Namibia has taken decisive action to protect one of its most delicate natural treasures, the ancient lichen fields of the Skeleton Coast.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) of Namibia, the Skeleton Coast is home to one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems, and lichen fields take decades to grow, but can be destroyed in seconds.
To protect these irreplaceable landscapes, the environment ministry, with the support of WWF Namibia, launched a restoration initiative in August 2025 as part of the Skeleton Coast–Etosha Conservation Bridge Project, funded by the Legacy Landscape Fund.
WWF Namibia said that the operation marks a major step in preserving one of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems.
Ten members of the National Youth Service were deployed to repair nearly 5.7 kilometres of protective barriers around the Cape Cross lichen fields, which is a crucial effort to stop off-road vehicles from crushing the living crust that sustains desert life.
By the end of August, 5.2 kilometres of the barriers had already been completed, with the final stretch nearing completion.
New signboards are also being erected to educate visitors about the ecological importance of lichens and promote responsible tourism practices.
According to WWF Namibia, lichens, “ a symbiotic partnership between fungi and algae”, play a vital role in holding moisture, stabilising soil, and supporting biodiversity in the Skeleton Coast’s arid environment. Once damaged, however, these organisms may take decades to recover, if ever.
“This is about more than fences — it’s about protecting life in one of the harshest places on Earth,” said WWFF Namibia. “Lichens are small, but they are the foundation of this desert ecosystem.”
The project also offers a platform for youth involvement in environmental stewardship. Officials are calling on all visitors and off-road enthusiasts to respect marked routes and conservation zones. Every footprint and tyre track leaves a mark — and in the Skeleton Coast, that mark can last a lifetime.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) of Namibia, the Skeleton Coast is home to one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems, and lichen fields take decades to grow, but can be destroyed in seconds.
To protect these irreplaceable landscapes, the environment ministry, with the support of WWF Namibia, launched a restoration initiative in August 2025 as part of the Skeleton Coast–Etosha Conservation Bridge Project, funded by the Legacy Landscape Fund.
WWF Namibia said that the operation marks a major step in preserving one of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems.
Ten members of the National Youth Service were deployed to repair nearly 5.7 kilometres of protective barriers around the Cape Cross lichen fields, which is a crucial effort to stop off-road vehicles from crushing the living crust that sustains desert life.
By the end of August, 5.2 kilometres of the barriers had already been completed, with the final stretch nearing completion.
New signboards are also being erected to educate visitors about the ecological importance of lichens and promote responsible tourism practices.
According to WWF Namibia, lichens, “ a symbiotic partnership between fungi and algae”, play a vital role in holding moisture, stabilising soil, and supporting biodiversity in the Skeleton Coast’s arid environment. Once damaged, however, these organisms may take decades to recover, if ever.
“This is about more than fences — it’s about protecting life in one of the harshest places on Earth,” said WWFF Namibia. “Lichens are small, but they are the foundation of this desert ecosystem.”
The project also offers a platform for youth involvement in environmental stewardship. Officials are calling on all visitors and off-road enthusiasts to respect marked routes and conservation zones. Every footprint and tyre track leaves a mark — and in the Skeleton Coast, that mark can last a lifetime.
