Jeremy Fackenthal, a new Fellow at RIFS from the USA, is conducting research in South Africa into how local communities can work together to protect their natural environment. His project focuses on a conservation initiative in KwaZulu-Natal, where conservationist Grant Fowlds is collaborating with local Zulu communities in establishing conservancy structures that benefit local communities by providing incomes and employment. Fackenthal is documenting these approaches through a film and a research project in which he is developing global ‘best practices’.