Pabalelo meaning “to conserve/look after” in Setswana, the national language of Botswana

The Trust is primarily concerned with conservation – that of the environment as well as of traditional knowledge systems and values, and the cross flow of information, to enable people to live in and alongside the Okavango Panhandle in Botswana with the least impact and conflict with nature, while retaining their dignity and participation in a process of inevitable change. 

The Trust researches, experiments and demonstrates more harmonious natural resource utilisation, while consulting as well as influencing communities to understand nature conservation as a strategy for economic and cultural survival. The Trustees (with 32 years experience in community development) hope to cross-fertilise the debate about values-based leadership, endogenous conservation and practical livelihoods solutions. 

Our Logo

The Naro San ascribed the symbol for the value of custodianship of the earth to the humble tortoise: A symbol of self-reliance and survival as well as the non-invasive and non-violent interconnectedness of all units that make up the "bigger whole".   

~ Summarised from Naro Values Booklet (p. 11)

Location

Shakawe, Botswana