In 2024, an independent evaluation commissioned by the funders of the Wyss Academy for Nature confirmed its successful progress. The evaluation highlighted the Foundation’s effective establishment, well-implemented project structures across four continents, 91 active projects, and emerging field results. While the Wyss Academy worked to integrate the evaluation’s recommendations and identified opportunities for improvement throughout the year, it also continued its core work of bridging science and practice across its Hubs—including a special focus on the true value of forests.

The metaphor of building an airplane while it takes off is often used to describe the rapid creation and development of the Wyss Academy. In 2024, the Foundation reached cruising speed, achieving tangible results that bring real benefits to both people and nature.

The Wyss Academy’s unique approach—known as the Solutionscape approach—is designed to tackle complex challenges that affect both people and nature, such as environmental degradation and competition for resources between wildlife and local communities. By focusing on local priorities and maintaining a global perspective, the approach brings together Indigenous Peoples, local communities, governments, scientists, and businesses to co-create and test real-world solutions. Discover the five key elements that make this approach effective.