Celebrating five years of BRIDGE
Shaping the future of conservation
From bold idea to lasting impact, BRIDGE is opening doors for tomorrow’s conservation leaders.
© WWF-US/Keith Arnold
Five years of growth and impact
Launched in 2021 during a time of global uncertainty, BRIDGE was created to open doors for students and early‑career professionals who might never have considered conservation as a career. In just five years, it has become a highly competitive and sought‑after program—connecting thousands of applicants to life‑changing opportunities and building a diverse pipeline of conservation leaders.
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20,000+ applications
received since launch
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180+ alumni
shaping conservation careers across sectors
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43% of alumni
now working in the green sector
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32 alumni
returned to WWF as interns or staff
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900+ early-career professionals
engaged through alumni programming and events
Alumni leading change
Behind these numbers are inspiring journeys—BRIDGE alumni who are now leading research, shaping policy, and driving innovation in conservation.
© Courtesy of Michele Heilman
Michelle Heilman (2021)
From GIS analysis in the Amazon to bioluminescent mushroom research in Brazil, Michele’s journey shows how BRIDGE sparks lifelong connections to conservation.
“My BRIDGE internship became a thread connecting so many parts of my life.”
© Keith Arnold/WWF-US
Victoria Jenkins (2022)
From community college to NASA to WWF full‑time, Victoria blends science and policy to tackle plastic pollution.
“I loved science and policy but worried I’d have to choose one path. I ... struggled to find examples of careers that combined both. That changed when I joined BRIDGE and realized such careers existed.”
© Courtesy of Ayesha Zafar
Ayesha Zafar (2025)
With a background in economics and development, Ayesha’s BRIDGE experience opened the door to conservation leadership and inspired her future path.
“He modeled the kind of leader I aspire to become—visionary, collaborative, and unafraid of challenges.”
Building bridges and inspiring change
As BRIDGE celebrates five years of impact, we’re not only reflecting on what’s been achieved—we’re looking forward with hope. The next chapter is about expanding opportunities, strengthening alumni connections, and ensuring that conservation leadership reflects the diversity and innovation our planet needs.
With you by our side, we look forward to carrying this hope into the future—creating new opportunities, nurturing tomorrow’s leaders, and shaping a more inclusive and innovative conservation movement.
© WWF-US/Gayle Brown