Finding Community Through Conservation Partnerships

At the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), we are very grateful for the generosity of individual donors and corporate supporters who make our work possible. Just as important, however, are the partnerships that sustain us, reminding us that conservation is never done alone. One of our most valued and long standing partnerships is with the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) ww.wildnet.org.

Like CCF, WCN believes that lasting conservation begins with people. For more than two decades, WCN has supported grassroots conservation organizations by sharing expertise in business development, communications, and fundraising. That support has helped strengthen not only our organization, but also the broader conservation community.
On a more personal note, I have had the privilege of attending WCN Expo events since 2017, and those experiences have been truly meaningful. Each Expo has welcomed me into a community of passionate wildlife lovers, conservation practitioners, and supporters who share a deep commitment to protecting species and landscapes around the world. These gatherings are more than events—they are places where ideas are exchanged, friendships are formed, and inspiration is renewed.

Since 2023, one of CCF’s staff members, Lexi Beaty (Development Associate and USA Volunteer Coordinator), has benefitted from attending the WCN Expos. In 2025, she represented CCF at WCN’s partner workshops, and was able to engage with an inspiring community of fellow conservationists carrying out incredible work around the world. Lexi shared that each Expo experience has reinforced the importance of coming together to exchange ideas, build relationships, and strengthen collective efforts to protect wildlife. She expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to learn, network, and connect with others dedicated to conservation.

During the workshops, Lexi participated in sessions focused on topics such as conservationist well-being, wildlife storytelling, and year-end fundraising strategies. She noted that these conversations provided valuable tools not only for advancing CCF’s mission, but also for supporting the people behind conservation work. In her free time, Lexi also joined a memorable excursion scouting for sea otters in Monterey Bay, led by Jen Miller, Senior Manager of the Sea Otter Fund. She described the outing as a unique and energizing reminder of the diverse species and landscapes conservationists work to protect, adding an extra layer of inspiration to an already meaningful Expo experience.
Being part of the WCN Expo community has reminded me that conservation work, while challenging, is also deeply hopeful. Surrounded by people who care so profoundly about wildlife and the future of our planet, I am continually encouraged to keep going. This sense of connection and shared purpose has strengthened my commitment to CCF’s mission and reinforced the value of partnerships rooted in trust, collaboration, and community.

CCF is thankful for WCN—not only for their strategic support, but for creating a space where conservationists feel seen, supported, and united in our shared goal of creating a future where people and wildlife can thrive together.