The History

Environment Africa was formed after a spectacular and famous trans-continental bicycle journey from Great Britain until Zimbabwe undertaken by the “Rhino-Girls” Charlene Hewat and Julie Edwards. The purpose of the ride was to raise awareness, support and donations for Africa’s most endangered species, the Black Rhino. One year and 22.000 km later the ride was finished in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, and set the tone for Environment Africa’s watchdog and advocacy role.

In 1990 the Environment 2000 Foundation was born with the vision of working for better awareness of environmental issues and its protection. With the staff of less than five and with limited resources our Foundation began charting its rise to what it is today - one of Africa’s leading environmental organisations. In 2001 the name was changed into Environment Africa to signify our desire to cut across political and natural boundaries. Today Environment Africa is a registered Private Voluntary Organisation (WO-6/93) with over 150 staff, more than 700 members and established successful its programs Tree Africa and Water Africa as sub-organisations. Apart from the main office in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capitol, the organisation has branches in Victoria Falls, Lupane and Mutare.

Our organisation also expands internationally. After offices in the capitols of Zambia and Malawi we launched our new office in Great Britain in September 2008.


The Goal

The goal of our organisation is very simple. We are raising the level of environmental awareness amongst the general public, business sectors, schools, community groups as well as the government. With each of our programs and projects we ensure that decision-makers are actively consider environmental issues and the livelihoods of rural and urban communities. Therefore we implement and facilitate various projects in different areas of concern, all the time knowing that the people who live in are the key to conservation.





The Work or How Environment Africa Does Things

Our environment its not only shaped by geographical and biophysical factors, it is also influenced by social, economic or political actions. Therefore Environment Africa takes a holistic approach to environmental issues recognizing its action must address all these factors. An important way is to integrate the local communities into the work by building partnerships and mobilizing change to effectively restore and protect environmental issues for present and future generations. People are the key to conservation.

Uplifting Livelihoods

Environment Africa is fostering individual business enterprises through technical and financial support. These projects are based on sustainable management of natural resources such as tree nurseries, vegetable gardens and beekeeping. It also involves capacity building where farmers were trained by improving their farming techniques and conservation. Furthermore Environment Africa educate local communities and farmers in enhancing food security, income levels and the sustainable management of natural resources to increase the farm productivity.

Mainstreaming the Environment

The focus of mainstreaming is building up an effective system for lobbying, advocacy and environmental conflict resolution given that environmental challenges continue to be a cause and result of poverty, a status quo that is always affecting the poorest of the population in urban and rural set ups.

Use and Restauration

Though overexploitation of natural resources and poor agricultural practices the environment is under serious threat. To restore and conserve its resources Environment Africa takes a social approach to communities. The work is done together with guardians of the environment for sustainable management and conservation of natural resources and restoration of the degraded environment.

Life and Habitats

Encouraging and assisting responsible authorities is the key to provide appropriate ecological management to existing and new sites of rich ecological diversity as well as to encourage local communities to take care for.

Education and Awareness

The first step towards empowerment and mobilizing action is to raise awareness on key environmental issues amongst the general public. Environment Africa is running popular campaigns, is holding local competitions to encourage participation or is educating children to take action on environmental issues.

Partnerships for Action

Partnerships were promoted as an important way to achieve sustainable development and crucial for Environment Africa’s work. Most environment and development problems are highly complex and coupled with limited resources makes cooperation essential. Environment Africa's partnerships bring many mutual benefits such as accessing new skills, information and perspectives, avoiding duplication of efforts, adding value for potential funding sources, harmonizing environmental policies and management systems as well as mutual support and encouragement.