ Incubation Programme

Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) has signed an agreement to join the African Parks Incubation Programme. The Incubation Programme was developed by African Parks with a vision to partner with organisations that share an ambition to promote effectively managed protected areas through formalised agreements and to support these partners in more efficiently reaching their conservation objectives.

CLZ, established in 1994, has over 30 years of experience working to safeguard nature while supporting the people who live alongside it. In partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and local communities, the organisation works to protect the Lower Zambezi landscape, which includes the Lower Zambezi National Park and surrounding Game Management Areas, encompassing a conservation landscape of over 18,000 square kilometres. This area lies directly across the Zambezi River from Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised globally for its outstanding natural beauty and rich biodiversity.

The region plays a key role in wider, cross-border conservation efforts as part of two major Transfrontier Conservation Areas – LOZAMAP (Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools) and ZIMOZA (Zambia-Mozambique-Zimbabwe) – which promote collaboration across countries to protect ecosystems that extend beyond national borders.

The Lower Zambezi landscape is home to some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife, including elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, and hippo, as well as hundreds of bird species and an important fish population. This ecosystem supports not only wildlife but also the livelihoods of thousands of people living in nearby communities who depend on natural resources for food, water, and income. However, this area faces threats from illegal hunting and resource harvesting, overfishing, habitat destruction, illegal mining, encroachment and increasing human-wildlife conflict.

Through this incubation partnership with African Parks, CLZ will receive support ranging from governance disciplines and protected area management practices to conducting operational audits to identify gaps and mentoring to build confidence and expertise. This partnership is conducted on both an institutional and operational level, with the support adapted to specific needs and circumstances.

With CLZ joining the programme, this brings the Incubation Programme to a total of six partners managing seven protected areas across the continent.

Ian Stevenson, CEO of Conservation Lower Zambezi: “The Incubator Programme partnership between African Parks and Conservation Lower Zambezi marks a significant milestone in CLZ’s journey and a new chapter for conservation in the Lower Zambezi. With African Parks’ extensive experience and commitment to long-term sustainability, we are confident that this partnership will greatly enhance our ability to protect the region’s rich biodiversity, support local communities, and strengthen our conservation impact. We are excited for the opportunities ahead and look forward to working together to secure a thriving future for the Lower Zambezi landscape.”

Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks, said: “We are excited to welcome Conservation Lower Zambezi into the Incubation Programme. Their vision and mission align perfectly with African Parks’ ambition to conserve and rehabilitate vital landscapes, which deliver essential ecosystem services benefiting people and wildlife. Conservation Lower Zambezi stands as a dedicated conservation organisation, and we eagerly anticipate supporting their crucial work in the years ahead.”

Source: African Parks

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