Justin Birkhoff

Vertebrate Conservation Coordinator, Global Center for Species Survival - Indianapolis Zoo

I am an enthusiastic and progressive conservation professional with over 15 years of experience in zoological institutions and conservation non-profits. I currently work as part of a unique partnership between the IUCN SSC and the Indianapolis Zoo as part of the Global Center for Species Survival. Throughout my career, I have focused on the role of zoos as conservation organizations, serving as a bridge between in situ and ex situ conservation. I am a firm supporter of the IUCN’s One Plan Approach to conservation. My range of experience provides a broad foundation to draw from and offers unique insights for problem-solving and partnership engagement. I have experience working for and with domestic and international conservation non-profits. My focus includes supporting the development of conservation skills, utilizing innovative tools, technologies, and approaches to tackle conservation challenges, and emphasizing the contributions of local communities to wildlife conservation. I strongly believe in the power of storytelling as a conservation tool. I am eager to connect with other conservationists and offer them support, skills, and training to aid in their ongoing work.
Damas Mbaga

Water and Environmental Expert, Private

Damas has MSc in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation for Water Resources and Environment Management from University of Twenty in Netherlands, is a well-trained Civil & Water Resources Engineer and Environment Expert. his expertise lies in areas of Hydrological Modeling, WASH, community-based natural resources management, institutional strengthening, GIS and Remote Sensing, governance, Integrated Water Resources Management, Climate Change, Environmental Impact Assessment, Payment for Ecosystem Services, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Development of Land use and Forest Management plans, Stakeholders engagement in development process and Resources mobilization, Forest Landscape Restoration, Wetland mapping and monitoring, Project Monitoring and Evaluation and Design of hydro-meteorological monitoring stations. He possesses 12 years of progressive practical experience in the Water and Conservation sector in Tanzania. He has hands-on experience in planning, designing, managing, and executing Water Resources Management Projects as well as Conservation Programs. Damas has worked with various organizations including the Ministry of Water in Tanzania as Hydrologist he was involved in the development of Integrated Water Resources Development and Management Plan (IWRMDP) of the Lake Nyasa Basin Water Board, Songwe River Basin Management Plan (SRBMP), He has also been working with African Wildlife Foundation (AWF-International Conservation Organization) coordinating water resources management programs, and he is currently working with WWF as Program Executant WASH and IWRM. He is mainly responsible with coordination and delivery of Mara River Catchment Conservation (MRC) Project (USAID funded Project) and Mara Wetland Conservation Project (WetCoP) in the Serengeti - Mara sub-landscape of the Southern Kenya – Northern Tanzania (SOKNOT) Landscape.
Dr ANANFACK KENFACK Gilles Rolin

Program manager, Community Association for Sustainable Development (CASUDev)

About Me Hello everyone! I’m Dr Gilles Rolin Ananfack Kenfack, a passionate environmental advocate from Cameroon, dedicated to the sustainable management of our natural resources and the conservation of biodiversity. I hold a PhD in Integrated Management of Forest and Agroforestry Resources from the University of Dschang, where I also completed my Master’s in Natural Resource Management and Agroforestry. My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, which laid the groundwork for my analytical approach to environmental issues. My Expertise With extensive experience in project management and community-driven initiatives, I specialize in integrated resource management, biodiversity conservation, and the restoration of degraded landscapes. As the founder and president of the Cameroonian Association for the Promotion of Bamboo, Environmental Protection, Nature Conservation, and Local Development (BambouCamer), I focus on promoting bamboo as a sustainable resource that can drive local development and enhance environmental conservation. My role as Director of Programs at the Community Association for Sustainable Development (CASuDev) involves coordinating various conservation and restoration projects, including efforts to protect the forest elephant population in the Campo Ma’an National Park and restoring degraded landscapes in Babadjou. I am also skilled in community mobilization, capacity building, technical report writing, and social and environmental impact assessments. Throughout my career, I have successfully collaborated with government agencies, NGOs, and local communities to create sustainable and equitable solutions to pressing environmental challenges. My Interests I am particularly interested in agroforestry, the application of agroecological practices, and leveraging the potential of bamboo for environmental and economic sustainability. I am committed to advancing environmental sustainability and empowering communities, ensuring that development initiatives are both ecologically sound and socially just. Why I Joined WildHub I joined WildHub to connect with like-minded professionals who share my passion for environmental conservation and sustainable development. I believe that collaboration is key to addressing the complex challenges facing our planet. Through WildHub, I hope to share my experiences, learn from others, and contribute to innovative solutions that can have a lasting impact on biodiversity conservation and community well-being. I look forward to engaging with all of you and exploring opportunities for collaboration and shared learning in our efforts to protect our natural heritage.
Liane Fulford

Training Specialist, WildTeam

I'm Liane, and I am a WildLearning Specialist at WildTeam! I'm looking forward to getting to know you all! For the last few years, I've been working in Seychelles, focusing on island and marine conservation efforts, particularly coral restoration and turtle nesting monitoring. If you ask me questions about coral, be prepared for me to get very nerdy about it! Prior to that, I was managing a project in Northern Thailand, where I worked closely with a local community to set up ethical elephant experiences in their village. In my free time, I love running and hiking, and being anywhere in nature. I have also learnt to freedive in the last few years and enjoy doing that when possible. I'm really interested in talking to different people and learning from them and their unique experiences.
Diana Maina

Environmental Conservationist, Kang4Nature

Passionate and driven individual dedicated to pursuing a career in environmental conservation and sustainability, with a strong focus on addressing energy and climate change, ensuring workplace safety, and implementing effective carbon management strategies. Pursuing a Master of Environmental Studies, Climate and Sustainability, I aim to leverage my skills in project management, research, data analysis, environmental conservation, communication, and community engagement, to contribute meaningfully to initiatives to reduce negative environmental impacts and promote a greener future. Combining a deep commitment to environmental stewardship with a pragmatic approach to achieving sustainability goals, I am eager to collaborate on innovative solutions that drive positive change and promote a more sustainable world.
Timothy Maiyo

Research assistant, N.A

Thirza Loffeld

WildHub Co-founder, WildHub Conservation Community

My background is mainly in species conservation, education and capacity exchange. I researched mother-young interactions in gorillas and chimpanzees, in captivity and the wild. After that, I worked for three years in Indonesia, where I developed and implemented youth ambassador and community engagement programmes on local and regional scales. I co-founded WildHub, a community of nature conservation professionals, in 2020 and work as their Community Lead. I am furthermore on the Advisory Board of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent where I obtained my PhD on capacity development for conservation in 2022.