World Female Ranger Week 2026

When Shathani first encountered Great Plains Foundation’s Female Ranger Programme, she saw something she admired.

Strength. Confidence. Composure.

Whether she came across Female Rangers in the field, read about their work online, or saw their stories featured in conservation publications, she noticed the same qualities again and again. Long before she became a Ranger herself, she knew it was a path she wanted to follow.

“I always admired the Female Rangers who came before me,” she says. “They possessed strength, control, and confidence whenever I encountered them.”

In October 2025, that ambition became reality when Shathani joined the Great Plains Foundation’s Female Ranger Programme.

Originally from the western region of Botswana’s Central District and now based in Maun, Shathani holds a degree in Social Work and spent time working in several different fields before finding her place in conservation. Looking back, she describes the decision as life-changing.

“I can say this with certainty: I am exactly where I have always wanted to be.”

The Female Ranger Programme was established to create opportunities for women living alongside wildlife while strengthening conservation efforts across Botswana and Zimbabwe. In 2025, the programme expanded to 19 women. As of 2026, we currently have 21 women in the team, working across protected landscapes, supporting wildlife monitoring, environmental stewardship, community engagement, and anti-poaching efforts.

For Shathani, joining the programme was about becoming part of something larger.

“I wanted to take part in conservation and help preserve the beauty of our planet for future generations.”

Since joining the team, she has quickly learned that conservation is about much more than wildlife alone. It is about understanding ecosystems, recognising threats before they become crises, and helping maintain the balance that supports both people and nature.

When we asked her about her views on protecting nature, she shared that “…the world functions as one system, which if one of those is majorly affected, it disturbs the whole system; hence the effects are going to be felt. Now, imagine when multiple components are affected by a lack of conservation, the whole system collapses and bye-bye life as we know it…Protection of Nature means addressing external forces that disrupt nature’s flow and flourishing. Removing any natural or manmade barriers that interfere with the way things are supposed to be. For example, my job contributes to such efforts because we monitor endangered species by helping to guard against poachers and diseases that might wipe them out.”

“Being a Ranger means fully knowing and understanding your environment so that you notice any negative change and act on it if possible.”

One of her earliest field experiences taught her an important lesson about the realities of conservation work.

While tracking suspected poachers in a remote area, the team travelled for hours by vehicle, canoe, and on foot to investigate reports of a gunshot. After navigating difficult terrain and crossing waterways, they found only a single footprint. The individuals responsible were gone.

For some, it might have felt like failure. For Shathani, it reinforced an important insight. “Sometimes the effort you put in doesn’t yield the big results you hope for, but you keep moving forward.”

That mindset has helped her navigate the challenges that come with life as a Ranger. Rising water levels can make parts of the Delta inaccessible. Time away from family can be difficult. Working in remote environments requires patience, adaptability, and trust in the people around you.

Her way forward? “I view my teammates as my family in the bush.”

Like many people starting a new career, Shathani also faced moments of self-doubt.

There were times she questioned whether she would be good enough. Times when unfamiliar situations pushed her beyond her comfort zone. Yet rather than allowing those doubts to hold her back, she chose to move forward.

“I chose to put my best foot forward and try my best.”

That determination has changed how she approaches both conservation and life.

Today, she speaks openly about overcoming her fear of failure and learning to see challenges differently.

“I don’t believe in failure, but rather setbacks that can be fixed.”

Her background in social work has also influenced the way she thinks about conservation. She understands that long-term environmental protection depends on people as much as it does on wildlife. Community participation, education, and collective action all play a role.

“In Setswana we say, ‘Kgetsi ya tsie e kgonwa ke go tshwaraganelwa.’ There is strength in numbers.”

Shathani importantly highlights that, “We work in an environment so peaceful and as natural as God had intended, with animals roaming freely and trees growing with grace. But caution must always be exercised, as the wrong moves could be deadly. Trust and teamwork are everything in the field; you are in a potentially dangerous environment, so you need people who will step up for you, and you can rest assured of it. This is necessary for one to perform well. It is always satisfying to see more people join the fight; it gives me hope that we will overcome. More people mean greater impact… If Mother Earth could speak, I think she would say, “Children, stop saying it doesn’t involve you because it does; it is upon each and every one of you to conquer global warming. Do better, be better.”

That belief extends to her view of coexistence, which she sees as one of conservation’s most important goals. Through community engagement, wildlife monitoring, and environmental education, reporting observations, supporting fellow Rangers, education communities, she has already seen how conservation efforts can help reduce illegal hunting and strengthen understanding between people and wildlife.

For Shathani, meaningful impact does not always come from dramatic moments. Often it is found in the small, consistent actions that contribute to something larger.

When asked to describe conservation in a single word, her answer is immediate:

“Legacy.”

It is a fitting choice.

Every patrol, every conversation, and every effort made today helps shape what future generations will inherit tomorrow.

As one of the newest members of Great Plains Foundation’s Female Ranger Programme, Shathani represents a growing generation of women helping define the future of conservation in Botswana. Her journey demonstrates that there is no single path into this work. What matters is the willingness to learn, contribute, and take responsibility for the landscapes and wildlife we all depend on.

One of her many messages to the world, “Being part of conservation doesn’t mean turning your whole life upside down. It begins with small efforts. Be involved in our legacy.”

The future of conservation relies on dedicated individuals willing to protect it. To learn more about the Female Ranger Programme and read more stories, visit our Female Ranger Programme page. If you would like to support this work or get involved, please contact info@greatplainsfoundation.org.

Thank you to our donors, supporters, and Earth Partners for making this programme possible through their continued investment in biodiversity conservation and women’s empowerment. We are especially grateful to the National Geographic Society for supporting our Female Biodiversity Rangers and helping create lasting benefits for both people and the planet.