GCC: Reconnecting Youth with the Wild

One future ranger at a time: bridging the gap between communities and nature

At the edge of South Africa’s Kruger National Park, elephants roam ancient paths and lions call across the savanna. Yet for many children living just beyond the park’s borders, this world remains unseen. Despite their proximity, 4 out of 5 youth polled in the region have never encountered the wildlife they live besides. This disconnect would become the foundation for Global Conservation Corps (GCC) and its work to right this wrong.

GCC was founded in memory of Martin Mthembu (16th August, 1968 – 2nd August, 2014), a South African born into apartheid, where opportunities were limited by systemic inequality. After serving in the military, he devoted his life to training field rangers, driven by the belief that wildlife conservation could only succeed by empowering local communities. To him, poaching was not just an environmental issue – it was a human one. His passing in 2014 inspired the creation of GCC, with a mission to carry forward his vision of inclusive conservation.

In its early years, GCC built a deep partnership with Anton Mzimba (11th February, 1980 – 26th July, 2022), then Head of Security at Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and a former teacher. Anton shared a revealing truth: many of his own children had never seen the wildlife he worked to protect. With his insight and guidance, GCC conducted surveys confirming the widespread disconnection between youth and nature. This led to the creation of the Future Rangers Program – a hands-on, education-based initiative designed to reconnect young people to the natural world and open pathways into conservation careers.

The legacies of Martin and Anton remain central to GCC’s mission. Their values, community, access, and education live on in every student who steps into the bush for the first time, in every young person who sees a future in conservation, and in every effort to build a more just and sustainable world.

Matt Lindenberg

Matt Lindenberg grew up near South Africa’s Kruger National Park, where his early exposure to wildlife instilled a deep love for nature. After relocating to the United States at age 11, Matt pursued a path in professional sports and later military aviation—both dreams cut short by physical injury.

A return trip to South Africa reawakened his passion for conservation, leading him to study and work at the Southern African Wildlife College. There, he was mentored by Martin Mthembu, one of Africa’s most respected ranger trainers, who championed the idea that conservation must include and empower the communities living alongside wildlife. After Martin’s untimely passing, Matt founded GCC to carry forward his mentor’s legacy—bridging the gap between people and wildlife through education, access, and opportunity. Matt holds a BSc in Environmental Management from the University of South Africa and an Msc. in Biology from Grand Valley State University.

Mbhoni Mzamani

Mbhoni Mzamani serves as the Community Liaison Officer at Global Conservation Corps (GCC), where he plays a key role in connecting communities surrounding protected areas with career opportunities in conservation. With a degree in Environmental Science and a distinguished performance in the Field Ranger Scholarship Program, Mbhoni joined GCC in 2020 to lead a pioneering initiative that raises awareness about the diverse professions within the conservation sector.

From a young age, Mbhoni demonstrated a natural instinct to protect wildlife—most notably when he created a makeshift sanctuary for a family of doves nesting in his home. Today, that same passion defines his work. Deeply committed to youth engagement, Mbhoni believes that a love for wildlife is the foundation of any successful conservation career. His energy and dedication continue to inspire the next generation of conservationists across South Africa.

Ashleigh Baker

Ashleigh Baker serves as Program Manager at Global Conservation Corps (GCC). With a background in mathematics education and a passion for creating engaging, accessible learning content, Ash brings a unique blend of structure and creativity to the content creation and overall management of the GCC’s Future Rangers Program.

A lifelong nature enthusiast, Ash spends much of her time exploring the wild landscapes of the Greater Kruger region – making her work at GCC a natural extension of her personal values. Through her leadership in internal teacher training, she helps bridge the gap between communities and conservation, ensuring that youth have meaningful access to environmental knowledge and opportunities, no matter where they are.