I just returned from two weeks with the Wild Tomorrow team as part of their volunteer conservation program. Truly, there is no way to express my amazement, gratitude, and sheer joy for this spectacular group of people and their program. In addition to enthusiastic and engaging personalities, their combined knowledge of birds, game animals, insects, fish, flowers, and South African cultural traditions was head-exploding!
The volunteer work included species ID and vegetation surveys, planting in a sand forest, assisting with bird banding, weeding invasive species, demonstrating plant pressing for species ID, and doing a couple of small projects at one of the local creches of 3-5 yr. olds that receives support from Wild Tomorrow.
In between we went on several safari drives, witnessed a rhino dehorning firsthand, swam in tidepools at Sodwana Bay, took a riverboat in St. Lucia to see hippos and river birds, and joined the family of one of the staff for a traditional South African meal.
No matter the activity, one or more of the Wild Tomorrow staff was always with us, answering our non-stop multitudinous questions about species ID and behavior, as well as participating in every activity with us side by side. I am just beginning to go through my photos and notes and am amazed all over again at how much got packed into our stay--it was like taking a semester-long graduate course in just two weeks! I cannot recommend this nonprofit highly enough, especially its environment volunteer opportunities which meant having personal involvement with the land and its people.
I am very proud to say I have been volunteering for Wild Tomorrow for almost eight years and am so appreciative for the opportunity to have been doing so. Wild Tomorrow's mission, but also the way in which they go about achieving it, is inspiring, dedicated, and truly takes into account the needs and priorities of the communities and environment they work in. I am very lucky to know the WT team and am so excited to continue watching their incredible accomplishments!!
The work Wild Tomorrow is doing in South Africa is incredibly inspiring, and a template for rewilding and community building that I hope is easy to replicate in all of the world’s biodiverse hotspots. It has been a pleasure campaigning on their behalf and getting involved through fundraising in NYC, watching them grow while staying fervently committed to their mission of rehabilitating and rewilding critical habitat and providing employment and enrichment opportunities to the human communities who inhabit the land as well. Their relentless pursuit of this mission and the new ways they continue to evolve with additional support that comes their way is inspiring to witness, and I’m proud to be involved with this world changing organization.
I had the privilege of visiting the Wild Tomorrow property in KwaZulu-Natal in 2022. I am so appreciative of the good work being done, directly and in partnership with others, to re-wild the land and support the ecodiversity of the region. Looking forward to more exciting expansion of conservation efforts in the year ahead.
I’m really proud to be part of this charity that saves wild animals from extinction. It is unique in that it extends the livable environment for wildlife, allowing animal movement as nature intended. In such a materialistic world, it is overwhelmingly lovely to see that people are working hard to help endangered species.
In just a few short years, Wild Tomorrow has achieved remarkable progress on the ground in South Africa. The importance of its work extends not just to endangered species but also to the wellbeing of the local community, brining a much-needed bridge back between sustainability of endangered species and creating a sustainable livelihood for neighboring people. The work of Wild Tomorrow is of extraordinary importance in a world that is increasingly challenged by the decimation of ecosystems, threats to biodiversity, and poaching.
I have managed two non profits and volunteered for several. I met the CEOs of Wild Tomorrow at a lecture and was really impressed. This is something different from what I’ve seen and experienced. I’ve also spent time at their property in South Africa. This is a mission driven charity that achieves their goals and has a great board and staff. It is an organization with a big heart and shares it with the South Africa community - its people and animals. I’m constantly amazed at how much they have achieved in their less than 10 years. It has been an honor to be part of this group and I look forward to continuing to volunteer with them
I'm an ambassador with Wild Tomorrow and it is a joy seeing how like-minded people with various skill sets and resources can come together to make a difference. Whether it's large donors or someone contributing for a pair of boots for the front line Rangers or exceptional women who make up the Green Mambas, it all counts.
It starts with John and Wendy, the co-founders, who are smart, organized and as down-to-earth as can be. They have been able to bring together a diverse group of people to both fulfill and expand their vision of the trifecta of saving wild spaces, saving wildlife and supporting the local community.
It is and, has been, a beautiful thing to see.
I have been involved with Wild Tomorrow since 2017. I met my husband when I was on safari in South Africa at Kirkman’s Kamp (he was my safari guide). We fell in love and traveled to many safari camps all over Africa during our 3 year long distance relationship. He ultimately moved to the US, we got married and we now have two young boys. When he was moving to the US I found Wild Tomorrow as an org where he could stay connected to conservation in South Africa while living in NYC. We were both ambassadors for many years and I ultimately joined the board two years ago. We have visited the Wild Tomorrow land 3x with our kids and are just amazed at the progress we have made from a conservation standpoint in a few short years. It’s nothing short of remarkable. The wildlife that is coming back in an area that was barren due to monoculture farming is making a huge difference in one of the world’s few bio diversity hot spots. This is a non profit to watch and contribute to as it’s being done right and making a significant difference when it comes to the future of our planet.
Wild Tomorrow and Biologists without Borders (my non-profit) have been working together on conservation projects in Africa for 9 years now. The people at Wild Tomorrow are some of the most dedicated and hard working people in conservation. They have accomplished so much in a relatively short period of time - acquiring and rehabilitating large tracks of land for wildlife habitat and creating wildlife corridors between existing reserves. Bravo!
Previous Stories
I am proud to support WTF in their many efforts to help save African wildlife, from anti-poaching to restoring habitat and creating a wildlife corridor. John and Wendy are two of the most capable and dedicated people I have ever met. Their combined talents create an impressive team. It is truly amazing all that they have accomplished in a relatively short period of time. BRAVO!
The volunteer experience with WT was beyound my expactations. The team, Greg, Tori, Kevin, Apiwe and Senna. the rangers and all the Green Mambas are amazing people. During the trip one learns what the donation ist for: a creche, an orphanage (children), a rhino orphanage, maybe the collaring of an elephant or a rhino..., maybe the darting of a giraffe, the replanting of the sand forest ...
Thanks to everybody!
Iris
I’m a huge fan of the Wild Tomorrow team. They’re a leader in restoring wild habitats in South Africa; especially those habitats where vulnerable and endangered flora and fauna flourish. The team is passionate, adaptable and resilient. They innovate and iterate, constantly looking to improve outcomes. They accomplish a lot with very little, and make the best possible use of limited resources. They are driven, collaborative, inclusive and caring. If you want to support conservation and rewilding, you won’t find a better organization.
I completed my first Wild Tomorrow conservation experience, and my first visit to Africa, in August, 2024. To be frank, I was a little wary of going. But, the wariness evaporated as soon as I met the team, and especially our Project Manager and Volunteer Coordinator, who were all welcoming, friendly and delightfully upbeat. I was sad to leave, and eagerly look forward to returning.
The two weeks were an ideal balance of conservation and community work, and learning, exploring and playing. The first night a local teacher taught us about Zulu culture and language (including basic greetings). Great preparation for our volunteer work with team members and community visits. My favorite conservation activities included planting native trees with the Green Mambas, accompanying capture teams searching for animals in the bush, and visiting the rhino orphanage. The orphanage team members put us to work (I helped clean the bomas and used poop juice to make a probiotic milk shake for an orphan). One of the capture teams tracked a highly elusive female black rhino (her horns intact) and installed a radio collar around her ankle.
A very moving experience was creating art and playing with preschoolers at the local creche and playing soccer with girls at the community center (Wild Tomorrow supports the creche and community center). We visited a Wild Tomorrow team member’s rural home where we met her family and enjoyed a traditional (and delicious) Zulu lunch. The Reserve Manager taught us how to catch, ring (band) and release birds (I released two birds!). The General Manager found and showed us a button spider (beware, their bite contains fierce venom!) and taught us about the role of fire in healthy savannas. Our safari game driver stopped abruptly to give way to the herd of elephants (babies and adults) crossing in front of us.
The people, wildlife and habitats touched my heart (and I made new friends). If you value conservation and rewilding, and you want to make a meaningful difference, then support Wild Tomorrow, and join the next trip!
My family has just returned from South Africa where we spent two days with the Wild Tomorrow team on site and were honored to participate in a Rhino dehorning sponsored by WT. The passion, energy and commitment the team has is simply unparalleled. This was a life changing experience and we will be forever grateful to Wild Tomorrow for their work in conservation and community outreach. They are truly making the world a better place!
The volunteer experience that WT offers is such an incredible way to learn about wildlife and habitat conservation. For the past several years, I'd been looking for an opportunity to volunteer at a wildlife reserve to gain practical experience. The trip with WT was exactly what I'd been hoping for. We helped rewild an endangered forest by planting trees, engaged with a local pre-school and charity that WT contributes to, assisted with a rhino trimming procedure, visited a rhino orphanage -- it was a full and diverse itinerary!
The scope of WT's work is super impressive, and I loved going on game drives at its Greater Ukuwela National Reserve. Managers Tori and Kevin were wonderful and very knowledgeable about the complex conservation issues that WT seems to be navigating so skillfully. The trip was also just a lot of fun: the photography element of this trip was a bonus, and the overnight excursions to the beach and Manyoni reserves for safaris were amazing! I can't recommend the WT conservation experience enough. Can't wait to return!
I had heard about Wild Tomorrow from a photographer I followed on Instagram. I was intrigued with the idea of volunteering with them. About a year ago, I was looking at their website and found they had a photography-centered opportunity. I wanted to join, spoke with my wife about the two of us doing an 18-day guided tour of South Africa. My wife traveled home after that tour and I stayed and volunteered with Wild Tomorrow.
I was really impressed with my time at Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve, but even more than that, I was surprised by the extent of Wild Tomorrow’s impact in the area.
Wild Tomorrow is more than just a Nature Reserve. We were able to visit two orphanages/creches, where we helped organize and work with the staff and children. At one creche, we photographed all the children and printed the photos for them. They were so excited to have a photograph of the day. We also assisted with donations for rangers and helped remove invasive plants and plant native trees with the Green Mambas. We worked with rhinos and really learned about conservation efforts around them.
Both Tori and Kevin welcomed us to Wild Tomorrow and took fantastic care of us while we were there. The other volunteers on this volunteer opportunity were amazing. I made lifelong friends on this trip. Wild Tomorrow left a great impression on me, to the extent I hope to come back again very soon.
Intrigued by their mission to save wild animals and wild spaces while supporting local communities in the process, I joined Wild Tomorrow's April 2023 trip as a volunteer/guest to their Greater Ukuwela Natural Reserve, KwaZulu Natal from New York City. The trip exceeded my wildest expectations, combining an extraordinary blend of South African safari, wildlife and habitat preservation education, introduction to local community organizations and volunteerism. Co-founders Wendy Hapgood and John Steward and their magnificent multinational, multicultural, multifaceted expert team offered us an amazing two-week hands-on work and learning experience, while sharing with us some of the extraordinary wild animals and landscapes South Africa has to offer. Wild Tomorrow's unwavering commitment to supporting their local community groups, such as the Mduku Community creche - involving their volunteer guests in the process - and also contributing materially to like-minded conservation groups such as the Zulu Rhino Orphanage was a huge inspiration. Being introduced to South Africa this way was a life-changing experience, and it set a standard for me for any future trips to the continent. I simply cannot wait to go back and give back. Sincerely, Debra Kalish
Based on my own experience, I can't recommend Wild Tomorrow highly enough. I recently returned from a group conservation trip with them and the experience was excellent in pretty much every way.
Tori and the team kept us very busy, while also rearranging the schedule in real time in response to changes in weather and circumstances to make sure everything happened and more. They kept us in the loop about all the current work they were doing and went the extra mile to bring us in on significant events like game captures and rhino dehorning as they happened.
They were determined to make us part of their important work, but also showed us a great time in Hluhluwe, taking us out to restaurants with great food and cooking lunchtime picnics and booking us to stay in cosy and appropriate accommodation with still more good food. All lovely and welcoming without being showy.
It was huge, and Wild Tomorrow made the whole thing happen on our behalf. I can't even begin to imagine how I could have arranged a trip like this myself.
If you want to go on a real conservation safari and meet some great people, Wild Tomorrow is no pre-packaged tourist experience: it's the real deal.
I couldn't recommend Wild Tomorrow's volunteer trips enough! I was so inspired after my first experience, my husband and I created a group within our field and came back. Wild Tomorrow went above and beyond (as we've learned they do regularly), to make sure our group was comfortable, happy, and included/involved in the meaningful work they do. It was a life changing experience once again! (I didn't know that was a possibility). We felt our work had meaning, giving each individual a profound sense of purpose towards a cause we all hold dear to our hearts--saving wildlife and restoring wild places.
We can't wait to go back!
Previous Stories
I want to be selfish and keep to myself just how incredibly wonderful my volunteer experience was with Wild Tomorrow Fund. But, that wouldn't be very nice now, would it? Sigh. Okay, okay, here's the run down. Let me just begin with this. I am forever committed to the mission of Wild Tomorrow Fund. So much so, that as soon as I returned from the photography volunteer trip in April, my husband and I began discussing recruiting fellow colleagues in the children's book field to create a volunteer experience for next year! If given the opportunity to go back tomorrow, I'd be there in a heartbeat.
It was my first time to Africa, and I'll be honest, initially, I was a little wary of going by myself. But WTF made sure I felt safe, comfortable, and connected at all times. The trip was so thoughtfully planned they made sure we had enough downtime between each unique experience and balanced the adventures with "playtime" beautifully. I also appreciated the flexibility and opportunity to participate in developing activities that were afforded to us in real time. For example, at dinner one evening, our brilliant volunteer coordinator stepped away to take a call. She came back to the table and said, "Tomorrow we're going to capture nyalas and give them to another game reserve to help balance out their ecosystem. It would require us to leave at 5 AM, but would any of you be interested in participating?" Everybody's arms shot up in a resounding, "yes, absolutely." And, as you can probably imagine, it was an incredible experience.
They paid attention to detail, dietary restrictions, and went above and beyond to provide the most authentic experience for everyone. I, personally, am working on a children's book about pangolins and requested that if there was any possible way we should be able to see a pangolin and meet with the professionals who care for them it would mean so much. Oh, and it'd also provide me with invaluable information for my research, too. It was a tall order, but they came through and delivered this incredible experience for us all. I learned so much, and received information I'd never would have discovered in a book or online.
One of the things I especially appreciated was how they educated our group about the local Zulu culture by bringing in a Zulu educator who taught us the history of the culture on day 1. He also taught us basic greetings/communication tools that we could then use going forward in their native tongue. This context was priceless in helping us to better inform our own behavior to ensure we were respectful and understanding of their culture for the rest of our journey. They made a point of showing us the entire scope of what it actually takes to bring back wild places. WTF is not only buying land, restoring it to its original health and releasing animals native to the land; they are actively supporting the local communities by providing food and clothing to the local orphanage, building school structures for the local creche and providing jobs for women. We were able to see how our monetary contribution helped to support all of these efforts. I felt, for the first time, like I was a part of something important; a cause that was actually creating a positive change in the world and it remains an experience that will stay with me always.
If you love animals, if you want to be an active participant in their conservation and the habitats they live in...this is the experience for you. A volunteer experience with Wild Tomorrow Fund will change your life. Period.
WTF is an amazing, humble organization with great staff and life changing experiences. Their mission is to re-wild and contribute to the community around them while including and educating their volunteers with such enthusiasm and love. I will always support this is non-profit and can’t wait to participate in another trip!
Wild Tomorrow is an organization with substance and passion behind it that remains aligned and concerned with preservation of the land, wildlife, and community. Many members of the local community---to include several widowed mothers---are employed by the organization and are now able to provide for their families in ways they consistently struggled to prior. Members of the local community are provided a job they believe in, a job that sustains them financially, and ensures the animals are cared for. Wild tomorrow is true win win. Keep up the vital work!
I had the honor of working with Wild Tomorrow Fund in June of 2023. It was a life-changing experience to participate in such important hands-on work. The reserve managers were so knowledgeable about their field and passionate about their work, making it all the more inspiring for me. I felt I truly learned valuable information about the land, animals, and big picture regarding the surrounding areas. I was allowed to be actively involved in the processes of the reserve upkeep and got to meet some extraordinary people that have valuable insight into the field of ecology. The people associated with Wild Tomorrow were even gracious enough to take the time to share a meal with us, which made me feel like we made friends and we're appreciated beyond short-term volunteers. I will forever remember my amazing experience with Wild Tomorrow and hope to maybe return one day.
I had the opportunity to work with Wild Tomorrow Fund this summer on the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve. It was a truly eye opening experience to see how much work goes into maintaining and cultivating the land. My team had the opportunity to work with several different members of the Wild Tomorrow Fund team, and all of them were amazing. One of the projects we did involved setting up camera traps to determine how many leopards are in the area. Greg, the general manager, was so patient and explained everything to us and happily answered all our questions. He allowed us to be actively involved and walked us through the process of how to set up the cameras and showed us all the best places to view leopards. At the end of our trip he brought his laptop and allowed us to see all the amazing videos! Another project we did with Wild Tomorrow was bird banding with Kevin, the reserve manager, and it was also amazing! Similar to Greg, he was also so patient with us, answered all our questions, and allowed us to be actively involved in the entire process. There were so many more activities we did with Wild Tomorrow including bush clearing, painting, and packing erosion sites, and every step of the way Wild Tomorrow was so enthusiastic and it's so obvious how much they love and value the land and animals under their care.
This trip was a college graduation present that I shared with my daughter, and without doubt it was the some of the most valuable time we have ever spent together. Tori, Greg, and Kevin were extremely well informed and engaging, sharing with us the problems with conservation efforts in South Africa as well as how challenging the solutions are. We learned a lot while engaging in volunteer projects and meeting people who have forever left their mark on us (in the best ways). I can’t say enough about how well organized the trip was, while also allowing us some time to add in things the group wanted to do and see. The accommodations and food were amazing. You won’t regret a second of this trip! We are already trying to find our way back to Wild Tomorrow!
I had the pleasure of doing a volunteer excursion with Wild Tomorrow Fund in April 2023; it was very educational and eye-opening, and one of the best experiences in my life. The Guides and Rangers are very knowledgeable and experienced, and showed us and explained to us so many things one would not get to see or participate in with other offerings. I truly feel I have a better understanding of the importance of the preservation of wild life. I plan on doing the volunteer excursion again.
Paul Somelofske
I first visited SA with Wild Tomorrow in 2016 and it was one of the most remarkable trips I've ever taken. My first visit awakened my passion for this wonderful part of the world and my support for Wild Tomorrow. I have subsequently been back 2 more times with the most recent being this past March. I've had the opportunity to track and tag African wild dogs and elephants, dehorn rhinos, see the grace and beaaty of the larger than life african animals especially my favorite - the giraffes in their natural habitat as well as interact with the community and their children. The amazing work that John and Wendy as co-founders have done and what they've accomplished is truly awesome.
Well it begins with an 8600 mile trip across the Ocean to Africa. Your expectations are high, but Wild Tomorrow exceeded my wildest dreams.
The amount of lives this organization touches was amazing to me. We saw rhinos getting their solar bracelets, children getting toys we brought but most of all their big meal for the week. Removing and planting plants with the Green Mambas, ladies that Wild Tomorrow helps to support. Rhino orphanage, that breaks your heart, to see what we (man) are doing to our wildlife, but so grateful there is a rhino orphanage.
I was amazed and inspired by this nonprofit, and I am a part of many nonprofits, but Wild Tomorrow was like nothing I've ever experienced. I thank Reclaimed Earth for putting together this trip and introducing us to Tori, Greg, Kevin and John. God Bless You All.
As a supporter of WTF, I had visited South Africa this Spring and experience their work first hand in person, WTF truly understand the importance of the wildlife preservation and know how to and collaborate with all the organization locally and gather the resource globally! We can’t be more proud to be part of this journey with WTF.
We met John and Wendy a few years ago and fell.in love with their dream of saving habitat and reconnecting our collective hearts to nature.
As filmmakers, we are always looking for significant stories to shine a light on, and this year we began a journey to do just that with Wild Tomorrow.
The experience was life changing and we hope our film will have a part in raising awareness of the importance of paying attention to the big and little things that are endangered and in need of our help.
Wild Tomorrow’s mission is, in the lyrics of the great Hal David, what the world needs now.
Official trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EFAuvOiq_w
Our family excursion at Wild Tomorrow was hands-down the best trip we've ever had. Tori planned an absolutely perfect itinerary for us that was thoughtful, varied, adventurous and life-changing. We felt that we were a part of the conservation mission, and what an honor it was to be amongst such passionate and productive individuals. We loved every day of the experiences and will remember the trip like no other. This is not just a vacation: Wild Tomorrow has an impact on the lives of the local people, the biodiversity and land, and will be a treasured memory for all of us forever. Thank you for an epic trip!!
Going to South Africa has always been on top of my list. And then I found and met the wonderful folks at Wild Tomorrow Fund (WTF). They were running conservation/volunteer/photography trips. I cannot say enough about the experience and opportunity to learn and see first hand what WTF does for the environment, how they help local organizations and communities. The trip was amazingly coordinated so that we were able to participate side by side with the rangers, local communities and organizations to learn more about what they do and make an impact as well as adventures to see game reserves, wildlife and time to just enjoy where we were. The WTF team in South Africa were wonderful they thought of everything to make this a most memorable trip. As we went through the various volunteer and conservation activities, we could see their dedication to what they do. They showed us the end to end view of their work and how much work it takes to restore the land and return the wildlife back to its natural surroundings, how they were working with the local communities to better enable them to provide food and clothing to the local orphanage, building structures for them to have a place to cook and feed the children and families, providing jobs for women and helping them learn how to grow their business... what a most amazing way to see how our monetary contributions were going to work and supporting these great efforts. I look forward to being able to go back to see how much more WTF has done.
I traveled on a volunteer trip with Wild Tomorrow Fund to South Africa in October, 2019. I was interested in wildlife conservation and photography and this trip was perfect for me.
Prior to signing up for the trip, I had done a lot of research to find an organization that took great care to do what is best for wildlife while also supporting the local communities.
The trip was amazing. I met warm, caring, and adventurous people who all loved wildlife. I learned about the importance of linking reserves to create wildlife corridors so that animals can re-establish their migration ranges and routes. Each day was a new experience- bird-banding; snare removal; rhino de-horning; visiting and bringing supplies to a local day care and orphanage; learning about sand forests; hiking, horseback riding, safari riding, and boating in wildlife and nature reserves; learning the history of the area; meeting the rangers and the women "Green Mambas" team; eating delicious local foods; and, of course, the daily opportunities for learning and doing wildlife photography.
The Wild Tomorrow Fund leadership and staff are outstanding. Wendy and John are dedicated to saving wild spaces and wildlife and supporting the neighboring communities. It was a privilege to get to know them and see first-hand the great work they are doing. The volunteer trip was life-changing for me. I learned so much and met wonderful life-long friends.
I encourage people to support Wild Tomorrow Fund. The organization's work and the volunteer trips are the best!
A big thank you to all at Wild Tomorrow Fund!
Lesa W.
I first met Wendy Hapgood when she was a guest on my podcast, The Innovative Mindset. Her passion for helping animals that immediately drew me to learn more about the Wild Tomorrow Fund. The work this organization does to further the cause of helping and saving animals in South Africa is outstanding. In fact, I was so impressed with their mission that I did my own fundraiser to be a tiny part of purchasing the land to allocate as part of the wildlife reserve. We raised enough funds to name an acre after one of my beloved cats, Kimba.
Not only does the WTF help the animals directly, but they also help rangers and others who work boots on the ground to save the animals with critical supplies such as packs and boots. The Wild Tomorrow Fund is doing crucial, sacred work, and I help them any way I can as often as I can because I believe in their mission and how they go about achieving their goals.
It is my hope that they continue to reclaim habitat to save more and more of the animals who call that part of South Africa home. Thank you, Wendy, John, and the rest of the folks at the WTF for doing suck critical and impressive work to save animals and conserve the land that is their home.
My husband and I have been privileged to experience first-hand the exceptional work done by the Wild Tomorrow Fund team for the past five years. During that time we have seen their unwavering commitment to their goal, often at great personal sacrifice when the hard lockdown hit us all. And yet they soldiered on with their grand vision to rescue and re-wild critically important ecological corridors in South Africa; to employ and train local staff to assist in managing, patrolling and protecting these lands; to support the surrounding communities in numerous ways, from education to facilities to work-related equipment; to empower women and disadvantaged people in rural areas, and so much more. As we have worked in the conservation and wildlife veterinary fields for decades, we have personal experience of a great many fundraising organizations focused on supporting conservation, and can honestly say that this is one of the most ethical, passionate and hardworking teams we've encountered. They have our unequivocal 5-star rating.
Outstanding charity putting its money where its mouth is to support wildlife conservation in a region of critical but deeply threatened biodiversity. An inspiring team fully dedicated to its goals to restore, reclaim and rewild Nature.
We went on a tour of Wild Tomorrow Fund's pfojects and were blown away by the comprehensive way they approach their project from land preservation and regeneration, wildlife preservation and protection and even to the extent that they involve the local community. I found the trip inspiring and it gave me some hope for the future.
Wild Tomorrow Fund spoke to us the minute we heard about their mission that includes animal conservancy and local support of rangers who protect them, among many other ways of rewilding.
That voice was so loud that we will be traveling with them next April in 2023 to document elements of what they do and the physical corridor they will build as a conduit for wild animals to travel unhindered.
We could not be more excited to shed a spotlight on this amazing organization and the people who discovered and nurture it.
I am always amazed when John and Wendy Steward, founders of the Wild Tomorrow Fund, share their story. They quit their lucrative jobs in advertising and finance to create a non-profit dedicated to preserving wildlife in South Africa. In a few short years, they have accomplished so much. There is now an officially designated nature preserve in South Africa that has been ‘re-wilded’. Native plants and animals populate this former agricultural land, and they are working to link with adjacent reserves to restore a historic wildlife corridor.
I am especially impressed with how the Wild Tomorrow Fund accomplishes its goals. There is both an American board and a South African board. They work closely with the local Zulu community, providing jobs and supporting schools.
We have run a few fundraisers for them. They are always clear on how they intend to use the money, and they follow through. The goals in one year become accomplishments the next. Virtually all the money raised is used for its intended purpose.
This organization was founded by two incredibly focus and dedicated individuals who care deeply about preserving, protecting and re-wilding habitat in South Africa --and hopefully other places as well. They hired smart and amazing people who are from this area of South Africa and committed to save the land. Wild Tomorrow fund has a strong and growing board who are engaged, donors and connectors. It's truly a team effort. And, they do fabulous work! They have already saved a very valuable "corridor"of land with a river that can connect to a National Park and a private park on either side..both who are convince the right thing to do for the wildlife is to work together and open the land up! VERY exciting work!! Their volunteer trips are amazing and give you a hands-on experience. At any level, you can become involved, learn a ton, and meet some truly great people. As someone who has worked with nonprofits for 30 years, Wild Tomorrow Fund is a great example of a group doing good and doing it well.
What an experience Wild Tomorrow Fund provided to our group! You will experience a friendly staff of knowledgeable guides that will give you the opportunity to both view the big 5 , but also experience hands on activities such as bird banding or rhino dehorning! All activities you experience help support the preservation of the ecosystem, reintroduction of threatened and endangered wildlife!
We joined the November 2021 volunteer trip to the WTF Ukuwela Reserve. It was unequivocally one of our most rewarding, unforgettable and fun travel experiences. Our daughter has been a supporter of the organization since its inception and was part of the first volunteer group in 2017. Since returning from that trip she knew she wanted to go back at some point to see for herself the progress being made at the reserve and to help continue the work there. Having seen her photos and heard her enthusiasm about her experiences, we decided to join her. Our time with the Wild Tomorrow Fund staff in South Africa enabled us to gain a first-hand understanding and appreciation of their three-part vision – reclaim and preserve the land, protect the wildlife, and support the community. For this trip our group worked on the reserve several mornings to remove invasive plant species and support erosion control. Together with reserve rangers we patrolled the land to remove snares. At a nearby rhino orphanage learned about the need to dehorn rhinos to keep them safe from poachers and then helped dehorn 3 young rhinos prior to being released back into the wild. We also were able to participate in dehorning a mother and calf white rhino and mother and calf black rhino on the open reserve. In the community we had the opportunity to interact with teachers and children at two pre-schools as well as spend a morning playing soccer and other games at a local orphanage/community outreach center. Interspersed with these activities we went on several “big five” drives at neighboring reserves as well as trips to the coast for “R&R”.
This list of activities can’t begin to describe the emotional reactions and understanding that they generated; awe and respect at the beauty of these animals in the place where they belong; sadness felt at the need for protecting animals seen as disposable by poachers for their own gain; respect for the impressive group of women and men on the ground there who are dedicated to doing this every day. As a volunteer, having your hands on the leathery skin of a rhino to help reposition it while it is vulnerable and being dehorned to holding a delicate, beautiful bird in your hands to be released after it’s been recorded and banded, these are among the images that will stay with you long after you have left Ukuwala. The best endorsement we can give is that we want to go on a return trip in a few years to see the progress. Gail & Paul Andersen
When I think about the loss of wild habitat, extinction and climate change it is at times overwhelming and depressing. Then when you are part of an experience like this with Wild Tomorrow Fund you feel so much gratitude that you are helping nature heal.
When we darted the first rhino for dehorning I started to cry, to think, this is what it has come too! But as we proceeded I was so happy and privileged to know that I just helped save a species from extinction!
Working the land to rid it of invasive species , repairing roads and mist netting birds to gain valuable information all for helping this beautiful wildlife was so such a rich and rewarding experience.
With all this we still had great "safari" time to see Africa's iconic animals and take great pictures!
I am so impressed with Wild Tomorrow Funds commitment and dedication to re-wilding this magnificent land. If you want to be a part of this rewarding experience of helping wildlife then I highly recommend this volunteer trip!
My husband and I have supported Wild Tomorrow Fund from Day 1. Their approach focuses on protecting wildlife and conserving nature, while also employing and supporting the surrounding community. This has been a very successful recipe resulting resulting in the creation of a new wildlife reserve, home to many reintroduced animals and now their babies, born on land that would otherwise have become a pineapple field.
We have attended multiple in person and online events and can attest to the honesty, hardworking, dedication and creativity of the WTF team, especially the co-founders Wendy and John.
In August 2019 we got the opportunity to visit KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa and experience first-hand the work that WTF has done in the field. After years supporting them, it was an incredible experience to be able to visit and see all the amazing things that WTF has done over the years and visit the land, the animals, and the local people we had only ever seen in videos and pictures.
We are so proud to have supported them and hope their donor list will grow.
Wild Tomorrow Fund is an incredible organization that does amazing work! I was lucky enough to see this work first-hand during their August 2021 volunteer trip. Not only do they do so much for wildlife conservation by helping with habitat restoration and supporting wildlife projects such as pangolin conservation and rhino conservation, but they also help out the local communities. Everybody was so welcoming, friendly, and passionate about the work they do. The volunteer trip was the perfect balance of conservation work, community work, adventure, and down time. In just 2 weeks they were able to fit so much in, such as getting up close with a pangolin, being a part of multiple rhino dehornings, participating in erosion restoration, delivering food to creches, enjoying the beach, and going on multiple game drives. I highly recommend supporting Wild Tomorrow Fund and also highly recommend going on their volunteer trips!
My husband and I are so grateful to have found the Wild Tomorrow Fund and become Ambassadors for the organization. My husband used to live in South Africa and was a safari guide in the Sabi Sands who relocated to NYC to be with me - needless to say conservation is very near and dear to him and subsequently to me as well and he needed to find a way to stay connected once no longer in the bush. In addition it is so important to us that we do as much as we can to save our natural world for our son's generation and beyond.
There are many ways to go about conserving nature but in our opinion WTF's tactics are spot on in order to have a successful outcome - focus on conserving habitat while in parallel working/supporting the surrounding community ultimately produces a thriving ecosystem. This is evident on WTF's land with how many baby animals were born this year on the land, diverse animals seen on the camera traps and how well the flora and fauna are doing. While the land is not enormous it is very important as it sits between a very large reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is extremely biodiverse. Not to mention the orgs founders John and Wendy are two of the most selfless people I have ever encountered - so passionate about the cause putting everything they have into WTF.
As someone who lives in the urban jungle of NYC, I always searched for the right kind of organization I can support in for-of-places like Africa. Am beyond happy to have found WTF due to 3 main reasons: 1. Their 3 prong approach to conservation (preserving land, saving wildlife and helping the community). 2. Transparency which leads into 3. If there is a project they need funded, and you fund it, within a short amount of time, you will receive updates on that project. WTF not just talk the talk but they walk the walk. A must support for all wildlife enthusiasts and environmentalists.
Oh, and they're super nice as well.
From the first day i learned about Wild Tomorrow fund. I completely bought into the concept and the dream. Not only do they loooove the animals but saving habitat and empowering communities is such a beautiful combination.
I have been privileged to visit their reserve in South Africa a few times and although i went there to “work” i always leave humbled and inspired by the people i get to meet on these trips… i go there to help but i sneakily leave there fulfilled… What an amazing org… PASSION OVERLOAD…
Wild Tomorrow Fund is one of these rare organizations which are small in size but big in impact, giving you the first-row seat to what it takes to safeguard whatever is left of our natural world. Their unique strategy and operating model allow for anyone with love and interest in wildlife to get a hands-on experience in conservation and truly make an impact. Volunteering with them in Africa was not only one of the best experiences of my life it was also the very first step in my career in conservation. I would always be grateful to them for this opportunity. Love you guys
I had the opportunity to complete my job shadowing with Wild Tomorrow Fund to learn more about the world of work as a Grade 11 student with an interest in possibly pursuing in this occupational field.
I was fascinated with Wild Tomorrow Fund’s mission to expand natural habitats in order to conserve and protect wildlife spaces as well as preventing the extinction of many animals.
Wild Tomorrow Fund is an amazing non-profit organisation with great initiatives that are contributing hugely to the world of conservation. The team puts so much passion into their work and is truly inspiring!
I was able to join WTF on their first trip to South Africa in 2017. The trip was an amazing experience to be able to see the start of something that is helping conserve nature in South Africa. It was a great mix of seeing and helping in the work they are doing as well as having some fun and being up close and personal with nature and the animals of the area.
It's great to see how far they have come in the past 4 years brining the land back to nature, bring back more animals and bring down some of the fences that were once on the land to help the animals have a larger area to roam.
The whole experience was amazing and Wild Tomorrow fund is a great group doing great things for the environment. I am planning on trying to get back to SA to in 2022 to visit the reserve again!
In 2019 while on a volunteer experience at Phinda Game Reserve in South Africa, I first learned about Wild Tomorrow Fund and their efforts to purchase property to create a wildlife corridor between the Munyawana Conservancy and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. Upon returning to the USA, I researched Wild Tomorrow Fund and decided to make a donation through them for the rehoming of pangolins to Phinda. The pangolin donation was scheduled to be accompanied by a pangolin sighting on a return trip to Phinda planned for 2020, which was scuttled by COVID-19. In its place, Simon Naylor, Game Reserve Manager at Phinda, suggested using the funds to purchase two pangolin tracking tags. Wendy Hapgood, co-founder of Wild Tomorrow Fund, coordinated the details of the purchase of the tags and the filming of a video of the ecology monitors attaching the tags to the pangolin’s scales, which they ultimately shared with me. This made me feel a true part of the “wildlife conservation team” although I was unable to be there in person. Throughout 2020 and into 2021, Wild Tomorrow Fund focused much of their efforts on supporting job creation, education and food security for the local communities (while also being mindful of protecting the wildlife) to help them survive the economic devastation brought on by COVID-19. It was an honor to be able to support some of their many initiatives. In August 2021, I was very fortunate to be able to participate in Wild Tomorrow Fund’s Volunteer Experience. This was two weeks of learning about the land, the animals, and the local people as well as experiencing some of the local attractions. Highly recommended to anyone wanting to learn about South Africa—you couldn’t ask for a better experience. They pulled out all the stops to make the volunteer experience a phenomenal one. What I love so much about Wild Tomorrow Fund is how personal they make every interaction with their team, whether it is providing updates on the work they are doing, inviting you to participate in a webinar or a gala, acknowledging a donation, or providing a richly rewarding volunteer experience. Wild Tomorrow Fund is more than just a non-profit—they care intensely about the good they can do. They are what every 501c3 should be.
I recently returned from Wild Tomorrow Fund’s two-week conservation experience trip in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, and oh my goodness I cannot recommend it highly enough!! When I first learned about this trip, I saw it as a perfect opportunity to visit a corner of the world I had never been to safely and affordably, gain first-hand experience in a field I am passionate about, and of course it provided a chance to admire the charismatic megafauna of the African continent.
Our days were packed but were well balanced between work and play. While volunteering we helped the staff of Wild Tomorrow Fund with landscaping projects like invasive plant removal, erosion control work, and even a snare patrol. Since a large part of conservation work is community support and outreach, we also helped the community by delivering a monthly food package to two different schools, sharing a meal with an orphanage after helping to paint their fence, and we also had an amazing homecooked meal followed by a very exclusive VIP shopping experience featuring KZN’s finest handmade woven baskets.
We also had plenty of time for sightseeing and exploring. We took a day trip to the beach town of Saint Lucia where we saw dozens of hippos and crocs; we spent the night in Sodwana Bay where we got to dive the reefs and watch humpback whales migrating; we went on game drives in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and Bayala and saw almost all of the big five. Throughout all these incredible experiences, the Wild Tomorrow Fund team remained cognizant of our needs and allowed plenty of R&R at our beautiful bush camp whenever we needed it.
I have to say though what made this trip truly remarkable was not the food, accommodation, experiences, or even the animals. It was the Wild Tomorrow Fund team. Everyone went above and beyond to welcome us volunteers, include us, and truly made us feel we were part of the team. It was so great to get to know these people, and so inspiring to hear their stories and to see how passionate they are about their work. And for them to welcome us so graciously into their world was absolutely amazing. I extend my biggest and most sincere thank you’ s and gratitude to them!
I joined Wild Tomorrow Fund (WTF) on their Conservation Experience Trip in August 2021. I highly recommend this trip without reservation if you are interested in learning more about conservation and do not mind getting your hands dirty at times. The trip is wonderfully organized with a nice balance of work and play. Reserve work included morning snare patrol, an erosion control project, zebra identification, and removing invasive plant species to name a few. We learned about the community by delivering food to two preschools, volunteering at an orphanage, and enjoying a home cooked Zulu meal in the local community. The animal conservation experiences were absolutely incredible! We shoveled rhino poop at an orphanage, experienced a giraffe capture and release, participated in bird ringing/banding, tracked and monitored a pangolin (yes, you read that right!), and funded the dehorning of three rhinos. Mix all of this action with beach time at Sodwana Bay and game drives at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and Bayala and you end the two week conservation experience with a complete picture of Zululand and the importance of WTF’s work in conserving and rewilding these natural spaces. A heartfelt thank you to the Wild Tomorrow Fund Team for welcoming us into your world with open arms, for sharing all of your knowledge, and for inspiring others to work together to create a better future for wildlife!
