We’re a wild mix

My path to WI was a bit of a surprise: after completing my business studies degree, the last thing I wanted to do was work in accounts. But WI had me hooked right from the start. A friend persuaded me to join – and although he’d sugar-coated the job description, I’m happy to take on challenges like that. Today, I’m glad to be able to help the trees through my work with numbers.

After graduating, I first ended up in newspaper advertising, then in the cultural sector. After two further training courses and various theatre jobs, I gave up, feeling disappointed. But I’d learnt a great deal: public relations, marketing, human resources, event management, networking – valuable skills that serve me well today.

At WI, I finally feel I’ve found my place – in a team that’s passionate about the cause. My passion for culture lives on as a theatregoer and stilt walker. I love being outdoors most of all: hiking, skiing, camping. That’s where I’m in my element.

Forests, nature and sustainability have been a part of my life since childhood – from family outings to the surrounding woods, to my own voyages of discovery through the springtime forest filled with cowslips and wild boar tracks, right up to the near-misses of field and woodland fires during my summer holidays at my grandmother’s. It was there that I learnt: high up in the treetops of the cedars, you can take a good look out at the world, and in old chestnut trees, you can philosophise peacefully with others.

These childhood experiences have helped ensure that sustainability has always been a constant companion for me, even along surprising paths in life. It was only ‘natural’, then, that my path crossed with WI’s back in 2008/2009 in Dresden. Since then, we’ve worked out the details of one or two special projects, both large and small. From early 2024, I’ll be starting a new chapter with WI and, as Senior Of Counsel Strategy, will be working more closely with the colourful world of everyday life to support international forest conservation. Truly important. Truly effective. Truly wild.

Towering trees, mist-shrouded mountains and valleys. Greenery as far as the eye can see – my love of travel and the urge to be in the wilderness continue to shape who I am to this day. At Wilderness International, I devote part of my time to preserving these places and protecting biodiversity. 

For the past 20+ years, I have worked in marketing and communications at Red Bull, Google and YouTube, managing major projects and community events, creating campaigns and content, and initiating collaborations with content creators. I hope that, through the foundation’s work and effective partnerships, amongst other things, we can succeed in preserving the last 2.8 per cent of intact terrestrial habitats on our planet for our generation and those to come. They are essential as a global lever for carbon sequestration and are simply beautiful.

The rainforest I encountered on my first big trip showed me just how closely intertwined humans and the forest are – a habitat for thousands of species, a source of fresh air, a silent source of energy.

At Wilderness International, I’m fighting to preserve this bond. Together with our partner organisations, we’re safeguarding unique wilderness areas for future generations.

I am now applying my experience in corporate partnerships, strategy and communication (Cisco, Workday) to wilderness conservation. I am committed to genuine partnerships on an equal footing, where creative ideas have a measurable impact.

My goal: to save the Earth’s last great wilderness areas with strong partners.

It’s amazing what you can do – and achieve – with a degree in German Studies! After several years as a content manager and copywriter in Berlin’s media and start-up scene, it was my thirst for adventure and my love of nature that led me to Wilderness International. 

I grew up far from the urban jungle in the Elbe floodplains of central Germany, surrounded by the chorus of frogs, beaver lodges and flocks of cranes. As well as fun ornithological facts from the Middle Elbe biosphere, I’ve brought with me a wealth of creative ideas, wordplay and strategic communication skills to help preserve the flora and fauna in Peru and Canada. What links creativity and nature? Their wilderness. The untameable. That which is worth protecting.

I look forward to tackling the challenges of protecting the last wild forests on our planet, following the example of my favourite bird, the red-backed shrike – as thorny opportunities!

Filming and editing videos have always been a great passion of mine, but it never occurred to me that you could actually make a career out of it. That’s why I did a standard apprenticeship as an industrial mechanic and worked in that profession for over 15 years.

When I became a father, I took plenty of time out to travel with my children. That’s when my enthusiasm for filming was rekindled – after all, what could be better than being able to look back and see your own children when they were young? On our travels, I was able to capture countless moments amidst the most beautiful natural surroundings. This has greatly heightened my awareness of nature’s importance and the need to protect it.

It’s all the more wonderful that I can now combine all of this at WI – my passion for filming and editing with my commitment to protecting nature.

I’ve been working as a filmmaker ever since I was a young adult, mainly in the documentary field. I love using real images to move people and to show the world in all its raw power. And, ideally, to bring about change.

What is happening to our planet – and consequently to our future – is devastating and terrifying; it’s easy to feel despair and helplessness.

So I’m all the happier to be supporting Wilderness International and its brilliant approach from now on with what I do best – making films. And spreading good cheer, because that’s something people often say I do well.

Even back in Meissen, I was known as the ‘social butterfly’ – someone who stands up for others and the environment. This passion and my curiosity took me all over the world.

Whilst studying viticulture, work placements in New Zealand, South Africa, France, Spain and Chile opened my eyes to the serious problems facing the agricultural sector. I wanted to change the global exploitation of people and nature within agricultural supply chains. My master’s degree gave me the tools to understand and break through these structures. In my research, I focused on carbon footprints, the Rights of Nature movement and the philosophy of science. At Wilderness International, I can finally bring all these interests together!

I am the mother of a six-year-old daughter, have a Chilean partner and love being out in nature, enjoying wine and trying new things – true to the motto: “seeking discomfort”.

In memoriam
Growing up in the Peruvian Amazon, nature was never just a place to Maria — it was home. Exploring rivers by kayak and discovering wildlife in the jungle shaped her lifelong dedication to forest ecology, leading her to earn a Master’s and PhD in Germany.

Devoted to understanding, protecting, and restoring the ecosystems closest to her heart, her vision and scientific rigour as a co-founder of WI Peru laid the foundation for our work today.

Though Maria has passed away, her legacy lives on in every piece of wilderness we protect. We honour her memory and remain forever grateful for her guiding light.

A single tropical tree can be home to thousands of animal species – I didn’t realise that until I met Kai from the team. His passion for intact ecosystems inspires me. In a world where a dead tree counts for more than a living one, we must take action and demonstrate what functioning ecosystems are truly worth.

As a PhD student at WI, I want to make nature conservation tangible and transparent. Having spent over 10 years researching crowdfunding, crowdsourcing and blockchain at the Fraunhofer Society, I’m drawing on this experience to bring nature conservation to life.

In my spare time, I’m interested in how money can drive positive change – hence my interest in impact investing. Otherwise, I’m out and about in the North German countryside with my dog and playing football.

Nowhere do I feel as balanced and happy as when I’m out walking through the woods (especially in autumn!). Yet I never thought I’d end up working for an environmental organisation. During my degree, I focused primarily on feminist studies, with the aim of working towards social justice in the long term. But if there’s one thing I learnt at university, it’s that systems of (in)justice can never be viewed in isolation from one another. Environmental protection is therefore absolutely essential for social justice, and I’m delighted to be able to work towards this goal alongside Wilderness International.

Alongside my studies, I’ve been involved in youth education for many years, which is why I’m particularly delighted to be responsible for the Wilderness Runs at Wilderness. Through these charity runs at schools, we not only raise funds but also have the opportunity to spread environmental education to the whole of society via the younger generation. 

My passion for nature conservation grew during my childhood – whilst exploring forests, rivers and mountains. This connection to the earth led me to a career dedicated to tackling pressing environmental issues.

At Wilderness International, I combine science with practical action. I conduct research into the impacts of climate change, implement community-based conservation projects and advocate for environmental policy priorities – with dedication and creativity.

Collaboration is key. Through partnerships with other conservationists, communities, policy-makers and businesses, I build consensus and drive collective action.

The resilience of nature and my colleagues inspire me every day. Together, we are working to ensure that people live in harmony with the planet – so that future generations can continue to enjoy the beauty of the wild.

I really enjoy the fresh morning air in the woods and love waking up early to watch the sun rise through the trees – it’s a peaceful and energising moment. That’s one of the reasons why I love trail running and trekking.

Outside of work, I’m passionate about running – especially after a long day in the office. I often take part in long-distance trail races, so consistent training over time is an essential part of my routine.

I’m also a big fan of plants! I have a small garden on my balcony, which brings me a lot of joy and helps me de-stress. It’s my own little way of staying connected to nature every day.

Tino Kreßner is a crowdfunding pioneer in Germany and co-founder of the crowdfunding platform Startnext.com. He is committed to a participatory and transparent approach to raising capital to support sustainable and creative ideas. Through Finlane GmbH, he also operates crowdfinancing technology to support charitable projects in collaboration with banks. As a founding member of the Social Entrepreneurship Network Germany (SEND), he is working to create better conditions for companies that prioritise social impact over profit maximisation. 

Together with the Wilderness International Foundation, Tino Kreßner has launched Germany’s largest private tree-planting campaign and is now working to protect the last remaining intact ecosystems on our planet.

Even at the age of 7, I was already rescuing earthworms from the road – because living creatures cannot defend themselves. That hasn’t changed to this day.

My love of nature led me into biology, and later into communications. After holding various roles in content management and medical writing, I now work as a marketing specialist – and write on a voluntary basis for Wilderness International.

Nature remains my refuge: birdsong in the morning, the wind in the trees. I joined Wilderness International because I want future generations to still be able to experience these wonders.

Fragile ecosystems must not be destroyed simply because we are unwilling to curb our luxury. Driven by curiosity and a sense of justice, every word I write comes from the heart.

Animals and nature have been part of my life since I was born. I grew up in the forests of Ontario, Canada, and was already working with birds of prey, bats and other animals as a teenager. After spending 15 years leading a nature conservation NGO in Ontario, I am now dedicated to the protection of tropical rainforests and am currently the Senior Field Research Co-ordinator for Fauna Forever, where I lead vital research work in the Peruvian Amazon.

The partnership with Wilderness International has already led to the protection of thousands of hectares of rainforest, and I am delighted to now be able to work with both organisations to protect endangered habitats in Peru and around the world!

I was the child in the puddle who used to bring animals home. Everyone said I’d grow out of it – but it wasn’t just a phase; it was my calling.

Contrary to everyone’s expectations, I didn’t take my A-levels, but instead studied Animal Management and Wildlife Conservation. By the age of 18, I was already conducting research in southern Africa, collecting data on predators and learning that to save predators, you have to work with people. Since then, I’ve focused on large carnivores and their coexistence with us.

My motto: “Be a woman who can”. As well as field research, I love travelling, reading and the great outdoors – and my two-year-old daughter usually accompanies me on my hunts for jaguars and margays in the jungle.

I am a biologist and conservationist with a background ranging from scientific research to medical communication and species conservation. After completing my bachelor’s degree in biology, I spent almost a decade working in medical communication and research into rare diseases, during which time I have long championed patients’ interests. As I myself live with a rare condition, I began advocating for my community at the age of 16, giving talks at international conferences and events around the globe. Today, I am dedicated with the same passion to the cause of others, working to protect nature and wildlife.

Based in Peru, I work on Wilderness International’s vertebrate research programmes, contributing to biodiversity monitoring and field research across a wide range of habitats. I have a particular fondness for herpetofauna, as I was one of those children who regularly searched for frogs, toads and slow worms near my home.

When I’m not busy with fieldwork, I’m usually out and about with my camera, documenting the incredible wildlife I come across. Some of my nature photographs have already won awards, which gives me a further opportunity to showcase the species and ecosystems whose conservation I am so passionate about.

My identity is reflected in the geography of Peru: from my roots in the Andes and the highlands to my childhood in Iquitos in the rainforest. This multicultural heritage helps me to understand the Amazon as a living, interconnected system. 

I am a biologist and am currently studying for a Master’s degree in environmental management. My love of ornithology and birds developed in 2018, when I was observing species in primary and secondary forests. This journey has taught me that nature conservation also arises from the interaction between science and land management.

At Wilderness International, my work goes beyond observation. My mission is to protect our forests to ensure that the call of the ‘Screaming Piha’ (Lipaugus vociferans) – the acoustic heartbeat of the jungle – is never replaced by the silence of devastation.

I grew up in chaotic Lima and spent my childhood chasing ants, watching snails and chasing ladybirds – hidden glimpses of nature amidst the concrete.

In 2020, I saw the endless greenery of Madre de Dios in the rainforest from the aeroplane and fell in love with the Amazon. Today, I work as an environmental educator in the jungle and combine that childlike sense of wonder with my work – I still track and admire insects.

My mission: to highlight the biodiversity of insects and their role for the planet. I build a bridge between science and the community to highlight the value of our living world and inspire forest conservation. Nothing fulfils me more than seeing the wonder in someone’s eyes when they discover the magic of an insect.

In memoriam
Growing up in the Peruvian Amazon, nature was never just a place to Maria — it was home. Exploring rivers by kayak and discovering wildlife in the jungle shaped her lifelong dedication to forest ecology, leading her to earn a Master’s and PhD in Germany.

Devoted to understanding, protecting, and restoring the ecosystems closest to her heart, her vision and scientific rigour as a co-founder of WI Peru laid the foundation for our work today.

Though Maria has passed away, her legacy lives on in every piece of wilderness we protect. We honour her memory and remain forever grateful for her guiding light.

My career in nature conservation began in Peru – I wanted to protect the rainforest. After studying environmental engineering and completing a research placement with Wilderness International, I became a forest ranger. There, I worked directly with researchers studying amphibians, mammals and birds, and honed my skills in wildlife monitoring.

Today, I collect biological data in our protected areas – to inform decisions that safeguard fragile ecosystems. The rainforest teaches me something new every day. Every day brings surprises in the form of colours, sounds and shapes you’d never otherwise discover. That’s the best thing about this job.

I was born and brought up in the rainforest region. Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved the stories my grandparents told me about the spirits of the forests. When I close my eyes, I can still hear the sound of the birds at my grandparents’ house and remember how I used to listen to an owl’s call every evening.

Not everyone has the same connection to nature – which is why I find it all the more important to share the experiences from my childhood, spent surrounded by forests and wild animals. I want to do my bit for nature conservation every day – even though I know I can’t do it on my own. But I’ll do my part, and I’m grateful to be able to realise one of my many dreams at Wilderness International: protecting our rainforest and its inhabitants!

I’m from Lima and travelled to Puerto Maldonado when I heard that Wilderness International was looking for new forest rangers. My motivation is to help protect our natural environment.

I love being out and about in our protected areas with the other forest rangers and actively working towards a common goal: protecting nature and the animals that live there. Every day brings new challenges, and the rainforest has new lessons in store for me. This motivates me and helps me to keep learning, put my knowledge into practice and push myself to new heights.

My name is Jeison Pashanaste Guedez, and I work as a forest ranger for Wilderness International. I’m originally from the Loreto region, a place of stunning and vast natural beauty where I grew up, spent my childhood and enjoyed the beautiful landscapes.

For a long time, I worked in agriculture, growing crops such as bananas and cassava. During that time, I realised how often we fail to recognise the damage we are causing to the environment. That’s why I decided to look for new opportunities, and that’s how I came across Wilderness International Peru. Here, I’ve learnt how important protecting nature is for life itself, and today I’m proud to play an active role in its care and conservation.

I grew up on Vancouver Island, exploring the mountains, the sea and the forests. It was only later that I came to understand how everything is connected and how humans impact nature. During my career as an entrepreneur in the extractive industries, I saw first-hand how these industries harm nature – and that never sat right with me.

Today, as an ecotourism operator, I show people nature up close. Our tours combine education, conservation and inspiration. Guests experience the sheer power of nature – and many end up changing their perspective as a result.

Wilderness International has inspired me to take action on a larger scale. Its mission is crucial to saving our species and charting a different course. I am honoured to be part of this strong organisation.

In my private life, I spend time with my family – my wife and two daughters – travelling and exploring. I also enjoy being outdoors, fishing, playing golf and camping.

Nature and the wilderness are my home. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, the mountains and the sea have shaped who I am. Every day, I see just how much we are changing these ecosystems – that’s why I’m involved with Wilderness International.

These ecosystems give us everything. I want to give something back and protect them – so that my children can grow up in the wilderness and nature can teach them who they are. For future generations.

I recharge my batteries by boating and skiing. My involvement with Wilderness International gives me the chance to take action – to give nature a voice before these ecosystems disappear forever. I’m grateful to be part of this movement and hope to inspire others to follow my example.

Growing up on Vancouver Island, I was surrounded by not only the majesty of nature, but the ever-present injustice of its mistreatment. Being raised in a family reliant on salmon, an endlessly interconnected keystone species, gave me a lens through which to learn just how deeply intertwined the ecosystems of the BC coast truly are. This lens led me from the oceans, upstream to the headwater forests, and eventually to an understanding that conservation takes a holistic, landscape level approach.

I first came across WI Canada through their collaboration with my local community, and I was inspired by the team's passion for conservation. Having worked on conservation projects both through direct action groups and in government, I see working with WI Canada as my best opportunity yet to help effect positive change at scale.

The three most important aspects of my life are nature, community, and music. My work at WI Canada allows me to give back to nature, build community, all while leaving me space to be myself. When I am not working, I can be found playing saxophone, foraging wild foods, and cooking big group meals for my friends!