WILD NATURE INSTITUTE
Science, Education, and Actions for the Protection of Wild Nature
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The biodiversity and extinction crisis caused by human activities threatens the wild natural systems that provide our plant's life-support system. To preserve all living creatures in natural ecosystems is to also preserve human liberty and happiness.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Western US Forests
Snag Forest Habitat Protection
The Wild Nature Institute's goal is to ensure that research on forest fire, insect outbreaks, and wildlife is translated into improved forest-protection policies and effective forest-management activities that conserve snag forests: a critical, scarce, and misunderstood wildlife habitat.
Tarangire Migration
Northern Plains Campaign
For Community Conservation and Development
The Tarangire Ecosystem of northern Tanzania is a global wildlife hotspot but becoming increasingly endangered by habitat loss and severe bushmeat poaching. Wildlife populations are declining drastically in the Tarangire Ecosystem. The last best remaining breeding grounds for Tarangire migratory wildlife is the Northern Plains, but the migratory route to this area is critically threatened. Promising community conservation efforts are underway to give local villagers ownership of wildlife resources and the chance to benefit economically through ecotourism.
We have produced a multi-language children's book to educate local Masai villagers about the importance of this migratory corridor and the benefits they could receive from wildlife-based eco-tourism. These books are locally printed in Tanzania and distributed to schools and homes throughout the corridor as part of a large-scale environmental education campaign to mobilize the communities for conservation. This unique book is one of the only children's books written in Maa, the language of the Masai people of northern Tanzania. The story of Lucky the Wildebeest teaches Masai children ecological lessons about the wild animals that share their homeland, and how those animals can be an economic benefit through ecotourism. The story also promotes literacy with all text side-by-side in Maa, English, and Kiswahili, the national language of Tanzania.
Our goal is to protect the wildlife migratory route from Tarangire to the Northern Plains, galvanize community conservation through land-use planning, initiate local moran anti-poaching patrols, and promote grassroots eco-tourism development in order to conserve and develop the economy, the ecology, and the culture of the Tarangire Ecosystem.
In July 2014, we began an exciting new partnership supporting community land-use planning in the northern corridor. This is a 200,000 euro program with Trias, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, Dorobo Fund, Maliasili Initiatives, and several Tanzanian organizations. Land-use plans are now being developed in 2 villages, and human-wildlife conflict reduction and anti-poaching patrols are being organized by Honeyguide Foundation. We are continuing to help the remaining 8 villages to begin the land-use planning process. Now is an excellent opportunity to support community conservation in Tanzania.
Masai Giraffe Conservation
The gentle, iconic Giraffe indicates the health of African savanna ecosystems, home to the most spectacular displays of wildlife in the world.
But savanna ecosystems are in serious trouble. Habitat loss, illegal hunting, and disease are decimating savanna wildlife. Giraffe numbers have declined drastically to only 80,000. Africa-wide, elephants outnumber giraffe 5 to 1.
Despite the popularity of giraffes, scientists know surprisingly little about them. To save giraffes and their savanna habitat, we must understand where they are doing well, and why.
We need your help to do this.
Scientists from Wild Nature Institute are studying wild giraffes using a computer program that recognizes each animal’s unique fur pattern from photographs. With this special tool we are monitoring more than 1,500 individual giraffe throughout their lifetimes in an area over 1,700 sq. km. This is the biggest large-mammal demography study in history.
We are learning how natural and human factors affect giraffe survival, births, and movements. We work in the Tarangire Ecosystem of northern Tanzania, which supports one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, but is mostly unprotected.
Our research is urgently needed so we can provide effective conservation actions and ensure the future of wild giraffes and all creatures of the savanna. We are also participating in the global status assessment of giraffe currently being conducted through the IUCN.
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of groups/individuals benefiting from tools/resources/education materials provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
Masai Giraffe Conservation
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Juma the Giraffe children's books, posters, and activities based learning program is being used at more than a dozen schools in Tanzania where giraffes live.
Number of research studies conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Peer-reviewed scientific publications authored by our scientists.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Goal of the Wild Nature Institute is to Preserve Wild Nature by Conducting Scientific Research on At-Risk Wildlife Species and Their Habitats, Advocating for Their Protection, and Educating the Public.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Wild Nature Institute's scientists conduct original primary field research, analyze existing available data, and synthesize scientific literature. Avenues for dissemination of results include reports and peer-reviewed publications, presentations at scientific and management conferences, articles and editorials in the media, meetings with decision-makers, comments on land-management plans, and other innovative outlets.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We provide:
Wildlife Surveys
Population Assessment and Monitoring
Statistical Analysis of Population Data
Radio-Telemetry Studies
Capture-Mark-Recapture Studies
Resource Selection and Habitat Studies
GIS Mapping and Analysis
Expert Declarations
Synthesis Reports
Media campaigns
Popular articles
Public speaking engagements
Children's environmental education programs
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We broadened our efforts to safeguard African savannas and American forests. We expanded our wildlife surveys into new areas of Tanzania, and we distributed thousands of multi-lingual children's books about wildlife to underprivileged schoolchildren in the area. We challenged logging in habitat critical for California Spotted Owls and requested federal protection for this imperiled subspecies.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
WILD NATURE INSTITUTE
Board of directorsas of 08/29/2022
Dr. Derek Lee
Monica Bond
Shaye Wolf
Carmen Mauk
Chad Hanson
Philip Krohn
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data