Wildlife Conservation Network

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]

Wildlife Conservation Network
Founded2002
FounderCharles Knowles, John Lukas and Akiko Yamazaki.[1]
TypeNon-profit Organization
FocusEnvironmentalism
Location
Area served
World wide
MethodCommunity based partnerships, fundraising, consultancy
Key people
  • Charles Knowles (President)
  • Rebecca Patton (Director / Vice President)
  • Jean-Gaël E. Collomb, Ph.D. (Executive Director))
  • Akiko Yamazaki (Founder)
Revenue
$24,000,000 (2019)[2]
Volunteers
88[3]
Websitewildnet.org

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:

Wildlife Conservation Expo
2012 Expo at the Mission Bay Conference Center, San Francisco

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
  1. 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.
  2. "Wildlife Conservation Network 2017 Annual Report" (PDF). Wildlife Conservation Network.
  3. "Wildlife Conservation Network 2012 Annual Report" (PDF). Wildlife Conservation Network.
  4. "Wildlife Conservation Network". Charity Navigator.
  5. "Disney Honors WCN Director Isabella Rossellini and WCN Partner Iain Douglas-Hamilton as Wildlife Advocates". Business Wire.
  6. "Penguins". Wildlife Conservation Network.
  7. "Sharks and Rays = Wildlife Conservation Network".
  8. "Wildlife Projects". Wildlife Conservation Network.
  9. "Spectacled Bears". Wildlife Conservation Network.
  10. "AFC Exhibiting at Wildlife Conservation Network Expo". Artists for Conservation.
  11. "San Francisco, CA: Dr. Goodall's Keynote Speech at the WCN Expo". The Jane Goodall Institute.
  12. "Wildlife Conservation Expo". The Eyes of Thailand.
  13. "Wildlife expo showcases leading conservationists". Los Altos Town Crier.
  14. "Wildlife Conservation Network Expo". Wildlife Conservation Network.
  15. "WCN Elephant Crisis Fund". Elephant Crisis Fund.
  16. "WCN Solar Project". WCN Solar Project.
  17. "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.
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