The last quarter of this year has, as always, been busy, challenging, exciting and inspiring, and we are certain that all that effort has laid down some solid foundations for next year’s goals. Thank you for being by our side throughout 2025 - conservation is not an easy world to work in, but the collective effort between partners, donors and government authorities makes us certain that between us all, we’re making the world a better place. That knowledge gives us all the more cause for celebration as we pause for the holidays, ready to come back refreshed for all that 2026 has in store.
An American alligator in the Florida Everglades.
The Green Heart of the Everglades
Work on the Green Heart of the Everglades continued steadily over the past few months, with much of our focus on moving the appraisal forward and spending time with key decision-makers. We met with the Assistant Secretary of Parks and Wildlife to discuss next steps, as well as with the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, alongside a series of important stakeholder meetings in Florida. We were also grateful for the continued support of the Essex Foundation and the Collier Community Foundation, which has helped keep momentum going as this complex project takes its next steps.
We’ve been working with Bear Hill Conservancy Trust to restore habitat for Eastern meadowlarks.
Bear Hill Conservancy
At Bear Hill, momentum is ever growing! We met with the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to discuss remaining funding needs, while work progresses toward closing conservation easements over additional parcels within the project area. Several new parcels are in the process of being added to Bear Hill, further strengthening the integrity and connectivity of the landscape. Alongside this, preparations are underway to appraise a large expanse of Green Woodlands, an Appalachian Cove Forest of exceptionally high wildlife value. On the ground, we continue to work closely with Bear Hill Conservancy to restore grassland habitat, supporting nesting bobolinks and Eastern meadowlarks across more than 150 acres.
Catahoula Lake is a critical habitat for canvas backed ducks.
Catahoula Lake, Louisiana
Our work at Catahoula Lake has reached an important strategic phase. We met with Ducks Unlimited to explore a partnership aimed at protecting the Catahoula Lake Ramsar Site by adding it to the National Wildlife Refuge System, and we were encouraged to gain the support of the State of Louisiana for this approach. We are now developing a detailed conservation strategy that brings together stakeholder organising at the local level, a coordinated political strategy in Washington, and the technical work required to advance the Ramsar Site’s inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Together, these efforts represent a significant step toward long-term protection of one of North America’s most important wetland systems.
There are now 10kms of fully completed fence line at the new rhino sanctuary in Kidepo Valley National Park - more than half way through!
Kidepo Valley Rhino Reintroduction
Over the last month, this particular project has been receiving a huge amount of time and energy, as seen in the very exciting progress made on the ground. 10kms of fence line at the new rhino sanctuary in the Narus Valley is now fully complete, wire and all. 7.2 kms of fence line was mowed, essential for fire management and access, with further clearing done for road networks and access to key points and boreholes. The old Nataba Gate’s much-needed refurbishment is progressing quickly, with a new dining and kitchen area as well as general infrastructure repairs. Further tsetse testing was performed to get feedback on impact of our control program, which is showing encouraging results. We were also so pleased to welcome a representative from the Platcorp Foundation to Kidepo, to show them everything that we’ve done, all the potential for the future, which was very gratifying. If all continues at this pace, there’ll be white rhinos grazing across the plains within the next few months!
Watching wildlife in Tsavo is a very humbling experience.
Staff Retreat in Tsavo
In November, we were incredibly fortunate to bring the whole team together in Tsavo for two days of intensive strategising and team building. Set against Tsavo’s dramatic, heat-baked, quintessentially African landscapes, we watched elephants, mongooses, and countless other animals visit a nearby waterhole — a peaceful, humbling experience that left us with a shared sense of renewal and determination. We visited the Tsavo Trust headquarters, saw first-hand the impact of our — and your — support, and gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to create lasting change in an environment that is as harsh as it is staggeringly beautiful.
Our Senior Africa Director, Ian Craig, on a fundraising and awareness trip in DC in November.
US Fundraising and Awareness Trip
Later in the month, Elodie and Ian travelled to the US to join David, where they met with critical decision makers in DC to discuss pioneering new conservation systems. They then carried on around the country meeting with supporters old and new, sharing our vision for East Africa’s wilderness areas to warm and receptive audiences. The hospitality and enthusiasm they experienced left them both grateful and encouraged, and we’re all looking forward to implementing new ideas and testing theories as a result of this very important visit.
A new vehicle purchased with support from the M-PESA Foundation for the roan project in Ruma National Park.
New Suzuki Jimny for the Roans at Ruma
Our roan project at Ruma National Park, which we are running in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service, was recently boosted by the purchase of a new Suzuki Jimny, generously funded by the M-PESA Foundation. This vehicle will help rangers as they patrol the area, ensuring Kenya’s last few remaining roans get the attention and efficiency of care they need to come back from the brink.
KRRE have seen a hugely exciting development with the official recognition of the Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary !
Tsavo and the Rhino Range Expansion
In Tsavo, a major national conservation milestone was reached with the formal creation of the Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, covering approximately 740,000 acres. This marks a significant shift from the former Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary and represents a bold commitment to landscape-scale rhino conservation. WildLandscapes has played an active role in supporting this transition, contributing to the early stages of the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion, supporting Tsavo Trust, and strengthening Kenya Wildlife Service capacity through equipment support. We have also completed due diligence on Kenya Triangle Ranch — a strategically important property that forms a vital connection between Tsavo West National Park and Tanzania’s Mkomazi National Park — and are now working with KWS to advance the appraisal process.
