Madagascar’s threatened ecosystems will receive a $1 million investment as the first major project under Dax Dasilva’s conservation partnership with Re:wild.
Age of Union and Re:wild have announced a new partnership to boost their conservation efforts worldwide. The Canada-based Age of Union, led by Dax Dasilva, will work with Re:wild, a global conservation group co-founded by scientists and Leonardo DiCaprio. Their first joint project will direct $1 million to save Madagascar’s unique plants and animals.
The partnership aims to combine Age of Union’s storytelling skills with Re:wild’s scientific expertise. Both organizations want to protect endangered species and restore damaged natural areas. They made the announcement at the South by Southwest Convention in Austin, Texas on March 12, 2025.
“We are incredibly proud to announce our partnership with Re:wild,” said Dax Dasilva, who founded Age of Union. Dasilva also leads Lightspeed Commerce Inc. and has won Emmy awards for his work as an executive producer. His conservation work through Age of Union has focused on creating connections between humanity and nature.
Wes Sechrest, who leads Re:wild as Chair and CEO, noted that the two groups share similar goals. “Age of Union has built up an impressive array of projects with partners, amplifying their work with innovative storytelling,” he said.
Age of Union focuses on connecting people with nature through funding, activism, and creative projects. Since starting in 2021, they’ve worked to save threatened ecosystems in Canada, Indonesia, Congo, Peru, Haiti, Trinidad, and parts of West Africa.
They’ve also protected animals like leatherback turtles, orangutans, dolphins, and lowland gorillas. Their approach includes making films and art installations to help people understand environmental issues. Dax Dasilva’s conservation vision emphasizes the power of visual storytelling to inspire action.
Re:wild works in more than 80 countries with over 500 partner organizations. They team up with local communities, governments, and other groups to find solutions that help both nature and people.
Together, they’re trying to protect more than 565 million acres of wild areas. They’re also working to save 265 threatened species directly, with their work helping an additional 31,000 species indirectly.
Under the new partnership, Age of Union will move its current projects under Re:wild’s management. This will let them use each other’s strengths more effectively and expand Dax Dasilva’s conservation impact globally.
The partnership has three main goals. First, they’ll combine their funding and improve project support, with Re:wild handling financial oversight. This should help them work more efficiently and attract more donors.
Second, they’ll strengthen their scientific impact. Age of Union’s projects will become part of Re:wild’s broader conservation work around the world.
Third, they’ll expand their storytelling and advocacy efforts. Age of Union will focus even more on creating films and art installations to engage people. Both groups will work together on key campaigns to protect nature.
Their first major project together will focus on Madagascar, an island nation off the east coast of Africa. Madagascar has lost over 90% of its forests due to farming practices and overuse of natural resources.
This loss puts many unique animals at risk, including numerous endangered lemur species. Lemurs are primates found only in Madagascar, and many face extinction.
Dax Dasilva’s conservation work will employ several proven conservation techniques in Madagascar. These include forest monitoring using satellite imagery and ground teams to track illegal logging. They’ll implement reforestation initiatives to restore native tree species in degraded areas.
Anti-poaching measures will help protect endangered animals from illegal hunting. Camera traps will monitor wildlife populations and movement patterns. The teams will also create firebreaks to prevent wildfires from destroying any remaining forest.
Community-based conservation will be central to their approach. Local people will receive training as forest guardians and wildlife monitors. Sustainable agriculture methods will help reduce the need for slash-and-burn farming practices that destroy forests.
See also: From Vulnerability to Resilience – Money for Madagascar: Grounded Solutions
The $1 million investment will be spread over five years. In 2024, Dax Dasilva visited Madagascar with Russell Mittermeier, Re:wild’s Chief Conservation Officer, to plan their strategy and see firsthand the areas in need of protection.
For 2025, the first $200,000 will support three main activities. They’ll improve management of key forest areas in eastern Madagascar, working with local partners.
They’ll also invest in protecting the country’s Key Biodiversity Areas. These are places critical for global biodiversity and the planet’s health.
Finally, they’ll launch the Madagascar Biodiversity Action Fund to protect the most threatened species and their habitats.
Re:wild has been working with local organizations to build support for protecting and managing these forests sustainably. Their joint efforts with Age of Union will include forest monitoring, tree planting, species conservation, and helping local economies grow.
To celebrate their partnership, the organizations hosted a party on March 14 in Austin, Texas. The event featured Age of Union’s art exhibition called “The Black Hole Experience” and included a panel discussion, drinks, an auction, and music from DJ Tiga.
By joining forces, Age of Union and Re:wild hope to increase their impact on conservation efforts globally. Their combined expertise in science, storytelling, and on-the-ground action creates a powerful alliance for protecting the world’s most vulnerable natural areas and the wildlife that depends on them.
