IAPF’s primary focus is combating the detrimental effects that all forms of poaching are having on the environment. However, the poaching crisis will continue as long as there are individuals who rely on bushmeat for protein and/or income. This cannot be accomplished by the presence of anti-poaching units alone, nor can this be achieved by awareness alone. Other alternatives are required. However, these alternatives will not be viable unless people are taught how to manage them. This requires environmental education that encompasses all types of environmental issues so as to ensure sustainable use.

Raising awareness is an important step in improving attitudes and mobilising action towards such environmental issues. Education is the tool that can transform people’s ability to use resources sustainably. Environmental sustainability is defined by the 1987 report of the World Commission on Environment and Development as "development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Victoria Falls is the one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a world heritage site. The town itself is surrounded by the 2 340-hectare Victoria Falls National Park and the 57 000-hectare Zambezi National Park and is part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. These state-protected areas are home to a diverse array of plants and wildlife. However, environmental degradation is a serious problem in Zimbabwe. This has resulted from unsustainable activities such as animal and wood poaching, and poor land management practices. As a result, the concept of an environmental education programme that can be universally replicated was developed.

The purpose of the environmental education programme will be to promote sustainable development by encouraging people to develop the attitudes, skills and knowledge to make informed decisions to ensure they use resources in a way that benefits themselves and others, now and in the future. The initial phase of this environmental education programme will focus on the next generation of decision makers, children! An education programme has been created that suits the needs as well as addresses the concept of promoting sustainable use of the environment. This programme will initially be taught in some Primary Schools in the Victoria Falls and Dete area but will hopefully one day be replicable in other areas. The programme will be supplemented with interactive experiences, such as elephant interactions and school gardens, so children are able to put into practice what they have been taught. The lesson themes will cover a wide range of environmental issues to teach children about the importance of all natural resources around them and how to use them in a sustainable way.

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