How Do You Keep Going When Conservation Progress Feels Slow?

Working in wildlife conservation has been incredibly rewarding, but let’s be honest it can also feel like watching grass grow. Between habitat restoration projects and species recovery efforts, results often take years, if not decades. For those of you who’ve been in this field a while, how do you stay motivated when the big wins feel so far away?

I’ve found small milestones help like spotting a rare bird returning to a restored area or seeing community engagement grow. But I’m curious: what keeps you going during the long stretches where progress seems invisible? Any tricks for staying patient or celebrating the little victories along the way? Would love to hear your thoughts!