The Natural Resources Working Group (NRWG)

The Natural Resources Working Group is a voluntary association of natural resource specialists from NGOs and Government Ministries that work collectively to support conservancies and improve natural resource management in Namibia. Services provided to conservancies by NRWG can be separated into development activities and maintenance activities. Development activities will come to an end when all conservancies in Namibia are fully established and no longer require further development. Maintenance services are likely to continue indefinitely. They are currently being supported with donor or government funds but in future conservancies may be expected to pay for some of these services.

Supporting the monitoring of wildlife and other natural resources in conservancies is an important component of the work of the NRWG. Photo: R. & G. Everett

Services provided by NRWG

(Click on each to see more info)

• Supporting monitoring and adaptive management
• Leverage support for specific NR development projects
• Support NR management activities
• Supporting NRM communication and coordination
• Natural resource utilisation support
• Management planning
• Human resource development
• Mapping and information

Details of services

• Supporting monitoring and adaptive management

Conservancies use the Event Book system to monitor their resources. NRWG provides training, materials, technical support, annual NRM audits and discusses management strategies. The Event Book database holds summary data, giving a national picture of natural resource management.

Muduva Nyanga Conservancy Event Book filing system. Photo: Peggy Poncelet

• Annual Conservancy NRM Performance audit
• Event Book Database
• Regional Game Census
• National Fire Monitoring
• State of Conservancies' Reporting
• Support establishment of Event Book Systems
• Development of new Event Book modules
• Annual Supply of Event Book materials
• Support Audit and Adaptive Management meetings
• Assist with production of Annual NR reports

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• Leverage support for specific NR development projects

• Leverage funds and donations to conservancies
• Assist conservancies to find support for conservation projects

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• Support NR management activities

NR management involves a number of practical interventions. NRWG helps to develop appropriate management systems and gives implementation training.

• Assist Ministries develop devolved management policy and procedures
• Support Habitat management (e.g. fire)

Traps recovered by Conservancy Resource Monitors. Photo: Peggy Poncelet

• Support development of Law enforcement systems
• Support development of HWC mitigation systems
• Support game translocations to conservancies
• Assist with ecosystem rehabilitation
• Support development of Harvesting systems
• Support in co-management arrangements
• Support services as requested to improve NR management systems

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• Supporting NRM communication and coordination

Communication and coordination are vital. NRWG develops tools that conservancies use to communicate issues to members, stakeholders and their neighbours. NRWG also documents 'best practice' and lessons learnt.

• Stimulate co-management arrangements between neighbouring conservancies and adjacent parks
• Document and share NRM lessons learnt
• Develop tools for conservancies to communicate with their members and stakeholders
• Assist conservancies to identify stakeholders and service providers
• Provide conservancies with information to create awareness of opportunities and constraints
• Develop internal and external NRM communication channels
• Support production of annual NRM reports

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Extracting of sourplum (Ximenia kernels). The oil is used traditionally in many ways, including as an emollient, and there are many potential commercial uses. Photo: Peggy Poncelet

• Natural resource utilisation support

Developing sustainable natural resource utilisation systems for a range of natural products will help conservancies to generate income and livelihood benefits.

• Develop and improve Game quota setting system and harvest guidelines
• Develop Plant product quota setting systems and harvest guidelines
• Develop Forest product quota setting systems and harvest guidelines
• Develop Fish harvesting systems and harvest guidelines
• Assist with NR inventories as required
• Assist in undertaking harvest feasibility assessments
• Support development of sustainable use harvesting systems for Natural Resources
• Assist with establishing annual harvest quotas of all Natural Resources
• If required, assist with marketing of NR products

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• Management planning

Conservancies require a formalised agreement on how they will be managed and NRWG provides assistance to develop management plans. It also develops and constantly improves on a management plan framework.

• Improve Management Plan framework
• Develop National plans
• Develop Management manuals
• Support Zonation planning
• Support Management calendars
• Support Utilisation Plans
• Support modification of plans as requested

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• Human resource development

NRM requires people with adequate knowledge and skills. NRWG advises conservancies on all aspects of NRM personnel and provides participatory training to conservancy members and colleagues.

• Support skills development in NGO and Government field staff as required
• Promote NRM in curricula in formal education institutions
• Support researchers as appropriate
• Assist conservancies to identify NRM staff requirements
• Support development of NRM staff job descriptions
• Provide training to NRM staff
• Provide update training to NRM staff as required

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• Mapping and information

NRM To register conservancies must have defined boundaries, and for planning they require maps showing features relevant to natural resource management and tourism development. NRWG provides training in collecting spatial data and developing customised maps.

• Maintain National CBNRM GIS
• Maintain National CBNRM CONINFO
• Provide maps upon request
• Provide general NRM information
• Provide support for participatory mapping
• Assist with boundary descriptions and maps

Download a poster on the NRWG

• High resolution A0 size (pdf, 16.0 MB)
• High resolution A3 size (jpg, 6.2 MB)
• High resolution A4 size (jpg, 3.8 MB)

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