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In 2024, Associação NATURA forged a consortium and entered a long-term agreement with the government of Mozambique to lead restoration and protection of 4,800 km2 of this precious ecosystem in partnership with local communities. The area had been abandoned and without support management for a decade. Also in 2024, NATURA forged an agreement with Rio Save Safaris who have been leading protection of a neighboring wildlife concession of 3,800 km2. Together, these two areas form a continuous area the size of Yellowstone National Park or South Luangwa National Park. But with one key difference, this ecosystem is a shared landscape that is still home to communities that depend on the land as they have for centuries past.
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First constituted in 2008, NATURA played a crucial role in the successful early years of post-war recovery and management of Niassa National Reserve. Today, NATURA supports various environmental restoration, protected area management, and research and eco literacy programs across central and southern Mozambique. We have helped finance the reintroduction of leopards, funded the establishment and operations of Mozambique's first pangolin recovery center, supported mangrove restoration, and led extensive marine scientific expeditions along the coasts of Nampula, Zambezia and Inhambane. In 2020, NATURA in partnership with AVM and WIORI co-purchased and co-manages the REEF PROTECTOR, a 31- meter, 208-ton ocean-going vessel that is a research and marine management platform and the first of its kind in Mozambique. NATURA is also a technical and financial partner brokering and establishing a new protected area in the Inhambane Seascape alongside Mission Blue, Marine Megafauna Foundation, the IUCN and African Parks. ​​​The Malamba Coastal Collaborative - lying within the heart of the Inhambane Seascape just south of Bazaruto National Park- is a NATURA program in partnership with the communities of Malamba and Mazuene.​​
In 2023, the IUCN's Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) Call to Action for People and Nature established a mandate to identify, recognize and empower African nationals to lead and implement the restoration and protection of biodiversity in authentic and just ways that respect and enhance the lives of local and indigenous communities, especially women and children. As a Mozambican NGO, NATURA is committed to transforming the current paradigm and raising the bar on how biodiversity management is practiced on the African continent. And we are passionate about supporting and strengthening the next generation of Mozambican environmental leaders, and the self-governance and wellbeing of indigenous communities living within and around protected areas.
Macossa-Tambara Team
With deep expertise in Mozambique, specifically central Mozambique, our team’s multi-decade, cumulative expertise spans ecosystem and wildlife restoration, international and Mozambican law, the rights of women and communities, youth development and wellbeing, government relations, protected area management, endangered species recovery, sustainable development, protected area law enforcement, human-wildlife coexistence, and strategic and adaptive planning. ​​​​​
We are committed to social justice and environmental integrity. We believe that knowledge-driven solutions, and authentic and transparent partnerships within and among our communities/orgs/human systems underpin coexistence and sustainability.
Team Spotlights
Our team of 37 and growing is made up of passionate, and exceptional experts in their respective fields.
From training and supporting wildlife rangers, to rescuing pangolins, to forging coexistence between people and elephants - their tireless dedication is at the very heart of what it takes to restore and safeguard an ecosystem like the Macossa-Tambara.
Mponda Dinta
Landscape Operations; Wildlife Rangers; Community-Based Natural Resources Management.
Mponda was awarded Mozambique’s Ranger of the Year Award in 2018 for his exemplary work in central Mozambique, and over 15 years of service to the restoration and protection of critical ecosystems in the region.
Born and raised in central Mozambique, Mponda is a tireless and passionate wildlife leader whose strategic approaches that centers communities lay the critical foundations for environmental safeguarding and the recovery of species like lion, elephant, and the Miombo ecosystems they require to thrive.
Mponda currently leads a team of 37 (and growing) across the Macossa-Tambara, and is the direct liaison with Provincial, District and Local government, traditional chiefdoms, and community-based natural resources committees across 3 districts.
Isaquel "Shikra" Nginga
Human-Wildlife Coexistence; Lion & Elephant Recovery; Pangolin Rehabilitation
Isaquel Nginga embodies what it means to be born alongside central Mozambique’s lions and to nurture a life-long passion for their protection. He also knows first-hand what it takes to heal an ecosystem.
Born and raised in a protected area in central Mozambique, he grew up in the forests that were also home to lions. And his father – a courageous wildlife ranger himself – was among those who led a decade-long successful lion recovery strategy at a time when lions were facing certain extinction. That’s how as a teenager, Isaquel began working directly with lions - alongside his father, and team of ecologists, rangers, and wildlife vets.. During these early formative years, Isaquel helped establish track a highly elusive and endangered lion population and collar the first lion prides and coalitions; he also worked alongside his father to help rescue lions threatened by poaching.
Now, thirteen years later after his lion journeys began - and directly thanks to the Lion Recovery Fund - Branco and Bouley welcome Isaquel back as he steps into his new role as the core member of the Macossa-Tambara Ecosystem team, a long-term initiative to forge an impactful approach to lion recovery that places central Mozambique’s communities at the forefront of their return, and helps strengthen the foundations for the next-generations of Mozambique’s ecosystem protectors.
Our Inaugural Partners
