In the rugged highlands of Ethiopia, where the landscape meets the sky, a quiet but vital conservation battle unfolds. Amidst this breathtaking backdrop, Dr. Sandra Lai is at the forefront of preserving a species on the brink of extinction: the Ethiopian Wolf. In this exclusive interview, we delve into Sandra’s remarkable journey, her role as
Many people are drawn to wildlife and nature at a young age. Since the age of seven, April Dwyer knew that she had an appreciation for animals. Fast forward to her future, little did she know that her passion would lead her to working with primates and turning her experience into a children’s book for
Beneath the surface of Singapore’s waters lies a hidden world of coral reefs teeming with marine life. However, for many Singaporeans, these underwater gems remain out of sight and out of mind. Sam Shu Qin, co-founder of Our Singapore Reefs (OSR), is on a mission to bridge the gap between her fellow citizens and the
What can Coca-Cola teach us about how to better save wildlife, in Australia and beyond? And why should more governments set up charitable foundations to protect their national parks and threatened wildlife? We discuss these and many other issues with today’s inspiring guest – David Goldman. David is the Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer at
Conservation organizations are a big puzzle. Every piece, whether it is a department, board of directors, staff, or volunteer, has a role to play in the big picture. But, as a young staff member, what is the best way to discover new roles within your organisation? For Gui Proença, Associate Director of Development at Loggerhead
It is often said that we don’t inherit the world from our parents, we borrow it from our grandchildren. And yet, in the face of the nature and climate crises, the voices of young people for wildlife conservation have never been more critical. Young people across the globe are speaking up, taking action, and spearheading
Today we explore the world of conservation and diversity with digital storyteller Taurean Meacham. Working for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Taurean is the Program Coordinator for the Diversity Joint Venture for Careers in Conservation. In this episode we delve into Taurean’s work to improve diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in conservation and beyond.
“Sometimes it’s important to have a backup plan, in case things don’t go right with your first career.” Having begun her career in molecular biology, Rebecca Porter, PhD, now works as the Wildlife Officer at Sculpture by the Lakes, a sculpture park and botanic garden in Dorset, UK. Her journey illustrates that it’s never too
Kayla Zoon is a wildlife biologist, conservation storyteller and career coach, based in South Africa. Initially as a conservation biologist, Kayla worked across several remote research stations, monitoring wildlife and educating students on how to get involved in wildlife conservation. Throughout her fieldwork, Kayla observed a disconnect between what conservation looked like on the ground
Brittany Sawrey-Coulson is a conservationist and mental health therapist in a private practice in Arizona, USA. During her first career she was immersed in her passion for wildlife ecology and zookeeping, before she recognised her passion for… people! Brittany now spends her professional life sitting one-on-one with people working through trauma and life transition –
How passionate individuals can transform their careers and save wildlife, with our guest Greg Cummings. How can someone transition from being a bartender in London to leading an organisation helping to protect Gorillas – one of the most charismatic species on the planet? And how can they raise millions of dollars in the process –
How can corporate professionals contribute to conservation efforts? What skills can they bring from the boardrooms of the private sector to help wildlife charities specifically to develop and grow? These are some of the topics we discuss with today’s guest Raoul Bollen. Raoul has been on a career journey from the corporate sector, from leading
Lauren Pharr is an avian ecologist, science communicator, PhD candidate and passionate advocate for diversity, equality and inclusion in the wildlife conservation and research space. In the world of conservation, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and representative field. Lauren, a passionate advocate for DEI, co-founded Field Inclusive,
Are you feeling lost in a sea of opportunities or grappling with self-doubt as a conservationist? You’re not alone. In the world of conservation, there’s often a glamorized portrayal of the work, with images of breathtaking landscapes and exotic wildlife dominating the narrative. But often behind the scenes, the reality can be very different –
“Young people are the future, their voices must be heard” We spoke with the Head of Youth Engagement at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Jack Abrey, as well as two of their incredible Youth Ambassadors: Aoife and Will. In the interview, we discussed how crucial it is to raise the voices of young
When people think of conservation, often images of trees, water or animals come to mind. Many are led to believe that working in conservation means being a biologist, land manager or researcher. But there is a whole other component of conservation that many rising conservationists are not taught about: biocultural diversity. Chang Norman Liu is
Today we’re speaking with an old friend and colleague Ademola Ajagbe, the Regional Managing Director at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for Africa. Ademola discusses the urgent challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, emphasizing the need for scalable solutions and partnership-based approaches for meaningful impact. He shares TNC’s mission, its’ conservation model, and strategies for
When living in a world where decisions are based on a cost-benefit analysis, one challenge becomes clear: how can we define a monetary value for the many environmental, social, and economic benefits provided by the ocean? Kaija Barisa, Senior Economist at Blue Marine Foundation (BMF), is working to find an answer to this question. In
Have you ever caught yourself feeling too small to make a difference? It’s a common experience among conservationists and, considering the severity of global issues including biodiversity loss, resource exploitation, and climate change, it’s not surprising we feel overwhelmed. However, focusing on individual conservation stories it’s easy to see big changes can come from small
“When enough people come together, then change will come and we can achieve almost anything. So instead of looking for hope – start creating it” – Greta Thunberg. In today’s world, the urgency for action is palpable. Biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution demand our attention, urging us to abandon the status quo. Yet, amidst
An island Nature Reserve where environmental conservation and industrial resource extraction go hand-in-hand? This may be hard to imagine but such a place does exist, and this is where Adam McVeigh calls home for two weeks, every month. As a Senior Environmental Scientist for Stantec consultancy in Australia, Adam works on a particularly unique island,
The Conservation Professional Development Programme is a totally new coaching programme proven to significantly improve the wellbeing, impact, and career direction of conservation professionals. Following successful pilots with The Wildlife Trusts and RSPB, we’ve launched our first public enrolment with 16 places available until 31st May. Who | The programme is targeted towards early and mid-career
Scientific writing requires details, data and absolutely no emotion, fostering credibility within journals. This approach ensures a rigorous foundation but often lacks the inspirational quality needed to engage a broader audience in conservation efforts. This is where Amber Hopgood bridges the gap between fact-based conservation and the need for greater understanding and support from the
The majority of environmental news is dominated by depressing, defeatist narratives that describe the decline of nature in every corner of the planet, with humans commonly blamed for this destruction. Helen and Christopher Neave challenge this, as 14 years ago, distressed by the environmental situation, they decided to take action. Although now ‘Make it Wild’
“I would love to see more wildlife influencers, and for them to be as popular and cool as fashion/lifestyle influencers” As of January 2024, around 62.3% of the world’s population are social media users. Communications have always been crucial for spreading conservation messages across the globe, but it seems that now, more than ever before,
In this episode, we speak with the Deputy Global Conservation Director at WWF International, Cristianne Close. Cris describes herself as ‘passionate about creating positive change in the world, especially aiming to make the impossible, possible’. We discuss how she gave up a fast-paced corporate career to follow her purpose and work in conservation. Now,
Evi Indraswati’s story doesn’t unfold amidst the sterile silence of a laboratory, but within the harsh realities of communities in Indonesia’s Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (TNBBS), grappling with environmental degradation and unsustainable fishing practices. Witnessing their unwavering spirit and deep-rooted knowledge ignited a passion within Evi: to bridge the gap between these communities and
Do you remember the first time your passion for the environment felt nurtured? Was it after an education workshop or outdoor experience with an educator? Did you make a change of habit after it? If you do, chances are those educators are thrilled the same way Yolanda Sánchez is, every time she finishes an activity!
Picture a wild savanna, teeming with life. Millions of insects hum in the dense undergrowth, birds flock in the skies, and elusive mammals can be glimpsed through the tall grasses. You might be picturing lions and giraffes, but this is not Africa. It’s the Cerrado savanna in central Brazil, and it’s in critical danger. Brazil’s
Have you ever looked back on your life and wondered how you ended up where you are now? You too? Join Charlotte Daniels, then! Charlotte is a Primatologist based in Nairobi, Kenya. She currently works as a United Nations Volunteer for the UN Environment Programme, working on the Vanishing Treasures project and supporting the Secretariat
