The Extinction of Species Has Reached An Unprecedented Level This Decade.
However, tasked with protecting these invaluable resources - Wildlife Rangers & Conservation Practitioners - lack the necessary support they need to succeed in this crucial global endeavor.
Further hampering their efforts are a host of problems these nature guardians must overcome - death and injury in the line of duty, poor compensation, long periods away from home and a lack of resources put them at further risk.
The Extinction of Species Has Reached An Unprecedented Level This Decade.
However, tasked with protecting these invaluable resources - Wildlife Rangers & Conservation Practitioners - lack the necessary support they need to succeed in this crucial global endeavor.
Further hampering their efforts are a host of problems these nature guardians must overcome - death and injury in the line of duty, poor compensation, long periods away from home and a lack of resources put them at further risk.
"BETWEEN 1970 AND 2016, THERE HAS BEEN A 68% FALL ON AVERAGE WORLDWIDE POPULATIONS OF MAMMALS, BIRDS, AMPHIBIANS, REPTILES, AND FISH."
- 2020 Global Living Planet Index
ABOUT US
Wild Response is a non-government organization (NGO) and wildlife conservation non-profit registered in Massachusetts, USA, with staff and missions globally.
Our team’s goal is to support wildlife conservation practitioners' efforts to the fullest extent possible and assist global efforts to prevent catastrophic loss of species and wild places.
It has been an exciting and rewarding journey watching Wild Response’s impact happen over the last few years based on their passion, skills, and partnerships.
The team is committed to the importance of protecting our planet's biodiversity. By providing training and external resources to wildlife conservation practitioners in critical locations worldwide,
our team provides the most effective and informed training methods for each country and project location.
We would especially like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way whether it be volunteering, sharing our media, or philanthropy donations. We strongly uphold the value of one team, one fight and we would not be able to do this alone.
ABOUT US
Wild Response is a non-government organization (NGO) and wildlife conservation non-profit registered in Massachusetts, USA, with staff and missions globally.
Our team’s goal is to support wildlife conservation practitioners' efforts to the fullest extent possible and assist global efforts to prevent catastrophic loss of species and wild places.
It has been an exciting and rewarding journey watching Wild Response’s impact happen over the last few years based on their passion, skills, and partnerships.
The team is committed to the importance of protecting our planet's biodiversity. By providing training and external resources to wildlife conservation practitioners in critical locations worldwide,
our team provides the most effective and informed training methods for each country and project location.
We would especially like to thank everyone who has supported us along the way whether it be volunteering, sharing our media, or philanthropy donations. We strongly uphold the value of one team, one fight and we would not be able to do this alone.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hover or tap an image to read bio
KEVIN GARRAD
Born and raised in Hertfordshire, England, Kevin moved to the United States at sixteen years old, where he obtained citizenship through his service with the U.S. Army. After serving eight tours of duty over twenty years, including ten years as a "Green Beret" in the Special Forces, Kevin retired due to his combat injuries and decided to devote his time to his childhood passion, wildlife conservation.
In 2016, with almost two decades of experience training foreign militaries and indigenous personnel in some of the world’s most dangerous and remote places behind him, Kevin began his new career as a ranger during the rhino poaching surge in Southern Africa. Next, he moved to Southeast Asia to immerse himself in the problems faced by rangers and conservationists battling to protect the tigers, elephants, and the jungles they inhabit. He also used this time to gain a deeper understanding of Asia’s illegal wildlife markets and their role as global hubs for the illicit trade.
Kevin currently resides in the Kruger Park region of South Africa, overseeing various Wild Responses projects, where he advises on ranger capacity building and conservation initiatives and immerses himself in personal training through courses on conservation, non-profit management, and ecology.
AARON CESTARO
Aaron was born and raised on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He developed a passion for seashore habitats and coastal species at a young age and throughout his travels maintained a high value and appreciation of protected areas.
His desire to support efforts greater than himself led to him joining the US Army as a Senior Medical advisor in Civil Affairs. In this role he traveled to several countries in Africa and Asia; growing a deeper appreciation of the value of both inclusive partnerships and responsible burden sharing. He learned unique skills attached to special operations where he fell in love with training medical, veterinary, and public health partners around the world. Aaron obtained his Bachelors of science while in the Army before being medically retired.
Aaron’s pride comes from the ability to adapt in a diverse atmosphere and develop programs that are acceptable, appropriate, and effective to stakeholders of conservation efforts. His love of the wild places left in the world and animal welfare helps to drive Wild Response’s mission.
DR. SEAN HOLLONBECK MD, MPH
Born in Fort Benning GA and raised in Northern Illinois, Sean developed a love for the land at a young age. His family immersed themselves in local conservation efforts, planting their first forest when he was 9 years old. Their vacations revolved around camping and exploring state parks, trails, and diverse outdoor activities. Sean now combines medicine, nature, healing, and conservation.
Dr. Hollonbeck, a retired Army Colonel, started as an Infantry Private and later pursued a biology and pre-med degree. After medical school, he completed his residency at Fort Benning. He underwent two residencies, obtained an MPH, and served in various assignments. His career spanned the 160th SOAR, 7th Special Forces, six combat tours, and 22 moves. He shares a personal and passionate appreciation for the land, wildlife, endangered species, and those who protect them with his fellow board members. Dr. Hollonbeck's work focuses on integrating medicine, science, technology, and conservation efforts. He was deeply impacted when he first met Kevin and had previously organized TheWarHorseProject.org, an equine nature immersion program for veterans and first responders in Northwest Florida.
Dr. Hollonbeck now oversees Wild Response's medical training programs, drawing on his military and US Special Operations experience. He has traveled to Africa and Thailand with the organization and is excited to contribute to its expansion in medical training, collaboration, and community-driven conservation and park ranger efforts.
TRIP TAYLOR
Trip Taylor, a Massachusetts native, brings 25 years of TV & Film production and networking experience to Wild Response.
Best known for his LA based production company, Sunny Skye Productions, Trip’s involvement in the creation of a television franchise resulted in it grossing over half a billion dollars and becoming a significant part of American pop culture. Additionally, he was the Senior Vice President of the Nitro Circus, a live action sports tour that showcases world record-breaking stunts in action sports across the globe.
Trip is well versed in delivering compelling and progressive content to the masses. His production style engages and provokes his audience, and his network of like-minded individuals and groups will increase value to ranger support and wildlife conservation around the world.
Taylor has a deep passion for storytelling and a lifelong vision of a harmonious and healthy natural world. Furthermore, he has years of experience traveling abroad and working in places like Kenya where he gained hands-on experience supporting wildlife rangers in the field. A master of his craft, he continues to run his full-service production company as he moves into humanitarian and conservation relief efforts.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hover or tap an image to read bio
KEVIN GARRAD
Born and raised in Hertfordshire, England, Kevin moved to the United States at sixteen years old, where he obtained citizenship through his service with the U.S. Army. After serving eight tours of duty over twenty years, including ten years as a "Green Beret" in the Special Forces, Kevin retired due to his combat injuries and decided to devote his time to his childhood passion, wildlife conservation.
In 2016, with almost two decades of experience training foreign militaries and indigenous personnel in some of the world’s most dangerous and remote places behind him, Kevin began his new career as a ranger during the rhino poaching surge in Southern Africa. Next, he moved to Southeast Asia to immerse himself in the problems faced by rangers and conservationists battling to protect the tigers, elephants, and the jungles they inhabit. He also used this time to gain a deeper understanding of Asia’s illegal wildlife markets and their role as global hubs for the illicit trade.
Kevin currently resides in the Kruger Park region of South Africa, overseeing various Wild Responses projects, where he advises on ranger capacity building and conservation initiatives and immerses himself in personal training through courses on conservation, non-profit management, and ecology.
AARON CESTARO
Aaron was born and raised on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He developed a passion for seashore habitats and coastal species at a young age and throughout his travels maintained a high value and appreciation of protected areas.
His desire to support efforts greater than himself led to him joining the US Army as a Senior Medical advisor in Civil Affairs. In this role he traveled to several countries in Africa and Asia; growing a deeper appreciation of the value of both inclusive partnerships and responsible burden sharing. He learned unique skills attached to special operations where he fell in love with training medical, veterinary, and public health partners around the world. Aaron obtained his Bachelors of science while in the Army before being medically retired.
Aaron’s pride comes from the ability to adapt in a diverse atmosphere and develop programs that are acceptable, appropriate, and effective to stakeholders of conservation efforts. His love of the wild places left in the world and animal welfare helps to drive Wild Response’s mission.
Sean Hollonbeck
Born in Fort Benning GA and raised in Northern Illinois, Sean developed a love for the land at a young age. His family immersed themselves in local conservation efforts, planting their first forest when he was 9 years old. Their vacations revolved around camping and exploring state parks, trails, and diverse outdoor activities. Sean now combines medicine, nature, healing, and conservation.
Dr. Hollonbeck, a retired Army Colonel, started as an Infantry Private and later pursued a biology and pre-med degree. After medical school, he completed his residency at Fort Benning. He underwent two residencies, obtained an MPH, and served in various assignments. His career spanned the 160th SOAR, 7th Special Forces, six combat tours, and 22 moves. He shares a personal and passionate appreciation for the land, wildlife, endangered species, and those who protect them with his fellow board members. Dr. Hollonbeck's work focuses on integrating medicine, science, technology, and conservation efforts. He was deeply impacted when he first met Kevin and had previously organized TheWarHorseProject.org, an equine nature immersion program for veterans and first responders in Northwest Florida.
Dr. Hollonbeck now oversees Wild Response's medical training programs, drawing on his military and US Special Operations experience. He has traveled to Africa and Thailand with the organization and is excited to contribute to its expansion in medical training, collaboration, and community-driven conservation and park ranger efforts.
TRIP TAYLOR
Trip Taylor, a Massachusetts native, brings 25 years of TV & Film production and networking experience to Wild Response.
Best known for his LA based production company, Sunny Skye Productions, Trip’s involvement in the creation of a television franchise resulted in it grossing over half a billion dollars and becoming a significant part of American pop culture. Additionally, he was the Senior Vice President of the Nitro Circus, a live action sports tour that showcases world record-breaking stunts in action sports across the globe.
Trip is well versed in delivering compelling and progressive content to the masses. His production style engages and provokes his audience, and his network of like-minded individuals and groups will increase value to ranger support and wildlife conservation around the world.
Taylor has a deep passion for storytelling and a lifelong vision of a harmonious and healthy natural world. Furthermore, he has years of experience traveling abroad and working in places like Kenya where he gained hands-on experience supporting wildlife rangers in the field. A master of his craft, he continues to run his full-service production company as he moves into humanitarian and conservation relief efforts.
OUR COLLABORATIVE CONSERVATION NETWORK
Explore our dynamic ecoystem of organizations bound by a common commitment to wildlife conservation and the collective drive to safeguard our planet's biodiversity.
OUR COLLABORATIVE CONSERVATION NETWORK
Explore our dynamic ecoystem of organizations bound by a common commitment to wildlife conservation and the collective drive to safeguard our planet's biodiversity.
DONATE
By donating to Wild Response, you’re providing assistance to those who safeguard our planet’s most vulnerable wildlife, helping to protect natural habitats, and promoting good governance in conservation.
You’ll be joining us in our mission to save species in peril, offer critical education and training, and provide vital resources for a range of initiatives. Every contribution has the power to make a significant difference.
Click one of the links below to find out more about our mission:
DONATE
By donating to Wild Response, you’re providing assistance to those who safeguard our planet’s most vulnerable wildlife, helping to protect natural habitats, and promoting good governance in conservation.
You’ll be joining us in our mission to save species in peril, offer critical education and training, and provide vital resources for a range of initiatives. Every contribution has the power to make a significant difference.
Click one of the links below to find out more about our mission:
DONATE
By donating to Wild Response, you’re providing assistance to those who safeguard our planet’s most vulnerable wildlife, helping to protect natural habitats, and promoting good governance in conservation.
You’ll be joining us in our mission to save species in peril, offer critical education and training, and provide vital resources for a range of initiatives. Every contribution has the power to make a significant difference.
Click one of the links below to find out more about our mission:
GET IN TOUCH.
Get in touch with us today to find out how we can enhance your team's capabilities in emergency casualty care, wildlife conservation, anti-poaching strategies, and habitat management. Take action now and secure a brighter future for our ecosystems.
GET IN TOUCH.
Get in touch with us today to find out how we can enhance your team's capabilities in emergency casualty care, wildlife conservation, anti-poaching strategies, and habitat management. Take action now and secure a brighter future for our ecosystems.