Wildlife Conservation Network, Inc.

I am a long time supporter of WCN and my only wish is that I could do more. I discovered them many years ago through a fundraising event for the Niassa Lion Project, I've been a donor ever since. The annual Expo is something I look forward to all year, I even plan my travel around it to make sure I am able to attend. One of the best things about the Expo, and WCN in general, is it/they give me hope. We hear so much about all the devastation wildlife is experiencing and how endangered much of it is. Knowing there are conservationists out there who have hope and believe it's not too late is inspiring and keeps me from losing hope.

I've also had some amazing experiences with wildlife conservation projects in other countries because of my connection to WCN. I've been able to visit rehab centers in India (elephants) and Vietnam (pangolins) that I'd otherwise not have known about and most certainly would not have been able to visit. I am so very grateful for the work that WCN does and that I am, in some small way, a part of that.

I became a supporter of WCN through their partner Save The Elephants in 2016. I'm a major donor to the Elephant Crisis Fund, which stops the killing, trafficking, and demand for ivory by finding innovative projects and creating collaboration among these diverse actors. I like STE and WCN's ability to keep a pulse on the big picture of what is happening with elephants across Africa and to determine the highest areas of need, develop board strategies, and respond to crises very quickly, which can be unusual in philanthropy.
100% of all donations go directly to the projects.

WCN has a family feel to it and I don't say that lightly. They take great care in cultivating and deepening their relationship with their partners and their donors. It's been an amazing experience. I've since developed wonderful relationships with the STE and WCN staff including Frank Pope, Jeffrey Parrish and Chris Thouless. I didn't fully comprehend the extent of WCN's work and commitment until I went with them to Samburu in 2016 and saw, first hand, the work on the ground of 3 of their 17 partners. I am truly impressed with the passion, dedication, strategy and depth of knowledge of the staff - they truly are experts in their fields. I feel confident that my funding has an impact. WCN is so important for raising awareness about and building support for great conservation projects that otherwise may not have awareness in the United States. Bringing the fundraising and marketing of many conservation organizations under one roof allows for the pooling of resources. It is highly effective and efficient and makes them easily accessible to Americans.

WCN also puts on two wildlife expos a year in the Bay area. Bringing together partner organizations and donors, the partners give talks and updates and donors have the opportunity to interact with the organizations one on one, a wonderful way to learn more about what is going on in the field. In addition there are social events that allow for more informal but equally impactful interactions. WCN is unlike any group I've been involved with. They have a truly special approach to conservation. I highly recommend funding them if you are looking to donate and are looking for a strong and committed organization unlike any other.

Pat Price

I have been a supporter of WCN since 2015. They put on two wildlife conferences (“Expo”) in the San Francisco Bay area each year. It is a wonderful way to learn about wildlife conservation organizations. They partner with a number of wildlife conservation organizations and it is possible to make a donation to WCN that they will pass on 100% to the organization of your choice. WCN does all of the “due diligence“ about their conservation partners so you know that the organizations to which you are donating are actually doing a good job! If you want to support wildlife conservation but aren’t sure where to start, I encourage you to check out WCN and attend one of their Expos.

This is a fabulous organization -- they do enormous due diligence before supporting the top researchers who are in the field with animals. I've been on a trip with Prof. Claudio Sillero (one of the projects and scientists supported by WCN) -- tracking and observing the rare Ethiopian wolf. I was impressed by his knowledge, his team and the work they are able to accomplish to sustain, protect, educate and share learning on this remarkable animal. I've also been to the annual meeting in San Francisco -- one impressive presentation after another by impressive and serious academicians and scientists. A non-profit that warrants serious consideration and support.

It is my pleasure to tell you why my husband Bruce and I are so grateful we found WCN. We were looking for an umbrella organization which only included community based conservation of truly endangered animals where the local people would be appreciated for their vital link to the wildlife and benefit from the conservation efforts as well. In order to keep administration costs very low, WCN has a loyal and large volunteer staff which is always praised at events large and small. WCN has a very efficient organization but can also help the donors feel like members of the family.

Being community based, the conservationists facilitate a lot of change by example, not by telling the local people what to do. There are thorough updates from each partner at least twice a year in person and as often as each month in writing. For example, we just heard that Niassa Lion in Mozambique has had such success with their living fencing that instead of importing new material for more fencing, they are able to harvest from their existing fences the material for new. That is the kind of info we appreciate. If we designate which conservationist we want to receive our donation, 100% of the money goes to that effort and the transfer fee is paid by WCN. It doesn't get any better than that.

Not only can we meet with the partners at least once a year and get to know them but there are opportunities to visit them in the field. Bruce and I visited Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe. There we got to track the dogs with their staff and explore their Visitors Center which is a work of art and a splendid tool for education about and appreciation for the dogs by the local people and all other visitors.

WCN gives the conservationists time together at the time of the annual EXPO so they may share their challenges and accomplishments. The partners also have valuable workshops with experts in finance, grant writing, making presentations and other vital topics.

Because we know their integrity, professionalism and dedication to wild animals, wild places and the nearby local people, we trust WCN. We are comfortable leaving the funds in our trust to their care after we are gone and we know that we will be making the kind of difference that matters for years to come. Imagine finding an organization that can warrant this confidence and can prompt this glowing letter. Wildlife Conservation Network is a shining star.

I have been involved with WCN for several years now. What a great experience to help raise awareness and meet others who have a similar passion. Charlie, Kelly and the staff are some of the hardest working people i have ever met.

incredible organization.....to donate here is to sleep easy.
pick your species, get involved

I only met the WCN team for the first time earlier this year. I have spend quite some time looking at their projects and their approach to conservation. I am very excited about what WCN does!! They provide a link (which has been badly missing) between a number of landmark conservation projects and the general public. I like how they support the conservationists in marketing, fund raising, donor relations, PR, all topics which are extremely important but which are a huge distraction from the field work. Based on that mode, WCN has built trustful relationships with some of the most important conservationists out there. Congratulations to building such a terrific organization.

I've attended several WCN conferences and found them deeply informative and inspiring. I love the way WCN locates activists working in the field for defined species. Of course, as a board member of SaveNature.Org, I know that saving ecosystems is equally or perhaps even more important, but having champions for individual species is, I think, part of the solution, and WCN does it well.
My white paper on endangered species is available here
(www.animalsandsociety.org/store/product/endangered-species)

I love this non-profit. I completely believe in their vision of helping conservationists who are on the ground making an impact in the local environment. And I love that they use volunteers and donated resources (and some financial help directly from Charlie) to cover so many of the admin needs so donor money can go directly into the field. I liked them so much that I've just started volunteering for them myself.

Not convinced about projects and impacts. It seems little impacts for too much money..

This organization funnels money to selected affiliates involved with protecting specific endangered animals. I became aware of them in connection with Save The Elephants, a UK-based organization fighting poaching in Africa. Save The Elephants' website advises that donations from Americans can be made to Wildlife Conservation Network via the Network For Good website, and that "Elephants" should be filled in on the "Designation" field on the website donation form. My rating for them is based mostly on my knowledge about Save The Elephants, plus Charity Navigator's 4-star rating (as of this date). I have had no personal interaction with either organization. I made a small donation for now and will base future support on my future interaction with them.

WCN continues to do wonderful and excellent work in supporting conservationists around the world. With their low numbers of pais staff and high numbers of volunteers, donations go directly to the conservation programs. I will continue to support this worthy organization.

WCN started out with a handful of local people with a passion for the natural world and the animals that inhabit it. It has grown and matured into a top notch organization that, among many other things, allows field researchers to share their experiences in trying to study and preserve wild animals where they live. Their annual expo offers a wealth of information from the people who know their respective focus species and the challenges those animals face intimately. It is a great way to learn a lot from experts who really know their stuff. Their funds are wisely spent and go to the organizations that need this financial support to continue their vital work. Learn more about WCN and get involved; there's much work to be done and it's a very rewarding way to be involved.

Wildlife Conservation Network is dedicated to protecting endangered species and preserving their natural habitats by supporting innovative strategies for people and wildlife to co-exist and thrive.

I have been a WCN volunteer since 2002 and proud to be a part it. The organization does amazing work while keeping their administrative costs below 10%. They have an excellent base of volunteers who are ever present to help out. I have met some incredible people through WCN over the years - both volunteers and conservationists.

Definitely an organization worth being a part of. Thanks WCN

This is a First Class Wildlife Conservation organization with an incredible group of die hard, hard working, friendly, loyal and enthusiatic volunteers! The organization raises funds to help field researchers work to protect 'their' endangered species and its natural habitat, as well as helping the wildlife coexist with the people living among them.

This is a great organization. I have only been volunteering with them for a short time but in that short time I have witnessed how dedicated the staff, donors, volunteers, and conservationists are about what it is they do. This is a wonderful organization to get involved in if you love animals and want to see them preserved for future generations.