As conservation funding becomes increasingly competitive, the organizations making the most significant impact aren't necessarily those with the largest budgets. They're the ones with the strongest community partnerships. That was the key takeaway from ReWorld's recent gathering of Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) partners, where we heard from field conservationists protecting everything from Indonesian coral reefs to Ecuador's rarest monkeys.

On a warm California afternoon this May, ReWorld founders Chris Vargas and Prudhvi Dharmana hosted a Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) meeting at Vargas’s home. Sometimes the most powerful conservation stories don’t begin in the wild, but in the simple act of people coming together with a shared purpose. A small group of WCN partner organizations, donors, and conservation specialists gathered for an afternoon of intimate networking and conversation.

While WCN hosts larger conferences every year, this was a more personal opportunity for donors to get to know the people who run the projects they fund and learn more firsthand about the impact of their donations. For ReWorld, it was also an opportunity to listen to organizations on the ground and explore how our resources, ranging from short-term project funding to long-term financing strategies and AI tools, can strengthen their work.

“These are the real heroes of biodiversity conservation,” as ReWorld co-founder Prudhvi Dharmana so eloquently put it. The purpose of the gathering was to create an environment that fostered open communication, mutual learning, and the exploration of ways to support one another.

Cotton-top tamarin family (Source: Proyecto Tití)

WCN’s Community-Centered Approach to Conservation

The Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) is a U.S.-based non-profit that works to protect endangered species and promote coexistence between people and wildlife. Founded in 2002, WCN pioneered a venture-capital-inspired approach to conservation, identifying entrepreneurial conservationists, equipping them with resources, and helping them build strong, lasting programs.

At the heart of WCN’s model is the belief that conservation is most effective when led locally. By empowering field-based organizations and experts who best understand their species, ecosystems, and communities, WCN provides not just funding, but also mentorship, strategic guidance, training, and access to a global network of peers.

What sets WCN apart is its transparency and partnership-driven approach. Their commitment fosters deep trust among donors, allowing them to connect personally with conservationists and see firsthand the impact of their support. Recognized as one of the world's top wildlife charities, WCN remains a powerful force in global conservation, fostering a community rooted in cooperation, innovation, and lasting impact.

WCN’s conservation partnership model (Source: Wildlife Conservation Network)

Stories from WCN Partners

We had the privilege of welcoming representatives from some of WCN’s incredible partner organizations, each carrying an inspiring mission from different corners of the world. The Misool Foundation from Indonesia shared its remarkable work in Raja Ampat, where it has built one of the most successful marine protected areas. By restoring coral reefs, banning destructive fishing practices, and working with local communities to create sustainable livelihoods, they’ve shown how conservation can transform both oceans and lives.

From Nigeria, SMACON-Africa introduced us to their Bats of Nigeria project. Bats, often misunderstood, are in fact critical pollinators, seed dispersers, and natural pest controllers. Their story reminded us how one species can quietly hold entire ecosystems together, and how protecting them sustains both nature and agriculture.

Proyecto Washu from Ecuador spoke passionately about their mission to protect the critically endangered brown-headed spider monkey. Through reforestation, research, and deep collaboration with local communities, they are working to safeguard this rare primate and the forests it depends on.

As moving as these projects were, what tied them all together was not just their science or conservation strategies, but the way their stories were told. Storytelling became the most powerful tool in the room, transforming complex challenges into narratives of hope, resilience, and possibility. For Founder Prudhvi Dharmana, the Bats of Nigeria story was a personal favorite. “It’s amazing how one species, often misunderstood, can be the key to sustaining entire ecosystems,” he reflected. “The storytelling around this project really stuck with me.” His words captured what many of us felt: that it is stories, more than statistics, that inspire us to care, connect, and act.

Key Themes from the Conversations

The event was a deep dive into the realities of conservation work across continents. As different partners spoke, a few recurring themes kept surfacing, offering us not only lessons but also a perspective on what truly drives lasting change.

One of the strongest threads was fundraising. While donors provide the lifeblood of conservation, many organizations still struggle to balance urgent project needs with building long-term, sustainable financial models. We were reminded that even the most impactful conservation efforts can falter without steady, reliable funding.

Technology emerged as a powerful ally. From AI-assisted camera traps to community-powered data collection, technology is reshaping the way species are monitored and habitats protected. Partners discussed how these tools not only enhance accuracy in research but also provide more substantial evidence when advocating for policy change. It’s a reminder that technology, when accessible, can amplify voices in the conservation space, something ReWorld also strives to do.

And the most consistent theme across every story was the role of community. It became clear that without the trust and involvement of local people, conservation simply cannot endure. The most successful projects are those that invite communities into the process, from planning and decision-making to sharing the benefits of conservation. When communities see themselves as partners, not bystanders, conservation goals truly take root.

Our Key Takeaways

We’re all part of a global conservation family; events like this open doors to experts and collaborations that multiply impact. The scale of work is immense and inspiring, from Indonesia’s reefs to Ecuador’s rainforests, showing what’s possible when expertise meets commitment.

For ReWorld, our role is becoming clearer. Whether through funding, carbon credit strategies, or AI-enabled monitoring, we can help partners work smarter and grow faster. Across geographies, the challenges remain consistent: fundraising, monitoring species, and engaging with communities. Understanding these common hurdles provides us with the direction to create solutions that work across various contexts.

More importantly, we saw how the most successful conservation efforts share one crucial element: they’re built on strong partnerships. Whether it is donors connecting personally with field teams, NGOs collaborating across regions, or conservationists working alongside local communities, the projects making the most significant impact understand that lasting change happens through collaboration. In line with these learnings, ReWorld is ready to support these incredible organizations on their journey.

Our Partnership with Proyecto Washu

At the event, we met the fantastic team of Proyecto Washu from Ecuador, who will follow in the footsteps of our collaboration with Proyecto Tití. Their work immediately struck a chord with us, not only because they protect one of the world’s rarest primates, the brown-headed spider monkey, but also because of the way they approach conservation: deeply rooted in science, community, and innovation.

Brown-headed spider monkey (Source: Proyecto Washu)

Their work is guided by long-term research and solid field data, which makes their strategies both reliable and lasting. At the same time, they put people at the center, treating local residents not as bystanders, but as genuine partners whose knowledge and well-being are key to success. This balance of science and community embodies everything the WCN event taught us about successful conservation. Just as we learned and grew through our collaboration with Proyecto Titi, we’re excited to support Proyecto Washu’s mission with our interactive donor mapping, AI-powered fundraising tools, and enhanced storytelling to scale their impact. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting partnership.

Jevon Forest, Ecuador (Source: Proyecto Washu)

Moving Forward Together

We left the event with a renewed sense of purpose and a clearer understanding of our role in the conservation ecosystem. The challenges facing wildlife and habitats are urgent, but the dedication and creativity of these conservationists give us real hope for the future. As Prudhvi put it: “When you see the passion and innovation these conservationists bring to their work, you can’t help but feel optimistic. We have amazing people, proven strategies, and the technical tools to scale their impact. Now it’s about connecting all the pieces to create lasting change.”

At ReWorld, our vision is to partner with impactful NGOs and help them scale their amazing conservation work. Whether through funding support, AI-powered tools, carbon credits, or other forms of assistance, we aim to help these field partners protect our planet’s most vulnerable species and habitats. Together, we’re helping build a future where wildlife and wild places can thrive.

ReWorld Builds Partnerships for Global Wildlife Conservation