Over the years, I sat behind it at countless CITES meetings, representing the work of colleagues across TRAFFIC who had put in the research, analysis, expertise and sheer hard graft that gave us something important to say. What made sitting there so special was seeing, first-hand, how that collective effort could make a difference: informing a debate, identifying a problem, proposing a solution, strengthening a decision.

It was a remarkable privilege to sit behind that simple nameplate, to represent an organisation whose work I believed in, and to be part of a group of people who, for 50 years, have quietly helped change the world for the better.

Happy 50th, TRAFFIC. I’m very proud to have been part of your journey, and very proud that, until I retired two years ago, I had the privilege of being able to call myself

Sabri Zain
Director of Policy
TRAFFIC

One thing I observed was this network of passionate and committed people who seemed to be on top of every issue under discussion at the COP during the day yet still had the energy to raise a cup of sake together at night (I got to observe this part first-hand as well).

This experience set the stage for what turned into 30 years of employment with TRAFFIC and many significant developments for the organisation. However, that first impression never changed. It was a privilege to work with so many dedicated people, giving their all to the mission, and also making time to support one another professionally and personally.

Here's to the next 50 years!

Marcus Phipps

Senior Director of Operations (retired)

TRAFFIC

Caroline Knightley

Currently, Director - Global HR

Another treasured early memory is of meeting inspirational colleagues from around the world in Management Week 2019, where we all worked together to overhaul the development processes. It was a truly collegiate endeavour, which was wonderful, and set us up very well for the next several years.

But the most important things about TRAFFIC are the people and the mission. For me they go together, because the people are so expert and dedicated to driving the mission forward – and in turn, the mission unites and drives us all. It’s been an amazing opportunity to work with so many brilliant, passionate people worldwide, and within our little Development Team, which – amid the inevitable stress – has always been a haven of camaraderie and mutual support.

Saheed Adegbite

Former Chief Operating Officer at TRAFFIC

But besides the common passion that unites everyone, TRAFFIC SEA has also been an incredibly warm and welcoming team to work with, always willing to help me grow within a field that I deeply resonate with.

Thank you for taking me in on this journey!

🥂Here's to 50 more years of making a difference. Saúde!

Matilde Morais

Data and Research Intern

TRAFFIC SEA

One of the greatest privileges of my time at TRAFFIC has been the opportunity to work alongside such an extraordinary group of people. Your commitment, professionalism, passion and deep expertise have inspired me, and I have learned so much from your different perspectives and experiences.

Thank you for everything you have taught me, but most importantly, thank you for your friendship, kindness, encouragement and support.

I feel very proud to have played a small part, alongside so many of you, in raising TRAFFIC’s profile and securing the resources needed to turn ambition into impact.

Felicidades, TRAFFIC, on 50 remarkable years! Here’s to the next 50, and to even greater impact for wild species, people and our planet.

Andrea Diez de Sollano

Director of Development

TRAFFIC

Well done TRAFFIC – amazing achievements over 50 years, and it was lovely seeing familiar faces at the events.  Particular thanks to Steve for the important recognition of John Burton and Jon Barzdo, who played such key roles in the early years, along with Tim Inskipp.  The three of them, at the London TRAFFIC office in Soho, set me off on my subsequent conservation career. 

I’m attaching a couple of pages of a 1979 Bulletin as they illustrate that, as mentioned by so many, TRAFFIC considers the collection of good evidence a key part of its work, and the use of unconventional methods should be no obstacle. 

Steve mentioned the cactus and I thought some might like to know its origin. My mother provided it – she delighted in its rudeness (it was a little ‘red ball’ one).  I have no idea where she got it from, but she thought TRAFFIC was the perfect recipient for it, once she heard the plans for testing Customs officer on their CITES knowledge.  I took it to Washington DC and declared it at airport customs, and was told that they had to confiscate it because of the soil.  After a short discussion it was agreed that I could, however, take the cactus itself into the US.  The pot was taken behind the scenes, I heard the sound of a tap running, and the cactus duly reappeared, nicely washed and wrapped in toilet paper.  I left it in DC with David Mack and Nicole Dupleix (early TRAFFIC colleagues) and it continued its way round the world.

Posted on behalf of

Sue Wells,

early TRAFFIC employee from Soho days.

Cambridge, UK

It was extra special to have Shen Wei, Deputy President of CTWPDA, a valued partner and former TRAFFIC colleague, joining us for the celebration.

Happy 50th birthday, TRAFFIC! Here’s to many more years together!🎉🎉

Looking forwards, the space that TRAFFIC occupies, at the epicentre of so many global systems (nature, finance, crime, livelihoods, security) is such an influential position to be in. Action to make wildlife trade sustainable and legal will ripple out into all these sectors, triggering powerful feedback loops.

I'm really excited to be part of the next stage of TRAFFIC's journey, and I have high hopes for what we can achieve together - working alongside such a great, talented, and dedicated team.

Sarah Vincent

Director - Communications

Congratulations on your 50th, and I look forward to many more collaborations together.

Oliver Tallowin - Senior Programme Officer, IUCN