Tonight: Namibian conservationist John Kasaona at the Denver Botanic Gardens

​John Kasaona has helped pioneer a dramatic revival of wild lands in his native Nambia through a program called Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), where members of rural communities, including former poachers, have been handed the mantle of protecting the wildlife on their lands by the government. Kasaona has talked about the program's success in a TED conference, and tonight he will be at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

His lecture is a joint presentation of the Botanic Gardens and Denver-based travel company Reefs to Rockies, which specializes in destinations known for their natural wonders. The company operates with the mission statement "Conservation Through Tourism."

The program starts tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Gates Hall at the Botanic Gardens with a welcoming reception. There will be a multimedia presentation on the rehabilitating Gorongosa National Park in Central Mozambique. The event officially starts at 7:00 and ends at 8:00. It's all free and open to the public, but you should still RSVP with Reefs to Rockies at admin@reefstorockies.com or (303) 860-6045.

Reefs to Rockies offers trips to both Mozambique and Nambia. Watch John Kasaona's TED talk on converting poachers to caretakers below.