Matt and Kacey DeBeer on the value of conservation that considers people

What inspired your connection with WWF?

We both like how solutions-focused WWF is. There are so many areas of the world that need help, and we’ve always liked how WWF approaches conservation. They’re so clear-eyed about it. They understand that the only way to bring about lasting environmental change for the better is to recognize that many people are affected by these issues and need an equal place at the decision-making table.

Why do you believe conservation is about improving people’s lives?

Efforts like managing fisheries, protecting freshwater sources, and reducing chemicals that kill off pollinators help increase resources available to people. We were fortunate to make it to the Amazon with our teenagers a couple of years ago. One of the things that struck us is just how vital that waterway is to the livelihoods of the people who live on it. It’s a food supply, a source of irrigation, and a highway. Everyone suffers if the river isn’t healthy.

What impact do you hope for as supporters of WWF?

We hope to spread the message among friends, family, and others that WWF is about solving problems. You can’t always simply stop activities that harm nature, because those activities might be critical to people’s well-being. But instead of converting forests into farmland, for instance, you could partner with communities to stop environmental degradation by rethinking agricultural methods. That is what WWF is doing. We tell everyone we know that WWF focuses on conservation that considers people. Ultimately, protecting the environment is about ensuring that what’s good in the world continues to be available for generations to come.