One Wild Future is Wilder Institute’s five-year strategic plan for delivering measurable conservation impact for wildlife, ecosystems, and people.
Grounded in applied conservation, strengthened by Indigenous knowledge and other long-standing, place-based knowledge systems, and driven by collaboration across communities, partners, and supporters, this plan reflects a simple reality: if we want a different future for wildlife and people, we must actively build it together.
Over the next five years, One Wild Future will guide how we focus our efforts, prioritize investments, and work alongside others to deliver lasting conservation impact. It will strengthen our organization, grow our collective impact, and mobilize people in support of a future where wildlife and people thrive, together.
This is our roadmap for the next five years. This is One Wild Future.
One Wild Future is our purpose in action. It creates momentum for change by connecting our work across conservation, science, animal welfare and wellbeing, public engagement, and community collaboration. In doing so, it helps build a broader, solution-focused conservation movement that turns awareness into action.
Over the next five years, we will focus on:
Building a connected, inclusive, and high-performing team
Strengthening integration across animal welfare, conservation, and engagement
Scaling what works through collaboration and partnerships
Mobilizing people as active participants in conservation
Focusing resources where they create the greatest impact
Our strategy is grounded in a shared purpose, a clear vision, and values that guide how we work. This is the foundation for every decision we make.
We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.
The Wilder Institute brings together conservation, animal welfare and wellbeing, and public engagement within a single, connected global organization dedicated to action for wildlife.
Wilder Institute leads:
Every employee and volunteer contributes to this work, whether through direct conservation action, animal care, guest experience, operations, or generating the revenue that enables conservation impact.
The Wilder Institute’s impact does not come from a single program or team – it comes from how every part of the organization works together toward shared outcomes.
Animal care and research generate the knowledge to inform effective conservation action. Applied conservation programs, in Canada and abroad, bring that knowledge into practice. Public engagement builds awareness, deepens understanding, and drives action. Partnerships extend our capacity, scale, and influence.
These aren’t separate functions – they are a single, integrated system working towards shared conservation outcomes. One Wild Future is what keeps them aligned.
Our conservation approach is guided by four core principles:
One Wild Future is driven through six interconnected priorities that guide our work over the next five years.
1
We’re expanding species recovery and reintroduction efforts, restoring habitat and ecosystem resilience, scaling the Wilder Canada Action Plan, and strengthening our global conservation programs – sharing our expertise along the way.
Outcome: Demonstrable improvements in species populations and ecosystem health.
2
Effective conservation requires more than programs – it relies on the systems, skills, and partnerships that sustain them. We’re empowering partners and practitioners, expanding shared learning, improving access to tools and technology, and embedding inclusive conservation practices to build strong networks that enhance conservation impact over time.
Outcome: Stronger, more effective conservation systems and partnerships.
3
Successful conservation needs participants, not just supporters. We’re building awareness of the urgency of species loss, expanding conservation education and learning opportunities, and growing networks of advocates who want to take action for wildlife in their own communities.
Outcome: Increased engagement, participation, and conservation action.
4
The Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo is where millions of people connect with wildlife each year. We are continuously evolving how we deliver animal welfare and wellbeing, conservation, education, public engagement and guest experiences. Through evidence-based approaches, thoughtful design, and sustainable practices, we are deepening connections between people and wildlife.
Outcome: Exceptional animal welfare and wellbeing practices, meaningful public engagement and lasting connections between people and wildlife.
5
A unified, high-performing organization starts from the inside. We’re advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility; strengthening communication and accountability; and building the cross-team collaboration that makes conservation at this scale possible.
Outcome: A unified, effective, and values-aligned organization.
6
As we approach the zoo’s 100th anniversary in 2029, we have an opportunity to honour a century of dedication to wildlife, people, and the planet while building momentum for the future. Through community engagement, storytelling, and recognition of the people, species, partnerships, and achievements that have shaped our journey, we will create opportunities for connection, shared pride, and collection reflection.
Outcome: Increased engagement, pride, and support for our purpose and future mission.
A strategy is only as strong as the organization that brings it to life. Delivering One Wild Future means working as one team, united.
It is more than a roadmap for where we are going. It is a framework for how we make decisions, allocate resources, and focus our efforts as one. It guides what we do — and what we do not do — ensuring we remain focused on the areas where we can create the greatest impact. Working as one organization, we align across teams, programs, and expertise so that every part of our work contributes to shared outcomes for wildlife and people.
Through shared accountability, annual planning, clear communication, and continuous learning , we will turn strategy into action and deliver lasting conservation impacts.
One Wild Future is the strategy. Here’s where it comes to life.
Explore the conservation programs driving species recovery, habitat restoration, and inclusive conservation in Canada and around the world.
Meet the species at the heart of our work – and learn how we are working to support their recovery.
Explore our national commitment to recovering species at risk through coordinated translocation, reintroduction, and on-the-ground conservation action across Canada.
Experience wildlife up close and discover the wonder that comes from real connection with animals. Every visit helps inspire care for nature and a deeper commitment to conservation.
Join a team dedicated to building a future where people and wildlife thrive together.
Explore how your organization can play a meaningful role in conservation impact.
Every gift supports our critical conservation work — from conservation breeding to field research to collaborative programs, that help advance the recovery of species at risk.
This is the future we’re working toward for wildlife, communities, and generations to come. Here’s how you can be part of it.
Support the conservation programs, species recovery efforts, and collaborative partnerships driving real conservation impact for wildlife and wild places.
Explore collaboration and corporate partnership opportunities that extend the reach and impact of our programs and initiatives.
Get updates on the Wilder Institute’s conservation work, programs, and the progress of One Wild Future.
