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Exploring Conservation Careers with the North Luangwa Conservation Programme
EXPLORING Conservation Careers
North Luangwa with the Conservation Programme
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[WRITER: North Luangwa Conservation Programme ] [ PHOTOS: Mana Meadows ]
When you think of a career in conservation, what springs to mind? A park ranger? An ecologist? A wildlife veterinarian? While these jobs are certainly crucial to conservation, they’re not the only paths one can take to have a job that entails conserving natural resources. We’d like to introduce you to some of our North Luangwa Conservation Programme conservation leaders of the future and share their career journeys. Their job descriptions may just surprise you!
The good news is that, if you have a passion for conservation and dream of a fulfilling career that works towards the ultimate goal of conserving nature for the benefit of people and wildlife alike, you have more than one option. Today, more than ever, the field of conservation requires diverse qualifications, world views and work experiences.
After completing Grade 12, Ring Muyembe considered becoming a pharmacist. Ring had always been interested in conservation and she had been an enthusiastic attendee of NLCP’s Lolesha Luangwa education programme. She loved it so much she would attend lessons she’d already completed the year before! But a career in conservation – or mechanics – had never occurred to her.
Established in 1986, the North Luangwa Conservation Programme is a partnership between the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife to conserve the North Luangwa ecosystem.
RING MUYEMBE:
Mechanic
“I never thought about mechanics at first, but after hearing about the opportunity, I said to myself, ‘let me just try it, and if it doesn’t work, I can go back to my career dream’. And I found it so interesting that I have forgotten about a career in pharmacy. I would like to advance in mechanics and reach a level where I have my own workshop and run my own garage. It wouldn’t be far away – it would be here in Mpika, so that people can be inspired to see that, through North Luangwa, I have reached my dream.”
She says, “It feels so good being an example to the world. I encourage others to be hardworking and determined. You can become whatever you want as long as your mind is set.”
Ring spends weekdays in North Luangwa National Park. “At first, it was hard leaving my family behind, but now it’s so interesting. I’ve seen a lot of animals like elephants, even lions, zebras, and I enjoy the fresh air. Conservation is not all about law enforcement. It is about us, the people who are in the community, coming together and promoting and protecting our animals, because it is for our own benefit.”
EPHRAIM LOMBE:
Senior Community Conservation Officer
From forestry to people – Ephraim Lombe’s conservation career so far has shown that diversity can be the key to seeing the bigger picture more clearly. “I love a lot of things about my work. My job is dynamic. Conservation not only brings job satisfaction; it also provides a fulfilling satisfying life. It is, however, important to keep an open mind, be humble and learn different skills.”
“I have always been interested in science and growing up, I wanted to be an environmental scientist dealing with climate change. I’ve always believed that plants were the lungs of the earth, and this belief was my driving force.”
Ephraim wanted to study ecology but found that forestry was the closest option available. “I decided to take it up and see where it would lead me – even though I was set on becoming an ecologist handling climate change.” After completing his studies, he worked as a GIS and Environmental Consultant, where he dealt with scientific and technological support, with very limited community and social issues. When NLCP advertised for a position as a community conservation officer, he jumped at the opportunity to further develop in the field. The new position required him to learn fast. His diverse background came in handy because, he says, communities themselves are diverse entities. “Communities are made up of different individuals with varying personal interests, all facing their own challenges. This job forces me to handle different issues. I travel a lot and interact with the needs of both the community and wildlife. Conservation has now become more of a long and exciting vacation to me than a job.” “If communities are not willing to conserve, will other conservation strategies actually take effect or be sustainable? The community is at the center of conservation. My role is to ensure that conservation strategies have community buy-in and participation.”
JOYCE CHILUBA:
Canine Handler and Control Room Operator
Joyce Chiluba came into conservation through law enforcement. In just five years she has expanded her career roles – venturing into canine handling, operations, and mentoring. “Being a scout is a good way to get into conservation. But it is not the only way. You can do accounting, teaching, mechanics, and many things. Because even as scouts, yes, we are protecting animals, but without vehicles, without money, can we be scouts?” When Joyce decided to try out this career, very few females were represented in law enforcement. Her family worried for her, and her friends laughed at her. “There were very few women in conservation. In villages like Mukungule, in places like Nabwalya, Chifunda, when a woman wanted to join conservation, they were scared to be a scout because it was [seen as] for men only.
“Men were complaining about how strict the selection was. So, I was thinking, if a man is complaining like this, what about me? But I thought, let me just try, if I don’t manage, then God will give me another way to get into conservation.” Joyce passed her initial pre-selection scout test as well as the three-month training course. Within a year of becoming a community scout, Joyce had emerged as a leader and inspiring female role model in her community. Friends started asking her advice and she was selected for further leadership training within the NLCP.
“Some people discourage you about what you want to do in your life. But look how other people are doing in conservation, then believe in yourself, and have the courage to say, ‘I can do this’.”
CONSERVATION INVOLVES COLLABORATION ACROSS MANY SECTORS
Who better to appreciate the breadth of conservation roles required in conservation than our own Area Warden of *NLAMU, Pumulo Nyambe, who knows the North Luangwa ecosystem by heart. We asked him how conservation has changed since he first started his career 18 years ago:
“Conservation needs collaborated effort from all sectors and stakeholders, unlike in the past where other stakeholders were considered unimportant and it was left to law enforcement only. In North Luangwa the administration team facilitate the procurement of patrol rations, fuel for patrol deployment, patrol equipment, salaries, incentives etc. Mechanics service vehicles for patrol operations and attend to patrol vehicle breakdowns. Community relations are very important in conservation – they are true partners in conservation. If the relations are good, community members are able to stop poaching and report illegal activities to the law enforcement officers. Through the good relations between the NLCP and the chiefs, we have introduced community sensitisation meetings in all the chiefdoms surrounding North Luangwa ecosystem whereby we have poachers surrendering illegal firearms.”
*NLAMU incorporates North Luangwa National Park, Mukungule, Munyamadzi & Musalangu West.
CONSERVATION CAREER ADVICE
As conservationists who have been involved in many aspects of conservation, what advice would you give young people who are interested in conservation as a career?
“It is not a career for job seekers. Conservation is a challenging yet rewarding career to those with passion for it. It requires work in remote or rural areas where transport, communication, and social amenities are often a problem. It is a career for those with a heart and passion for conserving natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.”
Pumulo Nyambe, Area Warden of NLAMU
“Conservation is about team work, trust and creating an environment where multiple departments and stakeholders need to come together. This article unveils just a few of our leaders: it’s exciting to know that there are many more of them, at many levels, coming through the ranks all the time. With key individuals like these, the future is bright for North Luangwa.”
