Re:wild’s High-Stakes Mission To Rebalance the Planet Via Conservation

Article Highlights:

• Re:wild operates in 80+ countries, restoring over 565 million acres of endangered ecosystems worldwide.
• Field teams work in high-risk, remote environments, from crocodile-infested rivers to active conflict zones.
• Local and Indigenous partners are central to Re:wild’s wildlife conservation success and safety strategy.
• Global Rescue plays a critical role in emergency evacuations and crisis management for Re:wild staff.
• Re:wild commits at least 20% of its conservation funding directly to Indigenous peoples and local organizations.

Re:wild, with long-standing support from Global Rescue, has emerged as a bold and visionary leader in the fight to protect the planet’s most threatened ecosystems. With deep roots in science, global partnerships and Indigenous knowledge, Re:wild is tackling the biodiversity loss, climate change and threats to human health head-on, with hope.

Founded by a group of renowned conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio and combining more than 35 years of conservation impact, Re:wild isn’t just a nonprofit organization; it’s a movement. Its mission is clear: protect and restore the wild to ensure a thriving Earth where all life flourishes.

“Nature is not a luxury,” says Alex Quintero, Re:wild’s Chief Operating Officer. “It is essential to our survival. Every tree, every river, every species plays a role in the delicate balance of life on this planet. At Re:wild, our work is about safeguarding that balance.”

With conservation projects in more than 80 countries covering over 565 million acres, Re:wild is making an extraordinary impact, and it’s doing so in some of the most remote, wild, and dangerous corners of the Earth.

Wildlife Conservation on the Frontlines

From crocodile-infested rivers in Southeast Asia to conflict zones in central Africa, Re:wild’s team members regularly put themselves on the line to safeguard the planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems. Their work takes them deep into jungles, oceans and dense forests where endangered wildlife still clings to survival.

“Our staff have a lot of experience working in these environments,” Quintero says. “They’ve been doing it for a long time.”

But these are often not safe, nor easy assignments. Nature doesn’t follow rules, nor do the political or environmental landscapes in which many of these expeditions occur. The risks are real.

“When we have folks out doing surveys looking for species, they’re very careful,” Quintero emphasizes. “We don’t do anything haphazardly, and we work with partners on the ground.”

“We’re not sending individuals out there independently on the road,” he adds. “They’re going out with a local constituency.”

That local support is not just logistical, it’s lifesaving. The people living in these regions serve as guides and guardians for Re:wild’s field teams.

“They are the best guides of our staff,” says Quintero. “They know how to protect against wildlife or environmental threats. They are closely attuned to what’s happening around them and make sure that our staff, donors or anyone else is well taken care of.”

Emergency Evacuation

But sometimes preparation isn’t enough. When the unexpected hits, when political instability or environmental threats escalate, Re:wild’s safety net makes the difference.

“When trouble strikes, I’m relieved to know Global Rescue is there for them,” Quintero says.

Global Rescue’s crisis response services have been an essential partner in ensuring the safety of Re: wild’s staff during high-risk fieldwork.

“They know how to manage threats,” Quintero notes, recalling several instances when Global Rescue’s intervention was vital during his tenure.

One such moment came during a mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo – a country designated “Level 4 – Do Not Travel” by the U.S. State Department.

“About a year ago, a staffer was in the Democratic Republic of Congo when an initial rebel invasion occurred,” Quintero says. “It was touch and go for a day. We were working with Global Rescue, the local community and people at the Baranga National Park to keep everyone safe.”

The evacuation was tense and time sensitive. Every decision mattered.

“It took roughly 24 tense hours to get our staffer out safely into Rwanda,” Quintero says. “Global Rescue did a great job keeping pace, staying in touch, providing intel and corroborating what others were telling us.”

Ultimately, it wasn’t just a successful extraction –  it was a reassurance of security, a comfort that extended across the organization.

“Everyone rests a little bit easier knowing that Global Rescue resources and experience are at hand and on the line for us,” Quintero adds. “That’s where the real value is. It’s the security blanket, knowing that should something go wrong, we know we have a resource that we can reach out to for potentially life-saving help.”

When trouble strikes, I’m relieved to know Global Rescue is there for them.
– Alex Quintero, COO, Re:wild

Protecting the Wild Is Worth the Risk

The challenges Re:wild faces in the field are not limited to political unrest. The natural world itself can be just as formidable.

Whether navigating landslide-prone mountains in Central America or traversing dense jungle terrain in Madagascar, field teams encounter venomous snakes, wild elephants, jaguars and raging monsoons, all while documenting endangered species and restoring ecosystems.

In Borneo, for example, researchers monitoring orangutan habitats must travel by boat through crocodile-heavy rivers without access to nearby medical facilities.

The physical and mental demands of such fieldwork are intense. Every journey requires training, contingency planning and an unwavering commitment to the mission.

“These are not risks we take lightly,” Quintero says. “We prepare extensively. We train thoroughly. But nature doesn’t always follow the script when you’re in the field.”

The Human Element: Conservation and Community

Amid these challenging environments, one thing becomes increasingly clear: conservation only works when people are at the center of the solution. That’s why Re:wild prioritizes local and Indigenous partnerships in every project.

“There is no conservation without communities,” Quintero states. “Local people are the first responders, the knowledge keepers, the stewards of the land. Without their leadership, we fail.”

Re:wild doesn’t come into a country with a set plan. Instead, they listen first, engaging Indigenous councils, grassroots groups, youth leaders and elders to shape the path forward. This model of collaborative conservation increases not only effectiveness but also safety.

“In many regions, our ability to operate safely depends entirely on the strength of our local partnerships,” Quintero says. “They know the terrain. They understand the risks. They know who to talk to and what not to do. That local wisdom is essential.”

In Papua New Guinea, Re:wild works closely with tribal communities to protect vast stretches of intact tropical forest. In the Amazon, local groups help track wildlife populations using traditional techniques and GPS-enabled technology.

But Re: wild’s commitment goes deeper than collaboration. It’s about shifting resources and decision-making power to those who know the land best.

“We’re committed to ensuring that at least 20% of our conservation funding goes directly to Indigenous peoples and local organizations,” Quintero says. “That’s not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing. They get results.”

Hope in a Time of Crisis

Despite the mounting threats to the natural world, Re:wild remains boldly optimistic. Each project, each partnership and each protected species represents a step toward healing the planet.

“We are in a race against time,” Quintero acknowledges. “But I believe we can still win that race. If we act boldly and together, we can rewild the world, and in doing so, rewild ourselves.”

For Re:wild, rewilding is more than a strategy, it’s a worldview. It’s about recognizing the wild as sacred and interconnected, not something to be dominated or managed. And in restoring the wild, they believe, humanity can rediscover its rightful place as part of – not apart from– nature.

A Blueprint for the Future

Re:wild’s impact is already evident. Through their work, “lost” species have been rediscovered, deforestation has been halted in high-biodiversity zones and entire ecosystems are revived. Just as important, they’ve built trust with communities, donors, field teams and international partners.

As threats to biodiversity and climate continue to intensify, Re:wild is doubling down on its commitment to protect the Earth’s last wild places.

Their secret? A mix of science, courage, local knowledge, and a team that never goes it alone.

“Everyone at Re:wild is deeply committed to the mission,” Quintero says. “But none of us does this work solo. We lean on each other, our partners and those who have lived in these wild places for generations.”

“When things get dangerous, we rely on experts like Global Rescue. When things go right, it’s because of our community partners. It’s a team effort from start to finish.”

Endangered Species and Ecosystems in the Wild Are Worth Saving

In a world where bad news about the environment dominates headlines, Re:wild offers something rare and invaluable: a model that works, a mission with soul and a reason to believe.

It’s not about saving nature for its own sake; it’s about rebalancing the Earth so all life, including ours, can flourish.

Re:wild’s courage, compassion, and collaborative spirit continue to prove that even in the most dangerous places on Earth, there’s still room for wild hope.