Oxford Biology’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) is launching an ambitious new programme to train the next generation of conservation leaders in southern Africa. It is being developed and delivered with the generous support of the Notsew Orm Sands Foundation, and in collaboration with Tarleton State University.
The Collaborative Conservation Training Programme (CCT) will deliver modular training through local partners and online, equipping conservation practitioners with practical skills in wildlife conservation, leadership, and project management.
The programme will begin in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) – which spans Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – before expanding to other priority landscapes. The aim is to build a more equitable, locally led conservation community while addressing one of conservation’s biggest challenges: the shortage of accessible, high-quality training where biodiversity is richest. Conservation practitioners often lack sufficient opportunities to develop skills in areas such as project management, data analysis, communication, and conflict resolution – skills which are critical to ensure positive outcomes for both people and wildlife.
With plans to reach hundreds of learners over the next five years, the programme showcases Oxford's global impact through partnership, capacity building, and real-world conservation solutions. It builds on WildCRU’s existing Postgraduate Diploma, graduate student supervision, and field-based training, expanding these opportunities to more people while meeting them where they are.
The CCT has initially secured five-year funding for the KAZA region, and emphasis will be placed on practical, applied learning, using regional case studies and interactive exercises wherever possible. To maximise accessibility, one module will be delivered face-to-face in Botswana or Zimbabwe, while the remaining two will be offered online, enabling participation by individuals who may otherwise be unable to attend residential training.
The programme will be developed and adapted with input from intended beneficiaries to ensure content is well aligned with local priorities. By engaging a broad range of stakeholders, the programme will ensure that conservation training remains responsive to the evolving needs of conservation practitioners and regional policymakers while fostering enduring networks among conservation professionals across the KAZA region.
