From Boots to a Wildlife Corridor: The Wild Tomorrow Story with Co-Founders John Steward and Wendy Hapgood (Part 1)

What happens when two people leave corporate life behind and start solving conservation problems one practical need at a time? In the first episode of an ongoing seven-part series, Dr. Diane talks with Wild Tomorrow's co-founders John Steward and Wendy Hapgood about turning boots, socks, and urgency into a wildlife corridor in South Africa. This episode is about conservation, community, and the power of asking what is actually needed before trying to solve the problem.

John shares how volunteering with painted wolves changed his life, while Wendy reflects on leaving finance after a personal and professional wake-up call that made her want to become “a salesperson for nature.” Learn how meeting a real need for rangers slowly grew into a major effort for acquiring and rewilding land, creating habitat corridors, supporting rangers, empowering local women, and partnering with community programs for young children. 

Chapters:

• 01:15 From Corporate Careers to Wildlife Conservation – How John and Wendy left advertising and finance to protect endangered species
• 08:13 The Ranger Tire Story That Started Wild Tomorrow – How one urgent need sparked a conservation organization
• 16:50 Building a Wildlife Corridor in South Africa – Buying land, rewilding habitat, and connecting nature reserves
• 29:19 Conservation and Community Partnership – The Green Mambas, local kindergartens, and sustainable employment
• 40:18 Baby Giraffes, Hope, and Falling in Love with Nature 
• 50:50 How to Support Wild Tomorrow Fund 

Links & Resources:

• Learn about Wild Tomorrow
• Support Wild Tomorrow
• Learn about my trip with CBCC and Wild Tomorrow
• Listen to CBCC episodes with John and Hayley Rocco; Juana Martinez-Neal; Molly Idle; Leah Henderson; Kayla Harren; Meg Fleming; Brenda Scott Royce; and Ann Dye.
• Follow Wild Tomorrow on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.