The mission of the Biocultural Conservation Institute is to empower local communities to connect to and protect their native wildlife through education, research, and livelihood enhancement.
Biocultural Conservation Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to connect indigenous communities to their native wildlife.
Founded by Alan Whitehead in 2009, BCI spent the past decade establishing connections and developing wildlife-centered programming with the Maasai tribe in Kenya.
Today, our devoted Board of scientists, conservationists, story-tellers, and wildlife-enthusiasts works to carry on existing connections and programs. We are also seeking opportunities to expand our mission to indigenous communities globally.
We achieve our mission by working across five focus areas:
Community-based Conservation
Scientific Research
Responsible Ecotourism
Youth Education
Compatible Enterprises
Explore how our work is reflected in programs developed in partnerships with the Maasai community: