About

Established in 2019

IQ Wild is a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) dedicated to protecting South Africa’s biodiversity by addressing the socio-economic challenges of communities living alongside protected areas. We operate on the principle that conservation cannot succeed in isolation, therefore, we work to “uncouple” individuals from the criminal economy by creating tangible value within the formal biodiversity economy. By transforming standing natural assets into sustainable livelihoods, we ensure that healthy ecosystems become more valuable to local residents than degraded land, fostering long-term environmental stewardship.

Our approach integrates community-based conservation with rural enterprise development, such as our marula beneficiation and indigenous fruit processing initiatives. We provide a strategic platform for partners to align their ESG and B-BBEE objectives with measurable social impact and landscape restoration. Through skills transfer, intelligence-led environmental security (SEAPLESS), and professional governance, IQWild implements scalable solutions that safeguard our natural heritage while empowering the communities who call these landscapes home.

Mission

To advance biodiversity conservation by "uncoupling" communities from the criminal economy and connecting them to the formal biodiversity economy. IQWild achieves this by developing sustainable, conservation-compatible land-use models and enterprises that protect ecosystems while providing meaningful socio-economic upliftment for those living alongside protected areas.

Vision

To create a future where healthy, intact ecosystems are more valuable to local residents than degraded land, ensuring long-term stewardship of South Africa's natural heritage through inclusive, community-driven solutions.

Values

Integrity & Stewardship:
Committing to the preservation of natural assets and the responsible management of ecological processes.
Economic Inclusion:
Believing that conservation only succeeds when local communities have a direct, functional stake in the biodiversity economy.
Professional Excellence:
Maintaining high standards of governance, transparency, and audited financial controls.
Innovation:
Applying modern, scalable solutions—such as intelligence-led protection (SEAPLESS)—to address complex conservation and social challenges.
Empowerment:
Focusing on skills transfer, mentorship, and community ownership to ensure long-term project sustainability.