29/07/2025
๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ป ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ฎ๐๐ป๐ฎ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ง๐ฟ๐๐๐
Maun, Botswana โ In a major step toward reopening the long-dormant Maun Educational Park (MEP) to the public before the yearโs end, the Fauna Conservation Trust of Ngamiland (FCTN) has announced a collaborative initiative supported by Chobe Holdings Limited.
The conservation trustโs Director of Environmental Education has embarked on a 10-day benchmarking visit to South Africaโs uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve, managed by the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA).
The benchmarking mission, made possible by financial sponsorship from Chobe Holdings, is designed to help the MEP's leadership gather best practices in EnvironmentalโSTEAM (E-STEAM) curriculum development, resource mobilization, and community-led park management. The ultimate goal: to rejuvenate the park as a vibrant educational and ecological space for Ngamiland and beyond.
โThis is more than just a study visit,โ explained Tiego Mpho, Executive Director of the FCTN. โWeโre laying the groundwork for the parkโs future. We hope to not only apply lessons learned but to also establish a twinning arrangement between MEP and WESSA, creating a long-term growth pathway.โ
Originally handed over by the government to the local community through the FCTN in 2019, the Maun Educational Park has remained idle, facing operational and funding hurdles. The renewed momentum, bolstered by Chobe Holdingsโ involvement, signals a turning point.
โWeโre dedicated to seeing the Maun Education Park thrive,โ said Mr. MC Odumetse, Group Managing Director of Chobe Holdings Limited. โOur sponsorship of the Fauna Conservation Trust of Ngamiland directorโs trip to South Africa underscores Chobe Holdingsโ commitment to supporting this vital community initiative.โ
Beyond technical skills and curriculum design, the trip will expose the Environmental Education Director to effective models of stakeholder engagement and park sustainability. The FCTN envisions a future where the MEP offers immersive environmental experiences to students, researchers, and tourists alike.
โI look forward to the official opening of the MEP, where Chobe Holdings and other friends of the park shall be duly recognized for their outstanding support,โ Mr. Mpho added.
With strong community backing, institutional partnerships, and corporate sponsorship, the reopening of the Maun Educational Park is shaping up to be a defining success in Botswanaโs conservation and education landscape.
