Cultivating the future custodians of wild areas. Conservation creates change and especially in remote, job scarce areas where employment opportunities for younger folk are particularly lacking. Giving people the tools and experience to pursue careers in conservation or tourism not only fulfils the job-gap – improving their employability in related professions and the possibility of income generation – but also wins hearts and minds for the “cause” as the immersive experience is really cultivating the future custodians of these wildlife areas.
The Phinda Community Conservation Course is one way that we are achieving this win-win scenario. This is a six month intensive training programme at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, open to application by unemployed individuals between 20-30 years of age in the five neighbouring communities in which Africa Foundation is active. Focusing on people who have experience, training or an obvious passion in the field of wildlife or the environment, this opportunity caters to 5 promising individuals per year who get to learn from the world-class Phinda conservation team.