Supporting the sustainable management of Namibia’s botanical and forest resources.
Sustainable Forestry
With a focus on “Beyond timber”, we support the sustainable management of Namibia’s botanical and forest resources and recognise the broader value of Namibia’s forests and woodlands beyond timber extraction. Namibia’s forests and woodlands are being degraded through land clearing for agriculture and frequent uncontrolled fire. With partners, the team supports the sustainable management of Namibia’s forest resources by addressing gaps on botanical diversity to support informed conservation decisions, and improving Namibian livelihoods by promoting sustainable use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) enhancing community resilience to climate change, and reducing pressure on Namibia’s forest and woodland resources.
Key Partners
Community members from Community Forests; Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism (MEFT). Directorate of Forestry (DoF), National Botanical Research Institute of Namibia (NBRI), Blue Sky Botanics (BSB), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM), KAZA Secretariat, Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), National Museum of Namibia (NMN).
Regions
Zambezi Region, Kavango East and Kavango West Regions. //Karas Region. With specialised technical support across the country.
Objectives
To improve management of botanical and forest resources with partners
To foster the link between people, botanical and forest resources
To develop livelihood alternatives using non-timber forest products (NTFPs)
To fill knowledge gaps on botanical resources to support effective
To support forest and woodland restoration initiatives
To support curbing illegal activities of Namibia’s botanical resources
2024 Highlights
142,00 hectare Zambezi State Forest Reserve was gazetted
30 government officials from 3 different departments trained in forest protection, leading to more effective collaboration to combat illegal timber trade
4 community forests timber inventories completed
3 emerging community forests identified
Trained 300 devil’s claw harvesters, 297 Manketti harvesters in sustainable harvesting techniques
Trained 30 community members in Marula syrup production and 20 farmers in beekeeping initiatives
Trained 60 Directorate of Forestry (DoF) officials and Community Forest members in basic fire management
For more information regarding the Sustainable Forestry programme. Kindly contact Vera Corry.
Main Projects
Supporting Sustainable Forestry Management and Honey Production in Zambezi Region, Namibia ~ (Click to View..)
Project Description
×
Region: Zambezi Region Description: Promoting the expansion of economic opportunities and safeguarding forest resources in the Zambezi, through supporting beekeeping initiatives, facilitating efforts in forest restoration and strengthening forestry and botanical research nationally . Time: 1/07/25 – 30/10/26 Budget: EURO 45.000 Donor: Commonlands Partners: Directorate of Forestry, Community Forests
Close
Namibia Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas (CAPA) Initiative - Forestry (Project Closed) ~ (Click to View..)
Project Description
×
Region: Zambezi Region (Bwabwata National Park) Description: The project supports beekeepers in Mayuni and Kwando Conservancies, expands aid to experienced farmers in Mudumu, and includes a scoping mission for forest restoration with USFS specialists. Time: 1/09/24 – 30/11/25 Budget: NAD 1 439 000 Donor: IISD through KAZA WWF Partners: Directorate of Forestry, Community Forests
Close
Incorporating Succulent Plant and Animal Species Information into Conservation Planning – focus on southeastern Namibia ~ (Click to View..)
Project Description
×
Region: Karas Region Description: Our project, aligned with JRS’s mission, aims to assess endemism and biodiversity in southeastern Namibia to establish suitable conservation standards for improved biodiversity and sustainable development. Time: 1/10/23 – 30/9/26 Budget: EURO 264.000 Donor: JRS Biodiversity Foundation Partners: National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and National Museum of Namibia (NMN)
Close
Namibia Integrated Landscape Approach for Enhancing Livelihoods and Environmental Governance to Eradicate Poverty (Nkulivere Landscape) ~ (Click to View..)
Project Description
×
Region: Kavango West Description: Promote integrated landscape management in key agricultural and forest areas to reduce poverty, enhance sustainable livelihoods, protect biodiversity, restore forests, and achieve Land Degradation Neutrality. Time: 07/09/2023 – 31/01/2025 Budget: EURO 350.000 Donor: GEF & UNDP Partners: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Mpungu Regional Council, Kavango West Rural Water Supply, Village Development Committees
Close
Support to implementation of the Zambezi State Forest Reserve (ZSFR) management plan, Zambezi Region, Namibia