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.

Landscape photograph on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

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:

Amboseli Guide School
Twiga Trackers
Wildlife Education