Nyika-Vwaza Trust Autumn 2023 Newsletter

The Nyika-Vwaza (UK) Trust, who work in North Malawi and focus on environment and wildlife conservation in the Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, have released their Autumn 2023 newsletter.

This newsletter begins with an announcement for their annual fundraising event. At this time of year, the Nyika-Vwaza (UK) trust usually announce their guest speaker, and they have found a most interesting person to take the spotlight. Dr Claire Spottiswoode, an evolutionary biologist from the Department of Zoology at Cambridge University, will be talking about the relationship between greater honeyguides and honey hunters. Due to other commitments, she is unable to offer this talk until Spring 2024 so the Trust have decided to delay their next event. Further information will provided in due course.

In other news, Nyika-Vwaza (UK) Trust are delighted to see the future of Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve secured. On the 16 June 2023 the Malawi Government entered into a 20-year Co-Management Agreement (CMA) with the Peace Parks Foundation for the Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve. Under this CMA, management of the parks will be the responsibility of a Trust for all areas apart from Law Enforcement which will remain with Department of National Parks & Wildlife.

Also in this newsletter is a report of the success and the future goals working with the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT). As reported this spring, the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust have built on the experience of their six-year environmental education programme, in the protected areas in the north of Malawi, by the significant achievement of getting Environmental Education integrated into the Malawi national primary school curriculum through development of a primary source book for Wildlife and the Environment. The first draft of the Wildlife and Environmental Sourcebook content and design has been completed, with £36,000 funding from NVT for 2022-23. This national programme was launched in December 2022 at an event with many important guests from education and conservation.

In other news, the trust has received generous donations in the last six months. Notably one from the Happold Africa Fund. In February 2023 the Trust received a donation of £180,638 from the Happold Africa Fund. This fund was set up by Prof. David and Dr Meredith Happold, who have worked extensively in Malawi over many years and have published many papers and books. This very generous donation has enabled the Trust to support the LWT Educaton Centre work and will be fundamental in future funding about which they are in discussion with the new park managers.

Finally, plenty of other research and studies are included in the newsletter thanks to the tireless efforts from professionals and passionate volunteers that lend their time to the Trust.

Click the image or link below to download the newsletter in PDF format.

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