John Watkin is a conservation leader with over 30-years of international experience in wildlife protection and sustainable development. Born and raised in Zambia and then Vanuatu fostered a deep connection to diverse ecosystems.

Former CEO of Sahara Conservation, where he led reintroduction of Endangered desert antelopes in Chad and Niger. John has also held strategic positions with MacArthur Foundation and Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, managing grant portfolios exceeding $53 million across globally.

Expert in protected area management, community conservation, and ecological monitoring throughout Central, East, and West Africa. His work spans endangered species protection, protected area management, sustainable development, ecotourism development, and community-based natural resource management.

John holds an M.Sc. in Advanced Ecology from the University of Durham and a Bachelor's in Applied Biology from Nottingham Trent University and speaks English, French, and Swahili. Combines cross-cultural perspective with scientific expertise to balance community needs with conservation imperatives throughout worldwide.