ABOUT US
WildComm is more than a research centre; we’re pioneering a new model for conservation.
By establishing research stations on privately owned property, we create an environmentally-friendly income for landowners – enabling them to support the natural environment whilst earning a living. This approach transforms private properties into unofficial ‘sanctuaries’ as landowners are encouraged to keep the land wild, creating economic incentives that align with ecological stewardship.
Participants directly support this mission. When you join a WildComm program, your fieldwork accommodation rate not only funds your hands-on conservation training, but also provides this income to landowners, making conservation a viable livelihood.
In addition, the data you collect doesn’t just sit on a shelf. We share it openly with those that are best positioned to make the most positive impact with it – ensuring it drives real-world decisions and delivers measurable benefits for the species and habitats we study.
OUR VISION
A future where wildlife and ecosystems thrive across human-dominated landscapes – not just in protected areas – because people are invested in nature’s survival.
OUR MISSION
To conserve biodiversity on private land by creating economic incentives for landowners to protect natural habitats, powered by science, data, and a growing network of skilled conservationists.
WildComm is a conservation non-profit focused on protecting biodiversity on private land – places often overlooked by formal conservation efforts. We believe conservation only works when it makes sense for the people living alongside wildlife. That’s why we partner with local landowners, supporting them to choose conservation over clearance by giving wildlife measurable economic value.
We do this by establishing research stations and data-collection hubs on private land. There, our team – supported by students, interns, and other participants – conducts long-term ecological monitoring and applied conservation work. The data we collect helps shape sustainable land-use practices, informs policy, and proves that wild landscapes can bring real, lasting value. Students and participants power this work – not as eco-tourists, but as active contributors to long-term conservation outcomes.
Our fieldwork programmes are designed not to sell experiences, but to train and mobilise a new generation of conservation practitioners. Interns gain hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful research that influences how land is managed and protected.
By connecting local livelihoods, scientific research, and grassroots conservation, we’re building a more sustainable and biodiverse future where conservation isn’t confined to national parks, but is embedded in everyday landscapes – one property at a time – supported by science, partnerships, and people.
Dr Leah Findlay
Dr Leah Findlay is our Director and Research Manager. With a PhD in human-wildlife conflict from Durham University, UK, Leah has spent over a decade on conservation efforts in Limpopo, South Africa, focusing on mitigating tensions between human communities and wildlife. In 2022, she founded WildComm, driven by a desire to apply academic knowledge to practical conservation solutions. As Research Manager, she spearheads the development and implementation of fieldwork programmes, ensuring that each project contributes meaningfully to conservation efforts. Her academic background equips her to mentor and supervise undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students, guiding them through their academic journeys and fostering a new generation of conservationists. Recognising the importance of shared knowledge, Leah actively facilitates information exchange, delivering data collected at WildComm’s research stations to other organisations who can use the data in the most impactful way.
Leah’s dedication to bridging academia with on-the-ground conservation work is evident in her commitment to establishing successful research stations and facilitating knowledge exchange.
Through her leadership, WildComm continues to make strides in protecting biodiversity and promoting harmony between humans and the natural world.
Chanelle Becker
Chanelle Becker, born and raised in South Africa, is not only our in-country logistical coordinator but also serves as a company director and operations manager. Growing up amid the captivating landscapes of South Africa, she developed a deep passion for wildlife and conservation from a young age. Her childhood spent exploring the wonders of Kruger National Park cemented her dedication to preserving the natural world.
She pursued studies in Game Ranch Management and Wildlife Management and achieved FGASA Level 1 certification in Kruger National Park. She began her career managing lodges, where her involvement with volunteer and student research programs sparked her interest in ecological research and conservation.
As a research assistant at Mogalakwena Research Centre, Chanelle gained invaluable field experience, further refining her skills. She later joined Wildlife Ecological Investments, conducting research in Welgevonden Game Reserve and the Greater Kruger area. During this time, she also managed Panthera’s camera trap grids contributing to large-scale monitoring of predators and biodiversity within these important conservation areas.
Her expertise extends to game translocation, habitat management, and conservation work focused on protecting endangered species such as rhinos. Today, she is fulfilling her lifelong dream by establishing and running her own research centre, where she collaborates with volunteers and students in meaningful conservation initiatives, embodying her commitment to safeguarding the rich biodiversity of South Africa’s landscapes.
Joe Linscott
Joe Linscott is our Project Manager here at WildComm. He leads our field operations, research projects, and volunteer programmes on the ground across our sites. He has a background in behavioural ecology and conservation biology, and has worked across Africa on a range of projects, from primate research and predator monitoring to habitat mapping and population modelling.
At WildComm, Joe’s focus is on designing long-term conservation research, supporting our volunteers, and building collaborations that make a real difference on the ground. He is passionate about turning field data into meaningful action and helping to inspire and support the next generation of conservationists.