Our Mission
Our mission is to enhance the management of ‘forgotten’ National Parks and Protected Areas in partnership with governments and local communities and to empower people to protect wildlife and wilderness around the world.
Our Vision
A world where National Parks, biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are valued and protected as an integral part of the lives and well-being of a global society.
Where we work
We work in ‘forgotten’ National parks and Protected Areas in Africa. The National Parks we support are large wilderness areas with high levels of biodiversity, they are largely unknown or forgotten, and suffer inadequate support to ensure their long-term protection. We also consult and deliver technical capabilities to partner conservation organisations throughout Africa.
Management
Establishment of modern management systems in Forgotten Parks based on international standards. Management support may include: management systems, park planning, park performance monitoring, infrastructure, human resources, administration, accounting, and communications.
Research & Monitoring
Development and implementation of a wildlife-monitoring program. Special projects include wildlife re-introductions, invasive species control, and wildlife habituation.
What We Do
Protection & Law Enforcement
Design & implementation of appropriate protection strategies in response to threats and needs. Support may include: ranger training, operations & deployment; equipment, vehicles & rations; rapid reaction anti-poaching units, intelligence and investigation units, K-9 units, & aerial surveillance capacity.
Tourism Development
Assessment, design and development of park-based tourism activities, including products, infrastructure, permits, protocols, park fees, best practices, community engagement, and resource management.
One Health
One Health recognises that the health of people is connected to the health of animals & the environment. It is a collaborative, multisectoral, & transdisciplinary approach—working at the local, regional, national, and global levels—with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognising the interconnection between people, animals, plants, & their shared environment.
Sustainable Financing
Development of sustainable financing mechanisms through the creation of partnerships with the private sector, high net-worth individuals, and bi-lateral donors. Support may include the formation of specific park-based alliances, fundraising initiatives, and the development of a trust fund.
Community Conservation
Establishment of revenue-sharing mechanisms & implementation of special development projects that improve the livelihoods of local communities and contribute positively to the sustainable development of the region.
Board of Directors
Marie-Chantal KANINDA
Marie-Chantal is the Vice President – Corporate Affairs of Glencore DRC. She has more than 25 years of professional experience in the mining sector with large international corporations. For DeBeers Group, she was in charge of administration, communication and external affairs in Central Africa and Communities in Africa, and for Rio Tinto, she was in charge of External Relations for Africa. Marie-Chantal was, for two years, the first woman to head the World Diamond Council.
Franck MWE DI MALILIA
Congolese politician and adviser to the former Senate president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He served as interim Vice-Prime Minister and deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs. He previously served as Deputy Minister of International Relations and National Integration as well as Deputy Minister of Planning and as Minister of Tourism.
Christine LAIN
Ms. Lain is the current Director of Forgotten Parks ASBL (FP-DRC) with over 15 years of work in DRC (in and around protected areas) collaborating with park management and communities. She also has over 12 years of experience with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN-NL) with a focus on communities and resolution of conflicts in and around natural resources; keen interest in the protection of environmental defenders and environmental justice.
Roseline BEUDELS-JAMAR
Biologist born in the DRC with a profound passion for nature and wildlife, Roseline has led a multitude of teams and projects all over Africa. She is currently Chairperson of WWF Belgium, WWF International Trustee – Board member Sahara Conservation Fund, and she is also on the board of African Parks Network (APN).
Enrico PIRONIO
Mr. Pironio has more than 40 years of work experience with the EU Delegation, key responsible for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for protected areas in Africa. Pivotal for the support and rise of African Parks, Pironio is also a board member and Vice Chair of African Parks Network (APN).
Philippe PINGANAUD
Pinganoud has more than 30 years of experience in accountability, finance, institutional and financial audits. He Worked for many years in DRC, and for several years he worked as the Financial Director of Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN). This earned him extensive knowledge of the ICCN, EU and other funders.
Luc GERARD NYAFE
Mr. Nyafe is a successful Congolese entrepreneur and businessman residing in Colombia. He leads the Strategos Group with branches in health, agriculture, and natural resources. Since 2019 he is one of the special advisors of president Tshisekedi in sustainable development, social Justice, and geopolitics.
Volunteers 2019-2020
We are truly grateful to all of our volunteers
Jennifer DeRome - Communications Volunteer since 2017
Julia Kepp - Anthropology & Ecotourism Volunteer Aug 2019