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Land & Lake Eco. Was established in 2024, combining the historical works Land & Lake Safaris have participated in since 2001. This branch is solely dedicated to promoting conservation and ecological sustainability in Malawi, focusing on practical, community-driven solutions to environmental challenges. Through various small-scale projects, we aim to engage local communities in protecting natural resources and fostering sustainable livelihoods. Key initiatives include collaborating with Dzalanyama and Kachere School - building and maintaining classrooms, housing and recreational areas, growing and planting indigenous tree species of Miombo Woodland back into Dzalanyama Forest Reserve, establishing and promoting bamboo nurseries to individual households as a sustainable alternative for fuel and construction. Additionally, we support bee-keeping projects and actively encourage community participation in the tourism sector. By integrating conservation with education and economic opportunities, we strive to create long-term environmental and social benefits.
To date, Land & Lake Safaris, alongside international partners have built 4 classrooms, a boys and girls dormitory, planted over 400 indigenous miombo woodland back into Dzalanyama, supplied eight families with bamboo culms and educated 15 families on bamboo cultivation and techniques.
Our Focus
Dzalanyama Forest Reserve
Dzalanyama Forest Reserve, one of Malawi's most significant natural resources, spans three Malawi districts and is home to a diverse ecosystem. Serving as a critical water catchment area for the capital city, Lilongwe, and neighboring communities, it plays a vital role in sustaining livelihoods. Beyond its resource significance, Dzalanyama is home to some of Central Africa's premier Miombo birding and one of the largest indigenous miombo woodland left in the area. Once teeming with wildlife is still home to populations of hyena, leopard, primate species and small antelope.
Deforestation and unsustainable practices have put this area under extreme threat.
This is where we focus our efforts.
Project:
The Dzalanyama Nursery
Why a Tree Nursery is a Valuable Investment?
1 - Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services
Indigenous trees support local ecosystems by providing habitats for wildlife, enhancing soil fertility, improving water retention, and sequestering carbon. Dzalanyama Forest is crucial to maintaining these ecosystem services, with the forests water sources directly benefiting communities and agriculture downstream.
Restoring degraded areas with indigenous species enhances long-term forest resilience against climate change.
2 - Climate Change Mitigation
Reforestation with indigenous species is a key solution for carbon sequestration. The nursery could provide seedlings for an estimated 1 million trees, capable of absorbing approximately 22,000 metric tons of CO2 over the trees lifetime.
Studies suggest that reforestation projects can increase local rainfall and create microclimates that aid agriculture.
3 - Economic & Social Impact
Tree Nurseries create jobs and provide opportunities for the local community in nursery management, planting, and forest management.
Engagement in reforestation efforts promotes environmental education and sustainable land use, especially when working with the local schools like Dzalanyama and Kachere School that we currently work with.
By preserving the forest, the nursery supports local tourism industry, an the expansion thereof.
4 - Alignment with the National & Global Goals
This project aligns with Malawi’s National Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 13 (Climate action) and goal 15 (Life on Land).
5 - Future Sustainability
Through this project, the Dzalanyama tree nursery can be a central hub of indigenous trees for farmers, NGO’s and stakeholders to purchase from, promoting agro-forestry.
Voluntourism in connection with Dzalanyama Forest Lodge can ensure a regular and valuable input of international expertise, monitoring and environmental studies as well as funds for the continuation of the project.
Phases
01.
Planning
02.
Establishing
03.
Production
04.
Monitoring
05.
Education
Project:
The Dzalanyama School
Dzalanyama School is a government supported institution located within the Dzalanyama Forest Reserve. The school plays a vital role in education children from the surrounding communities, but it is in urgent need of infrastructure upgrades, including classrooms, dormitories, ablutions and recreational areas as well as an introduction to conservation and environmental related content and enrichment.
These upgrades are necessary not only to improve education but also to promote environmental sustainability by linking education to forest conservation efforts.
The proposed project seeks to:
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Rebuild the Schools essential infrastructure.
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Promote Conservation and environmental awareness.
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Engage local and international volunteers in construction, conservation, and educational support.
Project Objectives:
1 - Rebuild Classrooms and Dormitories
Providing safe and conductive learning environments for students and faculty.
2 - Establish Conservation and Recreational Areas
To integrate environmental education and promote sustainable practices through recreational areas that showcase conservation efforts.
3 - Promote Volunteer Engagement
4 - Support Forest Protection Efforts
Involving the school in conservation and tourism activities as an aim to foster a sense of responsibility towards Dzalanyama Forest.
How You Can Help
Volunteer
We're always looking for help with our projects, work in the Warm Heart of Africa in one of Malawi's premier Miombo Woodland with the surrounding community and give back to the forest.
Live at Dzalanyama Forest Lodge and enjoy a shot walk or cycle to the school & our plantation site.
Assist the nursery keepers with irrigation, propagation, building and maintenance as well as planting, research and monitoring.
Assist in environmental led education with Dzalanyama Forest School & Kachere School as well as outreach programs to the surrounding community.​​
Assist in building and painting dormitories, classrooms and recreational areas in Dzalanyama School.