Boyd Zyambo

Being born in rural eastern Zambia has been both Boyd’s greatest challenge and most profound teacher. As a child, he witnessed firsthand how deforestation, soil infertility, and climate variability negatively impacted his family and community members, whose livelihood depended on the land. His earliest memories are of experiencing food scarcity, skipping meals and eating poorly, as his community struggled with declining crop yields, animal disease outbreaks and human–wildlife conflict. This situation gradually worsened as the temperatures continued to fluctuate and rains grew increasingly erratic each year. This lived reality planted the seed for his development as a person and gave him his lifelong commitment to finding sustainable solutions that safeguard people, animals, birds and the ecosystems they depend on. Building on this foundation, he decided to pursue a BSc in Sustainable Natural Resources Management and Climate Change at Copperbelt University in Zambia. Through his studies, he was exposed to nature restoration, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Leadership has always been integral to his academic journey. During his studies, Boyd served as the President of Copperbelt University Natural Resources and Environmental Society (CUNRES), leading in environmental awareness campaigns, wildlife management, community engagement, afforestation programs and school-based sustainable education. Beyond academics, he has hands-on experience in community initiatives, environmental sustainability and climate action from work experience and internship opportunities. Boyd has worked as a coordinator for the Centre 4 Zero Waste & Development in Africa, where he was coordinating a collaborative project with the Kasanka Trust, focusing on forest protection and Kasanka National Park. Before this role, he interned with the Forest Department of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment as a forester and with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development as an environmental planner.

His vision and mission for the future is to play a critical role in developing African environmental space and transforming African nature conservation strategies, focusing on restoration and community-conservation strategies. Doing the Conservation Biology MSc programme will not only enhance his understanding of African wildlife and avian ecosystems but also give him the ability to influence African environmental sustainability and livelihoods.