WildLandscapes International

In September, WildLandscapes had the privilege of coordinating a high-impact advocacy visit to Washington, D.C., for six senior leaders from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), including Director General Dr. Erustus Kanga and Chairman Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Walter Koipaton. With support from our CEO, David Houghton, the delegation met with key U.S. decision-makers, presenting KWS’s strategic priorities for black rhino conservation, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and community-integrated conservation. This delegation connected with former Senators Byron Dorgan and Doug Jones, Senator Chris Coons, and senior leaders from USAID, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other influential organizations. These discussions elevated KWS’s mission on the international stage and laid a foundation for new collaborations to support Kenya’s conservation goals. The visit concluded with a trip to Yellowstone National Park, where KWS leaders gained insights into managing large-scale protected areas. We’re proud to stand beside KWS in their transformative conservation journey and look forward to building on these connections for a thriving, sustainable future for Kenya’s wildlife and communities. #Conservation #KenyaWildlifeService #WildlifeProtection #InternationalPartnerships

Conservation success starts with combined efforts and shared goals. Our partner in Oregon, High Desert Partnership (HDP), has received an $18.4 million award from the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), a federal initiative that funds collaborative conservation projects to address pressing resource issues across the U.S. This award will allow HDP to tackle key challenges like water scarcity, wildfire risk, and drought in Harney County. With nearly two decades of collaboration behind them, HDP and partners are set to implement conservation projects focused on water conservation, wetland restoration, invasive species control, and conservation easements - all designed to protect local ecosystems and strengthen community endurance. Brenda Smith, Executive Director of HDP, shared, “The climate challenges facing Harney County require coordinated solutions and unprecedented cooperation.” This initiative not only addresses Harney County’s unique needs but also serves as an inspiring model for conservation partnerships nationwide, demonstrating the power of collaboration in building durable landscapes. Starting in Spring 2025, HDP will work with landowners to bring these projects to life, with work commencing in Summer 2025 and continuing through to 2030. Together, HDP and its partners are setting a new standard for collaborative, climate-focused conservation that could inspire similar efforts nationwide. #Conservation #ClimateResilience #SustainableLandscapes #HarneyCounty

We are thrilled to announce that WildLandscapes International has been selected as a recipient of the Network for Landscape Conservation (NLC) Catalyst Fund for our Green Heart of the Everglades project. In partnership with the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes of Florida, this initiative focuses on protecting 447,417 acres of mineral rights within Big Cypress National Preserve and the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. Together, we aim to preserve a vital part of the Everglades ecosystem while addressing historical injustices faced by Indigenous communities in the region. The Green Heart of the Everglades isn’t only about environmental conservation; it’s also about honoring Indigenous stewardship and the cultural legacy of this landscape. In collaboration with our tribal partners, we are committed to restoring these lands as both ecological and cultural sanctuaries. Founded in 2011, the NLC supports knowledge-sharing among conservation practitioners. NLC’s Catalyst Fund has been pivotal, providing over $2 million to projects that address essential conservation challenges, including habitat connectivity, climate resilience, and Indigenous stewardship. This year’s award will enable us to participate in NLC’s Peer Learning Program, which fosters collaboration and learning across Landscape Partnerships through a two-year cohort experience, including virtual sessions and in-person retreats. Curtis Osceola, Chief of Staff for the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, will represent the project and its collective vision. This funding will strengthen our capacity to coordinate, travel, and conduct outreach, laying the groundwork for a co-management framework that centers on community stewardship. We are deeply grateful to NLC for their support and investment in a sustainable future for the Everglades. #Conservation #GreenHeartProject #BigCypress #FloridaPanther #IndigenousStewardship #EvergladesRestoration #CulturalHeritage #WildlifeConservation #SustainableConservation

Did you know that the global economy is deeply connected to biodiversity? Healthy ecosystems create opportunities, from tourism to technology, supporting enterprise across all fields. In fact, our economies are intertwined with the natural world more than many realize. With COP16 Colombia and the recent UN Convention on Biological Diversity, we have a powerful reminder: protecting biodiversity is not just an environmental priority; it’s essential for sustainable, robust economies. Let’s strive to make biodiversity the critical priority it deserves to be for our planet, people, and prosperity. #COP16 #UNBiodiversity #SustainableEconomy #EnvironmentalResilience #EcosystemServices #HealthyEcosystems #EconomicGrowth COP16 Colombia UN Biodiversity

We're excited to announce that one of our valued Kenyan partners, Mugie Conservancy, will soon establish a beekeeping project with the support of a grant from the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund, which we were very glad to help secure. This project will focus on empowering women, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting environmental conservation in the region. Managed by local women, the Mugie Beekeeping Project will involve setting up beehives, building a honey extraction facility, and providing comprehensive training. Through these efforts, the project aims to restore degraded habitats, mitigate human-wildlife conflict, and create sustainable economic opportunities for the Pokot community through honey sales and eco-tourism. Ultimately, it’s designed to become a replicable model that strengthens both environmental and community resilience in Kenya. #Conservation #CommunityImpact #SustainableTourism #Biodiversity #EmpoweringWomen #EnvironmentalStewardship #WildlifeConservation

Recent studies on tropical ecosystems highlight a critical finding: deforestation and habitat loss outside protected areas can lead to degradation within these areas. We are addressing this by working with Indigenous people and local communities to establish wildlife corridors and sustainable, community-led conservation areas on the outskirts of national parks and wildlife reserves. These efforts support biodiversity and strengthen conservation from the ground up. COP16 Colombia #Conservation #Biodiversity #WildLandscapesInternational #CommunityConservation #Sustainability #COP16Colombia

We are delighted to congratulate Dr. Bibhab Talukdar, the visionary CEO and Secretary General of Aaranyak, on receiving the Harry Messel Award for Conservation Leadership from the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC). This accolade, awarded during the 5th SSC Leaders' Meeting in Abu Dhabi, highlights Dr. Talukdar's decades-long contributions to species conservation, particularly his leadership with the Asian Rhino Specialist Group. Since founding Aaranyak in 1989, Dr. Talukdar has overseen its evolution from a grassroots nature club into one of India’s foremost biodiversity organizations, collaborating with local governments and international bodies alike. His work has led to significant achievements, such as the implementation of the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 and landmark rhino translocation projects in partnership with regional governments. As partners with Aaranyak, we are collaborating on the Bhutan to Burma connected landscape project, which focuses on developing crucial ecological corridors for wildlife. This initiative is a testament to our joint efforts to protect biodiversity and enhance habitat connectivity across this vital region, fostering resilience and sustainability in these ecosystems. This award not only honors his on-the-ground conservation impact but also his influence in international conservation policy and advocacy. We’re proud to support his mission and look forward to seeing even greater strides in protecting our planet’s biodiversity. #ConservationLeadership #IUCN #Biodiversity #Aaranyak #EnvironmentalImpact #AsianRhinos #GlobalConservation #LeadershipInAction

As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life - but more than that, it is the very foundation that sustains it. Biodiversity, the extraordinary variety of life on Earth, underpins ecosystems that deliver essential services like clean water, fertile soil, and climate regulation. This diversity strengthens ecosystems, making them more resilient and adaptable in the face of environmental challenges. However, biodiversity is facing an unprecedented crisis. Human activities are pushing nearly 1 million species toward extinction, threatening the ecosystems that are crucial to human survival and well-being. Safeguarding biodiversity is not just about protecting wildlife; it's about preserving the ecological systems that support life on Earth. At COP16 Colombia, currently underway in Cali, world leaders are gathering through the UN Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to develop strategies to halt biodiversity loss and build a sustainable, resilient future. The outcomes of these discussions will shape the trajectory of global conservation efforts for years to come. #Biodiversity #Sustainability #COP16 #ConventionOnBiologicalDiversity #EnvironmentalLeadership #EcosystemRestoration #Conservation

We are delighted to welcome Ian Craig to WildLandscapes International as our Senior Africa Director. Ian is a highly respected conservationist from Kenya with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. He is best known for establishing Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in the 1980s, transforming his family’s 62,000-acre ranch into a model for wildlife conservation and community engagement. In 2004, Ian founded the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), which today supports 43 community conservancies across 63,000 square kilometers of rangelands, forests, deserts, and marine areas in Kenya. His leadership has set new standards in integrating local communities into conservation through sustainable land management and economic development. With international recognition - including the Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa and the SES Lifetime Achievement Award - Ian’s experience will be crucial as we expand our landscape-level conservation work in Africa and beyond. We are excited to have his expertise and vision to help us tackle complex conservation challenges and drive impactful, community-led outcomes. #ConservationLeadership #WildlifeConservation #CommunityDevelopment #Biodiversity #AfricaConservation

We are proud to share our 2023 Annual Report, showcasing a year of impact and partnership in global conservation. This year, we made significant strides across projects in Florida, New Hampshire, Kenya, India, South Africa, Oregon, and Alaska - thanks to the collective efforts and expertise of our dedicated partners on the ground. We had the privilege of gathering valuable insights from members of project teams who emphasized a shared approach: the importance of teamwork, positivity, and staying focused on the bigger picture. Hearing directly from David Roby at Bear Hill, Diamond Bergeron in the Florida Everglades, Jamie Gaymer in Kenya’s Rhino Range Expansion, Bibhab Talukdar in India’s B2B Corridor, Pam Throop in Alaska, Dr. Odette Curtis-Scott in South Africa, and Brenda Smith in Oregon, it’s clear that overcoming complex conservation challenges requires not just skill, but also collaboration and a unified vision. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eiaPcETp #Leadership #Teamwork #Conservation #Collaboration #ImpactfulChange #Conservation #Sustainability #Collaboration #WildlifeProtection #Partnerships #2023InReview