The Network
ACLN serves as a growing network of top African conservation leaders and their organizations.
Through the ACLN, this new generation of leaders can connect, develop and maintain relationships–a dedicated space for support and advice–sharing knowledge, information and expertise. The ACLN is a platform to expand their joint influence and to convene strategic thought leaders.
Connecting & Collaborating
The network connects individuals and organizations through a range of communications tools and activities. A centerpiece is a biennial gathering—the African Conservation Leadership Forum—that brings the cohorts together to interact amongst each other as well as with other leading conservation practitioners, academics and funders. The focus of this event is on peer learning, sharing innovative ideas and solutions, and creating space for developing or deepening collaborations amongst different organizations.
One of the most exciting impacts of the ACLN experience has been catalyzing new collaborations. These range from tackling international and national policy issues, to field-level exchanges between many organizations, particularly those within a single country (e.g. Kenya) or transboundary ecosystems (Kenya-Tanzania).
New relationships and friendships borne from the ACLN experience enabled these partnerships to emerge, and are laying the foundations for a conservation leadership network that puts collaboration at its core.
(Collaboration info-graphic)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of field-level collaborations drawing on connections from ACLN have emerged. For example, Grevy's Zebra Trust, Community Health Africa Trust (CHAT) and Ewaso Lions have worked together to mobilize funding and deploy emergency health supplies to communities in northern Kenya.