Family Gathering 2024
In November 2024, Future For Nature (FFN) hosted the 4th FFN Family Gathering—an inspiring week filled with workshops, discussions, and excursions. Held every 2.5 years, this gathering brings together our global network of young conservationists, offering them a unique opportunity to connect, share experiences, and learn from each other.
Why Do We Organise the FFN Family Gathering?
Being a conservation leader can sometimes be a lonely journey. By bringing together like-minded individuals, we create a space where they can exchange emotions, insights, and ideas while forging deeper connections. This gathering is a vital part of our mission: to support FFN Award winners on a continuing basis, fostering collaboration and mutual growth.
Why Kenya?
Kenya was the perfect setting for this year’s gathering. With three FFN Family members—Lucy King, Ofir Drori, and Leela Hazzah—actively working in the country, and with our valued International Selection Committee (ISC) chair and FFN Award Event host, Saba Douglas-Hamilton, based there, Kenya offered an inspiring and fitting backdrop for conservation discussions and field visits.
A Week of Inspiration and Learning
An incredible 37 FFN Award winners (from the global FFN Family of 51) travelled to Kenya for this unforgettable experience. The week kicked off with leadership and corporate strategy workshops led by FFN board members: Joost Leeflang facilitated a session on Personal Leadership, while Rob van den Dool conducted Organisation Growth and Management: Structure Follows Strategy.
The second day began with an early morning game drive in Tsavo East, setting the stage for another day of knowledge-sharing. FFN laureate Jean Thomas, a conservationist with 25 years of experience and a certified coach specialising in conservation leadership, led a workshop on work-life balance. The afternoon revolved around an explorative discussion on carbon credits—an increasingly relevant yet controversial topic in conservation. The day had a festive lining as the Family celebrated the birthday of Adam Miller, 2018 FFN Award winner and co-founder of Planet Indonesia.
Field Visits: Conservation in Action
Day three provided hands-on experiences as the FFN laureates visited impactful conservation projects. One highlight was the groundbreaking work of Lucy King (2013 FFN Award winner) at Save The Elephants. Lucy’s research revealed that elephants instinctively avoid the sound of disturbed bees, leading to an innovative and effective method for mitigating human-wildlife conflict. This concept has spread worldwide, with most recently Bangladesh being the 24th country to adopt the method.
In the afternoon, the group split into smaller teams to engage in a snare removal hike, a birding excursion, and a cheetah conservation project—each experience offering valuable insight into Kenya’s rich biodiversity and conservation efforts. Further discussions explored conservation and sustainable tourism, while Adam Miller led a session on Influencing Donor Behaviour. Additionally, 2009 FFN winner Maggie Muurmans introduced the Japanese concept of Ikigai, helping her FFN fellow award winners reflect on purpose and personal growth.
The day concluded with a spirited workshop on the Rights of Nature, led by FFN Family member Callie Veelenturf. The conversation sparked meaningful discussions that continued throughout the week.
Deep Discussions and New Perspectives
On day four, Wietse van der Werf presented his Sea Ranger initiative, and Charudutt Mishra led an engaging session on the Ethical Conservation Alliance, a community-based conservation model that places local people at the heart of conservation efforts.
The FFN team also shared exciting news: Future For Nature is officially a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from February 2025. With over 1,400 members, IUCN unites governments and civil society organisations under the shared mission of protecting nature. FFN’s membership will enable us to contribute to the global conservation dialogue, stay informed about emerging tools and issues, and strengthen our collective impact on the natural world.
Farewell and Looking Ahead
On the final day, the gathering came to a close as Family members said goodbye to one another with a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration. New friendships were formed, and old ones were strengthened, reinforcing the shared passion and dedication that define the FFN community.
The 2024 FFN Family Gathering was a transformative experience, filled with learning, connection, and inspiration. As we look ahead to 2027, we are excited to celebrate FFN’s 20th anniversary—an incredible milestone that promises to make the next gathering even more special. Stay tuned for updates!
Short video compilation from the 2024 FFN Family Gathering:
FFN laureate Anna Oposa reflected on a previous gathering:
“All FFN winners have different levels of skills and expertise, coming from different parts of the world. Joining a series of workshops curated by FFN means being a student again—not just the workshop teacher’s student, but each other’s as well. We are learning and growing from one another’s experiences. Everyone has been so generous and supportive of one another.”