Emily Erhart - CO FOunder & MEdia Director

Emily is a wildlife film director and co-founder of Project Conservation. She received her B.Sc. from University of Minnesota in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology and trained at Montana State’s Science and Natural History Filmmaking program. Working to address pervasive and complex issues alongside a variety of interest groups in Nepal and Thailand formed the basis of her appreciation of communication and constructive dialogue in addressing the varying perspectives to local communities and different stakeholders.

With PC, Emily coordinates our projects in Thailand, produces media publications, manages fundraising, and directs our educational films and documentaries. She is currently producing a film about tiger conservation in Nepal The Last Tiger in hopes to raise awareness about the plight of tigers, and explore the often masked complexities of conserving this magnificent species.

“Overall, I am extremely passionate about working with local communities, public outreach and education, conservation and understanding how humans and wildlife can coexist.”

Samantha Helle - Co Founder & Project Coordinator

Sam is a conservation scientist and co-founder of Project Conservation. She received her B.S. and M.Sc. from the University of Minnesota studying Wildlife Ecology and Management. Since 2014, Sam has primarily worked in Nepal on various tiger conservation projects and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. 

Throughout her career, Sam has worked with organizations like Nepal’s National Trust for Nature Conservation, Nepal Tiger Trust, Women Acting Together For Change, and World Wildlife Fund. Her work has been featured in Himalayan Geographic, on World Wildlife Fund platforms, and she was awarded a US Fulbright Research Fellowship in 2019. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying tiger population connectivity and understanding the local capacity for tiger conservation outside protected areas.

As our resident wildlife biologist and Project Coordinator, Sam works closely with our project partners, facilitates on-the-ground conservation project planning and implementation, and produces science communication materials for our social media accounts. 

“I am passionate about protecting wildlife and promoting scientific understanding in a way that is easy for the general public to understand. In our increasingly human-dominated landscapes, it will take more than just scientists like me to save tigers and other wildlife. Forming meaningful partnerships, investing in youth, and redefining what a conservationist looks like are key objectives I bring into my work and the work we do at Project Conservation.”

Dr. J. L. dave smith - Board Member

Dr. Smith is a large-mammal biologist with a career spanning over 40 years focusing on tiger conservation. His research topics include tiger behavior, ecology, movements and the genetic and demographic aspects of tiger metapopulation dynamics. He collaborates with spatial modelers, conservation geneticists and statisticians and use individual based modeling to better understand tiger behavior in response to geophysical, ecological and human factors.

“My research is guided by a strong belief that conservation requires local participation and to that end, I have advised primarily Asian graduate students from tiger range countries or students interested in working in Asia. I also work closely with local communities to restore ecological services in landscapes where tigers live. In these efforts I work closely with government wildlife and forestry departments.”

A primary field tool for his research is using satellite GPS collars. Dave’s field colleagues include both academics and field technicians working in Nepal, Thailand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and China. In working in the field with these colleagues, he has been fortunate to spend many months every year living in the forests of Asia.

“At this stage in my career my goal is to build the capacity of Asians to lead Asian conservation activities.”

Recent publications

Luo, S.J., Y. Zhang, W.E. Johnson, L. Miao, P. Martelli, A. Antunes, J.L.D. Smith, S.J. O’Brien. 2014. Sympatric Asian felid phylogeography reveals a major Indochinese-Sundaic divergence. Molecular Ecology 23: 2072-2092.

Simcharoen, A., T. Savini, G.Gale, E. Roche, V. Chaimchome, and J.L.D. Smith. 2014. Ecological factors that influence sambar (Rusa unicolor) distribution and abundance in western Thailand: implications for tiger conservation. Raffles 62: 100-106.

Simcharoen, A., S. Simcharoen, S. Duangchantrasiri, S. Pakpien, G. Gale, T. Savini, J.L.D. Smith. 2014. Female tiger home range size and prey abundance: important management metrics. Oryx.

Sagar Giri - Wildlife Photographer

Sagar Giri is the government of Nepal's official wildlife photographer and cinematographer. Growing up in Chitwan district, Nepal, Sagar has spent his life around this biodiversity hotspot, learning how to identify wildlife and being fascinated by how beautiful the natural world is. Understanding the need for tigers, and the ecosystem services that Chitwan provides for local villages, Sagar wants to express how beautiful this landscape is through imagery to generate support.

He is passionate about sharing his photos and videos to help generate support for National Parks in Nepal, and worldwide. Educated in Australia, Sagar returned back to his beautiful home and has pursused his passion, he has some of the most iconic shots taken of tigers in Nepal and is an excellent tracker.