In 2012, USAID’s Biodiversity Analysis and Technical Support (BATS) program commissioned a study to examine the linkages between the U.S.- based African diaspora and conservation in Africa (highlighted in the recent ABCG Thematic Meeting The Role of the African Diaspora in African Nature Conservation). In addition to producing a working paper, the study brought together members of the Ethiopian diaspora working in conservation. An alliance was born of this shared interest and passion – Diaspora for Nature.

Diaspora for Nature is piloting a collaborative working relationship among different Diaspora groups and individuals to support home-country based conservationists, National Parks, and organizations. During the brownbag session, Yemi revisited the findings and recommendations of the Diaspora and conservation white paper. She presented the experiences, opportunities, and challenges faced so far by Diaspora for Nature, and explored how this effort could be scaled up and adopted by other diaspora groups.