For many communities living along Binga’s wildlife corridors, sharing space with elephants, lions and other wild animals is an everyday reality.
Children often walk to school through wildlife areas, affecting education, safety and daily life.
“There are times when we have to dismiss learners early from school because of the risk of elephants,” says Muleya Nchobeni, headmaster of Kampandu Primary School.
Recognising that long-term conservation begins with the people living closest to nature, WWF Zimbabwe has established Green Clubs to equip learners with the knowledge and skills on how people and wildlife can live safely alongside each other.
The Green Clubs initiative was built on WWF Zimbabwe’s Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)-supported Agroecology Project, which transformed primary schools into community learning centres.
As the project evolved, WWF Zimbabwe identified an opportunity to create a platform dedicated to environmental education, placing conservation and coexistence at its core.
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The clubs were launched at Kampandu, Manseme and Muchesu primary schools, all located near wildlife corridors where encounters with elephants and lions are common.
By grounding conservation education in learners’ everyday experiences, the Green Clubs make learning to live alongside wildlife both relevant and practical.
The programme also highlights vultures as a key species in need of protection, helping learners understand their important role in maintaining a healthy environment.
Through interactive activities, learners explore why wildlife moves into community areas, understand animal behaviour and learn practical ways to reduce the risk of human–wildlife conflict.
They also learn how agroecology and sustainable land management help protect nature, reduce pressure on wildlife habitats and support people and wildlife to coexist.
Beyond the classroom, learners use poetry, music, dance, drama and storytelling to share conservation messages within their schools and communities.
The importance of conservation education became clear during discussions with learners.
“If elephants are causing so many problems, why don’t we just kill them and make money from them?” one learner asked.
The southern African country recorded 12 374 human–wildlife conflict incidents between 2016 and 2025, according to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
This left 486 people dead and 554 injured. Over 4 000 livestock animals were also lost.
While the comment reflects the frustrations experienced by communities living on the frontline of human–wildlife conflict, it also highlights the need to rethink and reimagine how people can live in harmony with nature.
The Green Clubs aim to shift these perceptions by helping young people move beyond seeing wildlife as a threat and instead become informed custodians of the landscapes they share.
“Youth are powerful agents of change. As learners share their knowledge with parents, siblings and neighbours, conservation messages extend beyond the classroom, strengthening community awareness of coexistence and sustainable natural resource management,” explained Tariro Maderera, WWF Zimbabwe nature-positive circular food systems intern.
The clubs also provide meaningful extracurricular opportunities that build leadership, teamwork and environmental responsibility, preparing youth to become the generation of conservation champions.- WWF Zimbabwe.