Training Conservationists
The Next Generation of Scientists
Successful conservation requires investing in the next generation to prepare them for the conservation challenges of the future. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is dedicated to providing students and early-career scientists from Africa and around the world with the opportunity to build the skills they need to become the conservation leaders of the future.Â
Each year we host hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students and early-career professionals on our Ellen Campus for specialized trainings and internships aimed at building their skill sets. Our programs focus on providing classroom and hands-on training in areas such as conservation biology, research methods, lab techniques and scientific writing. Click here to read about a recent group of Rwandan college students studying with and learning from Fossey Fund scientists at our campus.
We also provide scholarships for our own staff to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees, attend conservation conferences and conduct research. Click here to read about our first Rwandan staff member to complete his Ph.D. – biodiversity program manager Dr. Deogratias Tuyisingize. Deo first started as a student with us and is now a mentor to many other aspiring conservationists in Rwanda.
Our education efforts are working! More than 85% of students who do their college senior thesis work with the Fossey Fund go into scientific or conservation-related careers. Many now work for government and local conservation organizations, or have gone on to pursue graduate degrees.
