CONSERVATION
PLANNING &
SCIENCE
Turning science into impactful conservation
We use science, data, and strategic planning to guide every conservation decision we make, ensuring our work delivers measurable outcomes for wildlife, ecosystems, and people across Africa.
CONSERVATION PLANNING & SCIENCE
WHY CONSERVATION
PLANNING & SCIENCE
MATTERS
Effective conservation
begins with science
Every decision, from identifying the most important landscapes to protecting threatened species, restoring ecosystems, and measuring conservation impact – depends on reliable data and rigorous planning.
Our Conservation Planning and Science Unit ensures that every conservation action we take is evidence-based, strategically designed, and continuously improved. By combining scientific research, conservation planning, spatial analysis, and monitoring, we help direct resources to where they can achieve the greatest impact.
Science also builds confidence. Robust evidence, transparent monitoring, and measurable outcomes help attract long-term investment and strengthen the partnerships needed to scale conservation across Africa.
CONSERVATION PLANNING & SCIENCE
THE CHALLENGES
WE ADDRESS
Effective conservation depends on
reliable evidence and good planning.
We focus on addressing these
challenges:
Limited data
to guide conservation decisions.
The need for
conservation
planning
to guide consistent, science-based conservation decisions.
Gaps in biodiversity
information
and species assessments.
The need to
measure
evaluate, and improve conservation impact.
Increasing pressure
to balance development with biodiversity conservation.
CONSERVATION PLANNING & SCIENCE
HOW WE CREATE
CHANGE
We provide the science, planning, and technical expertise that underpins conservation across the EWT and beyond, ensuring that decisions are informed by evidence and guided by international best practice.
Strengthening conservation
planning
We use internationally recognised conservation planning approaches to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate conservation programmes. By applying the Conservation Standards and the IUCN Species Conservation Planning framework, we help develop practical strategies that guide conservation action across landscapes, species, and partnerships.
Building the evidence base
We collect, manage, analyse, and share biodiversity data that supports conservation across Africa. From field data collection and spatial analysis to scientific publications and open-access databases, we ensure conservation decisions are based on the best available evidence.
Developing decision-support tools
We create practical tools that help governments, planners, developers, and conservation practitioners make better decisions for biodiversity. Our spatial models, biodiversity databases, mapping platforms, and environmental screening tools ensure conservation science informs planning before decisions are made.
Supporting conservation
beyond the EWT
Our expertise extends beyond our own projects. We coordinate regional conservation planning, support Red List assessments, build conservation capacity, facilitate multi-stakeholder planning processes, and share scientific knowledge that strengthens conservation across Africa.
CONSERVATION PLANNING & SCIENCE
OUR IMPACT
We protect critical habitat
We used monitoring data, species distribution models, and targeted advocacy to help secure the declaration of a Nature Reserve in Durban, protecting critical habitat for the Endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frog while safeguarding an important wetland ecosystem for the surrounding community.
We help development and biodiversity
coexist
We have created a landscape planning tool that allows for the proactive identification of optimal sites for renewable energy facilities. Using robust science and advanced analytics we are working to ensure our much-needed just energy transition does not come at the cost of biodiversity.
Working closely with the South African National Biodiversity Institute we have developed and host a decision support tool for species of conservation concern. The Tool allows for a desktop screening for threatened species within a user-defined area, ultimately encouraging responsible development and promoting conservation of critical habitats.
We guide national conservation
priorities
Together with SANBI, we coordinated the 2025 Mammal Red List of South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, assessing 336 mammal species. The assessment found that 67 species (20%) are threatened with extinction and continues to inform conservation priorities, environmental planning, and government policy.
We strengthen conservation across
Africa
We host the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) Africa Regional Resource Centre, facilitating collaborative, science-based conservation planning for threatened species across the continent. We also maintain the EWT’s Biodiversity Databank, contribute biodiversity records to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), co-host the African Wildlife Poisoning Database, and develop decision-support tools that help conservation practitioners and planners make informed decisions.
CONSERVATION PLANNING & SCIENCE
WHERE WE WORK
We provide scientific and
conservation planning support across
all of our priority landscapes, ensuring
every conservation decision we make
is guided by the best available
evidence
We also work beyond our own conservation projects, partnering with governments, research institutions, conservation organisations, and environmental practitioners across Africa. Together, we develop the science, tools, and planning expertise that inform conservation policy, guide environmental decision-making, and strengthen conservation outcomes across the continent.
CONSERVATION PLANNING & SCIENCE
GET INVOLVED
Every conservation decision is only as
strong as the evidence behind it
Whether you partner with us, support our research, invest in conservation science, or apply our tools and expertise, you can help us generate the knowledge needed to protect Africa’s wildlife and ecosystems.