Thi-‘Mai’ Trinh is one of Conservation Nation’s 2024 conservationist grant recipients. She has a bachelor’s in environmental science from Vietnam National University of Science and a master’s in applied ecology from the University of East Anglia. Mai is the first and co-author of eight academic publications and has seven years of experience working for renowned national and international NGOs. She is currently working on a counter-wildlife trafficking project and is an expert member of the IUCN SSC Small Carnivore Specialist Group.
Mai is a trustee at The Civet Project Foundation, a conservation nonprofit focused on species in the Viverridae family. Her passion led her to participate in a documentary about the inhumane civet coffee industry and the illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam titled Civet Coffee: From Rare To Reckless. She is deeply involved in policy advocacy, contributing to two wildlife regulations focused on combating wildlife trafficking during COVID-19. Mai currently leads the youth chapter of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network in Vietnam, supporting youth in efforts to protect and restore biodiversity. She has participated in numerous leadership initiatives, including the Young Southeast Asian Leader Initiatives Professional Fellows Program, the Student Conference of Conservation Science-Australia, and the ASEAN in Today’s World program. She is the proud recipient of a Rufford Foundation Grant and has raised $73,000 toward biodiversity conservation.
Engaging Future Conservation Leaders and Saving Civets
Mai used her grant funding to attend the 8th International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Asia Regional Conservation Forum held in Bangkok in September 2024. The funds covered her conference ticket, accommodation, meals, and travel.
Mai’s main goal was to attend the forum’s youth leaders session to obtain valuable insights about how to grow the Global Youth Biodiversity Network chapter she leads in Vietnam. New to the role, she is navigating the process of effectively managing and implementing chapter activities to make a tangible impact on biodiversity conservation through youth engagement. Ultimately, she hopes to create a biodiversity youth camp to mentor and guide 200 children interested in wildlife conservation. She also planned to use the forum to network and expand partnerships as a trustee of The Civet Project Foundation, engaging with potential donors, supporters, and mentors who can contribute to the growth and success of the organization. Additionally, Mai has been co-leading research on the online illegal wildlife trade and the link between tourism and the demand for wildlife consumption. She hoped to gain insights from the forum—particularly the wildlife trafficking session—to help support her research.
