Empowering Communities, Protecting Wildlife
At the heart of Rowland Ward’s mission are our community-based programs. These programs are built on the principle that conservation and cultural heritage thrive when local voices are heard and supported. It might seem counterintuitive for a wildlife-conservation-focused foundation to put people at the center of its work, but in many parts of the world, especially in Africa and Asia, the long-term survival of wildlife is directly tied to the understanding of and the commitment to conservation by the people with whom it shares the land.
We work hand-in-hand with indigenous communities to help their leadership manage their natural resources through wildlife conservation education and the teaching of responsible, fair-chase hunting practices. These efforts not only uphold the highest standards of ethical hunting but they also provide real-world benefits: Through our efforts, we help sustain traditional ways of life, strengthen local economies, and ensure the long-term survival of the wildlife populations in the areas we support.
Our programs are more than conservation projects—they are partnerships rooted in trust, respect, and shared responsibility. Hunters who support our mission understand that true stewardship involves investing in both the land and the people who call it home. Together, we’re building a future where wildlife flourishes, ecosystems are preserved, and indigenous communities are empowered as vital guardians of their environment.
CONGO
Project: School Materials, Health Clinic, and Antipoaching Patrols
Administered by Congo Forest Safaris
Location: The Village of Tala-Tala in the Northern Congo Rainforest
Deep within the northern Congo rainforest, along the banks of the Ngoko River, lies the village of Tala-Tala. In conjunction with Congo Forest Safaris, the Rowland Ward Foundation supplies school materials for the village’s primary school, gives an annual grant to the local health clinic, and supports ten local antipoaching units.
The Foundation and Congo Forest Safaris supply crucial educational resources that weave in lessons about the importance of local wildlife while instilling in children an understanding of wildlife and habitat conservation. These lessons stress the vital role of wildlife in supporting the community and its school; thus, the children learn that protecting wildlife and its habitat is an economic benefit to the community as well as a sound environmental practice.
The Foundation’s antipoaching program, in conjunction with Congo Forest Safaris, equips its antipoaching patrols with motorcycles, clothing, and other necessary equipment, and in 2024 Congo Forest Safaris strengthened its field operations with the purchase of a Land Cruiser, allowing the guards to patrol their area for an incredible 264 days in 2024. Their efforts are paying off. What was once a landscape riddled with roughly 15,000 snares, fewer than 4,000 traps have been discovered so far in 2025. This program not only safeguards iconic game animals such as the bongo, sitatunga, elephant, and forest buffalo, but it also ensures the protection of nonhunting species like chimpanzees and gorillas. Though the battle against poaching continues, this sharp decline in poaching stands as a powerful indicator of our progress in helping to preserve the region’s fauna.
In remote areas like Tala-Tala, access to health care was always a problem. The Rowland Ward Foundation supports the health clinic established by Congo Forest Safaris by providing the means to pay for urgently needed medical supplies, thus ensuring the community has access to low-cost, reliable healthcare. This initiative isn’t just about medicine—it’s about investing in the well-being of those who live alongside some of the world’s most important hunting ecosystems. When local communities are healthy and supported, they become stronger stewards of the land. This approach reflects a broader vision: That lasting conservation begins with empowering the people who call these lands home.
In an effort to inspire local youth to support our conservation ideals, the Foundation furnished twenty-two young players with football kits—two fully equipped teams. What began as a simple gesture quickly grew into something bigger: a source of pride, excitement, and connection for the entire village. These teams have helped young people build confidence, learn to rely on one another, and develop skills that extend far beyond the game itself.
Cameroon
Project: Community Outreach Programs, Health Clinics, and Antipoaching Patrols
Administered by Mayo Olidi Safaris
Location: Northeastern Cameroon near Bouba Ndjida National Park
Cameroon, located in West-Central Africa, is home to a remarkable diversity of wildlife; however, much of its wildlife faces significant threats from poaching, habitat destruction, and human-wildlife conflict. To address these challenges, the Rowland Ward Foundation is working with Mayo Oldiri Safaris in the forested northeastern Cameroon to help fund community outreach programs, health clinics, and antipoaching patrols.
In 2025, the Rowland Ward Foundation completed the renovation of a school and the construction of a bathroom facility and a clean-water well in the village of Socambo. This was a collaborative effort by Mayo Oldiri Safaris and the Rowland Ward Foundation to repair and replace sections of the old school building that had suffered rot. The renovation of the building supports the Foundation’s mission to help local communities, and to that end, the Foundation provided a substantial amount of quality wood that was transported to the remote site to aid in the construction of the three projects.
The Foundation and Mayo Oldiri Safaris also built a new bathroom facility adjacent to the school building—an essential yet often overlooked component of basic infrastructure in rural Africa. While access to clean, functional restrooms is something most of us take for granted in the U.S., it remains a true luxury in remote villages like Socambo, deep in the Cameroon rainforest.
Access to clean and safe drinking water remains one of the most critical challenges in rural Africa today, so, in addition to the new bathroom, the Foundation and Mayo Oldiri Safaris built a brand new well just a few yards from the school. Dug by hand, the well reaches a depth of about sixty feet and is lined with concrete to prevent its collapse.
It is amazing how a simple well can transform the lives of rural Africans. Access to clean water has a profound positive impact on the health, education, and economic development of a community. Clean water reduces the prevalence of waterborne diseases, improves school attendance and performance, empowers women and girls, and fosters economic opportunities. A clean source of water obviates the need for long, daily treks to distant rivers and reduces reliance on unsafe water sources.
These projects in Socambo have resulted in a renewed sense of purpose for the community. The renovation of the local school—an achievement that goes far beyond bricks and mortar—the completion of a bathroom facility, and the addition of a clean-water well are undertakings that prove the power of sustainable partnerships and long-term vision.
In addition to our conservation efforts, we continue to support the essential work of the Mayo Rey Hospital Foundation in the village of Rey Bouba. During the dry season, Spanish doctors volunteer their services and provide critical medical care to the local population. Through our financial assistance, we help ensure the clinic has the necessary supplies to perform surgeries, offer gynecological services, and handle emergencies.
Through these combined efforts, the Rowland Ward Foundation and Mayo Oldiri Safaris are making significant strides in wildlife conservation, education, and healthcare, thus improving the lives of local communities while ensuring the protection of Cameroon’s rich biodiversity for future generations.
Canada
Project: Outdoor Guide and Business Apprenticeship Program
Administered by Driftwood Valley Outfitters
Location: Northern British Columbia
The Driftwood Outdoor Guide and Business Apprenticeship (DOGBA) is an immersive, multiyear program created to empower Indigenous youth of the Takla Nation in northern British Columbia. Led by Michael Schneider and administered by Driftwood Valley Outfitters, the program blends academic achievement and practical training in the guiding and outfitting industry. Participants gain real-world business skills, connect with their cultural heritage, and work toward earning their high school diploma—all through a curriculum that balances traditional knowledge with hands-on experience. For the past three years, the Rowland Ward Foundation has proudly supported DOGBA, recognizing the program’s impactful work with indigenous communities and its committed, boots-on-the-ground approach to conservation, education, and opportunity.
The success of the DOGBA program was clearly demonstrated in 2024 when three young men—David Coombs, Jeramiah Korolyk, and Desmond West—completed their apprenticeships. Through the program, they developed practical skills in guiding and outfitting and earned their high school equivalency. As of 2025, four new apprentices have joined the DOGBA program, carrying forward its powerful legacy of learning, personal growth, and cultural connection.
The program initially had to be limited only to boys. That changed in 2025 when a highly respected grandmother from the community asked the program’s help in guiding her granddaughter through the process of becoming an adult. We knew that the creation of a girls’ program was something that was long overdue, but we also knew there were major logistical challenges to overcome, which is why the program was delayed until recently. The Foundation and Driftwood Outfitters were deeply aware of the challenges facing indigenous girls in remote communities, and we shared the desire and vision to offer the Takla Nation girls the same life-changing opportunities that the boys’ program has provided since its inception.
Launching a program of this scale isn’t easy. We have to ensure that these girls and young women are kept safe while providing an empowering and culturally grounded environment for them to grow—academically, personally, and professionally. While the path forward is still taking shape, our commitment is unwavering. The Rowland Ward Foundation hopes to bring our vision of a girls’ DOGBA program fully to life in 2026.
Pakistan
Project: Remote Learning Access to Rural Communities
Administered by Akhuwat
Location: Village of Phore near Hingol National Park
Pakistan’s K-12 educational system has challenges: Pakistan has approximately 50.8 million school-age children with an estimated 22.8 million children currently not enrolled in school. Students in rural areas are particularly affected. To address this problem, the Akhuwat Initiative pioneered a transformative model in rural areas where the shortage of qualified teachers is rampant. The new approach uses a centralized station to deliver public education to rural children throughout Pakistan via live, cutting-edge digital programming—much like PBS’s educational programs in the United States in the 1990s. A remarkable aspect of this initiative is the establishment of physical classrooms throughout rural Pakistan that have access to this central station for conducting live, online classes. Skilled teachers in Karachi oversee the operations of online English, math, and science classes, while adult assistant teachers support the students in the physical classrooms. Our objective in supporting this program is to include in the curriculum wildlife conservation principles and their benefits to the community.
In late September 2024, the Rowland Ward Foundation embarked on an exciting project in the small village of Sardar Hassan Phore, a remote community near Hingol National Park in the coastal Lasbela district of southeastern Balochistan province of Pakistan. The e-learning school is now fully operational, bringing a transformative change to this remote community. Previously, the absence of an educational facility meant that local children had limited opportunities for formal learning, and literacy rates stagnated at 54.5 percent. The introduction of this school marks a critical step in bridging this educational gap.
Known for its trophy hunting of Ibex, the region is characterized by its rugged terrain, sparse rural housing, and a population of approximately 600 people. The location of the new school is two kilometers (a mile and a quarter) from Hingol National Park, one of the largest and most biodiverse reserves in Pakistan. Situated northwest of Karachi, the park is home to wildlife such as the Blandford urial, Sindh ibex, and chinkara gazelle. Although designated as a protected area in 1988, the park’s wildlife protection efforts have fallen short. In response, a hunting-conservation program was launched in 2022, aiming to enhance conservation outcomes while providing economic benefits to local communities.
For generations, the primary sources of income for the villagers have been guiding and assisting in hunting during the summer months and coastal fishing in the winter. While these traditional livelihoods remain integral to the community, the e-learning school offers opportunities for a promising future by equipping students with knowledge and skills beyond their immediate environment.
By collaborating with Akhuwat, the Rowland Ward Foundation has successfully implemented an educational program that is already yielding positive outcomes. Essential equipment, including a solar-power system, desks, chairs, a smart TV, a laptop, and stationery have been put in place. The classroom is now fully equipped with modern resources, creating an engaging and structured educational setting.
The impact has been immediate and substantial. Both students and facilitators have reported an improved educational environment, characterized by increased engagement and productivity. Currently, there are thirty-seven students enrolled—both boys and girls—with an impressive 80 percent daily attendance rate. We are thrilled to see the impact that this pioneering project has had on the local community, and we look forward to its continued success in shaping the future of rural education and conservation in Pakistan.
Zambia
Project: Beehive Project
Administered by Ntengu Safaris
Location: Kasonso Busanga Game Management Area
The Rowland Ward Foundation, in partnership with Ntengu Safaris, is proud to announce a new conservation project aimed at curbing deforestation and promoting sustainable livelihoods in rural communities adjacent to protected hunting concessions.
The Beehive Project seeks to address a growing concern in Zambia: In many rural areas, traditional beehive construction involves removing large sections of bark from living trees. This practice not only kills many of the trees but also contributes to long-term environmental degradation, including loss of biodiversity and increased soil erosion. In addition, many trees provide nectar and pollen for bees, thus affecting the local bee population. In response, this project provides locally produced beehives, made from sustainable timber, along with training and support for local beekeepers.
In summation, benefits of this initiative include:
- Providing alternatives to poaching: By providing an alternative income source through honey production, the project reduces dependence on practices like bushmeat poaching.
- Combating deforestation: By providing lumber to make beehives, it reduces the need to strip trees of their bark. By introducing conservation principles into the training process, it helps reduce unsustainable practices like tree-cutting for firewood or the production of charcoal with its concomitant high emmissions.
- Mitigating human-wildlife conflict: The bees, when disturbed by elephants, create a natural barrier that deters elephants from entering farmland, thus reducing conflict and crop damage.
- Providing sustainable livelihoods: The project supports local communities by providing training in beekeeping and climate-smart agriculture, helping them establish sustainable livelihoods.
- Producing honey: The beehives not only deter elephants but also produce honey, which can be harvested and sold, creating a valuable source of income for the communities.
“By investing in traditional practices in a modern, sustainable way, we’re helping communities thrive while preserving the natural heritage we all value,” said a spokesperson for Ntengu Safaris.
The Rowland Ward Foundation’s support has been critical in jumpstarting this project and ensuring its long-term impact. Together, we’re fostering a model of community-based conservation where people, wildlife, and wilderness coexist and benefit.
Stay tuned for updates as we share stories from the field, hive production stats, and the sweet success of this groundbreaking program.
Zimbabwe
Project: Leopard Monitoring Program at Nuanetsi Ranch
Administered by Zimbabwe Bio-Energy (ZBE)
Location: Nuanetsi Ranch
The Rowland Ward Foundation has embarked on an ambitious project in collaboration with Zimbabwe Bio-Energy (ZBE) at Nuanetsi Ranch. Situated in Zimbabwe’s drought-prone southeast, Nuanetsi Ranch borders renowned wildlife areas such as Bubye Valley Conservancy and Kruger National Park. With a low annual rainfall and distinct wet and dry seasons, the region presents both challenges and opportunities for sustainable wildlife conservation.
Originally established in 1910 as a commercial farm, Nuanetsi Ranch operated as a large-scale cattle enterprise for nearly a century. In 2007, a joint venture between Nuanetsi Ranch Ltd. and Cutstar Investments Ltd. led to the formation of Zimbabwe Bio-Energy Ltd. (ZBE). This shift marked the beginning of a conservation-focused approach to land management, balancing ecological preservation with responsible hunting and biodiversity protection.
Nuanetsi Ranch boasts a significant leopard population; consequently, monitoring the density and distribution of this population is an important conservation objective. The Leopard Monitoring Program at Nuanetsi Ranch ensures sustainable management through rigorous scientific monitoring and data-driven decision-making. The program’s mission is to:
- Accurately estimate leopard density in both cattle and game areas.
- Track patterns of distribution.
- Monitor population changes over time through trend analysis.
- Maintain a comprehensive database of known leopards and detailed identikits of individual leopards.
- Assess the age and sex structure of the leopard population to inform sustainable hunting quotas.
- Contribute to the ranch’s economic sustainability through regulated trophy hunting.
Leopards play a vital ecological role in maintaining healthy ecosystems as both a keystone and umbrella species. Recognizing their importance, ZBE has made significant investments in understanding and managing the ranch’s leopard population. Since 2019, intensive annual baited camera trap surveys have been conducted to estimate leopard density and track their distribution within the game section. Building on an extensive database dating back to 2012, professional hunters and conservationists catalog leopard sightings and assess age and quality before any trophy is harvested. By selectively hunting only mature males, the program ensures population stability, preserves genetic diversity, and upholds ethical conservation practices.
Nuanetsi Ranch exemplifies how ethical trophy hunting can complement wildlife conservation. Through data-driven management, scientifically backed population assessments, and carefully regulated hunting quotas, the ranch maintains an ecological balance while generating essential revenue for conservation initiatives. Additionally, ZBE is committed to enhancing ecosystem resilience against climatic challenges. Despite being a fenced property dependent on hunting operations, the ranch seeks to preserve natural ecological biodiversity, creating an environment that closely resembles a wild, self-sustaining system. While the game section remains the primary focus, the program also extends to the cattle section, where a small but persistent leopard population coexists with livestock, demonstrating a successful integration of agriculture and wildlife conservation.
The leopard monitoring program at Nuanetsi Ranch underscores the critical role that sustainable sport hunting plays in conservation. By combining scientific research with responsible hunting practices, ZBE ensures that trophy hunting remains a valuable tool for wildlife management rather than a threat to biodiversity. The extensive knowledge gained through long-term monitoring enables well-informed quota setting, thus safeguarding the future health of the leopard population.
For Nuanetsi Ranch, leopards are more than just a prized trophy species—they are integral to the ranch’s economic viability and its broader conservation mission. Through meticulous management, ongoing scientific research, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability, Nuanetsi Ranch sets a precedent for responsible wildlife utilization.
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The Rowland Ward Foundation invests countless hours behind the scenes evaluating, refining, and advancing conservation efforts. Our volunteer team works diligently to sift through proposals and analyze long-term impacts to ensure that each potential project aligns not only with our mission but with the pressing needs of the people and ecosystems we aim to support. Looking toward 2026, our dedication to transparency and positive outcomes remains strong, regardless of which projects we ultimately choose to support. By implementing a rigorous monitoring system, we ensure that every dollar invested contributes to a measurable, positive change. Through joint efforts with our partners, we aim to make a lasting difference in wildlife and habitat conservation.
