Wildlife Education and Research Ventures (WERV)

Canopy’s Wildlife Education and Research Ventures (WERV) are an innovative approach to promoting stewardship of wildlife and ecosystems by communities of local people, government, businesses and scientists. Through these programs we nurture positive relationships between multiple stakeholders. An atmosphere of learning and cooperating results in practical wildlife and ecosystem management strategies that make sense for all parties.

One example of such a program is Canopy’s Project CAT which unites multiple ecosystem stakeholders (businesses, NGOs, wildlife managers, the public, school children) in the process of research and education, and address problems presented by encroachment of humans into the world of the big cats. Cougars provide a stimulus for entire communities to learn about the wider natural environment in enticing ways.

A vivid component of Project CAT integrates the K-12 curriculum and allows students from all disciplines of study (science, math, language arts, social sciences, the arts and humanities) to become actively involved in the scientific discovery of cougars and their environment. For example, students collar cougars, identify tracks and habitat, perform DNA analyses, and analyze data through map work. The research component monitors the precise locations and movement patterns of radio-collared cougars in relation to human residence, activity, and development. The program teaches students to learn and think analytically and creatively, to integrate knowledge, to form reasoned judgments and solve problems.

Capacity building and networking among international cat research and education projects allows for replication in other locations, with other species.

Other Affiliate Wildlife Specialists and their profiles