About us

Pivotal Places approaches conservation and community resilience uniquely, weaving study abroad, innovative research, and actionable change into a single organization.

To do this, we work with the Communities and Conservations Study Abroad program through Colorado State University to provide a platform for students to do on-ground research with our partners abroad. Using the knowledge they gained identifying gaps in partnership with the local community, they return and develop campaigns to target these needs, building a feedback loop between science and society and enabling us to make meaningful, lasting impacts in the communities we work with.

Built on over 20 years of research in the region and annual trips to South Africa, our team has created this community-based organization to help aid in the development of solutions to complex challenges. Our work currently focuses on the Tshulu Trust in the municipality of HaMakuya.

Our Mission

Pivotal Places aims to coordinate integrated research and development initiatives that promote sustainable and resilient communities.  

Through strategic partnerships, we co-create innovative solutions to complex socio-economic and ecological challenges.

We focus on areas where there is tension between needs of the people, conservation goals, and urban development; where our efforts can have the greatest positive influence on human and environmental health.

Our Campaigns

Pivotal Places’ primary focus is on community-driven change. We work directly with community leaders to identify areas of need where we can have the greatest impact. At the direction of the community, we contribute funds to support a variety of local projects, from purchasing bed linens and solar panels for Tshulu Camp, to funding incomes of employees who have been impacted by Covid-19 - our goals remains the same - work with the community to organize, direct and impliment projects that they need, rather than working on projects solely of our own design.