Our Mission & Vision

Conservation can’t succeed without the people who make it happen. Yet too often, early-career professionals—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—struggle to find sustainable career pathways, while conservation leaders lack the tools to build and retain strong teams. The realities of conservation work—field-based roles, grant-dependent funding, seasonal positions, and remote worksites—create additional challenges that make retention even harder. Without intentional efforts to improve workplace culture and career development, the field loses talent essential to addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and other urgent environmental challenges.

Conservation Collaborative exists to change that. Our mission is to help conservation professionals build meaningful, lasting careers by bridging the gap between training and long-term success. Through research, resources, and structured peer support, we:

• Help early-career professionals navigate workplace challenges.

• Equip organizations and leaders with the tools to foster stronger, more inclusive teams.

• Address both individual and structural barriers to retention in conservation.

We envision a conservation field where professionals at every stage of their careers are supported, empowered, and equipped to grow and succeed. In this future, early-career conservationists don’t just enter the field—they build fulfilling, long-term careers in workplaces that recognize the importance of investing in people. Conservation organizations foster inclusive, healthy workplace cultures, and teams thrive by prioritizing retention, mentorship, and equitable career pathways.

By strengthening leadership practices, improving team dynamics, and addressing retention challenges, we help build a workforce that is resilient, diverse, and effective—ready to tackle the planet’s most urgent environmental challenges.