Nurturing the Next Generation of Nature’s Guardians
In the third and final instalment of our Stories of Hope, we draw inspiration from our beloved ambassador, Dr. Jane Goodall DBE who said:
“You aren’t going to save the world on your own. But you might inspire a generation of kids to save it all for us. You would be amazed at what inspired children can do.”
We wholeheartedly believe in the power of engaging children in conservation. That belief led us to establish the Junior Ranger program – an initiative rooted in education, empowerment, and hope. In this update we’re proud to share the inspiring achievements of a Junior Ranger program in Zambia, facilitated by our in-country partner, Game Rangers International. It’s a story about more than just wildlife – it’s about nurturing young minds to learn, to lead, and to share their new-found knowledge with the family and communities around them. It’s also about hope – hope for the future of our planet and all who call her home.
For many children living near Zambia’s Lusaka National Park, wildlife has always been something seen only on TV. But thanks to the Junior Ranger program, that’s changing. So too is their interest in conserving their natural heritage.
Through Discovery Days at the Wildlife Discovery Centre, young students go on nature walks, identify animal footprints, and encounter real-life conservation stories – like orphaned elephants and rescued rhinos. For many, it’s their first time in a national park. And the experience is life changing. Education Ranger, Christine, shared:
“One child said he never thought he’d see a wild animal, other than the ones on TV. It’s amazing for children to learn about conservation in the field, away from school.”
Our Junior Ranger program doesn’t stop at the park gates. Rangers also visit schools in remote, rural communities, delivering lessons on everything from bushmeat consumption and poaching, to waste management and zoonotic diseases. Topics are adapted for every age and taught in the children’s local language.
And the impact is real.
A Junior Ranger participant recently reported a captive pangolin – a critically endangered species and tragically the most trafficked mammal in the world. Pangolins are hunted for their scales and meat, used in traditional medicine and luxury fashion items such as boots, bags, and belts. But thanks to the Junior Ranger program, children in Zambia are learning to see these animals not as commodities, but as vital parts of a healthy ecosystem – creatures worthy of protection and respect.
Junior Ranger graduates are also sharing their conservation knowledge with their wider communities. One father shared that his family stopped eating bushmeat after his child explained both the dangers of zoonotic diseases, and the value of preserving wildlife.
By connecting young people with nature, we’re building a generation that values wildlife – not just as part of their landscape, but as part of their future.
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