Serena Werner

As she was raised in Kenya, Serena’s passion for the natural world was fostered by unexpected educators – rangers, pastoralists, and those living in close proximity to natural wonders. Through a lifetime’s exploration of Kenya’s diverse flora and fauna, savannahs, marine ecosystems, and mountain ranges, her knowledge and curiosity for ecology centres around human–wildlife coexistence. With a strong interest in indigenous knowledge and citizen science, she’s inspired by tangible solutions and the human dimension of conservation. Keeping ears and eyes open, with boots on the ground, is how she has grown in this field.

After completing her BSc in Music, Serena’s professional journey pivoted to her deeply rooted passions and curiosities. She was trained in tropical wildlife rescue and rehabilitation on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, where expanding urbanisation heightened daily human–wildlife conflict, underscoring the importance of community education. She continued her conservation education, leading her to a role within the United Nations Environment Programme’s Ecosystem Division, advocating for freshwater and coral reef ecosystems in resolutions made at the 3rd UN Oceans Conference and the 7th UN Environmental Assembly in 2025. With a focus on providing information that is accessible to various audiences, she’s seen true conservation impact in policy change, increased access to education and knowledge, and curiosity fostered in the youth.

In her spare time, Serena will be found outside: hiking, swimming, painting landscapes. Her love for African wildlife and ecology was truly fostered by two places close to home, Tsavo West National Park, in Southern Kenya, and Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya, and by those who know these lands intimately.