A Q&A with Amanda Badger, Founder and Director of Wild Hearts African Farm
What is the mission of Wild Hearts African Farm?
Wild Hearts African Farm exists to inspire conservation by building meaningful connections between people, wildlife, agriculture and nature. Our philosophy is simple: you cannot save wildlife without people. Around the world, conservation succeeds when communities value wildlife and become good stewards of the land they share. That belief inspired me to create Wild Hearts in 2014.
As a zoologist, I realized that many people, especially children, are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature. If someone has never experienced the wonder of meeting an animal or spending time in a peaceful natural setting, it's difficult to ask them to care about protecting wildlife thousands of miles away.
Our farm was created to help bridge that gap. Visitors are immersed in an African-inspired landscape where wildlife, agriculture, forests and culture exist together. Through close encounters with ambassador animals, educational programs and time spent outdoors, we hope every guest leaves with a deeper appreciation for the natural world and a desire to become part of its future. Each year, Wild Hearts welcomes thousands of visitors through on-site experiences and community outreach programs, creating meaningful connections with wildlife that inspire conservation throughout the Dayton region.
That philosophy has also been shaped by our work and relationships in Africa. My husband, Brian, brings years of experience working alongside conservationists in rural communities, offering insight into the challenges and successes of frontline conservation. I also have the privilege of serving as a U.S. Ambassador for the Cheetah Conservation Fund, helping connect our local community with global conservation efforts.
We understand that lasting conservation doesn't happen by separating people from nature. It happens when people understand their role within it.
What makes your services unique in our community? Why are these services now more important than ever?
Our African-inspired farm isn't simply a theme. It's a philosophy. We celebrate the cultures, landscapes and conservation successes that demonstrate how people, agriculture, forests and wildlife can connect and coexist. Visitors leave with a broader understanding that protecting wildlife isn't only something that happens in national parks; it begins in communities, farms, backyards and neighborhoods.
At the farm, guests interact with ambassador animals through guided educational encounters, explore our accredited arboretum and learn how conservation, agriculture and healthy ecosystems are interconnected. Visitors can meet friendly farm animals, remarkable African species and rescued native wildlife, including our majestic bald eagle.
We are also proud to be Ohio's first American Humane Certified™ zoo, demonstrating our commitment to exceptional animal welfare and ensuring every experience is positive for both animals and guests.
We strive to grow empathy. When a child gently pets a capybara, watches a tortoise slowly explore or simply enjoys sitting quietly observing animals in nature, conservation becomes personal and inspires compassion that lasts long after the visit ends. As we often say, the greatest tool in conservation isn't a fence or a breeding program. It's an inspired person.
What changes are you looking to implement or programs are you looking to build upon?
Our long-term vision is to continue transforming Wild Hearts into an immersive conservation destination where visitors feel transported to another place and leave with a renewed appreciation for nature. We're expanding our educational programming for schools, families and community groups while continuing to provide meaningful training opportunities for future wildlife professionals through our internship program. We're also working to develop the property into a peaceful safari-style experience by expanding naturalistic habitats, growing our accredited arboretum, planting more trees, improving sustainable infrastructure and creating spaces where guests can slow down, observe wildlife and enjoy nature.
Our goal is to create an environment that encourages curiosity, reflection and a lifelong commitment to conservation.
Grants awarded from Dayton Foundation funds to your organization include a $75,000 discretionary grant in 2023 to support Phase III Construction of the Education Center. How do gifts like these help you help others?
Support from The Dayton Foundation has been transformational. The grant helped us complete Phase III of our Education Center, creating a welcoming space where individuals can gather to learn throughout the year.
Projects like these strengthen every part of our mission and reach more people. They allow us to expand educational programming, improve accessibility, support volunteer and intern training and provide the infrastructure necessary to care for our ambassador animals responsibly. As a nonprofit, every improvement creates opportunities that benefit the community for years to come. We're incredibly grateful to The Dayton Foundation and its donors for believing in our vision.
What are your most important needs right now? How can the community support them?
As we look toward the future, we're inviting our community to help build the next chapter of Wild Hearts.
One of our most exciting goals is welcoming zebra to Wild Hearts. We're very close, but before they can arrive we need to complete approximately $60,000 in pasture improvements, fencing, habitat enhancements and supporting infrastructure. These improvements will allow us to welcome zebra and strengthen our existing animal habitats, continue development of our accredited arboretum, improve stewardship of the landscape and help us purchase a passenger cart that will make educational experiences more accessible for guests of all ages and abilities.
We're also eager to complete an immersive capybara habitat and encounter area. We already have many of the materials, but approximately $10,000 is still needed to bring the project to life. This new space will create an even more enriching environment for the animals while allowing guests to form meaningful connections that inspire conservation.
Whether someone sponsors a project, donates, becomes a member, volunteers their time or simply visits the farm, every contribution helps move these dreams closer to reality. We're working to build a place for the Dayton community that inspires wonder, nurtures empathy and reminds us that every person has a role in protecting our natural world. Conservation doesn’t begin in the wilderness. It begins in the human heart.
Individuals who are interested in supporting Wild Hearts African Farm can do so in a variety of ways:
- Make a tax-deductible donation online at https://wildheartsafricanfarm.org/donate or by mailing a contribution to:
Wild Hearts Zoological Society (our business name) 8079 Salem Road
Lewisburg, OH 45338
- Recommend a grant through your donor-advised fund at The Dayton Foundation.
- Sponsor an animal, habitat, educational program or conservation project. (Contact Amanda at amanda@wildheartsafricanfarm.org to learn about sponsorship opportunities.)
- Volunteer and become part of our conservation family. Learn more at https://wildheartsafricanfarm.org/internships/.
- Visit the farm, become a member, book an animal encounter or schedule a field trip or outreach program to help support conservation education throughout our region.
- Follow Wild Hearts African Farm on social media and share our mission with friends and family. Every share helps inspire someone new to care about wildlife.