Conservation at a Crossroads: Why We Must Prioritize Wellbeing Now

The Conservation Crisis No One Talks About

Conservation professionals dedicate their lives to protecting the planet, yet so many feel unsupported, overwhelmed, and unseen. The challenges they face—burnout, understaffing, and emotional exhaustion—are not signs of weakness but signals of a system in need of care. Wellbeing must be at the center - the heart - of how we do this work, not an afterthought.

After hundreds of hours working alongside conservation teams, I’ve developed a new approach to resilience - one that empowers individuals, teams, and organizations to thrive. This guide, Building Capacity, Creating Momentum: A Guide for Conservation Teams, offers a pathway to renewed energy, purpose, and sustainability.

I've been writing about these issues more and more, including:

• Relevancy in the Crosshairs: A Call for Genuine Connection in Conservation
• Navigating Layoffs with Strength and Purpose
• Thriving Through Change (back to office mandate)
• Natural Disasters and the Conservation Spirit

The Big Picture: Why Wellbeing in Conservation Is Essential

The numbers tell a sobering story, but behind each statistic is a dedicated professional doing their best in difficult circumstances:

• 65% of conservation professionals cite overwork and understaffing as their top challenges.
• 57% say their successes aren’t recognized, eroding morale.
• 45% face abusive public interactions, adding to emotional strain.
• 30% experience eco-grief and anxiety at work.

This work is hard, and we must acknowledge that. But together, we can build systems that offer support, cultivate joy, and ensure that conservationists don’t just endure - but thrive.

A New Way Forward: The Connect, Encourage, Thrive Model

The Building Capacity, Creating Momentum guide introduces a compassionate, actionable framework to help conservation teams navigate today’s pressures and build a future where they feel supported, valued, and connected. The three key pillars are:

✅ Connect – Rebuilding deep relationships with self, colleagues, and nature. When we restore connection, we find strength.

✅ Encourage – Creating cultures of support, recognition, and challenge. Small acts of encouragement ripple outward, transforming work environments.

✅ Thrive – Implementing long-term strategies for resilience and growth. Thriving isn’t about avoiding hardship - it’s about building the capacity to move through it with hope.

When conservation teams apply these principles, they become more innovative, collaborative, and resilient—fostering an environment where people and conservation efforts flourish together.

Real Solutions: How Organizations Can Take Action

Wellbeing is not a luxury—it is vital. Here’s how conservation leaders and organizations can take meaningful steps toward a healthier, more resilient workforce:

• Make wellbeing a strategic priority, not just an individual responsibility.
• Embed peer support and recognition into workplace culture.
• Establish policies that allow for rest, renewal, and professional development (and model them).
• Foster emotional resilience by addressing eco-emotions, cognitive dissonance, and workplace stressors.

📖 Email me at michelle@anavahconsulting.com for the full guide

📅 Book a free 30-minute consultation HERE

Why I Created This Guide

Conservation is more than a job - it’s a calling. It’s fueled by love for the planet, dedication to a purpose greater than ourselves, and a deep desire to leave the world better than we found it. But love and dedication should not come at the expense of wellbeing.

I’ve seen too many passionate, talented conservation professionals reach a breaking point - not because they lacked resilience, but because they lacked support. That’s why I created the Building Capacity, Creating Momentum guide—to offer a framework where conservationists can flourish, together.

Let’s start a conversation about how we can make conservation a field where people don’t just work but truly thrive.