Jan 20, 2026
In a city often criticized for its relentless focus on careers and connections, a new network is proving that Washington D.C.'s professional culture can be a source of strength and solidarity. The Conservation Collective emerged from a chance meeting between two wildlife protection specialists who discovered they share a passion for combating wildlife trafficking and both lost their jobs due to federal cuts by the current administration.
From Personal Connection to Professional Network
Kathryn Kullberg and Chelsea Van Thof connected through a mutual friend in early 2025 and immediately recognized their common ground. Both conservationists found themselves navigating career transitions after their positions were eliminated due to policy shifts under President Trump. Rather than viewing the city's professional networking culture as shallow, the two co-founders embraced it as an opportunity to build something meaningful.
What began as a connection between two professionals has blossomed into a support network of over 200 members across the nation, all working within the fields of wildlife, forest, and water conservation.
Profiled by the New York Times as a bright spot during a dark time for federal workers, the Collective hosts happy hours and speed networking events, where job seekers are hand-selected to speak with provider partner organizations, deemed “mentors” whose desired qualifications align with job seekers’ skill sets. The energy during networking events is palpable, as seekers and mentors come together to invest in talent and provide support for one another. The AtB4A Coalition was proud to participate in both networking events that have been held, thus far, as these moments remind us that we are all part of the same team, to protect our natural environment.
A Growing Need for Support
The timing of the Conservation Collective's formation reflects a broader crisis in federal and nonprofit employment. According to Scott Kupor, the Trump administration's senior human resources official, approximately 300,000 fewer federal workers will remain on government payrolls by the end of December 2025 compared to January of the same year.
The impact has been significant and multifaceted. Since the administration began, roughly 317,000 federal employees have departed government service, with many facing termination without standard due process or accepting voluntary separation under pressure. More than 154,000 professionals accepted early retirement or deferred resignation packages. Thousands more remain uncertain about their futures as legal challenges continue to unfold. Over twenty federal agencies have experienced workforce reductions, with third-party outlets like CNN attempting to keep track the impacts across departments and agencies. Beyond direct federal employment, the ripple effects have touched thousands of NGO staff members. Environmental, conservation, and humanitarian organizations have experienced substantial layoffs driven by funding cuts and shifting geopolitical priorities. In a member survey, over 60 percent of the members of the America the Beautiful for All Coalition reported having lost funding due to changes in grant funding in 2025.
A Unique Approach to Professional Support
The Conservation Collective distinguishes itself through its collaborative rather than competitive approach. Operating as volunteers while conducting their own job searches, Kullberg and Van Thof have created a crowdsourced resource designed specifically for professionals in wildlife, forests, and water conservation.
The organization welcomes former federal workers, contractors, NGO staff, and other conservation professionals as either job seekers or facilitation partners. The goal extends beyond individual placements to preserving institutional knowledge, maintaining conservation expertise, and boosting overall morale within Washington D.C. and throughout the country.
What sets the Collective apart is its partnership with co-founding AtB4A Coalition member organization IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the global authority on environmental status and protection measures. IUCN organizes experts into six specialized commissions covering species survival, environmental law, protected areas, social and economic policy, ecosystem management, and education and communication. As a membership organization committed to investing in conservation talent, IUCN's collaboration with the Collective strengthens the network's reach and resources.
Part of a Larger Movement
The Conservation Collective has joined the America the Beautiful for All Coalition, demonstrating how conservationists are transforming challenge into opportunity. The Collective aligns with the Coalition’s goal of bringing together advocates for land, freshwater, ocean health, and justice who represent the diversity of the United States and its territories. Combining strengths of newer members like the Conservation Collective with older members, the America the Beautiful for All Coalition is growing in a way that invites more people who have been displaced from the conservation and environmental justice sectors to use their expertise, connect to others in our fields, and continue to advance our conservation and environmental justice goals.
The Collective is searching for funding opportunities so that it can create long-lasting change in the conservation community and preserve talent for years to come. With time and adequate resources, Kullberg and Van Thof hope to broaden the Collective’s reach both geographically and technically, offering more in-person events, as well as strengthening members’ expertise by creating a space for discussion and training regarding the hottest topics in conservation innovation.
Finding Strength in Community
The Conservation Collective's rapid growth reflects both the scale of workforce disruption and the resilience of conservation professionals. By leveraging Washington's networking strengths and focusing on mutual support over competition, the organization is helping displaced professionals navigate transitions while keeping conservation expertise connected and engaged.
The Collective's story illustrates that even during periods of significant institutional change, professional communities can coalesce around shared values and support one another through uncertainty. In doing so, they preserve not just individual careers but the collective knowledge and commitment necessary for long-term conservation efforts.
A Collective member states, “For me, the most beneficial part of this group has been the reminder that I’m not alone…having a supportive network of folks has been indispensable, especially in a personally hard year.”
For professionals in conservation fields facing career transitions, the Collective offers more than job leads - it provides community, shared resources, and the collective power of Washington D.C.'s professional networks at their best. Follow the Collective on LinkedIn and ask to join the Signal group to stay up to date on happy hours and speed networking events!
Storytellers' Bios
Dr. Chelsea Van Thof moved to DC to pursue a career in policy, working at the U.S. Department of State on wildlife conservation and pandemic prevention issues for almost three years before her position was cut by DOGE. She has since found a new role as Assistant State Veterinarian of Vermont, maintaining public health at the interface between humans, livestock, and wildlife. She is based in Montpelier, VT.
Kathryn Kullberg has over 20 years of experience in non-profit policy work, with a focus on combating global wildlife trafficking at the state and federal levels. She also serves as a commissioner on the Maryland Wildlife Advisory Commission, which advises the Department of Natural Resources on wildlife management matters. She lives in Silver Spring, MD.
This story was shared with permission. The storytellers maintain editorial review rights over their narrative.
