Partnerships are crucial for conservation and biodiversity management. The Southern African Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA) currently has formal affiliations with two aligned organisations that share similar goals. The purpose of the partnerships is to share information, research, and approaches in wildlife management and conservation, to offer mutual benefits to members, and to create opportunities for affiliated associations to meet at workshops and conferences and to develop personal networks.  Organisations local and abroad interested in similar partnerships with SAWMA are welcome to contact us at office@sawma.co.za.

The South African Chapter of the Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA-SA)

https://www.gameranger.org/

The most recent affiliation agreement was signed with the SA Chapter of the Game Ranger Association of Africa (GRAA-SA). Both organisations share the objective of promoting excellence in the conservation of wildlife and wildlife resources through wise management, supported by science and education. Both organisations focus on evidence-based wildlife management and conservation practices in Southern Africa, each with unique strengths, cultures, and expertise, and both interested in advancing wildlife conservation and management.

The GRAA-SA’s main goal is to support South African rangers with the necessary capability and support to ensure the protection, conservation, and, where possible, restoration of South Africa’s biodiversity and the continued existence of its wilderness, protected and natural areas for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Australasian Wildlife Management Society (AWMS)

https://awms.org.au

SAWMA has a long-standing affiliation agreement with our sister international association, the Australasian Wildlife Management Association (AWMS).

The Australasian Wildlife Management Society promotes the use of science to identify appropriate wildlife management principles and practices, to develop management plans, and to implement and review these plans within a social, environmental, economic, and political context.   Membership covers a wide range of natural and social science professions primarily from Australia and New Zealand, but also from other Pacific Rim countries.

The SAWMA and AWMS affiliation aims to further communication, cooperation, and opportunities for professional development among their members, and to support the scientific management of wildlife in southern Africa and Australasia.

SAWMA and the AWMS have a mutually beneficial arrangement whereby each organisation sends one of its members to the other organisation’s annual conference every second year.

The video below describe the benefits of the links between AWMS and SAWMA.