Community-led Land-Use Management Webinar with Sensing Clues: The Mponda Case
The Community-led Land-Use Management Webinar "The Mponda Case" explores how communities use land-use maps to guide shared decisions, align local interests, and balance economic needs with nature’s carrying capacity. Drawing on real-world experience from Mponda, Zambia, the session focuses on practical tools and approaches for participatory land-use planning and long-term monitoring.
📅 Date: Thursday, 26 February 2026
💻 Location: Online via Google Meet
⏰ Times: Los Angeles: 06:00 - 07:00 / New York: 09:00 - 10:00 / Central Europe: 15:00 - 16:00 / South Africa: 16:00 - 17:00 / Kenya & Tanzania: 17:00 - 18:00 / India: 19:30 - 20:30
In this interactive free webinar, we will:
- Walk through the full process of community-led land-use management, from community organisation and ground-truth data collection to AI-based mapping and zoning.
- Demonstrate the tools used for data collection, mapping, and long-term monitoring.
- Show how maps support shared decisions, locally agreed rules, and enforcement on the ground.
- Discuss lessons learned from the Mponda case: what works, what doesn’t, and why.
- Create space for questions, discussion, and deeper exploration.
The webinar is led by:
- Lars Vermeer, Founder of By Life Connected
- Boris Hinojo Sánchez, Head of Technology at 3edata
- Jan-Kees Schakel, Founder of Sensing Clues
Whether you’re experienced in participatory land-use management or just getting started, this webinar is an opportunity to learn from real-world practice, exchange ideas, and connect with others working at the intersection of communities, data, and sustainable land use.
At Sensing Clues, we believe the most effective conservation solutions are built together. Through collaboration with communities, practitioners, and partners worldwide, we co-develop approaches that support community-led conservation, biodiversity monitoring, human–wildlife coexistence, and wildlife protection. Everyone is warmly invited to join, share experiences, and contribute to shaping practical, community-driven conservation approaches.
I was born and raised in Switzerland, where I spent the first 39 years of my life living what many would consider a typical, privileged Swiss lifestyle – a good job, a successful career, financial stability, and plenty of material comfort. But a few years ago, I came to a life-changing realisation: despite having everything I was "supposed" to want, I wasn’t truly happy. I felt something was missing – a sense of purpose and a life lived in alignment with my heart.
Nature and safaris had always been a passion of mine, so I decided to take a leap of faith and follow that inner calling. I took a year off and enrolled in a professional field guide course in South Africa, with placements in Botswana and Zambia. I worked with children and communities in conservation education, capacity building, and research – and absolutely loved it. When the course ended, I knew I couldn’t go back to my old life in Switzerland. I had found not only my purpose, but also the love of my life – and a deep connection to Africa.
By chance, I discovered an opportunity at Sensing Clues, and after speaking with Jan-Kees, I realised it was the perfect bridge between my past experience and future goals. Today, I’m working part-time as an Impact Facilitator at Sensing Clues, where I manage marketing, communications, community engagement, and partnerships. Alongside this, I also help co-manage Kusasa, a donor lodge run by the Wild Tomorrow Fund, located in the heart of the stunning Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – where I’m now living.
I joined WildHub because I truly believe in collaboration. At Sensing Clues, we work closely with passionate individuals from around the world to co-create innovative, volunteer-driven solutions for conservation. I’m here to connect with like-minded people, exchange knowledge, and share work opportunities to create a bigger, longer-lasting impact – together and beyond the front lines. We’ll soon be launching free online events through Sensing Clues, and I’d love to share them with this community – so that passionate individuals can learn, contribute, and get involved in meaningful ways. I also hope to share the practical knowledge and insights I gained in the bush while training and working as a guide.
I’m always looking to grow, explore new ideas, and keep learning. True to my motto – "Driven by purpose, guided by heart" – I believe that a meaningful life begins with passion, purpose, and connection.
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