David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Who we are

Founded in 1984 by the late renowned wildlife artist and conservationist David Shepherd CBE FRSA (1931-2017), David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) funds conservation projects across Africa and Asia to protect some of the world’s most endangered animals. From grass-roots to world stage, DSWF works with local communities to understand and protect vital wildlife populations whilst fighting for changes to the laws that protect wildlife from the indiscriminate and illegal global trade. 

Based near Guildford in Surrey, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation has so far raised over £9 million to fund vital wildlife protection across the world.

Our culture and values

Our core values embody who we are and echo the personality and charisma of our founder.

Integrity.
David Shepherd never backed down from the difficult issues or the work that needed to be done, and neither do we.

Commitment.
We are committed to ending wildlife crime and protecting wild animals in their natural environment.

Community.
From supporting communities at the grass roots level of our conservation projects to growing our incredible supporter network, community is important to us. We are a wildlife conservation charity that puts people at the heart of our work.

Courage.
We will boldly represent the voiceless and make a stand against the international criminal syndicates driving international wildlife crime.

Respect.
DSWF understands that conservation is a complex and challenging arena. From understanding the communities impacted by human-wildlife conflict, to welcoming differing views and arguments at the policy table, respect is crucial to our success.

Family.
DSWF is a family run and operated organisation. Personal connection is important to us, and we see our supporters and partners as an extension of the David Shepherd family.

Passion.
We care deeply about what we do and the positive impact we have.

Ambition.
There is so much yet to be done to secure the future of the world’s most endangered wildlife. But we can do it!

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

The Foundation strives to be an equal opportunities employer in all respects and in compliance with the Equality Act 2010. No job applicant, employee or worker will receive less favourable treatment in terms of direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. The Protected characteristics are age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity. The policy of non-discrimination will also apply to membership or non-membership of a trade union and “spent convictions” of ex-offenders.

The Foundation will follow the recommendations and Codes of Practice of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, embracing those previously provided by the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Disability Rights Commission. Assessment and consideration of job applicants, employees and workers will be based on objective and relevant criteria. Selection criteria and procedures will be reviewed to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities.

The Foundation will ensure that it applies its Equal Opportunities Policy in a fair and consistent manner to its recruitment practices. This will include open recruitment methods, which provide the opportunity for all potential candidates to apply without discrimination or restriction from sources such as press advertising, recruitment agencies, job centres, the careers’ service, etc. All recruitment advertisements will be vetted prior to issue to ensure that they do not include anything which may be considered discriminatory in either words or images.