How Jackson Wild uses its community to strengthen connection and commitment to the natural world

Jackson Wild is using Hivebrite to create a virtual home for the global storytelling community to connect, collaborate, and inspire change year-round.

Jackson Wild has been using Hivebrite since 2020. The platform provides a resource for storytellers at all levels to elevate their impact and expand their opportunities.

The community challenge

For many years, Jackson Wild’s impact was primarily driven by its flagship event, the Jackson Wild Summit—an internationally recognized gathering that brought together storytellers, conservationists, scientists, and industry leaders. The Summit served as a vibrant platform for film screenings, hands-on workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities, all focused on leveraging media to inspire environmental action. While the event fostered deep connections and creative collaborations, its once-a-year format left a gap in sustained engagement, with limited opportunities for participants to continue conversations and partnerships after the Summit concluded.

In response to growing feedback from both organizers and attendees, Jackson Wild recognized the need to evolve its model and offer more consistent engagement throughout the year. Members were eager for an ongoing space to connect, share resources, and collaborate on projects beyond the confines of a single annual gathering. This realization led the organization to explore new ways of extending its reach and amplifying its mission year-round. By building a digital community platform, Jackson Wild could facilitate continuous interaction, support cross-border partnerships, and nurture a more active and engaged network committed to using storytelling for global conservation impact.

The Hivebrite solution

Jackson Wild partnered with Hivebrite to launch the Jackson Wild Collective—a vibrant, year-round virtual home for its global storytelling community. Designed to foster connection, collaboration, and inspiration, the Collective brings together environmental filmmakers, scientists, and advocates from around the world to spark ideas and drive meaningful change.

Free and open to anyone in the environmental documentary film industry, the Collective offers a wealth of tools to support its members. Through Hivebrite’s Groups feature, Jackson Wild has built dedicated affinity spaces within the community, including cohorts for its Fellowship programs and a group specifically for LGBTQIA+ nature and wildlife creators and scientists. These groups provide members with more tailored resources and networking opportunities.

In addition, the platform features a global database of local talent to help filmmakers hire crews in the countries where they work, as well as access to masterclasses, a job board, a resource hub, and live events—all designed to support professional growth and advance conservation storytelling.

The outcome

Jackson Wild has created an inclusive, year-round space for the global film community. This digital hub empowers storytellers, conservationists, and creatives from all backgrounds to come together and exchange ideas, resources, and inspiration. It fosters a sense of belonging and collaboration among individuals who are united by a shared passion for environmental storytelling, regardless of their geographic location or stage in their careers. The Collective serves as a dynamic forum where members can discover new voices, form meaningful partnerships, and stay engaged with the latest developments in conservation media.