Russell E. Train Education for Nature Stories

Thirteen inspirational conservationists from six countries will use their expertise to protect species, fill research gaps, and conserve the world’s most critical ecosystems.

Selected for their innovative proposals and merit-based history, the 2019 cohort of Train Fellows will focus their research on key topics, from analyzing whale shark behavior in the Galápagos to preserving critical landscapes throughout Bhutan.

In 1994, the Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program was created at WWF to offer financial and educational support to the next generation of international conservation leaders. A look back:

Ten inspirational conservationists from six countries will use their expertise to conserve the world’s most critical ecosystems through WWF’s unique fellowship program.

WWF would like to congratulate the recipients of the 2017 Russell E. Train Fellowship. Funded by the Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN), Train Fellows pursue their graduate degrees in conservation-related fields anywhere in the world and then return to their home countries better equipped to take on global conservation challenges.

WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN) would like to congratulate the recipients of the 2016 Russell E. Train Fellowship.

WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN) would like to congratulate the recipients of the 2015 Russell E. Train Fellowship. For over 20 years, EFN has supported inspiring individuals from across the globe to earn advanced degrees in conservation-related fields. Train Fellows attend top universities around the world, work closely with leading conservation specialists, and research topics critical to WWF and the conservation community.

For over 20 years, Ghislain Somba Byombo has risked his life to protect wildlife in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His reason for doing so is simple: he wants to save the animals he loves so dearly and keep the natural beauty of his country intact.

Each year, WWF provides support to proven and potential conservation leaders in Africa, Asia, and Latin America so they may pursue graduate studies in WWF priority places. This year, WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN) selected 26 outstanding individuals from around the world to receive Russell E. Train Fellowships.

Roger and Vicki Sant: Paying it forward to the next generation of conservation leaders

EFN grantee Jim Nyamu is working to raise awareness of threats to elephants by walking more than 650 miles from Massai Mara to Nairobi on a campaign called Ivory Belongs to Elephants.

Since the beginning of his career, Maharjan has always worked to stop wildlife crime. Today, he organizes anti-poaching surveillance missions using intelligence gathered from a wide network of local informants.