Thank You for Your Support
As we move steadily into 2022, I’d love to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of our supporters, staff, volunteers, board members and strategic partners from around the world. 2021 was filled with greater challenges and opportunities than ever before, and because of YOU, we’ve been able to rise to the occasion. Here are some of the significant milestones I’m proud and grateful for in the last year…
Over 10,000 students in the Future Rangers Program have been impacted by weekly environmental education lessons and activities across 20 schools bordering the Kruger National Park. We’ve grown our relationships with Africa Foundation and the Southern African Wildlife College, enabling hundreds of new students to go on life changing safaris to see iconic wildlife for their first time. All activities, lessons, and conservation experiences have been recorded with our educational App, with a new version of our App launching next month. Our Careers in Conservation video series on Youtube has launched, inspiring South African youth to realize and pursue their dreams in the conservation sector. On a global level, we’ve successfully launched the Voices of Nature Podcast which highlights the work of brave conservationists around the world, with 21 engaging and dynamic episodes featured on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
As the year kicks into high gear, it’s so important to remember that we’ve only been able to achieve these successes because of all the individuals that constitute the GCC family. No matter how you contribute to the success of this nonprofit, it all adds up, and a global community dedicated to lasting and systemic change is one of the most powerful ways we can change the world for good.
Looking forward to making 2022 the best year yet.
With immense gratitude for your friendship and support,
Matt Lindenberg
Ellie Milano Elected New GCC Board President
GCC is thrilled to announce that Ellie Milano has been unanimously elected as the new President of the GCC Board of Directors. Ellie has been part of GCC since 2020, when she engaged with us as part of the Morgridge Family Foundation Fellowship. As a consultant, strategist, and conservationist, Ellie is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations achieve their greatest impact on the world. During her Fellowship, Ellie worked with GCC to formalize the mission, vision and values within our strategic plan and develop a roadmap for near and long-term growth. Since this initial engagement, she has served as Board Vice-President and spearheaded many of our strategic initiatives. Our long-serving Board President Josh Lumsden will continue to serve on the Board while expanding his role in other development, growth and leadership initiatives. Please join us in celebrating Ellie’s new role!
GCC Hosts “Careers in Conservation” Educational Event
The GCC team in South Africa recently hosted an exciting day for the grades 7s of all the primary schools we work with. GCC and its partners (Timbavati Foundation, Southern African Wildlife College, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Africa Foundation) held the first “Careers in Conservation” Expo and Fun Day at Manyeleti Primary School. Several conservation leaders and professionals interacted with the learners to inform them about their roles in the conservation sector, how these students can follow similar career paths, and why it’s important that the students take a stand in protecting their natural heritage. The day was concluded by a color run where guests, teachers, and learners were made to realize they needed support from one another to achieve their goals and dreams. The students and staff had a great time, and we plan to continue having these events frequently in the future! Thank you to Lefa, Promise and Mbhoni for your tireless work with our students!
Winos for Rhinos Success
We want to say a big “Thank You” to everyone who joined us at our “Winos for Rhinos” event in Atlanta! This event was a chance for us to reconnect with friends and supporters (who we have missed so much during the past two years) and to bring the majority of our North American team together to give updates on our progress, goals and upcoming initiatives. While being treated to a spread of charcuterie boards and South African wine, attendees first heard from Matt Lindenberg as he gave updates on our Future Rangers App development, our IBM Partnership, and our expanded influence on the ground in South Africa.
The audience was then treated to a personal message from our South African team who shared all of the amazing initiatives – digital learning environments, Careers in Conservation, game drives and more – that our team is bringing to local communities. Next, John Jurko gave the audience a private preview of the RHINO MAN documentary, due to be released later this year, and reinforced the need to end poaching, support field rangers and wildlife defenders, and preserve endangered species and places. Thank you to everyone who attended, donated and made this event such a special night for us, and special thanks to our amazing musical guest Sam Birchfield and our event sponsor Alpex International.
“Voices of Nature” Podcast: Greta Matos and How Nature Helps us Become Better Humans
In this episode, we turn our conversation about nature on its head from previous episodes. As always, we will explore what humans can – and must – do for nature. But we also will discuss what nature can do for us as human beings and how a closer relationship with nature makes us better people, better leaders, and better stewards of precious resources for future generations. Our guest Greta Matos lives in the south of Chile and is the Co-Founder and Director of Vision and Impact at CuraKuda.
