WCS-India kickstarted a two-day Vision retreat on World Wildlife Day. Most of the staff from the organisation´s 14 thematic programs, including the board members and external invitees, came together for the first time to co-develop the organisation's shared Vision and Mission.
WCS-India´s work focuses on the conservation of a diverse range of ecosystems and species, from community conservation work in the Thar desert to tigers in the Eastern Ghats and dholes in the Western Ghats. Beyond the pristine areas, the organisation also works in human-modified environments with a growing presence in the coastal and marine realms. Several programs are driving behaviour change toward human-wildlife coexistence, including one documenting nature-culture relationships and another focusing on countering illegal wildlife trafficking through research and effective long-term engagement and capacity development.
Given the diversity of programs currently driven by highly passionate individuals often working in isolation, they needed to see themselves as part of a larger overarching organisation. Individuals renewed their shared Vision and Mission over two days through innovative approaches that were built around the organization's core Values. Most of all, the retreat allowed many staff to connect for the first time and share ideas and experiences over dance, walks, and great food - re-enforcing the feeling that we belong to something much larger than our individual teams.
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