Wildlife Conservation Network
 | |
| Founded | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Charles Knowles, John Lukas and Akiko Yamazaki.[1] |
| Type | Non-profit Organization |
| Focus | Environmentalism |
| Location | |
Area served | World wide |
| Method | Community based partnerships, fundraising, consultancy |
Key people |
|
Revenue | $24,000,000 (2019)[2] |
Volunteers | 88[3] |
| Website | wildnet.org |
The Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) is a United States-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that protects endangered wildlife by supporting conservationists. WCN does this by providing its partners with capital, strategic capacity-building services, training, and operational support. WCN has been given a top rating amongst wildlife conservation charities, with a four star rating on Charity Navigator.[4]
Founded in 2002, Wildlife Conservation Network was built on a venture capital fundraising model to identify entrepreneurial conservationists and projects and give them the support they need to effectively run their programs.[5] WCN has an annual organizational budget of around $24 million.
Conservation partners
Wildlife Conservation Network forms partnerships with field-based conservation projects committed to protecting endangered wildlife. Partners as of 2019 include:
- Andean Cat Alliance (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru)
- Cheetah Conservation Botswana (Botswana)
- Cheetah Conservation Fund (Namibia)
- Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program (Ethiopia)
- Ewaso Lions (Kenya)
- Global Penguin Society (Argentina, Chile, New Zealand and others.[6]
- Grévy's Zebra Trust (Ethiopia and Kenya)
- MarAlliance (Sharks and Rays) (Belize, Cape Verde, Honduras, and others.[7]
- Niassa Lion Project (Mozambique)
- Okapi Conservation Project (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Painted Dog Conservation (Zimbabwe)
- Proyecto Tití (cotton-top tamarin) (Colombia)
- Saiga Conservation Alliance (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia and Turkmenistan)
- Save The Elephants (Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Mali and South Africa)
- Small Cat Conservation Alliance (Borneo, Sumatra, Chile, China and others)
- Snow Leopard Conservancy (Pakistan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Russia and India)[8]
- Spectacled Bear Conservation Society (Peru)[9]
Wildlife Conservation Expo
WCN hosts a semi-annual event, the Wildlife Conservation Expo, in the San Francisco Bay Area that brings together donors, partners, other conservationists and experts from around the world.[10] Notable keynote speakers have included Dr. Jane Goodall,[11] Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton,[12] Peter Matthiessen[13] Dr. Claudio Sillero-Zubiri[14] and Dr. Greg Rasmussen.[14]
The annual Expo features WCN's partners, who share information and updates on their respective projects. WCN invites guest speakers to represent their conservation organizations. Past guest speakers have included Macaw Recovery Network, African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization, MareCet, and the Tikki Hywood Trust.
Programs and campaigns
Elephant Crisis Fund
In partnership with Save the Elephants and supported by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, WCN began the Elephant Crisis Fund to address the current wave of elephant poaching that is devastating Africa’s elephant population. The fund identifies and supports the most urgent projects that address poaching, ivory trafficking, and demand for ivory. Funded organizations include Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, Tsavo Trust, and Wildlife Direct, among many others. 100% of the Elephant Crisis Fund’s money is used for on-the-ground conservation actions.[15]
Lion Recovery Fund
The Lion Recovery Fund works partnership with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. The project funds Panthera, Wildlife Conservation Society, WildAid, WildCru, Big Life Foundation, and Ruaha Carnivore Project.
Pangolin Crisis Fund
The Pangolin Crisis Fund was founded by Save Pangolins and WCN to help stop the illegal pangolin trade. Pangolins are at risk of extinction.
Scholarship program
Since 2006, WCN has supported graduate students aspiring to become wildlife conservationists through a scholarship program. The program focuses on students committed to working on projects in their home countries where conservation efforts are needed.[16]
Solar project
In 2005, WCN started providing solar electric systems such as solar water pumps, cookers, lighting, hot water and water purification systems to its partner projects in South America, Africa and Asia.[17]
References
- ^ Estrella, Cicero A. (7 February 2003). "Wildlife Inc. / Silicon Valley business whizzes put their savvy to protecting endangered species around the world". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ "Wildlife Conservation Network 2017 Annual Report" (PDF). Wildlife Conservation Network.
- ^ "Wildlife Conservation Network 2012 Annual Report" (PDF). Wildlife Conservation Network.
- ^ "Wildlife Conservation Network". Charity Navigator.
- ^ "Disney Honors WCN Director Isabella Rossellini and WCN Partner Iain Douglas-Hamilton as Wildlife Advocates". Business Wire.
- ^ "Penguins". Wildlife Conservation Network.
- ^ "Sharks and Rays = Wildlife Conservation Network".
- ^ "Wildlife Projects". Wildlife Conservation Network.
- ^ "Spectacled Bears". Wildlife Conservation Network.
- ^ "AFC Exhibiting at Wildlife Conservation Network Expo". Artists for Conservation.
- ^ "San Francisco, CA: Dr. Goodall's Keynote Speech at the WCN Expo". The Jane Goodall Institute.
- ^ "Wildlife Conservation Expo". The Eyes of Thailand.
- ^ "Wildlife expo showcases leading conservationists". Los Altos Town Crier.
- ^ a b "Wildlife Conservation Network Expo". Wildlife Conservation Network.
- ^ "WCN Elephant Crisis Fund". Elephant Crisis Fund.
- ^ "WCN Solar Project". WCN Solar Project.
- ^ "Wildlife Conservation Network Receives $1 Million Gift for Scholarship Program; Scholarship Invests in Local People As Future Leaders of Wildlife Conservation Around the World". Business Wire.