Our Mission
We believe in the power of communities to help solve our planet’s most urgent issues. By coming together to reconnect with, protect and respect nature, we can all help to turn the tide on biodiversity loss, wildlife suffering, and the climate crisis.
Wildlife Heritage Areas celebrate places where local people are committed to further a deep and respectful connection between people and nature. We are a solutions-focused and positive-minded programme designed to showcase how culture, responsible tourism, and solutions for coexistence can create a better future for places, nature, and people.
Wildlife Heritage Areas:
- Support and celebrate local people to care for and protect the unique wildlife in their environment.
- Provide an opportunity for the travel industry to promote more responsible wildlife experiences as an alternative to exploitative, extractive, or consumptive captive or wild animal attractions.
- Emphasise our cultural links with nature as a powerful tool to encourage positive change for animals and people.
- Incorporate animal welfare as an integral part of what constitutes ‘sustainable practices’ or ‘wildlife friendly’.
- Use an approach combining nature conservation and animal welfare successfully, as part of a growing movement.
June 2023
Beta website launches alongside request for first applications
July 2023
First NGO wildlife specialists receive online training to assess applications
October 2023
Wildlife Heritage Areas launches with announcements on the first designated areas
February 2024
First global directory of responsible wildlife watching guidelines released
March 2024
Journalists to visit newly designated Wildlife Heritage Areas and report on progress
June 2024
International Review Panel formed to conduct second tier review of designated areas
October 2024
Wildlife Heritage Network launches to support the Wildlife Heritage Area programme