Reaching 4,500 Young People Through DSWF’s UK Wildlife Education Programme 

At David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF), education is one of our core strategic pillars that define our strategy, activities and operational priorities. Through our UK education programme, we work with schools, local authorities and partners to support children and young people to become effective advocates for wildlife conservation and biodiversity.

This approach was recently delivered through a DSWF-led workshop at the Climate Unity Virtual Conference 2025, organised by Minnie Moore, Rights, Diversity and Social Justice Education adviser at Hampshire County Council. DSWF was invited to contribute for the second year running, reflecting the value placed on our education programme and our ability to engage young audiences with complex global issues.

The workshop reached 149 teachers and an estimated 4,500 pupils across Hampshire. It was hosted by Mark Ellis, Education Manager at DSWF, supported by Wilton Nsimago, from Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe. It focused on the Foundation’s wider conservation work – including education, community engagement and support for frontline conservation. Through discussion, short films and classroom activities, pupils explored the African savannah as a connected ecosystem, learning how wildlife, habitats, climate and people are all part of an interlinked web of life.

Wilton joined the session to share first-hand insight from the field. Drawing on his expertise in the region, Wilton spoke about conservation challenges on the ground and discussed how threats such as habitat loss, human–wildlife conflict and illegal hunting affect wildlife across the savannah.

Painted dogs were used as one example to help illustrate these wider challenges. Pupils learned that fewer than 7,000 painted dogs remain in the wild, and how DSWF supports on-the-ground protection, monitoring, education and community engagement through the projects we fund.

At the end of the workshop, more than 100 questions were taken from pupils via the live chat, highlighting the session’s success in encouraging curiosity, critical thinking and meaningful discussion.

Feedback shared after the session reflected its impact:

“You have inspired the whole class — thank you!”

“You’re my best inspiration to save the wildlife!”

“This was really interesting!”

Alongside our UK education work, DSWF also supports long-standing community conservation projects in the field across Africa and Asia. This combination of education, community engagement and frontline protection is essential to safeguarding wildlife and ecosystems.

What Your Support Helps Make Possible

Supporting DSWF allows us to continue delivering education workshops for young people in the UK while funding vital conservation and community programmes across Africa and Asia. Examples of what donations can help provide in Zimbabwe include:

• £2,000 for running a small class at a camp, supporting conservation education for children living alongside wildlife
• £600 to provide internet access at camp for a year, helping young people connect with the wider world
• £250 for design and printing posters for the bush camp
• £25 for pencils and pens, ensuring children have the basic tools they need to learn

By supporting DSWF, you are helping us inspire young people, support communities, and protect wildlife and ecosystems where it is needed most.