A Message From Our Founder:
I am from a small farming community of around 200 people: Creston, Nebraska. Since I was a child, I had a strong connection with nature and animals. A small-town girl with global inspirations - it was my dream to work for National Geographic and African wildlife. Turns out dreams do come true! Well, not the National Geographic part, but I’ve been blessed to keep following my wild dreams of studying elephants and working in Africa for nearly 20 years.
I value Nebraska ethics: hard work, family, community, and perseverance. Saving elephants from extinction is in direct alignment with Nebraska values. I am proud to be from Nebraska and know that people from Nebraska will understand and support this mission because although we will never forget our roots, we like to dream big, challenge ourselves, and others around us. It’s about working harder than you think you are capable of for a mission larger than yourself. That is Nebraska.
It is my mission to exemplify and teach compassion through science and inspiration – for animals, nature, and people. My two daughters, Scarlett and Gianna, are also elephant enthusiasts and I teach them these values every day. The decline of elephant populations is not a local issue specific to Africa – it is a global issue. The way we can reverse the predicted extinction of elephants is by connecting people from all areas of the world with the issue and understanding each person’s unique connection and role. What role will you play?
Undergraduate Internships
For Elephants is offering undergraduate internships starting in the summer of 2024!
Interns will be responsible for a variety of basic laboratory tasks, including sample processing, and data entry. As a For Elephants intern, it is expected that you will also participate in community outreach events and fundraising opportunities.
For more information on the internship and application process, please click the link below to be redirected to our dedicated Internship page!
Graduate-Level Education Partnerships
For Elephants is currently partnered with the University of Nebraska system to offer graduate studies specializing in elephant conservation. Our partnership with the University of Nebraska, Omaha allows students to study elephant reproduction and conservation for a Master’s degree, whereas our partnership allows aspiring elephant researchers to obtain their doctorate degree.
Contact us today to learn how to become a joint NU/For Elephants graduate student!
International Partnerships
At For Elephants, we truly believe that conservation can only be successful if we all work together. Guided by these principles, we have created international partnerships with two South African conservation organizations.
Elephants ALIVE, founded by Dr. Michelle Henley, is dedicated to ensuring the survival of elephants and their habitats, and promoting harmonious co-existence with elephants and people. Their team aids our efforts by collecting fecal samples while tracking their collared elephants in the field.
The Black Mambas are an all-female ranger group who work closely alongside Elephants Alive in South Africa. Elephants Alive is helping to train the Black mambas on beekeeping and permaculture. They have helped to install 100 beehives, and are growing three different gardens, namely food crops to feed their families, medicinal plants to treat ailments naturally, and crops that are known to be unpalatable to elephants.
We are proud of and honored by our international partnerships. Keep an eye out for updates on our joint research projects being implemented within the next few years!
