Ronnie Stiles, WWF LIFE programme

Ronnie Stiles, WWF LIFE programme

Can you describe your job?
I work with the Community Based Natural Resource Management programme in Namibia and assist local support staff and NGOs in the field, and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to strengthen the capacity of conservancies.

Can you give a concrete example?
Sometimes I run workshops to look at "conservancy planning frameworks." As an example, we run 3-day workshops as a tool for the conservancy committee. We look at the ideas behind "What's the purpose, what's the vision etc. Then, what do they need to achieve the vision?

It's not just about tourism and wildlife management. We have to look at HIV/AIDS, finance, assets, communications and governance. So, we help the conservancies identify what needs to be in place. Last year we developed modules around that to help achieve management objectives.

How were you perceived being a young woman?
The conservancies have been really positive. No negative vibes! Men concentrate on wildlife, women tend to do finance and admin. You can also draw out the women that are there - it is dominated by men in the committees. There's about 30% women and my presence makes them feel more comfortable.

How did you get into this line of work?
I have always wanted to do conservation as a career from tiny. I trained in zoology and biology, but was always interested in people side of conservation. If you don't involve communities, you will never achieve objectives. Wildlife in Namibia occurs mostly outside protected areas so much of my research has been done with communities.

What are the biggest challenges?
There are so many partners involved - everyone works together across the country. On the other hand, there can be tensions as different organizations have different objectives and people can pull in different directions. Combining high-level ministry objectives and field objectives can be challenging, you have to keep communications open!

What give you the biggest high?
Being in the field and running a really good workshop. By the end of three days and you've looked at solutions, have a work plan, team spirit is high and send off is great as people know they can move forward. People here are lovely.