Through the commitment of our supporters and our collaborative network, WCN has a positive, tangible, and long-lasting impact on endangered animals and on the conservationists dedicated to wildlife protection.
With every dollar we raise and every service we provide, we help conservationists focus on what they do best: save wildlife.
WCN is Founded
WCN was founded in 2002 on the premise that one person can truly make a difference for wildlife. Since its inception, WCN’s objective has been to equip effective conservationists with the tools and resources they need to succeed.
With this core mission in mind, we welcomed six independent field-based conservationists into our partner Network for the first time: Cheetah Conservation Fund, Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Project, Okapi Conservation Project, Save the Elephants, Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation, and Snow Leopard Conservancy.
In addition, we held our first Wildlife Conservation Expo in Los Altos Hills, CA, providing conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts with a place to connect and share ideas.
400
people attended the first Wildlife Conservation Expo
8
species protected worldwide through the work of WCN’s first conservation partners
Expanding Our Global Footprint
Over the next four years, we welcomed five more pioneering conservationists into the Network, expanding our impact for wildlife to Zimbabwe, Central Asia, and further into South America: Andean Cat Alliance and Cheetah Conservation Botswana in 2003; Painted Dog Conservation in 2004; Proyecto Tití, and Saiga Conservation Alliance in 2006.
We began the WCN Scholarship Program in 2006, providing funding and support to emerging young conservationists around the world.
Additionally, we expanded our geographic reach, moving our Wildlife Conservation Expos from Los Altos Hills to San Francisco.
7
scholars across nine countries protecting eight species in year one of the Scholarship Program
650
people attended our Wildlife Conservation Expo in Los Altos, CA in 2003
Onward and Upward: New Partners and the Elephant Crisis Fund
With our partner Save the Elephants, WCN launched the Elephant Crisis Fund (ECF) to address the ivory crisis spreading across Africa—which had killed an estimated 200,000 elephants in just six years. The ECF was created to stop elephant poaching and end trafficking and demand for ivory.
We grew the WCN Network by welcoming three new partners: Niassa Lion Project in 2010, Grevy’s Zebra Trust in 2012, and Ewaso Lions in 2013.
4
organizations working to end the ivory crisis supported by the Elephant Crisis Fund in its first round of grants
2
new species protected by WCN's partners: lions and Grevy's zebras
Growing Our Network
In 2016, WCN doubled our presence in Latin America by adding three new partners: Global Penguin Society, MarAlliance (protecting sharks and rays), and Spectacled Bear Conservation. The addition of Spectacled Bear Conservation marked the first time bears joined the ranks of species our partners protect. Additionally, Global Penguin Society and MarAlliance represented WCN’s first marine focused conservation efforts and expanded our work to a truly global scale.
In the U.S., we held four Wildlife Conservation Expos, bringing our partners’ inspirational work to new audiences in Houston, Chicago, and northern California.
50
species protected by WCN's three new partners: spectacled bear, 31 species of sharks and rays, and 18 species of penguins
2,200
people attended WCN's three Wildlife Conservation Expos
Our Biggest Impact Yet
In partnership with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, we launched the Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) in 2017 to recover lion populations and their savannah ecosystems across Africa. We have lost half of Africa’s lions over the past 25 years; through the LRF, we hope to regain those lion populations and restore the health of their landscapes.
With the support of our incredible and generous donors, we raised over $21 million for conservation—our biggest impact yet.
17
wildlife conservation partners and two Crisis and Recovery Funds
13
lion conservation projects supported across nine countries through grants provided by the Lion Recovery Fund
The Present and Future
Thanks to our committed and passionate donors, to date we have raised $100 million for conservation. We continue to bring supporters and conservationists together through our annual Wildlife Conservation Expos and we proudly retain four stars and a perfect 100 score from Charity Navigator.
We look forward to expanding our impact for years to come by continuing to support highly effective conservationists and investing in the best ideas to save some of the world’s most imperiled animals.
87
species protected across 37 countries by our Conservation Partners
256
projects supported through grants from the Elephant Crisis Fund and Lion Recovery Fund to date
Our Global Reach
WCN saves endangered species around the world by supporting wildlife Conservation Partners, granting scholarships, and supporting projects via our Crisis and Recovery Funds.
37
countries where our Conservation Partners protect 87 species of wildlife
47
countries where our Crisis and Recovery Funds have invested
Impact by the Numbers
$100 Million
raised for conservation since WCN's inception
We pass 100% of funds designated to a species directly to fieldwork to protect that species and 90% of donations to WCN are used to support our conservation partners.
1,127
people employed by our partners
Be it creating handicrafts, protecting wildlife as scouts, or hired as staff, our conservation partners employ local people in the countries where they operate.
274
Crisis and Recovery Funds have supported 274 projects to date.
The Elephant Crisis Fund and Lion Recovery Fund have supported projects in over 47 countries to protect elephants and lions throughout their entire habitat.
2000+
people attended our Wildlife Conservation Expos in 2018
WCN hosted Expos in northern California that were attended by people from over 29 states and 5 countries.
100+
field conservationists who have attended WCN workshops
WCN staff work with partners directly and provide expert training and workshops so conservationists can strengthen or learn new skills that make their organizations more impactful.
102
Scholarships awarded through our Scholarship Program
WCN has awarded scholarships to promising young conservationists across 36 countries.
See how our conservation partners are making a difference for endangered wildlife around the world.
Learn MoreOur Conservation Partners are Having a Big Impact
1,625
snares removed from July to September 2018
Through support from Okapi Conservation Project, rangers removed snares and closed 17 mines in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
38.5 Million
acres of marine and terrestrial habitat protected
In collaboration with other NGOs and the government of Argentina, the Global Penguin Society is creating two large off-shore marine national parks to protect wildlife.
80
livestock guarding dogs placed with farmers since 2014
Cheetah Conservation Botswana provides farmers with livestock guarding dogs who protect livestock from predators, thus reducing conflict between people and cheetahs.
14,200+
miles patrolled to protect lions in 2018
Scouts from Niassa Lion Project patrolled more than 14,200 miles in 2018.
12,000
children engaged with conservation
Painted Dog Conservation's Children's Bush Camp reached its 15th anniversary in 2018, engaging 12,000 children with conservation since 2003.
Photography Credits: Steve Mandel, Andrea Dekrout, Jillian Knox, Susan McConnell