Young conservationists face financial crisis despite overwhelming passion for environmental work

A striking paradox is emerging in the conservation world: while thousands of passionate young environmentalists are eager to dedicate their careers to protecting wildlife and ecosystems, they’re struggling to survive financially in the field they love most.

This sobering reality became clear during workshops hosted by the Zoological Society of London’s EDGE of Existence program, where early-career conservationists from around the globe gathered to share their experiences. The challenges they face are both heartbreaking and alarming – from the everyday struggle of paying bills while juggling multiple unstable jobs to more serious threats including harassment in remote locations, intimidation by extractive industries, and even abduction by criminal organizations. Despite these daunting obstacles, the demand for conservation work remains extraordinary: the program received 1,700 applications for just 10 fellowship positions, a ratio that reflects similar competition across the sector.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Just as this wave of talented, dedicated young conservationists is ready to tackle urgent environmental projects, funding sources are drying up. Organizations both large and small are facing significant cuts to their financial pipelines, creating a devastating mismatch between available resources and conservation needs. As one young conservationist, Lucero Vaca, noted while conducting jaguar research, the field desperately needs to stop underestimating people based on their age and instead support innovative ideas from emerging leaders.

The solution, according to conservation leaders, lies in small grants that can provide crucial financial stability for the next generation of environmental protectors – before we lose their invaluable contributions to career changes forced by economic necessity.