_edited.png)
At the heart of the conservation movement lies an essential truth: we cannot effectively protect wildlife without ensuring the protection of the people who live alongside it. The biodiversity of the planet is deeply connected to the communities living in its wildest corners. Time and again I have witnessed the profound connection between these communities and the animals with which they share their land. This connection reinforces the undeniable truth that conservation is not a top-down initiative, but rather a collaborative effort driven by those who live in harmony with nature.
At IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare, https://www.ifaw.org/international), we have always understood and operated under the principle that local communities are not bystanders in the battle for wildlife conservation—they are critical stakeholders, often leading the charge. Their repository of generational knowledge is too often disregarded, when in fact, it serves as an incredible wellspring of experience and wisdom. When those who live alongside wildlife thrive, so do their ecosystems and the wildlife inhabiting within. Hence, working with these communities has been a cornerstone of IFAW’s approach to conservation for decades. It is not only a point of differentiation but a fundamental tenet of our conservation philosophy.
A Personal Reflection: The Unexpected Connections
After decades in the field and at the helm of a global conservation organization, it is clear that conservation success often depends on listening—truly listening—to the people who live alongside wildlife. Earlier this year while in Kenya, I sat with government officials and local residents to discuss the primary causes of human-wildlife conflict and the search for a solution. Their responses were illuminating:
Water
Food security
And wait for it…school fees.
The first two were expected but the third really came as a surprise. What do school fees have to do with human-wildlife conflict? At first, it might seem unrelated, but listening further, the answer became clear. Parents searching for ways to raise money for their children’s education (i.e. school fees) are often compelled into interactions with wildlife they would otherwise avoid. Whether it’s encroachment of protected areas to gather resources or regrettably resorting to illegal wildlife activities, the pressure of securing financial means has a tremendous impact on both people and animals. This is a stark reminder that conservation is not just about saving wildlife—it’s about addressing the broader needs of the communities who share their space. At IFAW, our mission is rooted in creating a world where animals and people thrive together in the place we call home. To make this vision a reality, we turn intrinsically to these communities, asking for an opportunity to learn from them. We work to earn their trust so we may ultimately earn a seat at their table. Listening to their struggles and experiences, we collaborate to find lasting solutions that safeguard both wildlife and human lives.
A Moment of Awe: The "Garden of Eden"
On a recent trip to Africa where IFAW collaborates extensively with local traditional leaders, I experienced a moment that has truly stayed with me. One of the leaders from a neighboring country joined us to observe the results of our collaboration. As he stood with us, watching elephants gracefully cross the landscape, he saw people nearby sharing the space in peace and respect—a living testament to coexistence. Visibly moved, his eyes filled with tears as he turned to me and said, “This must be the Garden of Eden.”
It was an inspiring moment, one that illustrated exactly what we strive to achieve with IFAW’s visionary Room to Roam initiative: connecting habitats so that elephants roam freely as the keystone species they have always been, undisturbed by human activity, while communities live alongside them in a harmonious balance of coexistence.
Finding Hope Amid the Challenges
The challenges facing wildlife today are many and daunting: from poaching, to habitat loss, to the growing impacts of climate change, to name just a few. Add to this the relentless flow of grim headlines we see every day. It’s easy to feel like it’s too late, that the window for change has closed. Or that the current is simply too strong to continue the struggle. But I implore you to resist hopelessness. The truth is every step we take, no matter how small, has the potential to create a ripple effect of change. Hope is not just a feeling but a powerful catalyst, inspiring action and forcing us to imagine a better future.
I’ve witnessed hope come to life through the actions of individuals and communities all over the world. I see it today when I look at the Maasai communities in East Africa who view wildlife as an integral part of their culture and economy - something to be stewarded and cherished. I see it in the Wildlife Guardians in India, who stand watch to protect tigers and their habitats both day and night. I see it in Indigenous communities in Canada’s Arctic, which blend traditional knowledge with modern science to protect polar bears from the threats of climate change. It is the hope and determination of local communities such as these that inspire change and drive us one step closer to a harmonious future.
These stories remind us that progress doesn’t always come in giant leaps. Often, it’s the small, steady steps that lead to the most profound changes. Conservation has never meant reversing every problem overnight but rather understanding the value of something in the future. While you may never sit under the shade of the tree you plant, you must plant it anyway—because it’s the right thing to do.
A Vital Partnership: People Living Alongside Wildlife and Conservation
It’s no longer enough to protect wildlife in isolated sanctuaries, reserves, or even designated protected areas. Wildlife cannot be cordoned off and controlled. The reality is that wildlife needs room to roam, as does humanity. Therefore, we must ensure that people who live alongside these species are not spectators but active participants in the mission to save them.
One powerful example of this partnership is IFAW’s work with the Indigenous Maasai communities in East Africa, where wildlife like elephants, lions, and rhinos roam freely across vast landscapes. In areas where human-wildlife conflict was once rampant—where farmers and herders feared for their livelihoods, and poaching was a tragic reality—we’ve supported transformative initiatives like land leasing agreements. These efforts, combined with anti-poaching programs and sustainable tourism development, have turned conflict into coexistence founded on shared stewardship. A standout achievement is the establishment of conservancies such as the 29,000-acre Illaingarunyoni Conservancy. This conservancy serves as the last natural gateway for approximately 2,200 endangered African savannah elephants to migrate between Amboseli and the Loita–Maasai Mara ecosystem, safeguarding this critical corridor and ensuring the survival of these majestic animals.
For these communities. Elephants and lions, once seen as a threat to crops and livestock, are now viewed as treasures—integral to both their culture and economy. This success wasn’t achieved by imposing foreign conservation ideas from the outside. Instead, it was driven by respecting and building upon the Maasai’s deep connection to the land and animals.
A Call to Action
Supporters often ask me, “How can I ensure my donations go directly to the animals? I’m not interested in helping people.” My answer is simple: conservation does not exist without people. They are the front lines of the work we do, the crime we help prevent, and the long-term results we help to ensure. We may save an animal today, but without thriving habitats and harmonious coexistence with local communities, the future of wildlife will remain uncertain. To save an animal is a critical first component of conservation; to ensure it has a safe place in which to live is the second. For long-term success, both components must be in unison. To continue making progress, we must deepen our commitment to supporting and amplifying the voices of these local communities. This means investing in education, building partnerships, and ensuring that the benefits of conservation reach those who are closest to wildlife.
IFAW’s work does not end because it cannot end. It is critical work, the results of which will reverberate for generations. I simply refuse to accept the demise of the planet or its rich immensity of biodiversity. There is simply too much at stake---for the survival of our shared planet as well as for our own survival as well.