Francis Sopia is a Maasai Conservationist born and brought up in the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Growing up in a cattle-grazing community made him acutely aware of the conflict between humans and wildlife and has since devoted his life towards community conservation efforts in Kenya. Francis graduated in May 2020 with his Master’s degree in Conservation Leadership in the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources. His capstone project examined the anticipated future land-use priorities of the youth in the Mara and its implication to the conservancies in this ecosystem.

Prior to joining the program, Francis was working for the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA), a regional organization in Kenya that is helping in Sustaining, Developing and Creating Conservancies and Conservation Areas in the Mara region. He was working as a Data Manager for 12 conservancies leading a team of 229 rangers in the field. Francis plans to continue working with Kenya wildlife conservancies to advance the work being done in the region.

Check out HDNR’s interview of Francis HERE.