HOW WE WORK

Our strategy is built on four pillars: exploration, understanding, sharing, and empowerment. At our core, we are field scientists who venture into dangerous and inhospitable regions that few others dare to explore.
To truly grasp an ecosystem, we must examine it in its entirety. From a river’s source to its endpoint, we gather data on biodiversity, human populations, and hydrology. Our goal is to understand the interdependence between plants, animals, and people on the river and the ways in which they interact.
These extraordinary expeditions offer a rich canvas for writers, photographers, artists, and filmmakers. The resulting stories—ranging from full-length documentaries to award-winning podcasts—are vital. They enable us to connect emotionally with diverse stakeholders, from policymakers to global audiences, inspiring them to take positive action.
Traditional knowledge is crucial to preserving wild places; our conservation efforts would be impossible without the support of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. These groups serve as our local experts, with cultural practices and beliefs shaped by the rivers they rely on. For example, the Wayei people have imparted invaluable knowledge about the “Mother Okavango.” Our scientific methods merely document what they have long understood.
Our expeditionary research involves tracing a river’s journey from its remote water sources to its terminus. This work unites the communities that protect and depend on these rivers throughout their course. By integrating baseline research with traditional knowledge, we create a platform that helps our local partners address challenges and seize conservation opportunities along the river’s path.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Our assessments aim to pinpoint areas where conservation efforts are disrupted and to identify

and prioritize the most significant threats. This approach allows us to effectively guide

and launch conservation and environmental investment initiatives.

WATER QUALITY

We evaluate water quality throughout the entire system by monitoring key metrics and detecting harmful contaminants such as effluent runoff. Longitudinal assessments and comparative reviews within and across river systems enhance the effectiveness of our water quality baselines.

WATER FLOW & HYDROLOGY

Monitoring water flow, though challenging, is essential to our understanding and efforts. By measuring discharge rates in both the main river and its major tributaries, we can calculate and validate water budgets, particularly in cases involving multiple countries.

BIODIVERSITY

We assess species richness, abundance, and distribution to establish important baselines and identify unique and critical species. With over 130 new species already discovered, our ongoing research reveals the significant value of these remote wilderness areas.

HUMAN IMPACT

We evaluate the effects of agricultural, industrial, and infrastructure developments on river systems, including changes in density and their impact on various indices. Understanding how human activities evolve in relation to river systems is crucial for collaborating with communities to protect both the rivers and the surrounding environment.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES

Our two longest-running projects are focused on creating community-based systems of protection.

CAPE PARROT PROJECT

Since its launch, The Wilderness Project has collaborated with the Cape Parrot Project (CPP), its largest donor. For the past 15 years, the Cape Parrot Project has been dedicated to protecting the Critically Endangered Cape Parrot, South Africa’s sole endemic parrot, by preserving vital habitats. Their efforts benefit wildlife, ecosystems, and local communities for the long term. Central to this mission is partnering with communities to use the Cape Parrot as a symbol for conserving Afromontane indigenous forests and associated species.

CAPE PARROT PROJECT

Since 2015, the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project (NGOWP), a collaboration between the Wild Bird Trust and the National Geographic Society, has been dedicated to securing long-term, sustainable protection for the Cubango-Okavango Hydrographic Basin. Partnering with local communities, NGOs, and the governments of Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, the project focuses on developing community-driven protection systems. In Botswana, efforts are directed towards enhancing access to knowledge and supporting sustainable livelihoods in the Eastern Panhandle villages of Ngamiland. In Angola, the project centers on community development in the Tempué villages of Moxico Province’s southeastern highlands. We engage with local mappers, farmers, beekeepers, and artisans to discover and support sustainable livelihood opportunities, enabling communities to manage and safeguard their natural resources while creating additional income sources.

STORYTELLING

Creating high-quality media is essential for advancing our long-term

goal of enhancing nature conservation. Below are some examples from the

National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project:

HOW WE DO IT

In partnership with the Tanzanian organization AFRISOS, we are investing in and supporting young African filmmakers to share stories about nature and the communities living alongside wild rivers. Check out some of the films created during our first workshop in Botswana.