Whitley Fund for Nature

📍 A transformative week in Samburu, Kenya! 🌍✨ From 18th to 23rd November, two members of the #WhitelyFundForNature team had the privilege of joining Ewaso Lions and conservation leaders from around the world for an extraordinary series of workshops. Together, we explored innovative solutions and shared knowledge to strengthen community-led conservation efforts. This gathering, hosted by 2023 Whitley Gold Award winner Shivani Bhalla, culminated in the creation of a comprehensive framework to guide successful community-based conservation initiatives. We’re excited to see the lasting impact of this collaboration! We are proud to support this important, collaborative work, ensuring a brighter future for both communities and wildlife. #WinnerNetwork #CommunityLedConservation #ConservationLeadership #Sustainability

#NextGenHero: Romulus Whitaker 🐍. Romulus Whitaker is a name synonymous with reptile conservation. As the founder of India’s first reptile park and crocodile bank, Romulus has led pioneering efforts to protect species like the king cobra and crocodilians, while safeguarding habitats such as the Agumbe rainforest and Chambal River. His ground-breaking crocodile surveys and ongoing conservation work have not only helped save species but also inspired the next generation of conservationists. 📖 Read more about his impactful work: https://lnkd.in/eHc6V6yA 📚 Explore his memoir: Snakes, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll: ow.ly/CGCO50UbEOk Join us in celebrating his contributions to global conservation efforts! 🌿 #NextGenHeroes #WildlifeConservation #Leadership #ConservationHeroes

Exciting news!! Two members of the WFN team will be joining Ewaso Lions and conservationists from all around the world for a special week of workshops and idea sharing in Samburu, Kenya. From 18th – 23rd November, some of conservation’s most influential minds will come together to share knowledge and discuss solutions, culminating in the creation of a framework for how to successfully implement community-led conservation. WFN are proud to support this important gathering, hosted by 2023 Whitley Gold Award winner, Shivani Bhalla and her team!

We’re thrilled to announce that Patrícia Medici, the 2020 Whitley Gold Award Winner and a passionate advocate for tapir conservation, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 WINGS Women of Discovery Award! Patrícia’s pioneering work in Brazil has established the lowland tapir as an ecosystem indicator species, symbolizing habitat protection across South America. Her achievements in research, advocacy, and inspiring community action have not only helped protect biodiversity but also underscore the importance of using flagship species to address broader conservation issues. 🔔 Don’t miss out on inspiring stories and upcoming conservation events featuring Patrícia. Sign up for the WFN NextGen newsletter to stay in the loop on all things conservation! 🎟️ Register here: https://lnkd.in/edUwTyz8 Images courtesy of WINGS Women of Discovery #Conservation #Biodiversity #WhitleyFundForNature #WomenInScience #WINGSWomenofDiscovery #WildlifeConservation #NextGenConservation

"The climate needs citizens, not spectators." I spoke to Gianluigi Marsibilio at the pontifical university in Rome, Università Pontificia Salesiana, for his story about climate storytelling and how podcasts can help to switch the narrative from one that paralyses people with fear to one that inspires people to take action. Thank you Gianluigi for the opportunity to talk about the Whitley Fund for Nature's How to Save It podcast for the university's Open Prisma platform. So great to see the reach of our podcast extending to Rome! Sarah Treanor Purnima Barman Naomi Longa Raju Acharya Fernanda Abra Aristide Takoukam Kamla South Rupununi Conservation Society Kuenzang Dorji

🌍 At COP16, Whitley Fund for Nature winners spoke to The Guardian about their experiences facing threats and challenges in countries like Colombia, where protecting nature is often met with resistance, shedding light on the risks they face daily and the importance of global solidarity in conservation. Read more about their powerful stories here: https://lnkd.in/eDpFzSMc #COP16 #EnvironmentalDefenders #WhitleyFundForNature #ConservationLeaders #GlobalConservation

Whitley Award-winning Colombian conservationists share their experiences working in the most dangerous country to fight for wildlife...

Thank you Phoebe Weston at The Guardian Newspaper for speaking to our Colombian winners at COP16 and highlighting the challenges that conservationists face in their work to protect biodiversity in the most dangerous place in the world to be an environmentalist. Read about what it takes to protect river dolphins, sharks, night monkeys and cotton-top tamarins - and be inspired! Whitley Fund for Nature Rosamira Guillen Monroy Fernando Trujillo Angela Maldonado. Sandra Bessudo https://lnkd.in/exkEQYuQ

Meet Ximena Velez-Liendo, 2021 Whitley Award winner, whose impactful conservation work in the Bolivian Andes is helping farmers live in harmony with Andean bears! With the release of the new Paddington 3 film, which celebrates the beloved bear from Peru, now is the perfect time to raise awareness about the real-life challenges these iconic bears face. From supporting local communities to promoting sustainable practices, Ximena’s work is a true example of ethical conservation in action. Read more about her work here: https://lnkd.in/eBvTvzgM #Conservation #WildlifeProtection #AndeanBears #Paddington3 #SustainableFutures #HugABearDay

✨ We're thrilled to congratulate Albert Salemgareyev and the team at ACBK — Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan on their incredible achievement of winning the 2024 The Earthshot Prize! 🌍 From safeguarding the unique #saigaantelope to reintroducing wild horses, their work in Kazakhstan’s desert-steppe ecosystem exemplifies the innovation and optimism needed to address our greatest #environmental challenges. With the largest population of saiga antelope, they’re proving how #communityengagement and science-driven #conservation can lead to lasting impact – not just locally, but globally. A journey that saw #WhitleyAward recognition in 2023, now resonates on the world stage through #EarthshotPrize support. Congratulations to Albert and his team on this well-deserved success! 🏆💚 #BiodiversityConservation #UrgentOptimism #NatureRestoration #ConservationInnovation #Kazakhstan