Radical Anna - Anna Radkovic's journey with ARK
Anna Radkovic, or as we like to call her, “Radical Anna,” is the Operations Manager at A Rocha Kenya. We sat down with Anna for her feature in the annual review to reflect on her journey with A Rocha and her deep commitment to conservation.
Anna’s first encounter with A Rocha Kenya was in 2003 while on a family vacation in Watamu. Her family heard about the Bible study group held on Sunday evenings at Mwamba and decided to join. That experience left a lasting impression, and when she was about 15, she returned to Watamu with friends—this time as a volunteer at Mwamba Field Study Centre. Over the course of two weeks, she participated in various conservation activities, including preparing nets for bird ringing on Thursday mornings and trying to catch the elusive Spotted Ground Thrush.
Her passion for the environment led her to pursue a degree in Environmental Science and Behavioural Ecology in Australia in 2014. Upon completing her studies, she returned to Watamu and became even more involved with A Rocha Kenya, working closely on bird surveys with Kirao and Albert.
Anna’s career in conservation spans over eight years, during which she has worked with various organizations, including Cottar’s Wildlife Conservation Trust and ElephantVoices. Her work has primarily focused on studying animal behavior and species identification. Additionally, she played a key role in establishing A Rocha Australia as a founding board member.
While in Australia, Anna worked with Cassinia, a conservation organization dedicated to surveying private conservation properties. Her work there aligned closely with A Rocha Kenya’s mission, particularly in relation to land acquisition efforts for the Dakatcha Nature Reserve. Now, as Operations Manager, she brings a wealth of experience and passion to A Rocha Kenya’s conservation initiatives, ensuring that the organization continues to make a meaningful impact.
Anna is particularly passionate about securing long-term funding for the Dakatcha Nature Reserve. “The Dakatcha team is incredible,” she says. “It’s not just a job for them—the scouts love the reserve.” She acknowledges the challenges they face, explaining, “Things are hard out there, but we can advocate on their behalf.” Anna urges a shift in mindset when it comes to conservation funding: “Valuing nature with our money, not just good vibes. Traditionally, we don’t like paying money to protect nature, but if we truly care, we must invest in it.”
She encourages everyone reading this to visit Dakatcha and see the work firsthand. “Come and learn more about the program,” she says. “Your support can make a real difference in protecting this special place for future generations.”
