Natural Resources

The Natural Resources Working Group is a voluntary association of natural resource specialists from NGOs and government ministries that work together to support conservancies and improve natural resource management in Namibia. Services provided to conservancies by NRWG can be divided into development and maintenance activities. Development activities will end when all conservancies in Namibia are fully established and no longer require further development. Maintenance services are likely to continue indefinitely. They are currently supported by donor or government funds, but in future conservancies may be expected to pay for some of these services.

Services provided by NRWG
Supporting Monitoring and Adaptive Management

The NRWG’s primary activity involves using the Event Book system to monitor conservancy resources. They provide training, materials, and technical support, conduct annual Natural Resource Management (NRM) audits, and discuss management strategies. The Event Book database maintains summary data, offering a national overview of natural resource management.

Activities include:
• Annual Conservancy NRM Performance audit
• Event Book Database
• Regional Game Census
• National Fire Monitoring
• State of Conservancies’ Reporting
• Support for establishing Event Book Systems
• Development of new Event Book modules
• Annual supply of Event Book materials
• Support for Audit and Adaptive Management meetings
• Assistance with producing Annual Natural Resource (NR) reports

  • Facilitating Cooperation & Co-Management
    We actively stimulate and support co-management arrangements between neighbouring conservancies and adjacent national parks to foster landscape-level collaboration and conflict reduction.

  • Knowledge Management & Best Practice
    We capture, document, and share vital Natural Resource Management (NRM) lessons and proven best practices, creating a shared learning hub for the entire conservancy network.

  • Empowering Conservancy Communications
    We develop practical tools and channels—both internal and external—to help conservancies effectively communicate with their members, stakeholders, and the wider public.

  • Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Awareness
    We assist conservancies in identifying key stakeholders and service providers, and provide critical information to raise awareness of both opportunities and constraints, enabling informed decision-making.

  • Reporting & Institutional Support
    We provide direct support for the production of essential annual NRM reports, strengthening institutional accountability and transparency.

Conservancies require a formalised agreement on how they will be managed and NRWG provides assistance to develop management plans. It also develops and constantly improves on a Management Plan framework.

  • Improve Management Plan framework
  • Develop national plans
  • Develop management manuals
  • Support zonation planning
  • Support management calendars
  • Support utilisation plans
  • Support modification of plans as requested

NRM requires people with adequate knowledge and skills. The NRWG advises conservancies on all aspects of NRM personnel and provides participatory training to conservancy members and colleagues.

  • Support skills development in NGO and government field staff as required
  • Promote NRM in curricula in formal education institutions
  • Support researchers as appropriate
  • Assist conservancies to identify NRM staff requirements
  • Support development of NRM staff job descriptions
  • Provide training to NRM staff
  • Provide update training to NRM staff as required
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Leverage Support for Speciific NR Development Projects
  • Grant & Funding Facilitation
    We help conservancies unlock vital financial resources by identifying potential donors, building strong funding proposals, and facilitating connections to support key conservation projects.
  • Financial Leverage & Partnership Development
    Our team assists conservancies in strategically leveraging existing funds to attract additional donations and secure long-term partnerships that amplify their impact and financial sustainability.
  • Governance & Enforcement Systems
    We strengthen the foundation of NR management by assisting with devolved policy development, co-management arrangements, and the creation of effective law enforcement systems.

  • On-the-Ground Habitat Interventions
    We support practical interventions that heal and protect the landscape, including habitat management, ecosystem rehabilitation, and strategic game translocations.

  • Addressing Human-Wildlife Conflict
    A key focus is developing and supporting the implementation of mitigation systems to reduce conflict between communities and wildlife.

  • Implementation Training & Direct Support
    Our role extends to capacity building. We provide the training and hands-on assistance needed to implement management and harvesting systems, tailored to specific conservancy requests.
  • Sustainable Resource Enterprises
    We help conservancies transform natural assets into sustainable income by developing ethical harvesting systems and strong market linkages.

    • Quota & Guideline Development: Creating systems for game, plants, forests, and fish.

    • Resource & Feasibility Studies: Conducting inventories and assessing harvest viability.

    • Annual Implementation: Assisting with quota setting and harvest system setup.

    • Market Access: Providing support to market natural resource products.

Mapping and Inforamtion
  • Mapping & Spatial Data Support
    We equip conservancies with the spatial tools they need for planning and management. Our team provides training in data collection and develops customized maps that highlight natural resources, tourism potential, and clear boundaries.

  • National CBNRM Database Stewardship
    We maintain and update the central national GIS and Conservancy Information (ConInfo) systems, ensuring reliable, accessible data for the entire CBNRM sector.

  • Conservancy Planning & Development
    We provide direct support for conservancy development projects, including participatory mapping workshops, official boundary descriptions, and tailored maps for management plans and investor proposals.

  • Ongoing Information & Request Services
    We serve as a resource hub, offering general natural resource management (NRM) information and creating specific maps upon request to support day-to-day conservancy operations.

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