Dr. William Fowlds, a founding director of the Conservation Landscapes Institute, offers strategic guidance, fundraising, and collaborative leadership to advance CLI’s mission of creating connected conservation corridors in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. With 23 years as a wildlife veterinarian and 28 years in rewilding and eco-tourism, he draws from a fifth-generation farming family background turned to conservation. His expertise includes pioneering rhino rescue protocols and co-founding Amakhala Game Reserve 25 years ago, alongside a decade-long role with Indalo, including as Chair. He has raised global awareness through documentaries, TV series, and “Vets go Wild” courses. Driven to unlock the Eastern Cape’s socio-economic potential through biodiversity, he envisions it as Southern Africa’s premier mega-living landscape. Grounded in faith, family, and community, he finds solace in nature, often connecting with binoculars, camera, and drone, his dog by his side, savouring sunrise coffee amidst the wild beauty. At CLI, he invests in the next generation, ensuring they steward resilient ecosystems without repeating past mistakes.

Wendy Rippon has served on the Conservation Landscapes Institute’s Executive Committee since its inception, bringing decades of hands-on conservation leadership from Buffalo Kloof, a 20,000-hectare Eastern Cape conservancy she and her husband Warne transformed from 12 degraded farms into a thriving, wildlife-rich landscape. Born and raised on a Grahamstown district farm, Wendy’s deep connection to the region’s natural beauty—honed through farm life, studies at Diocesan School for Girls, and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Natal—fuels her vision for restoration and sustainable use. After an eight-year corporate career in motor manufacturing, marketing, and sales, she joined and co-leads Allied Steelrode as executive director. At Buffalo Kloof, the Eastern Cape’s first BRREP site, she spearheaded land consolidation, species reintroduction, veld restoration, and eco-tourism development, integrating community and provincial land while prioritizing education and respect for nature. At CLI, Wendy channels this legacy into replicable models that balance ecological health, community benefit, and long-term resilience.

Peter leads the Conservation Landscapes Institute as CEO, spearheading the creation of a million-hectare connected conservation corridor in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. With 38 years of experience across 25 African countries, he brings expertise in endangered species protection, landscape connectivity, and wildlife crime prevention, having directed marine protected area planning, implemented counter-poaching strategies, and led rhino recovery programmes. Passionate about systems-based conservation, he works with government, community, and NGO partners to deliver measurable biodiversity and socio-economic outcomes. A published conservation photojournalist and dedicated mentor, Peter is committed to inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders. With deep roots in the region’s wild landscapes, he finds inspiration in the resilience of nature, driving his commitment to restore ecosystems, safeguard species, and strengthen community resilience. At CLI, he channels this vision into a replicable model for global impact.

Jess leads the Conservation Landscapes Institute’s efforts to ensure conservation work delivers measurable, meaningful impact across landscapes. She develops practical frameworks for monitoring, data collection, analysis, and reporting, ensuring that CLI’s work is grounded in good science and results in real change for ecosystems and communities. With a background in wildlife ecology and extensive experience in research, teaching, and conservation, she brings both technical expertise and a deep passion for connecting data to action. Jess focuses on helping CLI and its partners measure what matters, from ecological integrity to community engagement, and is committed to making science accessible through clear communication that supports learning and collaboration at every level. A lifelong nature lover, she finds inspiration in wild spaces, vibrant sunsets, and the spirit of adventure. At CLI, she channels this passion into creating tangible outcomes for biodiversity and people, ensuring the organisation’s work drives lasting change across the region’s most vital conservation landscapes.

Michelle plays a key role in advancing the Conservation Landscapes Institute’s use of conservation technology across partner reserves. She supports the customisation and implementation of tools such as SMART and EarthRanger, ensuring these platforms are tailored to site-specific needs and effectively used by field and ecology teams. Her work focuses on turning field data into actionable insights, helping managers track incursion trends, species movements, and operational priorities. Michelle also contributes to the standardisation of data collection within the proposed corridor, enabling collaborative and landscape-scale analysis. She holds an MSc in Conservation Biology from the University of Cape Town, with prior research focused on avian responses to climate change. With strong roots in the Eastern Cape, she grew up birdwatching in the thicket and exploring the region’s forests and coasts, experiences that continue to inspire her work. At CLI, she combines technical skills, ecological training, and a love for learning to support practical, data-driven conservation. Outside of work, she enjoys camping and spending time in wild spaces.

Franciska serves as the Conservation Manager at the Conservation Landscapes Institute, overseeing habitat restoration, wildlife management, infrastructure upkeep, and team support to protect biodiversity across CLI’s landscapes. Her role ensures operations run smoothly and align with conservation goals, fostering healthy ecosystems throughout the Albany Bioregion and beyond. With a degree in Nature Conservation from CPUT and practical experience from Addo Elephant National Park, she joined CLI in 2023 as an Ecologist, progressing to Assistant Manager and now Conservation Manager. Skilled in GIS mapping, restoration, and water management, she continually hones these abilities. Passionate about nature since childhood, Franciska chose outdoor work to give animals their space back for future generations. Inspired by elephants’ calm strength, she finds motivation in their presence. At CLI, she channels this dedication into creating resilient landscapes, blending hands-on expertise with a commitment to long-term ecological health.