The Storyteller’s Shift: Using Narrative to Bridge Conservation and Community
For the past few years, I’ve been homeschooling children in a remote game reserve—teaching everything from reading and math to wildlife ecology, often with the soundtrack of elephants rumbling in the distance. But something shifted. Teaching facts wasn’t enough anymore. I found myself craving a deeper connection between conservation and human experience.
So, I began to listen more. To stories—those of the land, the communities surrounding the reserve, and the unspoken ones children carried. Slowly, I began writing them down.
I now find myself transitioning into the world of conservation storytelling. Not as a biologist or scientist, but as someone deeply embedded in the human side of conservation—where values, beliefs, and lived experience shape how we relate to the natural world.
In a reserve where community members once relied on poaching to survive, where some staff are adjusting to salaried life after years of subsistence, and others are adapting to a life far removed from the corporate world they left behind—it’s the stories that make it all make sense. They help us see the whole picture, and one another.
This is an invitation to fellow conservationists:
What stories are you carrying?
And how can we use them—not just to inform—but to connect?
I am a storyteller and conservation communicator based in Mozambique. With a background in psychology, political science, and education, I weave together human-centered narratives that reflect the complexities of conservation work on the ground. Formerly a homeschooling teacher in a remote game reserve, I now work across departments to spotlight untold stories, bridge cultures, and explore the emotional landscape of environmental work.
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Loved reading your post Anesu!
Storytelling is a powerful tool that can inspire change and empower individuals to make a positive impact on our planet. Especially when it comes to science and conservation, storytelling makes these more accessible.
Stories have the power to transport us to distant lands and awaken our sense of wonder. By using conservation to inspire these narratives and weaving in important messaging, we can reach audiences far and wide, igniting a spark of curiosity and compassion for the natural world.
Stories also evoke emotions. If we read a wildlife story and connect emotionally with characters and their struggles, we are more likely to empathise with real-life conservation challenges.
We can all be storytellers, by empowering individuals to become active participants in the conservation movement. I feel like a lot of what we do here on WildHub is storytelling. Whether it is sharing personal anecdotes, documenting local knowledge, or highlighting success stories, storytelling creates a platform for individuals to express their ideas and contribute to a global dialogue on conservation. This inclusive approach amplifies diverse voices, ensuring that everyone feels valued and capable of making a meaningful difference.
Storytelling is a catalyst for transformation, bridging the gap between knowledge and action. By recognising the storyteller within each of us, we unlock a powerful force for conservation.
Lovely post Anesu and also loved Flavia's response - thank you both!
Anesu, may I ask what your favourite story is thus far and, would you be willing to share this with us in a separate post? Perhaps it would be well suited in Nicky's @Vimbainashe Eunick Conservation Education room, what do you think?