Heather Smith, R.N., MJ

I always wanted to visit Africa because I love animals and, typically therefore, wanted to see lions, elephants, and giraffes in the wild. In an unplanned moment (much to my husband’s surprise), I raised my hand and bid on an African safari at a fundraiser. I won and finally had my chance! It was everything I had hoped. A few months after I got back (while stewing about how to get involved in African wildlife conservation), I had the great fortune through a friend to meet the conservationists, National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence, wildlife film makers, and photographers Dereck and Beverly Joubert. Dereck and Beverly told me about the plight of the rhino and their work to save them. They suggested that was a great way to get involved and offered to help me however I needed it. And I needed A LOT of help given that I have no background in animal welfare / conservation, fundraising, nonprofit management, etc. That conversation, their support, my tenacity, and a group of like-minded individuals helped lead to the creation of PARCA and we’ve been laser-focused on saving rhinos ever since.