News

Feb 16, 2026

From Briana & Damien in the Zambezi Valley

Dear supporters, we're writing this from Chizarira National Park, where the work continues every day alongside the Defend and ZimParks team.

Feb 5, 2026

The future is green! Nature+ Youth Conference invites SA kids to build a future worth getting excited about

Hosted at Green School South Africa's regenerative campus, Nature+ brings learners together for hands-on solution labs and a youth-led festival.

Dec 23, 2025

Abundant Village and Mwani Zanzibar Sign Agreement to Support the Launch of ReGen Zanzibar

Abundant Village signs a Memorandum of Understanding with local partner Mwani Zanzibar to formally support the launch of the ReGen Zanzibar initiative.

Dec 13, 2025

A New Era for Chizarira

Abundant Village signs a formal agreement with Defend to support the long-term restoration and protection of Chizarira National Park.

Nov 15, 2025

The Land Remembers

"The Land Remembers" explores community-led conservation in South Africa, from rhino dehorning to sustainable farming and anti-poaching education.

Oct 19, 2025

Dare to Dream – Absolute Woman

Absolute Woman gave its South African cover story to our co-founder and CEO Briana Evigan, following the move from acting into activism. It is a good place to start if you want the thinking behind Abundant Village in her own words.

Apr 6, 2025

The Inspired CEO Podcast – Briana Evigan: From Hollywood to Humanitarian Impact

Briana Evigan joined host Kate Save on episode 38 of The Inspired CEO for a long conversation about leaving the entertainment industry for humanitarian work. Much of it is about how she leads Abundant Village, and why creative work and advocacy sit together for her.

Dec 3, 2024

Circles of Connection

In South Africa's Kruger to Canyons region, Abundant Village tackles climate, poverty, and human-wildlife conflict through green building and regenerative food systems.

Nov 6, 2024

Briana Evigan: From Hollywood to Humanitarian – Primedia+

Primedia+, the South African hub behind 702, CapeTalk, KFM, 947 and EWN, profiled Briana Evigan's move from acting into humanitarian work. The piece also covers what she and Damien Mander are building together through Abundant Village.

Oct 13, 2024

Channel 7 Spotlight Australia: With Damien Mander. Inside Zimbabwe's All-Female Anti-Poaching Force

7NEWS Spotlight gave a full documentary to Zimbabwe's all-female anti-poaching force and to Damien Mander's part in building it. Nationally broadcast coverage like this carries the work to audiences we could never reach on our own.

Apr 14, 2024

Hollywood Star Briana Evigan Steps Up and Out in Style in SA – Sunday Times South Africa

The Sunday Times profiled Briana Evigan not long after she moved to South Africa, in a lifestyle piece by Gill Gifford. It is a lighter read than most of our coverage, and a clear picture of what drew her to the continent and to the work with Damien Mander.

Apr 10, 2024

'Step Up 2' Actress Talks About Her New South African Life – Jacaranda FM / The Drive

Rob and Roz had Briana Evigan on The Drive to talk about her new life in South Africa. It is a short, informal introduction to what Abundant Village is trying to do here.

Nov 6, 2023

Busting Moves & Building a Movement – Karma Community / Karma Group

Karma Community traced the line from Briana Evigan's dance and film background to the conservation work she now leads with Damien Mander. It is one of the few pieces that treats the creative side of her story as part of the same thread.

Apr 6, 2023

YouTube Interview – American Actress Briana Evigan on Step Up, Moving to South Africa, Coming to Zim, MoveMe

Marisa Marinda interviewed Briana Evigan on ZTN Prime's The Morning Rush during a visit to Zimbabwe, covering the move to South Africa, MoveMe Studio, and the community-based conservation work she does with Damien Mander. Local coverage from the country where much of our field work now sits.

May 15, 2019

The Women Saving Africa's Wildlife – Damien Mander in National Geographic Magazine

National Geographic reported on Akashinga, the women-led ranger force in Zimbabwe's Phundundu Wildlife Area that Damien Mander helped build, with photographs by Brent Stirton. It is the piece that put the model in front of a global audience.

Nov 8, 2018

60 Minutes: Women Rangers Protecting Africa's Wildlife – 60 Minutes Australia

60 Minutes Australia sent Liam Bartlett to report on the all-female ranger force Damien Mander helped establish. The segment put the work in front of a national prime-time audience.

Oct 28, 2018

The Female Fighters Protecting Wildlife in Zimbabwe – ABC News Australia

ABC News reported on Akashinga, the women-led ranger unit in Zimbabwe, and on Damien Mander's role in training it, in a feature by Farz Edraki. Coverage from Australia's national broadcaster carried the model well beyond conservation circles.

Nov 6, 2013

TEDxSydney Talk – "Modern Warrior"

Damien Mander's TEDxSydney talk is where he first told the story of going from soldier to conservationist in front of a large audience. It is the earliest coverage we carry, and the case it makes for courage and empathy still runs through the work.