We believe that change is driven by communities taking ownership of their future and shaping it in their vision. This means that we not only think that communities can run their own conservation areas—they need to. We empower communities by building up their in-house capabilities to run community protected areas in an effort to achieve sustainability across three dimensions: financial, environmental, and social. We have a core team of more than 50 individuals—all Tanzanians, ranging from tech-savvy university graduates to veteran anti-poaching commanders, future women leaders to Maasai elders—who are committed to achieving our goal. When communities are equipped with the tools and skills necessary to take the lead in conservation, our work is done.

Honeyguide focuses on large landscapes that serve as dispersal areas and critical migratory routes for wildlife in northern Tanzania. With 60 percent of wildlife in Tanzania living outside of national parks at any given time, protection of community lands, which are increasingly being designated as Wildlife Management Areas, is necessary and pressing for protecting Tanzania’s breathtaking biodiversity. It is in these community conservation areas where Honeyguide, in partnership with the Tanzanian government and other like-minded organizations, supports initiatives that will result in sustainable outcomes.