Photo courtesy of Nabot Mbeeli
Nabot Mbeeli is the Chief Executive Officer for the Orange River-Karoo Conservation Area, a community-driven re-wilding organization in Namibia. In a GEF Voices interview, shares lessons from his work to support community-led conservation and ensure that those living close to nature are directly involved in decisions about sustaining it.
What do you do for a living? What are you currently focused on?
I am a conservation and sustainable development practitioner, trained as an ecologist and currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Orange River-Karoo Conservation Area in southern Namibia, which is set to be the largest re-wilding project in Africa. My work focuses on restoring degraded landscapes, supporting community-led conservation, and creating partnerships that benefit both people and nature.
At the moment, much of my attention is on expanding landscape-scale restoration efforts, securing key conservation land, and advancing the UNESCO-aspiring Nama-!Garib Global Geopark initiative. I am particularly passionate about finding practical ways to connect conservation, community development, and climate resilience in one of the driest regions of southern Africa.
How did you get into this line of work?
I grew up with a deep appreciation for nature and spent a lot of time by myself as a child observing and fascinated by how people and landscapes are connected. That interest led me to study environmental biology, geology and natural resource management, but it was working directly with communities and spending time with people around a fire or under a tree that truly shaped my path.
Is there a GEF-funded project or program that is close to your heart?
One initiative that is particularly close to my heart is the GEF Small Grants Program. What I appreciate most about the program is that it invests directly in local communities and grassroots organizations such as conservancies that often struggle to access funding through traditional conservation and development funding mechanisms. By investing directly in community-driven initiatives, the GEF Small Grants Program helps unlock local knowledge, build ownership and create lasting environmental and social impact.
Photos courtesy of Nabot Mbeeli
Has anyone you have met through your work made a lasting impact on you?
Many people have influenced me, but I am often inspired by local community leaders who continue to care for nature despite significant challenges. Their resilience, patience and long-term commitment have taught me that meaningful change rarely happens overnight. Some of these leaders have dedicated decades of their lives to their communities and landscapes without recognition, yet they continue showing up every day. They remind me that conservation is ultimately about service and stewardship.
What life lessons has your job taught you?
One of the most important lessons I have learned is that conservation is not only about restoring ecosystems, it is also about understanding people, listening carefully, building trust and working together toward shared goals. I have come to realize that conservation only becomes meaningful and sustainable when the people who live alongside nature are fully involved in shaping its future.
The state of the global environment is concerning. What gives you hope?
What gives me hope is seeing Africans, young people and community leaders taking action despite the scale of the challenges we face. Around the world there are countless examples of degraded landscapes being restored, wildlife returning, and people finding innovative ways to live more sustainably. I see this hope every day in Namibia, where communities are proving that conservation and development can go hand in hand.
What advice would you give a young person interested in a career like yours?
Stay curious, spend time outdoors, and never stop learning from both people and nature. Conservation is a field that requires science, but it also requires empathy, communication, and a willingness to work with people from different backgrounds. Most importantly, find a cause you genuinely care about, because passion and purpose will sustain you through the difficult moments.
