Milestone Achievements Since 1982

In order to achieve its mission and vision, aims and objectives, KCS facilitates or contributes to wise decision-making concerning bio-diversity protection and the sustainable utilization of natural resources through professional advice, participation in policy formulation, research, advocacy and public environmental education.

KCS' activities are distributed amongst three units, namely

The Conservation Unit: This Unit coordinates projects for donors, Government and conservation societies in Botswana and acts as the Technical Advisor to the Society. It also covers Community Based Natural Resources Management Programmes through the Community Liaison Office.

The Education Unit: It promotes Environmental Education (formal and non-formal) and Conservation ethics throughout the country.

The Public Relations Unit: It promotes conservation policy and public image in Botswana and internationally by developing and implementing promotional items and marketing plans.
Throughout its 20 years of existence, KCS has instigated, facilitated and financed more than sixty conservation projects worth over P15 million. Below is a summary of the higher profile projects the Society has been and is associated with:

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(1) The ecological zoning of the Okavango Delta
The Ecological Zoning of the Okavango Delta project undertaken by KCS in 1988 provided very detailed knowledge of all aspects of the Delta and a sound foundation for future land-use planning. The objective was to define areas which require complete protection because of unique assemblages of animals and plants, and areas of recreational subsistence use, such as fishing, hunting and photographic tourism.

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(2) The Management Plans for Game Reserves and National Parks
KCS fundraised and participated in the development of Management Plans for Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park in 1992 and 1993, respectively. The Society also assisted in the development of the Management Plan for the Gaborone Game reserve (GGR) and fundraised for the building of GGR Education Centre.

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(3) KCS Anti-poaching Unit
KCS started anti-poaching Unit operations with the Botswana Police in 1985 and handed the 6 vehicles and 2 boats to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in 1988 when the latter established the Anti-poaching Unit to continue with the operations.

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(4) Ecological studies on wildlife species
Ecological studies on various wildlife species including lion, wild dog, and elephant. Wildebeest, zebra and other large herbivores have been assisted or undertaken by KCS. These studies have enhanced our knowledge and helped to define our priorities in the use of and conservation of these species as a sustainable resource as well as an important feature of the overall wildlife picture of Botswana.

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(5) Every River Has Its People Project
A Trans-boundary natural resource management project between Botswana, Angola and Namibia, under the management of KCS. The Every River Project aims at achieving two objectives:

• To increase the capacity of communities and other local stakeholders to participate effectively in decision making about the natural resources in the Okavango River Basin, particularly those related to water, and
  
  
• To promote and facilitate participation of communities and other stakeholders in natural resource decision-making and management.

This is an ongoing project whose first phase of information collection and analysis developed a working document resulting from the Socio-ecological surveys. The surveys in Botswana and Namibia were successful and gave the project some meaning regarding what co-management programmes could be put in place for the successful basin-wide management of the Okavango River. The second phase that began by forming a Basin-wide forum in October is dominated by basin-wide workshops for information sharing. This project will last until September 2003.

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(6) Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC)
KCS came up with the idea to establish a Research Centre for the University of Botswana in Maun. The Society successfully fundraised for the construction of the HOORC buildings and the Centre's equipment. The Centre was officially opened in November 2001. It is hoped that this research facility will contribute to a better understanding of the ecology of the Delta, generate much needed research capacity within Botswana, improve dissemination of scientific information on the Delta, and coordinate research programmes and activities in the Delta.

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(7) Fish Parasite Project
The Fish Parasite Project, approved by the relevant Ministries, started in 1997 under the auspices of Kalahari Conservation Society in conjunction with the University of Orange Free State. The project was driven by the concerns over fish declines in the Okavango Delta. The results of the project will assist in the sustainable management of the Okavango fish resource and to leave skills and knowledge as well as specific actions in Botswana. The project ends in early 2003.

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(8) Leopards Project
This project under the name Leopard Ecology and Conservation commenced in September 2000 and is still ongoing. The main goal of the study is to obtain extensive knowledge of the behaviour, population genetics and the health status of the leopards living in the Khutse Game Reserve. The project has particular emphasis on a greater understanding of the conflict that exists between these animals and the rural communities around the game reserve.

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(9) Flamingo Project
The research project is geared at finding sustainable methods for the future management and protection of the Makgadikgadi flamingos. Techniques for monitoring and collecting hydrological data, flamingo population and breeding estimates are also being carried out, with some initial results being recorded.

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(10) Community Based Natural Resources Management Pragrammes (CBNRM)
Since its establishment KCS has facilitated and assisted various CBNRM projects in the country. The Society has a Community Liaison Section that facilitates conservation through CBNRM. We are involved and associated with the following projects, which are at various stages of development:

• Moremi Gorge Conservation Project
• Nata Sanctuary Project
• Khama Rhino Sanctuary Project
• Dikalate Hills Research Project
• Lepokole Hills Nature Project

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(11) Environmental Education
The KCS Environmental Education Unit has expanded its outreach programme to include decision-makers and the business community. The Unit has had opportunities to address full council meetings and the Parliamentarian Select Committee on Environment and Agriculture. The purpose of addressing national leaders is to share local, regional and international environmental issues and concerns, at the same time establishing ways of finding solutions of local environmental problems. It is also a forum for awareness creation on environmental issues that need all stakeholders' attention. The Unit, however, continued and continues to provide environmental education to schools, both teachers and students, and to wildlife and environmental clubs of Botswana.

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(12) Environmental Conservation and Education Workshops and Conferences
KCS has hosted and continues to host workshops and conferences that are geared towards achieving the Society's goals of environment and natural resources conservation and management. Most of these events are hosted in joint venture with other relevant Organisations and Government Departments. Below are few milestone workshops and conferences whose proceedings are available at the KCS Head Office:

1990: The Future of Botswana's Elephants
1991: Environmental Education in Botswana - A National Planning Conference
1992: Which Way Botswana's Environment?
1995: The Present Status of Wildlife and Its Future in Botswana
1997: National Conference on Conservation and Management of Wildlife in Botswana
2001: National Technical Predator Management and Conservation Workshop in Botswana
2002: Environmental Education Processes for Sustainable Development: Working Towards World Summit on Sustainable Development

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(13) Environmental Publications
KCS as a national NGO has got a library that hosts most of the environmental publications, both national and international. Proceedings of all the above workshops and conferences are KCS publications and are available at the Head Office. The Society also publishes some environmental documents that are available at the Head Office Below are few of them:

1990: The Nature of Botswana: A Guide to Conservation and Development
1993: Involving the Youth in Conservation
1993: Educational Guide to Gaborone Game Reserve
2001: Wildlife and Environmental Clubs Getting Started - A Guide to Starting and Running an Environmental Club

• Quarterly newsletter and other technical reports

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WE THANK ALL OUR DONORS AND SPONSORS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION