Welcoming Michael Starbuck and Kate Helliwell: Wildlife Madagascar’s New Partners and First UK Members!
We are thrilled to welcome Kate Helliwell and Michael Starbuck from The Great Projects as Wildlife Madagascar’s newest partners and our first members from the UK! With their incredible passion and extensive experience in conservation, they bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our growing global community.
Kate’s lifelong dedication to wildlife and conservation has taken her on extraordinary adventures across the globe, from reforesting in Peru to rehabilitating chimpanzees in Spain and researching mangrove biodiversity in Tanzania. Her journey began at the age of 18 in Sulawesi, Indonesia, where her love for conservation took root. Now, with nearly a decade of experience as Volunteer Coordinator at the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Volunteer Project in Borneo, Kate continues to inspire others to protect our planet’s most vulnerable species.
Michael, Managing Director of The Great Projects since 2011, has dedicated his career to creating meaningful conservation experiences. With a background in establishing and supporting wildlife projects across Africa and Southeast Asia, Michael has a deep understanding of the importance of community-driven conservation efforts. While based in the UK, he remains hands-on, visiting projects and ensuring their success while developing exciting opportunities for conservation enthusiasts.
Together, Kate and Michael share Wildlife Madagascar’s vision of protecting biodiversity and empowering local communities. We look forward to their invaluable contributions as we continue our mission to create a thriving future for Madagascar’s unique wildlife and ecosystems.
Q&A with Michael and Kate
Tell us a little about yourself and your career.
Michael: I started running The Great Projects in 2012, after university. As the Director of this organization, I set out to provide exciting volunteer opportunities for people passionate about conservation, where they could really make a difference. We went from offering 5 projects on 2 continents for 200 people per year, to over 40 projects on 4 continents for 2,000 people per year. Each year, everyone who travels with us makes a significant impact on conservation efforts for endangered species around the world, and this is something I am truly grateful for.
Kate: I work in environmental ecotourism, I have spent the last 11 years doing this in great ape rescue centers, striving to improve the conditions for the animals through volunteer programs.
What do you love most about your work?
Michael: Providing people with exciting, educational, and unique experiences that always provide tangible support and benefit wildlife.
Kate: Sharing my passion for conservation with people, so they can be part of helping to protect animals and their environment.
What draws you to support wildlife and conservation?
Michael: I have been passionate about wildlife ever since I traveled to South Africa when I was 10 years old and saw the incredible wildlife that calls this continent home.
Kate: I want to be part of the solution and not the cause of habitat destruction.
What are a couple of your most memorable travel experiences?
Michael: Every time I visit a wildlife sanctuary, rehabilitation center, or game reserve that makes it their mission to support wildlife and local communities.
Kate: Going to Madagascar in October 2024 to visit Wildlife Madagascar is one of the most memorable recent trips I have done, as it highlighted the problems the habitat is facing there.
Why did you become a member of Wildlife Madagascar? What about this organization is meaningful to you?
Michael: I have always loved lemurs and Wildlife Madagascar is dedicated to helping understand and secure a safe future for these incredible animals. I am proud to support them in their mission.
Kate: Wildlife Madagascar is at the forefront of habitat protection in Madagascar; without their dedicated team, the last remaining forests may not be here for much longer.