Conservation from the Heart

To make up for the silence between our last drop and this one (nature teaches patience, social media less so), we’ll be sharing three perspectives on conservation in the coming weeks: from the Heart, the Mind, and the Data.

We begin where it all truly starts.

The heart.

Across the many paths of life, there is something unmistakable about people who harbour a passion. You feel it before you understand it. It shines through in the way they speak, the way they work, the way they notice what others overlook.

It is, quite simply, contagious. And exquisite.

Passion often outruns purpose. Whether they are 7 or 87, employees or entrepreneurs, they commit first and figure things out later (“make a plan” in Namibia). They pour themselves into something that feels necessary—no questions asked, no guarantees requested.

Nowhere is this more visible than in conservation and ecology.

No one really wakes up and says, “What problem shall I solve today?”Instead, they follow a quieter instinct: this matters, so I will care for it.

Of course, reality has its say.

Passion alone does not pay for fieldwork, nor does it look after fences, waterholes or restore degraded land. Funding exists. Empty stomachs exist (Timeless Reflection: the WHY?). And conservation, however noble, does not operate outside these constraints. 

Which is why support—real, tangible support—matters so much.

We are deeply grateful to our donor family. Their contributions change what is possible. They allow us, in our own small but deliberate way, to invest in something that, like Nature, compounds over time: people.

Which is how Gift and Bernardo have come to spend five months with us—perhaps more.

In their own words:

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Salatiel (Gift) Hipundjua

I'm Salatiel Hipundjua, and I'd like to share a little about who I am and what I'm passionate about.

I'm currently studying Nature Conservation at NUST. I chose this course because I wanted to better understand the life around me and, one day, share that knowledge with others.

My love for nature started young—watching nature documentaries every day. David Attenborough is my role model. He inspired me to learn more about wildlife and the challenges our planet faces. I hope to discover new things and share what I learn to raise awareness and satisfy my own thirst for knowledge.

What excites me most is insects, especially arthropods. My dream is to become an entomologist one day and study the tiny creatures that make up so much of our world. When I'm not studying, I enjoy drawing, building puzzles, and reading. These activities help me relax and see things from different angles.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I'm excited to be here and to share my passion for the small things that make our world extraordinary.

Best, Salatiel

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I am writing to formally introduce myself and share some of the professional and personal interests that guide my work. My name is Bernardo Boss Gaeseb, and I am currently advancing my expertise through studies in Nature Conservation.

My decision to pursue this field stems from a long-standing fascination with animals, which evolved into a more strategic interest in land management through my experiences growing up on and around farms. This background grounded my perspective in the practical, day-to-day stewardship of natural resources, shifting my focus toward the sustainable management of farms and parks.

Professionally, my central passion lies in rangeland management, with a specialized focus on soil health. I view soil not merely as a component of the landscape, but as the critical foundation for any successful rehabilitation or sustainable land-use project. My approach is built on the principle that enduring conservation outcomes depend on restoring and maintaining this fundamental resource.

Outside of my professional and academic pursuits, I maintain a strong interest in football, both as a player and a spectator. The sport reinforces values I apply in my work: strategic planning, teamwork, and perseverance.

I am eager to apply this management-oriented, soil-centric perspective to my role here and am keen to align my efforts with the organization's broader objectives. I appreciate the opportunity to share my background and look forward to contributing to our shared goals.

Sincerely, Bernardo Boss Gaeseb

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Where Passion Meets Reality

Like in any field— literally here—attitude is already half the competence. The rest is learned the hard way.

Because conservation is not only theory, nor is it confined to books and datasets. It lives outside, in the soil under your nails. 

Working alongside Francois, Kerstin and Steven, days on the farm look something like this:

• tending greenhouse beds, watering, propagating seed

• repairing fences—because boundaries, like ecosystems, require maintenance

• stacking rocks to slow erosion

• digging half-moons to capture scarce water

• building vegetation “islands” to retain humidity and break the wind

• constructing ground dams with bricks, pipes, and gravity

• setting up a boma—from site selection to the practical realities of poles, netting and wire—ensuring animals can acclimatize before release

And in between: research.

Hypotheses formed, tested, challenged. Data collected over time and to be finalised in May.

We are, simply put, very glad to have them.

Because somewhere between the spreadsheets and the shovels, our interns come to understand a quiet but powerful truth:

it does not take a crowd to change the trajectory of conservation—just a few committed people, supported at the right moment.

Passion may start the journey. Our responsibility is to fuel it.

Training the next generation, blending science with real-world conditions, building resilience into both land and people—this is the work.

True in Africa. True anywhere.

Especially now, in a world captivated by AI algorithms and headlines, it is easy to forget that the most important systems remain stubbornly analog: soil, water, life.

No shortcuts. No version updates.

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” — Pablo Picasso