Da Vinci Schools student Finnley Webber, an aspiring wildlife conservationist from Los Angeles, has been awarded a grant from Hunter’s Fund to bring her vision for the WILDLIFE ID app to life. This interactive tool is designed to connect technology with the natural world, sparking curiosity and a deeper appreciation for wildlife in a fun, hands-on way.

Webber’s love for the outdoors has been a guiding force since her childhood in Los Angeles. “I’ve always had a big love of nature,” she shares. “Wildlife conservation is really about saving the planet as a whole—the balance of life depends on every living thing and how we support one another for survival.”

The WILDLIFE ID app takes cues from location-based games but adds a conservation-focused twist. “Think of it like ‘PokemonGo,’” Webber explains, “except instead of searching for imaginary characters, you’re out in the world discovering and identifying real animals.”

Users are encouraged to explore their environment, photograph the creatures they encounter, and then learn more about them through engaging educational content built into the app.

With the support of the Hunter’s Fund grant, Webber plans to work with experts to complete development and make the app available on both iOS and Android platforms.

As she prepares to graduate from high school, Webber has her sights set on studying wildlife conservation at the university level—continuing her mission to protect the natural world.

Hunter’s Fund is proud to support passionate young innovators like Finnley Webber and invites you to join us in empowering the next generation of conservation leaders.