Social entrepreneurship to protect wildlife

Since the latter part of the 18th century, developments in California have not shattered the environment to smithereens. But, as with all urban and industrial developments, damages have been inflicted.

Those impairments typically create imbalance in otherwise stabilized ecosystem that includes both human population and other species. That invariably harms the wildlife in that fragile ecosystem.

Consider the mountain lions living in the hills of the Peninsula and throughout the West Coast, and their steadily decreasing population. This wildlife genus plays an exceptional role in the balance of life amongst all species. Sadly, while we need to understand better the actions that can contribute to preserving mountain lions, public perception is often driven by sensationalized accounts rather than scientific understanding of these elusive creatures. Encounters with mountain lions are rare, and their presence reflects a balanced, functioning habitat. Yet too often, fear-based narratives overshadow the essential role they play in controlling prey populations and promoting biodiversity.

Losing these apex predators would lead to cascading ecological impacts that harm the very landscape we strive to protect. Rather than reacting with fear or viewing coexistence as a battle to be won, the mindset must shift toward informed conservation strategies. Respecting their space, protecting natural corridors and promoting science-based conflict mitigation are key steps toward sustainable coexistence.

Any kind of clued-up effort for wildlife preservation starts with learning. That brings about understanding mountain lion needs for living space, food sources, life patterns, breeding and risks caused by environmental factors and human activities.  

Mountain lions are reclusive creatures, and like to roam in wilderness and avoid humans. The hills of San Mateo County and the surroundings are ideal terrain.  

Species that have entered the extinction vortex face three primary perils that can wipe them out: lack of food, disease and excessive hunting. As natural predators, mountain lions’ source of nutrition inversely relates to encroachments of human activities and expansion of urbanization, that disrupt the delicate ecosystem balance. Deadly diseases can be passed to mountain lions by humans (reverse zoonosis) or domesticated animals (pathogen spillover). Fortunately, hunting is not legal for the Peninsula population of mountain lions, yet illegal removal of these animals does occur here.

The will is certainly not lacking to preserve the habitat for wildlife. The key issue is how to do it, while considering the continued population and industrial growth along with the changing living and working spaces to accommodate that expansion.  The solution may be found in social entrepreneurship, with a twist.

Peter F. Drucker, whose influence have come to define the modern innovation management, argued that entrepreneurship was different than small-business management. It is about creating something big, significant and transformative. And entrepreneurship is difficult, considering it targets ambitious outcomes.

Increasingly, protecting wildlife necessitates surpassing the boundaries of traditional nonprofit approaches. It requires bold initiatives and entrepreneurial spirit. Classically, the term “social entrepreneurship” delineates for-profit businesses that either directly solve pressing societal challenges, or the profits made are earmarked for delivering impact initiatives that may not be profitable on their own, but massively contribute to sustainability and societal good.

When it comes to wildlife preservation, possibly the focus of social entrepreneurship investing can be directed to the primary attribute that Drucker offered for entrepreneurship. That organizations with a mission that fuses extraordinary impacts, high levels of innovation and full commitment to sustainability, coupled with outmost financial discipline, are suitable for investments. Societal values, in such instances, represent the benefits. If those benefits are big and exceptionally impactful, then that’s social entrepreneurship!

Thinking along those lines opens up investment opportunities for protecting wildlife beyond the constraints of traditional philanthropy.  The combined mix of the two provides the much-needed financial resources.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.” We can do that through social entrepreneurship.

Jahan Alamzad lives in San Carlos, and is a board member of Felidae Conservation Fund.