A very happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Today, we’ve been thinking particularly about the past few weeks and the many people who’ve helped guide and support our work. Ian Craig, our Senior Africa Director, and Elodie Sampere, Deputy Director of WildLandscapes International and CEO of WildLandscapes East Africa, have just returned from a whirlwind trip across the United States, with stops in San Francisco, San Diego, Aspen, Washington, D.C., Miami, Loxahatchee and Key Largo. It was a chance to see long-time supporters, meet new friends, and reconnect with people who have walked alongside WildLandscapes for years.
Ian was interviewed on a podcast during their visit. We can’t wait to hear it!
One of the best parts of the trip was the warmth they encountered everywhere they went. Whether it was a quick meeting squeezed into a busy day or long conversations around a dinner table, people made time - real, generous time - to talk about conservation, to ask thoughtful questions, and to share ideas. Their days on Capitol Hill, where they met up with David Houghton, our Founder and CEO, were equally valuable, with members of Congress and colleagues in government helping us think through where U.S. support can make the most difference for landscapes and communities in Kenya.
Ian and Elodie traveled from coast to coast, visiting some remarkable places and meeting people whose commitment to conservation left a lasting impression.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we want to say how grateful we are for all of this. The encouragement, the hospitality, and the belief in the work give us the energy to keep going. None of us take it for granted that people, from so many places and walks of life, choose to stand behind the protection of wild places and the people and wildlife who depend on them.
Thank you!
