Skeleton Coast-Etosha conservation bridge receives N$18m annual funding

The Skeleton Coast-Etosha conservation bridge has been awarded a US$1 million (N$18 million) annual grant for 50 years from the Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF).

The implementation of the grant will be carried out through a partnership between the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Namibia’s Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism.

“LLF is proud to have signed the first-ever perpetual grant with WWF and IRDNC. This ensures reliable and substantial funding of US$1 million annually for over 50+ years and with strong governance of local rights-holders. We are very thankful to welcome this exceptional Namibian site into the LLF network,” LLF Executive Director Stefanie Lang said.

She said the perpetual grant would guarantee connectivity among species populations through wildlife corridors, enhance climate resilience in the region, and safeguard key vulnerable fauna like the black rhino, lion, and giraffe, as well as numerous less conspicuous endemic species.

The Skeleton Coast-Etosha site, situated in the Kunene Region, is a conservation bridge connecting various conserved areas, national parks, and the first “People’s Park.”

The region is known for its biodiversity, and high variety of species, and hosts 14 local communal conservancies.

According to WWF Namibia Country Director, Juliane Zeidler, the Skeleton Coast-Etosha Conservation Bridge holds critical significance in Namibia’s conservation efforts as it promotes sustainable resource use, protection of vital wildlife corridors, and economic opportunities for local communities.

“The project provides a unique opportunity for building stronger partnerships, with Government, NGOs, and local communities at the heart of it,” she said.

LLF is an international public-private fund to support nature, people, and climate, thus the US$20 million grant provided by LLF’s private-public model will be further complemented by matching funding from the Rob Walton Foundation, a private philanthropic donor.