WICO is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization dedicated to launching science-based and community-driven biodiversity conservation initiatives. Our work focuses on ensuring the long-term survival of wildlife and ecosystem services while improving the resilience and livelihoods of local communities that coexist with wildlife. We address the urgent need for gender equity in conservation by empowering women as active leaders and stewards of nature. We believe that inclusive conservation promotes social justice and produces more effective, lasting outcomes for biodiversity conservation.
A resilient future where biodiversity thrives because women and men share equal responsibility, leadership, and benefits in conserving nature.
To promote effective and sustainable conservation by enabling the full participation of women, men, and youth in wildlife conservation, ecological research, environmental governance, and nature-based livelihoods.
WICO founded in 2022 by two passionate Tanzanian female conservationists, WICO emerged to fill a critical gap in the conservation sector, especially the underrepresentation of women in leadership and frontline ecological work. Officially registered under the NGO Act of 2002, we operate across mainland Tanzania with a mission to protect biodiversity. We bridge scientific research, indigenous knowledge, and inclusive participation to support both species conservation and sustainable community development.
We prioritize the conservation of wildlife and habitats, by intergrading indigenous knowldge and ecological ethics
We promote equal opportunity in conservation access, leadership, and decision-making.
We support local communities as essential partners in conservation—building skills, amplifying voices, and enhancing resilience.
We engage governments, global organizations, research institutions, NGOs, and communities to drive collective impact.
Our programs are designed for long-term ecological and socioeconomic viability.
We uphold the highest standards of integrity in how we operate, report, and use resources.
We conduct interdisciplinary research on biodiversity, habitat use, human-wildlife coexistence, and conservation policy. Our findings inform species recovery plans and adaptive management strategies.
We design and implement targeted conservation actions for Tanzania’s most threatened species including Aves, Mammals and Herpetofauna through habitat conservation, anti-poaching campaigns, and community mobilization.
We mentor and train young women and youth in wildlife research, field monitoring, and community engagement cultivating a new generation of conservation leaders.
We implement inclusive models of natural resource governance, where communities near protected areas actively participate in biodiversity conservation while improving their livelihoods.
We support eco-friendly income-generating activities such as beekeeping, eco-tourism, clean energy, and climate-smart agriculture to reduce pressure on natural resources.
Through school clubs, awareness campaigns, and multi-stakeholder dialogues, we build conservation values across generations and contribute to national environmental policy development.