The Great Elephant Migration: A moving celebration of coexistence and conservation

Imagine a herd of 100 life-sized elephant sculptures, each meticulously crafted by Indigenous artisans, traveling around the world. This is The Great Elephant Migration—a campaign that uses a unique blend of art, conservation, and cultural heritage to raise awareness about wildlife protection and the importance of living in harmony with nature. 

By transforming public spaces with these striking sculptures, The Great Elephant Migration aims to inspire a global movement to protect endangered species and promote sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife. Now, this extraordinary venture has arrived in the US.

Crafting a symbol of hope out of invasive plants

Each elephant in the migration is an anatomically perfect replica crafted by The Coexistence Collective, a community of 200 Indigenous Indian artisans from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Over the past five years, this collective has beautifully brought to life every elephant they live alongside, capturing each one in intricate sculptural detail. 

The sculptures are made from Lantana camara, an invasive plant species causing significant ecological damage in India. By using this material, the project not only transforms a problem into art but also aids in the large-scale removal of Lantana from protected areas, freeing up more space for wildlife to roam and contributing to forest restoration.

A journey across America

The migration began its march in the US on July 4, 2024, in Newport, Rhode Island, and is set to traverse several iconic locations across North America, including Manhattan, New York; Miami Beach, Florida; Blackfeet Nation, Montana; Jackson, Wyoming; and concluding in Los Angeles, California, in September 2025. 

At each stop, the herd transforms public spaces, inviting local communities and visitors to engage with the sculptures and the stories they represent. The migration serves as a poignant metaphor for the real-life migrations of animals, which are increasingly threatened by human activities and climate change.

Making an impact through conservation

The Great Elephant Migration is more than a visual spectacle; it’s a call to action. Funds raised through the sale of the elephant sculptures will support conservation projects around the world, particularly those integrating Indigenous knowledge and promoting coexistence with wildlife. 

This aligns closely with the One Earth Solutions Framework, which identifies Nature Conservation as the second pillar of collective action required to limit global average temperature rise to the critical threshold of 1.5°C. Our science-backed framework emphasizes the need to protect, restore, and connect 50% of Earth's lands and oceans within a Global Safety Net to reverse biodiversity loss and stabilize our planet's climate system.

The power of the matriarchy

Elephants live in matriarchal societies, led by experienced elder females who guide and protect their herds. Reflecting this natural structure, The Great Elephant Migration is a women-led conservation effort, bringing together a group of influential women known as “The Matriarchy.” 

This diverse group includes environmentalists and philanthropists including our very own Justin Winters, along with Dr. Jane Goodall, Kris Tompkins, and Dr. Sylvia Earle, as well as storytellers and creatives like Kristin Davis, Susan Sarandon, and Cher, among others. By leveraging their influence, these matriarchs emphasize the vital role of women's leadership as stewards of the Earth. 

One Earth’s role in the movement 

One Earth is honored to partner with The Great Elephant Migration, joining forces to support conservation efforts and raise awareness about the importance of protecting biodiversity. As part of this partnership, two elephants in the herd have been dedicated to One Earth's Co-founder and Executive Director, Justin Winters, and Board Member, Rick Ridgeway.

Kamini the Matriarch, representing Justin, and Arun the Tusker, symbolizing Rick, embody the values of leadership and commitment to the planet that both individuals have demonstrated throughout their careers. 

A stop in New York City for Climate Week

The Great Elephant Migration will arrive in New York City in early September 2024 and stay through Climate Week (September 22-29), bringing its message of conservation to a global audience. During this stop, a series of events, including a Blessing Ceremony and a panel discussion, will highlight the importance of coexistence and explore how these principles can be applied in an urban context. The vibrant setting of New York City provides a unique opportunity to engage diverse communities in meaningful conversations about conservation and the responsibility that we all have in protecting our planet's wildlife.

Engaging the world to protect Nature

The journey of The Great Elephant Migration is designed to reach millions, not only through physical installations but also through a robust social media presence. By engaging celebrities, environmentalists, influencers, and everyday people, the campaign amplifies its reach, inviting a global audience to participate.

As the elephants make their way across the US, they serve as symbolic icons of a future in which humans and wildlife coexist on our shared planet in harmony. This migration is a powerful reminder that we all can play a part in making that future a reality.

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