Zambian REDD+ Welcomes 105 New Guardians of the Forests!

Last month, BioCarbon Partners proudly celebrated a major conservation milestone when we celebrated the graduation of 105 new BCP-supported Community Scouts from Lusaka and Western Provinces into fully trained and equipped Community Scouts and Honorary Forest Officers (HFOs).

Held at Chunga Wildlife Training School in Kafue National Park, the graduation ceremony marked the successful completion of an intensive four-month training program conducted under the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW).

Of the 105 graduates, 30 Scouts will be deployed to the Luangwa Community Forests Project (LCFP) under Mphuka, Mburuma, Chiawa & Mpanshya Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs). 75 Scouts will deploy to the Kafue Zambezi Community Forests Project (KZCFP), with 21 to serve Mitete and Matauka CFMGs, and 54 to serve as Honorary Forest Officers (HFOs) under 14 Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs).

These Scouts, including 14 remarkable women, are vital to conserving Zambia’s forests and wildlife, carrying out forest patrols, protecting wildlife from poaching, and collecting vital data using tools such as SMART and Earth Ranger.

“This training changed my perspective on nature and taught me the value of teamwork, endurance, and the critical role we play in fostering harmony between humans and the environment.”

“A huge thank you to BCP staff and partners for their continuous support in building the next generation of conservation heroes. Zikomo Kwambiri!”

 –  Rosaria Chanda, BCP-supported Community Scout Graduate. 

BCP now supports a total of 240 Community Scouts and HFOs across our three landscape-scale REDD+ projects—strengthening grassroots protection of Zambia’s forests and wildlife.

Community-led conservation efforts are crucial for protecting African wild spaces because they foster a sense of ownership and responsibility within local communities, leading to more sustainable and effective conservation outcomes. By involving our local communities, conservation initiatives can address the root causes of conflict between people and wildlife, reducing poaching and deforestation.

Together, we grow stronger in conservation.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!