Ian Craig
Chief of Conservation and Development
+254 (0) 722 202 056
Ian Craig is NRT’s Chief of Conservation and Development. At the peak of the elephant and rhino poaching epidemic, Craig converted his family’s 62,000-acre cattle ranch into a rhino sanctuary, which flourished and was later re-established as Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Craig’s vision propelled Lewa to great success, and the Conservancy has grown to become a world-renowned catalyst and model for conservation, protecting endangered species and promoting the development of neighboring communities.
In 2004, in line with his commitment to conservation, Craig championed the formation of NRT. Today, NRT serves 43 community conservancies, spread across 63,000 square kilometers, and supports indigenous Kenyan communities in conservation, security, wildlife monitoring and research, livestock management, and economic development.
To stop the killing, trafficking and demand for ivory and ensure a secure, stable future for elephant populations and people across Africa, 2014 saw Craig spearhead the establishment of the Elephant Protection Initiative. He campaigned to shut down domestic ivory markets worldwide, resulting in the successful closure of ivory markets in the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, and China.
For his dedication and exceptional continued contribution to conservation in Africa, Craig was presented with the 2022 Prince William Award in November 2022.
This Award is the latest Craig has received for his extraordinary contributions to conservation. In October 2022, Craig was bestowed the 2022 Scientific Exploration Society (SES) Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes and celebrates those individuals who have achieved great things and whose passion, determination, and grit inspire all.