Youth Corner: Why Exploring Sustainable Rangeland Management at the UNCCD COP16 Matters for Botswana and Beyond
by Warona Bofelo Emmanuel, BES-Net United Nations Volunteer
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Warona Bofelo Emmanuel is a passionate Rangeland Ecologist and Online United Nations Volunteer for BES-Net. She holds a B.Sc. in Range Science from Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. At CLAWS Botswana, she coordinates grazing plans and conducts rangeland research, focusing on sustainable land management and studying the influence of grazing systems on wildlife habitats. In her volunteer role, she is bringing an invaluable contribution to the initial mapping of Botswana's national context on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and Sustainable Use of Wild Species (SuA) for the 2025 East and Southern Africa Trialogue.
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Warona Bofelo Emmanuel is a passionate Rangeland Ecologist and Online United Nations Volunteer for BES-Net. She holds a B.Sc. in Range Science from Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. At CLAWS Botswana, she coordinates grazing plans and conducts rangeland research, focusing on sustainable land management and studying the influence of grazing systems on wildlife habitats. In her volunteer role, she is bringing an invaluable contribution to the initial mapping of Botswana's national context on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and Sustainable Use of Wild Species (SuA) for the 2025 East and Southern Africa Trialogue.
From a young age, I've been drawn to the way science and Indigenous knowledge can come together to solve real-world problems.
There's something powerful about taking the wisdom passed down through generations and pairing it with new ideas and innovations. It feels like honouring the past while building a better future. Growing up in a family that relied on the land, I learned early on how much we depend on it and how much it depends on us. As cattle owners, our lives revolved around the rhythms of the land: moving livestock, managing pastures and conserving water. That connection wasn't just practical; it was personal. It taught me that what we do today echoes in the health of the land tomorrow and the future we leave for the next generation. This has shaped my worldview and continues to drive my work today as a rangeland researcher working on the ground and advocating responsible land management and conservation practices in my home country of Botswana.
Communities Living Amongst Wildlife Sustainably (CLAWS) is all about reducing human-wildlife conflict in Botswana by balancing wildlife conservation with community needs. We work to help both people and predators thrive by crafting practical solutions, like supporting traditional cattle herding while introducing innovative tools for conservation. Our approach blends local knowledge with cutting-edge research, aiming for a future where communities and lions can live side by side – safely and sustainably.
Working with CLAWS has shown me that conservation is not about choosing between people and wildlife but about coexisting and finding ways to thrive together. Through initiatives like grazing plans, where we map communal grazing areas with boundaries meant to guide cattle movement and prevent overgrazing, and the use of mobile predator-proof kraals (bomas) that keep livestock safe, I've seen how much of a difference it makes when communities take the lead in managing their own resources. This has reinforced my belief that sustainable solutions require collaboration, cultural sensitivity and interweaving traditional knowledge with science.
As a rangeland researcher, I focus on providing solid data on land health and vegetation to guide communities in adopting sustainable grazing practices. I work with them to adapt traditional practices, improve grazing rotations and manage bomas to prevent overgrazing and land degradation. My work ensures that both ecological and community needs are met for long-term sustainability.
Image captions
Image 1Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image 2Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
From a young age, I've been drawn to the way science and Indigenous knowledge can come together to solve real-world problems.
There's something powerful about taking the wisdom passed down through generations and pairing it with new ideas and innovations. It feels like honouring the past while building a better future. Growing up in a family that relied on the land, I learned early on how much we depend on it and how much it depends on us. As cattle owners, our lives revolved around the rhythms of the land: moving livestock, managing pastures and conserving water. That connection wasn't just practical; it was personal. It taught me that what we do today echoes in the health of the land tomorrow and the future we leave for the next generation. This has shaped my worldview and continues to drive my work today as a rangeland researcher working on the ground and advocating responsible land management and conservation practices in my home country of Botswana.
Communities Living Amongst Wildlife Sustainably (CLAWS) is all about reducing human-wildlife conflict in Botswana by balancing wildlife conservation with community needs. We work to help both people and predators thrive by crafting practical solutions, like supporting traditional cattle herding while introducing innovative tools for conservation. Our approach blends local knowledge with cutting-edge research, aiming for a future where communities and lions can live side by side – safely and sustainably.
Working with CLAWS has shown me that conservation is not about choosing between people and wildlife but about coexisting and finding ways to thrive together. Through initiatives like grazing plans, where we map communal grazing areas with boundaries meant to guide cattle movement and prevent overgrazing, and the use of mobile predator-proof kraals (bomas) that keep livestock safe, I've seen how much of a difference it makes when communities take the lead in managing their own resources. This has reinforced my belief that sustainable solutions require collaboration, cultural sensitivity and interweaving traditional knowledge with science.
As a rangeland researcher, I focus on providing solid data on land health and vegetation to guide communities in adopting sustainable grazing practices. I work with them to adopt traditional practices, improve grazing rotations and manage bomas to prevent overgrazing and land degradation. My work ensures that both ecological and community needs are met for long-term sustainability.
Image captions
- Image 1
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
- Image 2
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Can you tell us a story about a moment in your career as a rangeland researcher which transformed you?
One moment that changed me was going back to a boma site where rotational grazing had been introduced. Watching the grass slowly but steadily come back to life was such a powerful reminder of how resilient nature can be when we give it the space to heal. But what really hit home was hearing the farmers talk about how the healthier grasslands had reduced livestock losses and brought the community closer together. I remember this so vividly because this moment reminded me that patience, persistence and partnerships are not just buzzwords. They make transformation possible.
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Can you share a success story from CLAWS that highlights innovative strategies or partnerships for sustainable rangeland management?
In Eretsha, CLAWS brought together farmers, elders and grazing committees to implement sustainable grazing practices. By blending GIS mapping with traditional knowledge, we established rotational grazing zones that helped restore degraded lands. The results were incredible – not only did livestock productivity improve, but keeping grazing areas away from predator hotspots also reduced conflicts with wildlife. It's such a powerful example of how the right partnerships and a little innovation can create solutions where everyone wins.
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Can you tell us a story about a moment in your career as a rangeland researcher which transformed you?
One moment that changed me was going back to a boma site where rotational grazing had been introduced. Watching the grass slowly but steadily come back to life was such a powerful reminder of how resilient nature can be when we give it the space to heal. But what really hit home was hearing the farmers talk about how the healthier grasslands had reduced livestock losses and brought the community closer together. I remember this so vividly because this moment reminded me that patience, persistence and partnerships are not just buzzwords. They make transformation possible.
Can you share a success story from CLAWS that highlights innovative strategies or partnerships for sustainable rangeland management?
In Eretsha, CLAWS brought together farmers, elders and grazing committees to implement sustainable grazing practices. By blending GIS mapping with traditional knowledge, we established rotational grazing zones that helped restore degraded lands. The results were incredible – not only did livestock productivity improve, but keeping grazing areas away from predator hotspots also reduced conflicts with wildlife. It's such a powerful example of how the right partnerships and a little innovation can create solutions where everyone wins.
The importance of discussing rangelands at the UNCCD COP16
Rangelands and grasslands are often overlooked, but they're essential. They play a vital role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and supporting millions of livelihoods. These ecosystems cover nearly half of the Earth's land surface and are among the most at risk from threats like land degradation, overgrazing and climate change. Restoring them is critical for achieving global goals like climate change mitigation and food security.
In Botswana, rangelands are lifelines for rural communities. They provide grazing for livestock, habitats for wildlife and resources like medicinal plants and fuelwood for communities. On top of that, they sustain tourism, which is one of the country's largest economic sectors. But as these rangelands degrade, the risks to both biodiversity and livelihoods grow, making sustainable management a national priority.
Image captions
Image 1Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
What emerging issues about rangelands raised by Botswana resonate most with you and why are they crucial to the UNCCD agenda?
The slow regeneration of degraded rangelands and the unpredictable patterns of rainfall really resonate with me. These challenges make it clear that we need to step up with adaptive management strategies like sustainable grazing practices and better water resource management to actively fight desertification and build resilience against the impacts of climate change.
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
How do you see the role of rangelands in achieving global goals like climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and food security?
Rangelands play a significant role in meeting global goals like climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and food security. Their soils hold massive amounts of carbon, making them key players in the fight against climate change. They're also home to countless species, supporting biodiversity targets and providing grazing for livestock, ensuring food security for millions of people. Protecting and restoring rangelands is essential for a sustainable, more equitable future.
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
What emerging issues about rangelands raised by Botswana resonate most with you and why are they crucial to the UNCCD agenda?
The slow regeneration of degraded rangelands and the unpredictable patterns of rainfall really resonate with me. These challenges make it clear that we need to step up with adaptive management strategies like sustainable grazing practices and better water resource management to actively fight desertification and build resilience against the impacts of climate change.
How do you see the role of rangelands in achieving global goals like climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and food security?
Rangelands play a significant role in meeting global goals like climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and food security. Their soils hold massive amounts of carbon, making them key players in the fight against climate change. They're also home to countless species, supporting biodiversity targets and providing grazing for livestock, ensuring food security for millions of people. Protecting and restoring rangelands is essential for a sustainable, more equitable future.
Looking to the future
What role do young scientists like yourself play in shaping the future of rangeland conservation and policy development?
Young scientists bring fresh perspectives, technological expertise and a passion for innovation. We are leading the charge in blending traditional knowledge with modern research and advocating policies that can address the challenges of our changing world. Our work and motivation go beyond science. We are committed to affecting real change for the next generations and ensuring that local communities have a seat at the table when decisions that affect them are being made.
What message would you like to share with global stakeholders about the importance of rangelands and grasslands?
Investing in rangelands is really about building resilience where it matters most: for the land, the people who depend on it and the economies it supports. These landscapes have so much untapped potential to support the fight against global challenges like food insecurity or climate change, but they are often overlooked and need to be prioritized.
What do you hope to see as outcomes from the UNCCD COP16 concerning rangelands and how can these outcomes drive change in Botswana and beyond?
I'm hopeful that COP16 will drive real action, such as more funding for rangeland restoration, stronger policies to combat land degradation and better opportunities for local communities to share their knowledge and expertise globally. For Botswana, this could mean scaling up successful grazing plans, improving access to climate-smart technologies and building resilience in vulnerable ecosystems. On a global level, it's about shifting the way we view rangelands: not as an afterthought but as a key part of shaping our planet's future.
Image captions
Image 1Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image 2Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
Image courtesy of CLAWS Botswana
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