The Caribbean Wildlife Enforcement Network (CAR-WEN) is a governance-centered approach to creating a robust network to combat wildlife crime in the Caribbean. As the world’s fourth-largest criminal enterprise, wildlife crime poses a significant threat to the region's biodiversity and natural capital. Thus, our vision is to create a Caribbean that is free from wildlife crime, where sustainable practices and biodiversity contribute to the prosperity and well-being of our communities.

Our mission is to establish, operate, and expand a network that combats wildlife crimes by collaborating with governments, civil society organizations, and the public. The CAR-WEN focuses on international and government legal reforms to build local enforcement capacity, targeting systemic change from the top down. We aim to work with wildlife managers, prosecutors, and police to revise laws, enhance enforcement capabilities, and promote information sharing. This differs from the Nurture Nature Campaign, which started with individual pet owners, using education and awareness to drive grassroots changes that ultimately influence governance and legal reforms. By meeting in the middle, these two approaches enhance each other's effectiveness.

The CAR-WEN functions by facilitating connections among experts, employing strategic social marketing, and implementing demonstration projects to showcase effective solutions. We aim to organize workshops, training sessions, and collaborative meetings to build a cohesive network of stakeholders. Our initiatives include establishing baseline measurements for wildlife trade, driving behavior change through targeted campaigns, and strengthening management capacities through continuous support and resources. Our goal is to create a powerful regional network that combats wildlife crime across the Caribbean.

Supported by representatives from 16 Caribbean countries and several civil society organizations, the CAR-WEN is in the foundational stage. We have developed a strategic plan, created a beta version of a supporting app, and regularly hold meetings to advance our goals. Additionally, some of our notable publications include a United Nations Environment Programme Briefing Paper (also available in French and Spanish), Marketing Booklet, and Factsheet. Furthermore, Our collaborations with organizations such as  UNODC, ICCWC, AWI and IFAW are crucial to our progress and demonstrate our commitment to addressing wildlife crime in the region.

By fostering regional cooperation and enhancing enforcement capabilities, the CAR-WEN WG is pivotal in protecting Caribbean biodiversity and promoting sustainable development.