Safari - In 2019 CC expanded on the already powerful partnership between Coaching Conservation, Natural Selection Safaris and the Natural Selection Conservation Trust (NSCT) by designing a CC Safari program. This CC Learning from Wildlife program offers an animal activity to visiting families together with a guides’ reference book and a game drive book that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It provides young visitors with the opportunity to become global ambassadors for Coaching Conservation.

Outreach – In addition to the safari program, NSCT sponsored expanded BushDay RAPs in communities that are partnered with each of their camps. The goals is that kids who live on the periphery of wildlife areas have the chance to experience wildlife in positive and supportive environment. CC now delivers these day long programs to 8 community schools.

Community - Since 2019, the Natural Selection Conservation Trust has contributed to the collateral for our community kids program, in the form of back packs, caps and t-shirts. But in 2024, the NS Trust significantly increased their commitment by sponsoring a new team of 4 CC coaches with a vehicle, annual salaries and operating costs - allowing CC to double our delivery and achieve our goal of reaching all senior primary children in Ngamiland. We now deliver to all Gr 5, 6 and 7 – more than 15000 annually.

“We at Natural Selection are enthusiastic about the professional CC program being offered through our Natural Selection guides to our younger guests and to local communities by CC coaches. We look forward to integrating Coaching Conservation into more Natural Selection experiences.”

Jennifer Lalley, Director and Chair of the Natural Selection Conservation Trust

NATURAL SELECTION IMPACTS

• 7500 senior primary school children receiving a RAP annually

• Multiple 3 Day Natural Selection Safari Guide Training workshops

• 80+ families received the NS family safari Kids Program.

• 6 coaches trained and accredited to deliver CC at the 8-day Southern African Wildlife college training course

• Annual 3 Day Khwai Community Kids Program- (30+ Khwai community kids participate).

• 8 schools (x classrooms) receiving a 1 day Community BushDay RAP Program annually ( x + kids )

VILLAGE KIDS PROGRAM feedback:

This expanded CC Bush program provides an immersion into wildlife, the challenges animals face and nature’s importance for our planet and lives. The guides and the CC team together guided children through fun and educational activities using fascinating animal traits as inspiration. The game drives allowed the children to see wildlife through the eyes of a guide, enabling them to gain a new respect for animals and create their own connection with nature – and perhaps be inspired to become guides themselves one day!

Testimony HIGHLIGHTS

One of the questions on the post participation survey asks the Children – What would you do if someone you know was poaching rhino?

“ I will call the Wildlife College and CC to teach and coach the people about rhino, and then they can know the importance of animals. But I must also call the police because what the poacher is doing is wrong.”

In speaking to the educator assigned to working with the program (from Muchuchi Primary) about the impact he has noted on the children:

“The first thing is that the children sing the 3R’s song in their own time. This is good because it makes them remember to respect themselves, each other and environment. They have also taken an interest in wild animals and want to experience being with wildlife… The school is also benefitting, because the (CC) children are now picking up litter and setting an example for others.”

The coaches were asked to send in reports of their experience as coaches and mentors:

“CC has been a blessing because as coaches we can give back to the children in our villages. They’re playing and learning at the same time. We have the chance to coach in soccer, but also to be like the elephant and mentor children as they develop.”s NS".