Haja ya kuwa na shirika la msingi ambalo litasaidia jamii kote barani Afrika kuchangia katika usimamizi endelevu wa maliasili lilikuwa ni wazo lililotokana na mjadala wa kikundi cha watendaji wa usimamizi wa mazingira na maliasili waliokusanyika Arusha Tanzania mwaka 2010. Wazo hilo lilitolewa baadaye, ilishirikiwa na watu wengine wenye nia moja na ikafikia kilele chake katika kuunda na kusajiliwa kwa Jumuiya ya Mazingira ya Afrika kama Shirika Lisilo la Kiserikali katika Siku ya Ardhi Oevu Duniani, tarehe 2 Februari 2012.
The idea was subsequently shared with other like-minded individuals and culminated in the formation and subsequent registration of Africa Nature Organization as Non-Governmental Organization on the World Wetlands Day, 2nd February 2012.