The Thoughtful Travel Podcast · Tuesday, July 28, 2026
James Ward of Rewild Safaris explains their 'conservation offset' program, which functions like a carbon offset but directs funds to conservation groups protecting visited areas. This initiative goes beyond standard sustainability claims by directly benefiting local communities through employment and ensuring tourism fees remain within the region rather than being extracted by international corporations.
“So, first off, as opposed to a carbon offset, we do a conservation offset.”
“So it's the same calculation, and but that money is going to conservation groups to support protecting the areas that we're visiting and over the world.”
“And so by that, they're hiring local communities. Local communities are directly benefiting from the fees that you're paying there. The money's not being pulled out by, you know, an international conglomerate.”