CCB is actively fundraising and seeking ongoing support from several donor sources. It is aimed that the CCB Ghanzi activities will be scaled up if support funding can be sourced, as this is a particular centre for human predator conflict and an ideal base from which to support Western Botswana communities.
CCB is not currently engaging with any large GEF projects. We would certainly consider any relevant collaboration and welcome any suggestions.
Planning gef grant
CCB would like to apply for a strategic planning grant for the ongoing community outreach and education objectives.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Communities will be sensitised to the option of Community Trusts and potential sustainable natural resource management options during the productions.
Capacity - Building Component
During performances, communities will be provided with materials and resources concerning predator species and methods of livestock management to minimise conflict and decrease losses. This will provide people with tools to coexist with wildlife and improve the productivity of their livestock operations so that losses to predators are not such a drain on the economic resources of the communities. CCB?s community outreach and education programs will continue to reinforce this message with community visits, farmers? workshops, teacher training and school talks in the Kalahari region.
Replication of project activities
It is hoped that the use of theatre as a conservation tool will be continued in CCB?s activities in the future. It has been discussed with Moremogolo Theatre Extension Trust that the organisations collaborate in the future to do a Theatre for Youth program in Kgalagadi communities.
Policy Impact
It is hoped that this production will attract considerable attention from government sectors and will encourage the issue of predator conflict to be highly considered as a concern requiring considerable government support. Key members of communities will be invited to attend the productions, as well as local government representatives. The aim is that raising awareness for predator conservation and responsible farming will influence decision makers locally, regionally and nationally.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
The initiative will highlight Botswana?s unique natural biodiversity and promote the role of the nation in the conservation of a globally endangered species, the cheetah. It is hoped that this will provide a global view of the importance of Botswana?s rich wildlife and habitats and assist in engendering a feeling of national pride in this wonderful natural resource.
Policy Influence
The launch of the theatre show took place at a well known location in Gaborone and was attended by representatives of key government departments, embassies, NGOs, educational institutions, corporate business and the national, regional and international media with the aim of raising awareness for predator conservation among influential groups.
Overall, CCB is a well respected conservation organisation, known for focusing on working with communities to reduce predator conflict. The organisation is regularly involved in stakeholder group workshops and wildlife policy reviews. CCB also assisted with the recent development of the Regional Strategy for the Conservation of Cheetahs and Wild Dogs facilitated by the IUCN in 2007.
Notable Community Participation
The local performers will be selected from Lobone Creations performer network. It will be performed in the local language Setswana, with traditional music and dance. The production aims to take place in 8 locations. Important members of the community such as the chiefs, members of the tribal court, rural board representatives, officers of the Department of Wildlife, the police, managers of farmers associations will be formally invited. Schools within the catchment area of each location will also be targeted to attend the productions. Attendees will also be encouraged to provide feedback and opinions on the effectiveness of the events so that ongoing improvements can be made.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
The project will be promoting traditional music and dance as a viable tool for income generation in rural communities.
Project sustainability
The theatre project has been completed. However, CCB?s overall Community Outreach and Education programs are ongoing. The core funding is sourced annually from conservation related grant agencies, foundations and related donor sources. The cheetah is an ideal flagship species for engaging international support, as it is Africa?s most threatened large cat.
Gender Focus
This program is focused on both males and females of communities as both are effected by conflict issues.
Project Results
Primary Objectives
1. To raise conservation awareness for the threatened state of Botswana?s biodiversity and the role of farming in conservation.
2. To raise awareness and interest in traditional culture and environmental stewardship through theatre.
3. To generate interest within communities and the government for the importance of responsible farming techniques.
The primary objectives were achieved well through this initiative. Human predator conflict is a key issue for wildlife conservation in the Kalahari region. Awareness raising was required in farming communities for the importance of predator species and methods of livestock management and non-lethal predator control that can minimise losses and make coexistence possible. The combination of theatre, music and dance was an ideal way to convey a message. It promoted conservation, traditional culture and responsible farming methods in an inspiring format. The events were all very well attended by their target audiences and positive feedback was received. The events reached a wide range of groups including national and local government officials, local chiefs; village development committees; district administration; rural development agency?s; government departments (Wildlife, Veterinary, Animal Production, Education), local police, local schools and youth officers.
The shows also received significant media attention which then broadcast to a larger audience. Therefore, it is hoped that the initiative reached a considerable number of people beyond the individuals it was performed to directly. This increased awareness will then be supported by the ongoing CCB community outreach and education programs.
Benefits:
Describe the immediate benefits received by the participants and recipient communities:
This initiative encouraged effective farm management to reduce human predator conflict. By utilizing effective livestock management techniques to decrease losses to predators, the productivity of farming operations is improved. This is a benefit to peoples? livelihoods. Responsible management also enables wildlife to coexist with communities, opening up opportunities to diversify livelihoods through ecotourism and sustainable utilization of natural resources.
It ensures communities are aware of the importance of predators in healthy ecosystems and how they could potentially benefit from good management and conserving wildlife.
School children have benefited by receiving a deeper understanding of the importance of predators, their role in healthy ecosystems and how they can live alongside predators with minimal conflict. It is essential that Botswana?s wildlife is seen as a national resource that needs to be conserved and the perceptions of the youth will determine the future of wildlife conservation.
Describe long term benefits:
The Spirit of the Kalahari theatre show was an effective part of the overall CCB community outreach and education strategy. CCB is positively engaging with local communities in initiatives tailored to meet their needs and encouraging coexistence that will see cheetahs and predators remain an essential component in the rich biodiversity of Botswana.
Long term benefits include the maintenance of healthy ecosystems and the conservation of Botswana?s predator populations through a reduction in human/predator conflict and increasingly aware communities. There will be an improved relationship between all stakeholders, working together towards the implementation of effective, long-term solutions which benefit rural communities and predator conservation alike. The current methods of farming in Botswana are not sustainable long term. Overstocking, overgrazing and increasing conflict continue to threaten habitat conservation and wildlife populations. It is essential that communities have an understanding of the role they play in conserving Botswana?s natural resources and that they have the necessary tools and information to be effective land stewards. As well as being aware of opportunities to economically benefit from their environment.
