The Wildlife Conservation Network is a United States-based 501 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. 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. 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:
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. Notable keynote speakers have included Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Peter Matthiessen Dr. Claudio Sillero-Zubiri and Dr. Greg Rasmussen. 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.
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.
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.
