Women Playing Critical Role In Conserving Africaís Natural Resources by Heather Nalbone Africa has long been the backdrop for countless novels, films, stories and poems by writers and artists from around the world. To foreigners, adventure is innate to this continent rich with stunning grasslands and forests populated by elephant herds and gorillas. Current news headlines, however, paint a much different picture of Africa. Developing communities are plagued by the AIDS epidemic, poverty, overpopulation and civil strife. In addition, the beauty and mystery of Africaís wild lands have been imperiled by growth and development, which tend to drain swamps and wetlands, tear down forests for lumber, and plow under grasslands. According to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), loss of habitat is now the single biggest threat facing Africaís wild species of plants and animals. In their efforts to preserve Africaís wilderness, organizations such as AWF are increasingly turning to a historically overlooked group. Although businesses, nongovernmental organizations and international aid are all integral to conservation efforts, experts say it is the continentís women who play a critical role in protecting natural resources. Viewed as mothers and caretakers, women are often dependant on the environment for food, water, shelter and medicine. "[Conservation efforts] are critical because in Africa in particular, women are the managers of resources for both households and the greater environment," said Lynn Foden, senior program development officer at AWF. "Women tend to get the water resources and are primary managers at a household level. They also carry an important role up through ministries and government levels." Yet for all their labor, women are often among the most disadvantaged people in African communities. So Foden and her colleagues decided to help transform womenís roles in preserving Africaís natural land and wildlife. In November, the foundation partnered with the Corporate Council on Africa to sponsor its first ever panel discussion on the subject of women and African conservation. A special breakfast at the National Press Club drew speakers ranging from Faida Mitifu, ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to Ugandan Ambassador Edith Grace Ssempala to Kim Sams of the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund. Response to the event is telltale of how prominent the issue is becoming: The foundation had to turn away guests when roughly 150 people responded for the 7:30 a.m. breakfast that had room for just 75. The issue, however, is not a new one to those at AWF. The 42-year-old organization has focused on training women in conservation since it established the College of African Wildlife Management at Mweka, Tanzania, in 1962. Since that time, women have been included in programs intended to preserve national parks as well as community-owned and private lands. Many of the organizationís annual academic scholarship awards go to native women pursuing careers in African conservation. "Women are both natural resource users and managers," Helen Gichohi, AWF vice president for programs, said in a statement. "They have a very personal interest in the condition of the environment, typically suffering the brunt of degradation. We must strive to continue to involve women at all levels of conservation efforts." Gichohi and Foden refer with pride to AWF staff members such as Zambian native Dora Kamweneshe, whose work and aspirations are representative of the kind of dedication advocated by AWF, the Corporate Council on Africa and related organizations. After traveling to Norway and Cape Town to earn a masterís degree in natural resource management and conservation biology, Kamweneshe returned to her native country to help preserve its wetlands and wildlife. Although many experienced African natives have chosen to pursue careers abroad, Kamweneshe decided that her place was at home. Over the years, she has served as field project manager for a Zambezi basin wetlands conservation project, a biologist for AWFís Zambian wetlands program, and a senior wildlife research officer for Zambian national parks. Currently, she is described as a "thoughtful, quiet nurturer" who anchors AWFís Kariba, Zimbabwe, office. And it is through the knowledge, work and dedication of Kamweneshe and countless other women that AWF hopes to preserve the magic and mystery of Africaís wilderness that have captivated foreign visitors throughout the centuries. Heather Nalbone is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.