Across the vast wilderness areas of Tanzania people are custodians of significant natural wealth—forests, wildlife, and biodiversity. Yet these ecosystems, which hold enormous economic potential, generate little or no financial return for the people who protect them and they are often left to bear significant burdens as a result living alongside protected areas. 

The lack of meaningful returns from natural capital presents a low bar for unsustainable activities to seem more attractive. At the same time, traditional agricultural methods degrade land, further eroding natural resources and reducing productivity. Compounding the problem, limited access to quality education locks these communities into poverty, restricting their ability to pursue alternative livelihoods.  

The result is a persistent cycle of poverty and environmental degradation, where communities are forced to engage in unsustainable practices such as overgrazing or deforestation just to survive.  

Our solution is to address these issues through three interconnected strategies:  

• Unlocking the economic value of natural capital by connecting communities to markets, diversifying livelihood opportunities and strengthening governance.  

• Regenerating degraded land and shifting agricultural practices toward more sustainable, productive methods.  

• Educating communities to build skills and opportunities for broader, sustainable livelihoods, beyond reliance on natural resources.  

 By aligning economic incentives with sustainable practices and providing the tools for long-term success, this strategy creates a pathway for both people and nature to thrive.