2017 Whitley Award winner Sanjay Gubbi recounts how the Award was a springboard for his work and what he looks for now as an application assessor.
By Sanjay Gubbi, 2017 Whitley Award winner
Receiving the Whitley Award in 2017 was an important milestone in my conservation journey. It recognised my work with the Holématthi Nature Foundation to reduce deforestation in Karnataka’s tiger landscape by helping forest-fringe communities adopt alternatives to firewood. The Award became a springboard for expanding our work and reaching more communities.
I have particularly valued the long-term support provided by Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) and its opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. Being part of WFN’s global network has allowed us to exchange experiences with fellow conservationists, learn from each other, and build on our collective knowledge.
The value of such recognition extends beyond the individual receiving it. Conservation depends on collaboration across teams, communities, government officials, and supporters whose contributions are often less visible. A Whitley Award acknowledges that collective effort. My subsequent involvement as an assessor of Whitley Award applications has allowed me to consider conservation work from the other side of the process.
Writing a strong Whitley Award application
As an assessor, I look for a clear connection between the problem, the proposed intervention and the expected conservation outcome. What threatens the species or habitat? Why has the applicant chosen this approach? What evidence suggests it can work?
I am particularly interested in how the proposed work will translate into measurable benefits for wildlife. Improvements in community welfare and livelihoods can make an important contribution, especially when they help reduce pressures on species and habitats.
The strongest applications make these connections clear, keeping the conservation purpose of the funding at the heart of the work. Ecological recovery takes time, of course, and may extend beyond a grant period. Thoughtfully chosen indicators can nevertheless show whether an initiative is moving towards its intended conservation outcomes.
Tangible benefits for people and nature
The sections I find most interesting in an application explain how conservation works on the ground. I want to understand the applicant’s relationship with communities, their knowledge of the landscape, and their ability to turn research into action. An honest account of something that failed—and how the team responded—can reveal more than a long list of achievements.
One common pitfall is confusing activities with outcomes. Workshops, equipment distribution and surveys can be valuable, but what changed because of them? Did a threat diminish? Did management improve? Did people adopt practices that benefit wildlife? Applicants should distinguish between demonstrated results and anticipated outcomes.
I also value realistic ambition. A focused proposal with achievable objectives, a credible budget and an understanding of constraints is more persuasive than a promise to solve every problem in a landscape. Evidence should support claims, and partners’ contributions should be acknowledged fairly.
Clarity and honesty
Standing out does not require expensive technology or an entirely new idea. Understanding why previous efforts failed and finding a practical way forward can be highly innovative. Trust, local knowledge and sustained follow-up often make the difference.
My advice is to write plainly and specifically. Help an assessor understand why the work matters, why your team can deliver it, and what a Whitley Award would enable you to do next.
Above all, represent the work honestly. Conservation rarely follows a straight path. Commitment, sound judgement and a willingness to learn matter—but keep the intended benefits for wildlife clearly in view.
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