WCN is proud to announce the addition of three organizations to our global network of community-led Conservation Partners:
- Misool Foundation works to safeguard the most biodiverse reefs on Earth through the empowerment of local communities in Raja Ampat, Indonesia.
- Proyecto Washu, based in Ecuador, is focused on protecting the habitat of one of the most endangered primate species in the world, the brown-headed spider monkey.
- Seratu Aatai works to create a society that is willing and able to protect and coexist with Bornean elephants in Sabah, Malaysia.
Members of the WCN Partner Network receive in-depth and ongoing support in the form of financial resources, tools and training, and advisory services. As a matchmaker between local organizations and philanthropic donors around the world, WCN ensures 100% of designated donations to organizations in the partner network go directly to the field with no overhead removed.
“Trusting and supporting community-based conservationists is critical to tackling some of the toughest issues of today and tomorrow—ranging from climate change and biodiversity loss to economic development,” said Dr. JG Collomb, CEO of WCN. “With a proven track record of driving conservation impact through community engagement, Misool Foundation, Proyecto Washu and Seratu Aatai are natural additions to our Partner Network. We are proud to welcome these new Partners into the WCN family and provide the backing they need to break new ground in community-led conservation.”
Flourishing coral reefs in the Misool Marine Reserve.
Operating at the intersection of sustainable tourism and community-based conservation, Misool Foundation provides a structure for local communities to reclaim their traditional tenure of reefs in Indonesia.
“Thriving coral reefs are essential for marine conservation,” said Virly Yuriken, Chairperson of Misool Foundation. “Coral provides homes to the smallest and largest marine animals, while supporting food security and economic development for coastal communities. The support of WCN will allow us to advance our conservation work in Raja Ampat and safeguard the future of these diverse marine ecosystems. We are honored to join the WCN Partner Network and look forward to collaborating with Partners across the Network, united by our common goal to protect endangered wildlife.”
A brown-headed spider monkey in Ecuador.
Proyecto Washu works on scientific research, community-led development, ex-situ conservation and sustainable environmental education to advance the protection of brown-headed spider monkeys in Ecuador.
“We are very happy that the brown-headed spider monkeys are joining the Network,” said Felipe Alfonso-Cortes and Nathalia Fuentes, Co-Directors of Proyecto Washu. “Partnering with WCN gives us hope for the future, allowing us to do many things that we only dreamed of before. For the first time, we do not feel alone on the road to making our conservation goals a reality.”
Bornean elephants in Malaysia.
Established in 2018, Seratu Aatai works with a wide range of stakeholders in Malaysia at the national, international and communal levels to develop strategies for peaceful human-elephant coexistence, while balancing the needs of conservation with socioeconomic benefits.
“Becoming a WCN Partner is a significant milestone for Seratu Aatai, a clear sign that our commitment to saving wild Bornean elephants is on the right trajectory,” said Dr. Farina Othman, Founder and Director of Seratu Aatai. “The Partner Network is not just a professional affiliation but a source of strength, advice and support. I am eager to learn from the collective wisdom of the WCN community, network with successful conservationists, and contribute to a shared vision of community-led wildlife preservation.”
These latest additions bring the total number of WCN’s Conservation Partners to 25 organizations protecting over 70 different focal species. We’re so proud to welcome Misool Foundation, Proyecto Washu, and Seratu Aatai into our Network, and excited to see all that we can accomplish to protect a wider range of wildlife.