Wildlife conservation is all about protecting and celebrating biodiversity. But, when we look at the industry’s workforce, we see a heart-breaking diversity deficit. Making work in the conservation sector accessible and equitable for all will require equally diverse solutions, and improving representation is a key step. “Nature is all about spectrums and understanding differences”. I
“I don’t do pilates, I don’t do nails, I don’t do coffee with friends. All I do is my conservation group and my conservation work”. Despite studying a Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences) and working as a physiotherapist specialising in paediatrics for many years, Lisa Harrold never lost sight of her true passion for conservation.
This blog has been adapted from the original version published on the MareCet Medium page (Flukes for Thought). When it comes to jobs relating to wildlife and the environment, conservation always seems to be the “it” thing to do. Conservation Careers names marine conservation to be the most ‘in demand’ job type to be listed on their site,
Isidoro Hazbun is a conservationist whose career focuses on preserving biodiversity, and empowering communities of the Amazon rainforest that have protected some of the wildest places on earth for centuries. Many people enter careers in conservation as they want to work with wildlife and are driven by their love for animals or natural habitats. These
Have you ever found yourself reading through job applications and feeling disheartened after seeing requirements such as these? “Physically fit for the demands of this role” “A suitable level of physical fitness for assisting with the capture and restraint of animals as well as manoeuvring tools (including wheelbarrows)” “The role is physically demanding and our
The phrase “the circle of life” has taken on a whole new meaning after my delightful interview with Taronga Zoo’s wildlife conservation officer, Dr Phoebe Meagher. Investigating everything from disease diagnostics to animal poaching, Dr Meagher has used non-invasive keratin studies to gain insight into the origin and ecology of both Australian natives and endangered
Conservation Careers is a huge team effort involving nearly 50 people including writers, researchers, teachers, communicators, editors and many more. It’s thanks to this team that we’ve been able to support nearly 700,000 conservationists in 2021 on their path to helping wildlife thrive.
What is the diversity deficit in conservation, and how can we tackle it? In this episode, we speak to Cade London, Diversity Joint Venture Program Manager with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Cade is a 5th generation Hawaiian, with a passion for conservation programs both in and out of government. Cade currently serves as
Known for their ability to mimic humans, the Philippine cockatoo can talk, sing, and even dance, making these intelligent and beautiful parrots a much sought-after pet. However, poaching, together with habitat loss, are driving the species to the brink of extinction. With a once-thriving population over the Philippine archipelago, their numbers have dropped by a
Ethno-conservationist and marine biologist Adjany Costa never expected to be in a political position, but she can now impressively introduce herself as Adviser to the President of Angola for Environmental Affairs and, in her previous position, the youngest Minister in Angolan history. We discussed her job responsibilities, motives for working in conservation and work with local communities. What steps did you take to get to
It may seem strange that an animal only discovered by science in the late 1990s is now listed as Critically Endangered. But this is the case for the Large-antlered Muntjac, a rare deer species only found in the dense rainforests of the Annamite mountains of Vietnam and Laos. Bizarrely, the species was only discovered when
You may be wondering what Queer Ecology is and how it relates to conservation?! Well, we have interviewed a pioneering queer wildlife conservationist and educator to show how learning from the natural world can change our societal norms of acceptance, and how whatever your background, you can find a way to connect with nature and
In this interview, we speak to Vishal Ahuja, teacher turned conservationist, who has dedicated himself to protecting the sacred langurs of Chamba, a now endangered Leaf Monkey. By studying their behaviour, engaging local communities and farmers, and restoring their natural habitats, he tells us his story and why he is so passionate about conservation. When
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic I was fortunate enough to steal an hour of time from Rupert Koopman, the Conservation Manager for the Botanical Society of South Africa (BotSocSA). Prior to this role Rupert spent more than a decade as a botanist with CapeNature, focusing on Fynbos, threatened species and habitats in the
Have you ever picked up a can of fish in the supermarket and wondered what the MSC certified symbol actually means for the tuna in the can? Most of us know it means the fish is from sustainable stocks. But how is this judged and verified and how did the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) manage
Emmanuel G. Smith’s role as Project Coordinator working for the Society for Conservation of Nature in Liberia (SCNL) has been key in promoting alternative livelihood programmes such as beekeeping and sustainable cocoa farming to support local communities and protect the Gola forest of Liberia. His work has been central in helping with the establishment of a community forest, which will function as an important biodiversity corridor, linking
Have you ever wanted to pursue your creativity and conservation at the same time? Would you love to combine diverse passions in one meaningful career? Juliana Corrales is a Creative Consultant (Design and Communications) who grew up in Costa Rica before launching her international career. Today she helps marine NGOs like The Ocean Acidification (OA)
Orchids may be delicate, but they need tough conservationists to stand up for them. The Colombian Andes are home to the highest number of orchid species in the world – and the highest number of threatened species. Together with the rest of the tropical Andes, this global biodiversity hotspot will face the greatest effects of
“Follow your passion and you will find a way to serve” It also started with a simple curiosity. As a child Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh followed in the footsteps of his uncle, the first Palestinian Zoologist. He now carries on his uncle’s legacy as the Founder and (Volunteer) Director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and
How would you like to help save species on the brink? Meet Rikki Gumbs, a postdoctoral research scientist the Zoological Society of London (ZSL)’s Edge of Existence programme. EDGE seeks to identify and conserve evolutionarily unique species on the verge of extinction, from pygmy hippos to pangolins, plus many evolutionary underdogs you’ve probably never heard
Simon Watt is a science communicator, founder of the Ugly Animal Preservation Society and a stand-up comic. In this interview with Conservation Careers Blogger Bill Boteler, Simon talks about his journey to become what he is and why ‘ugly’ animals matter. Why do you work in conservation? I don’t only work in conservation is the
Dr. Jane Hill is a professor and deputy head of the Biology Department at the University of York. Her eagerness and enthusiasm to protect ecosystems led her to explore the impacts of habitat fragmentation and climate change on temperate and tropical insect biodiversity. Research in Hill’s lab does not stop there; she also works on
Wildlife ACT is an award-winning wildlife conservation organisation running Critically Endangered and priority species conservation projects in South Africa. They provide wildlife monitoring services and state-of-the-art animal tracking and anti-poaching equipment at no charge to several reserves across KwaZulu-Natal, working closely with many other global conservation organisations, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Endangered
Have you ever considered a career helping businesses manage natural resources, conserve biodiversity, adapt to climate change or become more sustainable? Tracey Edwards is a Sustainability Coach and Entrepreneur from Jamaica and founder of Plakortis, an environmental sustainability coaching service for businesses across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. With over 15 years experience in the
Ecotourism is all about creating and promoting sustainable travel opportunities around the world. It’s about showing off the natural world and its amazing inhabitants. With the aim of fostering environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation! It helps to deliver real benefits for local communities and conservation. This is arguably one of the most important
At Conservation Careers, we believe in conserving biodiversity through diversity. We urgently need more perspectives, voices, ideas and expertise to create a world in which wildlife thrives. Celebrating Diversity in Conservation is a new initiative to share careers advice from professional conservationists from every corner of the planet. Our ultimate goal is to showcase conservationists from
Madison Stewart, AKA Shark Girl Madison is a woman on a mission to save the ocean’s most misunderstood inhabitants: sharks. She was 2019’s Australian Geographic Society’s Young Conservationist of the Year. She’s been campaigning for over ten years. She’s been successful at lobbying the government to shut down shark fisheries. She’s helped stop supermarkets from
Do you yearn for adventure? Do you enjoy discovering hidden corners of the globe and enjoy spending time immersed in nature? Then you will love the British Exploring Society. It is an amazing organisation that takes young people to extraordinary destinations, both in terms of the places they visit and also in their own lives.
Jon Paul Rodríguez is an award-winning Venezuelan conservationist who wears many hats. As Co-Founder of local NGO Provita, he spearheaded work to nearly triple the number of Endangered Yellow-Shouldered Parrots in the wild, winning the Whitley Gold Award in 2019 in the process. More recently, he was elected as the first non-European and non-North American Chair of
Sabelo Lindani is one of the more experienced conservationists in Cape Town, South Africa, with experience in both the governmental and private sector of conservation. In 2017 he started his own company (Contour Enviro Group) and now employs 25 other up and coming and experienced conservationists. Together they offer government and private clients Wilderness and
