The Story The Story presents: Planet Hope - A million-hectare conservation vision in Namibia
Nov 15, 2025
In this engaging discussion, conservationist Andreia Pawel, co-founder of the Orange River-Karoo Conservation Area, highlights her ambitious plan for a million-hectare rewilding project in Namibia. She shares insights into restoring biodiversity, addressing historical extinctions, and collaborating with the local Nama community. Andreia explains the practical steps being taken, such as removing fences and reintroducing species like cheetahs, while weaving in her personal journey from primatology to conservation leadership. Nature's resilience and community involvement shine as key sources of hope.
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Unique Ecological Crossroads
- The Orange River-Karoo area is an ecotone where three biomes meet, creating a biodiversity hotspot with many endemic species.
- Restoring this landscape aims to rebuild lost predator-prey dynamics and ecological function after mass local extinctions.
From University To Tent Camps
- Andreia and co-founder Red moved from university conservation work to run tourism in Namibia and learn the land and community.
- Their initial tented camp and biology expeditions built local relationships and informed a larger rewilding vision.
Migration Shapes The Land
- Historic records showed vast migrations and wildlife that once shaped soil, plant diversity and ecosystem processes.
- Recreating free movement and large herbivore impacts is essential to restoring this specific landscape's function.