Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN)

Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) saves wildlife by helping independent conservationists build connections and strong, sustainable organizations.  WCN’s mission is to protect endangered species and preserve their natural habitats by supporting entrepreneurial conservationists who pursue innovative strategies for people and wildlife to co-exist and thrive.  WCN protects endangered species and preserves their natural habitats by supporting entrepreneurial conservationists who pursue innovative strategies for people and wildlife to co-exist and thrive. Wildlife Programs WCN saves endangered species in 24 countries around the world by supporting independent wildlife conservationists. Painted Dog Conservation Andean Cat Alliance Cheetah Conservation Botswana Cheetah Conservation Fund Proyecto Tití Save the Elephants Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Program Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ewaso Lions Niassa Lion Project Okapi Conservation Project Saiga Conservation Alliance Small Cat Conservation Alliance Snow Leopard Conervancy What WCN does Connect with Conservation - They bring together conservationists with passionate wildlife supporters. The events, regular updates from the field, and opportunities for field visits get donors close to the conservation they care about. These connections have helped raise more than $50 million for wildlife conservation.  Developing Skills for Conservationists - WCN helps the conservationists and their staff members develop these skills by working closely with WCN staff members and by providing access to expert training in these topics. Each year the Partners receive live and interactive training in a series of workshops covering topics ranging from leadership skills to website design. Creating and Supporting a Network - WCN's core network is made up of the fourteen Conservation Partners, all of whom have undergone an extensive selection process to become Partner. However, the support extends beyond this group to other conservationists, organizations and individuals around the world that save wild animals. Through the Elephant Crisis Fund, they provide funding to organizations that save elephants from ivory poaching.  Leveraging Conservation Expertise - Connections across the WCN network are brought to life when the conservationists come together during Wildlife Conservation Expo week each year, and through WCN’s cross-partner visit program. This program, funded by the Handsel Foundation, supports educational visits between conservationists. Conservation's Future: WCN Scholarship Program - The WCN Scholarship Program invests in the next generation of conservation leaders by providing grants for graduate education to students who are committed to working on wildlife conservation in their home countries.  Building Collaboration - The conservationists they support collaborate extensively with fellow field-based NGOs, community conservancies, governments and other stakeholders. WCN also helps build partnerships with groups worldwide that can offer skills or services to enhance the conservationists' work.   Solar Project - In 2006, WCN supporter Stephen Gold initiated a project to provide solar energy to conservation projects around the world. This innovative endeavor meets the great need for electricity in remote field stations, and combines cutting-edge technology with wildlife conservation and sustainable environmental practices.