From the Skies to the Soil: A Wild Welcome to Conservation
- Michael Terrell
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
My name is Michael Terrell, and I’m a board member and volunteer with SFW Conservation. This March, I took the opportunity to help lead students from Trinity Pauling High School through the rigorous and exciting 10-day SFW Conservation Experience. I had no idea how it would entirely shift my perspective on how dire the poaching crisis is for many African species, as well as what conservation really means.
The First Few Days
The first few days of the SFW Conservation Experience are nothing short of transformational. You arrive thinking you’re going on a trip, and quickly realize you’re stepping into something much bigger. I don’t think I’ll ever forget how it felt when we first arrived. A few of us came in a bit early to get the camp set up; unpacking gear, prepping sleeping quarters, making sure everything was ready. The bush has this quiet energy before guests arrive, like it knows something special is coming. We had the place to ourselves for just a moment before the real adventure started.
Then, on Day 1, we hit the ground running with our first game drive out on Shinzela Reserve. You always hear about the big animals like eland, zebras, and giraffes. But seeing them for the first time, living freely, is something entirely different. The giraffes moved like old souls across the land while hornbills called overhead. The air felt thick with something sacred. The next morning, we shifted gears.
Our team spent the day working with SFW Conservation’s tracking K9s, Shadow, Kora, and Jack. Watching those dogs lock on to a scent, seeing their focus and drive. It’s honestly incredible. You read about how effective they are in anti-poaching, but watching it firsthand gives you a whole new respect for what they do. Apparently, these tracking and working dogs have improved anti-poaching and poacher capture efforts by over 84% in national parks and private game reserves over the most recent years. This is true transformation as man's best friend becomes the next breakthrough in conservation technology.
Game Drives
That night, we made our way into Hoedspruit, a town that’s the growing center of conservation in the region, which is still deeply connected to the community. Over drinks and a casual game of paddle, we met Kendra, a wildlife photographer who’s spent years capturing these frontline stories. She spoke openly about what she’s witnessed: the victories, the heartbreak, and the unfiltered reality of this work.
Whether it was seeing elephants walk just feet from our vehicle, or hearing experienced wildlife photographers describe years spent following veterinarians and rangers, every moment carried a weight we didn’t expect and won’t forget.
Kruger National Park
By Day 3, we were headed into Kruger National Park. No matter how many documentaries you’ve watched, nothing compares to being there. Lilac-breasted rollers flashed their colors in the sky, baboons groomed by the roadside, wildebeest thundered across the horizon. It’s like nature is constantly putting on a show, but one you realize is far more complex and fragile than you expect.
The early days planted seeds for everything that came after. What started as sightseeing became something far more personal: a responsibility, a privilege, and a window into a world very few ever get to experience. None of this would have been possible without the long-standing expertise and partnerships of Shinzela Reserve, the amazing SFW team, and the warm welcome from the people of Hoedspruit who opened their world to us. Take a deeper look into the sights and stories from the opening days of our Conservation Experience in the video below.
Next Up: SFW's 4th Annual Golf Outing, 'Swinging Against Extinction' on July 21st
We’re headed back to the USA for our fourth annual golf outing and fundraiser at Blue Hill Golf Course in Rockland County, New York. Last year was a huge success, with significant dollars raised and more opportunities to connect with our hometown about the importance of our cause. This year’s outing will be held on Monday, July 21st. If you are interested in learning more or taking a swing at extinction, we still have a few playing slots left!
Thanks for tuning in! And more than anything, thank you for your continued unwavering generosity and ongoing support. Your dedication fuels our passion and drives us forward on this journey of wildlife conservation.
