The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) has announced its 2026 Future Conservationist Awards: 13 vital conservation projects taking place in 12 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America & the Caribbean.
Below we learn more about the four projects and teams (comprising 16 early-career conservationists) CLP is supporting this year in Africa.
Safeguarding warty frogs in Tanzania: This project aims to conserve two Critically Endangered warty frog species found only in Mkingu Nature Reserve, Tanzania, by addressing the underlying drivers of habitat degradation.
“Protecting these frogs means protecting an irreplaceable part of our natural heritage while working with local communities to build a future where both people and nature can thrive.”
The Critically Endangered Hansen’s warty frog is found only in Mkingu Nature Reserve, Tanzania © Sarah Mshanga
The team will combine ecological surveys, community socio-economic surveys and engagement, and predictive modelling to identify conservation strategies that benefit both biodiversity and local livelihoods.
The team said: “What excites us most is knowing that the actions we take today can help ensure a more sustainable future where both these Critically Endangered frogs and the communities that share their forest can thrive together.”
Ecological fire and propagation research to secure the Critically Endangered Tradouw conebush: Leucadendron tradouwense is a Critically Endangered plant now restricted to a single population in the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy, Western Cape. This project aims to secure the species’ survival by restoring ecological processes, developing propagation capacity, and strengthening local conservation skills.
 A 2026 CLP Award is supporting a project focused on the conservation of this Critically Endangered plant, Leucadendron tradouwense (Tradouw conebush) © Grootvadersbosch Conservancy | Found in the Cape Floristic Region, this Critically Endangered, fire-dependent fynbos species is a single-stem obligate reseeder. Unlike plants that resprout after fire, it can only reproduce through seeds that remain dormant in the soil until fire creates the optimal conditions needed for germination. |
The loss of the historic population of the species in the Tradouw Pass highlights its vulnerability to inappropriate fire regimes, invasive alien plants that increase fire intensity, and the absence of effective propagation methods. Without intervention, an additional wildfire could eliminate the species.
“Our project will secure survival of this unique species by implementing protection guidelines for the only remaining wild population, placing direct stewardship in our hands and that of the local communities.”
Key methods include post-fire monitoring, strategic fuel-load reduction, and fire protection to safeguard regenerating seedlings; propagation using naturally emerging seedlings and any viable seed recovered after the wildfire; and soil chemistry and microbial analysis to guide future reintroduction.
Watch the project video below:
Promoting the conservation of the Vulnerable yellow-casqued hornbill in Cross River National Park, Nigeria: This hornbill is facing habitat loss and an increasing illegal trade for belief-based use, yet little is known about its population status in Nigeria. This project will conduct ecological surveys, habitat assessments, and targeted community engagement to establish comprehensive baseline data on the species in Cross River National Park.
 Yellow-casqued hornbill © Royle Safaris (iNaturalist United Kingdom CC BY-NC 4.0) | “The yellow-casqued hornbill can disperse large seeds over long distances, making it one of the rainforest’s most important keystone species. By helping regenerate forests naturally, it supports the survival of other plant and animal species.” – Ngozi Okafor, Project Leader |
The team will work closely with park authorities and local communities to identify priority habitats, understand key threats, and strengthen local capacity for long-term monitoring. The findings will directly support conservation planning and management decisions for future protection of this vulnerable species and its forest habitats.
The project team said: “This award is an exciting opportunity to uncover the hidden lives of this unique species, which has received far less attention than it deserves in Nigeria. Every survey, acoustic recording, and community conversation will bring us closer to understanding how to protect the yellow-casqued hornbill and the forests it helps regenerate.
We are especially excited that the project findings will directly inform park management while inspiring local communities and young conservationists to become long-term stewards of this incredible species.”
Find out more and watch the project video here.
Assessing the population status and habitat threats of the Endangered Kikambala nothobranch in Kenya: This fish is found only in Kenya’s coastal ephemeral wetlands, which are rapidly disappearing. By combining scientific research with community engagement, the project will provide the evidence needed to guide practical conservation actions and secure the future of one of Kenya’s most threatened freshwater fishes and its habitat.
 A male Kikambala nothobranch – a Critically Endangered fish targeted for conservation by a 2026 CLP Award © Béla Nagy | “The Kikambala nothobranch survives in temporary rain-fed pools that exist for only a few months each year. Its eggs remain dormant in dry soil for months until the next rains trigger hatching, making it one of Kenya’s most remarkable freshwater fish.” – Otieno Kashim, Project Leader |
Key methods include surveying temporary pools to update the species’ distribution, assess habitat quality and threats, and produce GIS maps and conservation recommendations for decision-makers. The team will also work closely with local communities, schools, and government agencies to raise awareness and strengthen stewardship of these unique wetlands.
“Protecting the Kikambala nothobranch means protecting Kenya’s disappearing temporary wetlands, ensuring that a unique species found nowhere else on Earth is not lost to future generations.”
Come and join us
If you are interested in supporting our work building the next generation of conservation leaders, such as through our Future Conservationist Awards, write to us at clp@birdlife.org or contribute directly to our mission.
CLP thanks the March Conservation Fund and the Hempel Foundation for generously supporting CLP’s 2026 Future Conservationist Awards in Africa.