ACD
Agency for Conservation and Development
Dedicated to protecting and restoring the pristine Sudd Ramsar site. We empower communities, preserve invaluable biodiversity, and cultivate sustainable livelihoods across South Sudan.
COMMUNITY-LED ECOSYSTEM PRESERVATION
About ACD
Agency for Conservation and Development (ACD) was established with a vital mission: to protect South Sudan’s rich, yet vulnerable, natural ecosystems. By working hand-in-hand with local populations, we build lasting conservation strategies that align ecological health with human prosperity.
- Community Wildlife Ambassadors (CWAs) guarding critical habitats
- Community Peace Advocates (CPAs) resolving local resource conflicts
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OUR CORE OBJECTIVES
Building a Resilient & Sustainable Future
Alternative Livelihoods
Developing sustainable agricultural practices, micro-enterprises, and eco-friendly trade solutions that support local economies while heavily reducing community reliance on natural resource extraction.
Wildlife Protection
Defending vulnerable species and migration routes by mobilizing community-led monitoring systems, building conservation awareness, and establishing critical buffer zones in major habitats.
Peacebuilding
Mitigating conflict arising over shared water and grazing pastures through restorative dialogues, collaborative natural resource agreements, and youth-focused peace workshops.
Advocates of a Safe Ecosystem
Our Core Vision & Mission
Our Vision
We envision a thriving, resilient South Sudan where pristine wildlife corridors are fully protected, community-led conservation drives local economies, and sustainable livelihoods foster lasting peace. Our goal is a harmonious ecosystem where human communities and nature co-exist in prosperity.
Our Mission
To empower local communities through grassroots conservation initiatives, facilitate peacebuilding dialogues that unite resource management, and implement sustainable agricultural practices. We secure critical habitats while ensuring the people of South Sudan are active stewards and primary beneficiaries.
The 3 Cs: Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration
Our Core Values
Accountability & Responsibility
We take absolute ownership of our commitments, ensuring ethical stewardship of conservation and community peace resources.
Transparency
Operating with open books and honest communication, building unbreakable trust with local communities and global partners.
Integrity & Ethics
Rooted in strong moral principles, we ensure that every peacebuilding dialogue and conservation action is executed honorably.
Partnership & Commitment
Deeply committed to co-creating sustainable livelihoods through robust local and international community coalitions.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Thematic Programs
RECONCILIATION & DIALOGUE
Peacebuilding
Empowering local communities through structured mediation and peacebuilding dialogues. We actively facilitate critical conversations that foster mutual trust, mend historical communal divides, and build sustainable pathways toward lasting local stability.
CONSERVATION & LIVELIHOODS
Wildlife Protection & Conservation
Mitigating devastating bush burning and rampant animal poaching that threaten South Sudan’s pristine ecosystems. We educate local communities, establish co-management conservation policies, and support rangers to guard vulnerable natural heritages.
Leadership & Governance
Our Structure
Agency for Conservation and Development (ACD) operates under a robust, decentralized governance model designed to foster accountability, local ownership, and ecological integrity. We believe that sustainable conservation and peacebuilding are only possible through inclusive, representative, and transparent leadership at every level of our organization.
Female Staff Representation
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%
Our commitment to gender equity is reflected actively in our operations. With 60% female staff representation, we champion diverse perspectives in community conservation and peacebuilding dialogues across South Sudan.
Governance Bodies
Guiding our strategic vision and maintaining institutional integrity through strict oversight and diverse advisory support.
- General Assembly (Supreme decision-making body comprising local stakeholders)
- Board of Trustees (Fiduciary oversight, financial compliance, and legal guardianship)
- Advisory Board (Scientific experts, community leaders, and conservationists)
Operational Staff
Executing on-the-ground initiatives, fostering community relations, and driving scientific conservation work daily.
- Executive Director & Secretariat (Operational leadership and project execution)
- Field Program Coordinators (Overseeing community development & habitat safety)
- Community Conservation Officers & Researchers (On-the-ground monitoring and wildlife care)
Where We Are
A geographical snapshot of our conservation footprint across the Sudd Swamp and surrounding regions, supported by key local coordination hubs.
Head Office: Old Fangak
Ez Zeraf Game Reserve (675,000 ha)
Coordination Offices
Juba, Chuilbong, Chuil, Tonga, Akobo East
Wildlife Ambassadors
181 Trained CWAs (67 Females)
Community Peace Advocates (CPAs)
94 Trained CWAs (70 Females)
The Grassroot Approach
Our conservation model centers heavily on local stewardship. By empowering Community Wildlife Ambassadors (CWAs), we establish a direct, sustainable presence within the massive expanse of the Ez Zeraf Game Reserve.
Ambassadors are trained on the ground for vital tracking tasks. Equipped with precision GPS devices and camera traps, they record invaluable environmental data, monitor vulnerable wildlife, and facilitate peaceful conflict resolution in surrounding communities.
