Meet the Organizations Behind Our Mission

Protecting the Planet’s Keystone Species: Meet the Organizations Behind Our Mission.

Reading time: ~5 minutes

When I started The Keystone Collective, my mission was simple: to protect the incredible keystone species that hold our planet’s ecosystems together. From apex predators to gentle seed dispersers, these animals play a crucial role in maintaining balance across the natural world. However, protecting them requires collective action, with scientists, communities, and everyday people all doing their part.

That’s why a portion of every sweatshirt purchase from our first collection directly supports organizations working tirelessly to conserve these species. Each organization selected is a leader in its field, known for measurable success and lasting impact in wildlife conservation. Together, they represent hope for the oceans, forests, and grasslands that sustain us all.

🦈 Shark Stewards

Founded in 2006, Shark Stewards is a nonprofit dedicated to restoring ocean health through the protection of sharks and marine ecosystems. They work to end shark finning, establish marine protected areas, and reduce ocean plastic pollution.

To date, the organization has helped pass legislation protecting over 100 million sharks annually and has been instrumental in creating new marine sanctuaries, including in the Coral Triangle, a biodiversity hotspot in the western Pacific Ocean that supports thousands of species. Shark Stewards also leads community-driven ocean cleanups and educational programs to inspire the next generation of ocean advocates.

To learn more, read about Shark Stewards’ mission here or check out their Instagram here.

You can also donate directly to their conservation efforts on their donation page.

🐢 The Sea Turtle Conservancy

The Sea Turtle Conservancy is the world’s oldest sea turtle research and conservation organization, founded in 1959 by Dr. Archie Carr. Headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, it focuses on research, habitat protection, and education throughout the Caribbean and Central America.

Through its Tortuguero Program in Costa Rica, the organization has helped increase green turtle nesting populations by more than 500% since the 1970s. Their work also includes tracking migratory patterns through satellite technology, helping researchers to better understand how climate change and pollution affect sea turtles worldwide.

To learn more, visit The Sea Turtle Conservancy here or check out their Instagram here.

You can also donate directly to their conservation efforts on their donation page.

🦍 The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is one of the most respected wildlife organizations in the world, carrying forward the legacy of Dr. Dian Fossey’s groundbreaking work in Rwanda. Their mission is to protect gorillas and their habitats through daily monitoring, scientific research, education, and community partnership.

Today, the organization protects more than 600 mountain gorillas, conducts field research across multiple reserves, and provides livelihood programs for local communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Their community-based approach has led to one of the most remarkable conservation success stories in Africa: mountain gorilla populations have nearly doubled since Fossey’s time.

To learn more, read about the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund here or check out their Instagram here.

You can also donate directly to their conservation efforts on their donation page.

🐘 International Elephant Foundation

The International Elephant Foundation (IEF) is dedicated to the conservation and welfare of elephants worldwide. They support projects across Africa and Asia that focus on anti-poaching patrols, community outreach, and habitat restoration.

Since its founding in 1998, IEF has funded over 200 field projects in more than 40 countries. Their work has helped reduce human-elephant conflict, support orphaned elephants, and protect critical migration corridors. The organization’s holistic approach, combining science, education, and local partnership, makes it a cornerstone of global elephant conservation.

To learn more, visit the International Elephant Foundation here or check out their Instagram here.

You can also donate directly to their conservation efforts on their donation page.

🦜 Macaw Recovery Network

Based in Costa Rica, the Macaw Recovery Network (MRN) works to protect and restore wild macaw populations through habitat recovery, captive breeding, and community education.

The organization manages one of the most successful macaw breeding and release programs in Latin America, having reintroduced more than 150 scarlet and great green macaws into the wild. MRN also partners with local farmers to restore deforested land and protect nesting trees essential to macaw survival.

To learn more, explore the Macaw Recovery Network here or check out their Instagram here.

You can also donate directly to their conservation efforts on their donation page.

🐆 Panthera

Panthera is the only organization in the world dedicated exclusively to the conservation of wild cats and their ecosystems. From lions in Africa to jaguars in the Americas and snow leopards in Central Asia, Panthera’s mission is to ensure that big cats thrive in the wild.

Their programs span over 35 countries and include anti-poaching patrols, scientific research, and efforts to protect critical habitats. Panthera’s Project Jaguar Corridor Initiative, for example, has protected more than 50 million acres of jaguar habitat across Latin America, ensuring safe passage for this keystone predator.

To learn more, visit Panthera here or check out their Instagram here.

You can also donate directly to their conservation efforts on their donation page.