How to find your niche, break into the field, and build a career protecting our oceans Working in marine conservation is one of the most meaningful careers on the planet — but many aspiring conservationists don’t know where to start, which role fits them, or how to become competitive for jobs. In this free live
Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is led by Sanctuary Manager and Director Ben Dessen, who is a passionate conservationist, wildlife advocate, author and educator.
Discover how marine guide Ilizna turned a love for the ocean into a career in conservation, storytelling, and marine stewardship along South Africa’s Garden Route.
The world of marine conservation often looks glamorous on screen, but the reality is very different. “In documentaries, they show Earth as a pristine Eden” explains marine biologist Jeethvendra Kirishnamoorthie. “But in reality, when you visit these areas, you see a lot of trash.” “What we see on TV is just the 1%, the cool
If you’ve ever wondered how conservation can be truly inclusive, collaborative and community-led — this episode is for you. Today I’m joined by Helen Gibbons, an expert in community-based conservation and our current Expert in Residence at Conservation Careers. With over 25 years of experience working for leading organisations like the Gorilla Fund, WWF, Greenpeace and
Protecting the planet requires more than data and fieldwork – it’s resilience, curiosity and connection with local communities that truly make the difference. Marine biologist Alex O’Brien shares how he has cultivated these qualities throughout his career in conservation. Alex stands out most clearly for his unwavering sense of purpose: few children who dream of
Are you passionate about protecting nature with people, not from them? A career in community-based conservation could be your calling. Check out this Ultimate Guide to community-based conservation.
How rewilding is helping nature and people thrive in Portugal and beyond, with our Rewilding Expert in Residence, Pedro Ribeiro. If you’ve ever wondered what rewilding really means – or what it takes to make it happen on the ground – this episode is for you. We’re joined by Pedro Ribeiro, our Rewilding Expert in
Dr Marisa Tellez knew from a young age that she was destined to work with the world’s apex predators—particularly crocodiles. While her peers played with dolls, she immersed herself in books, documentaries, and wildlife centres, determined to one day turn her fascination into action. In this episode, we sit down with Dr Tellez, Executive Director
What happens when you stop fearing sharks — and start listening to them? In this inspiring episode, we dive into the extraordinary world of Cristina Zenato – a trailblazing shark behaviourist, cave explorer, and professional diver who has spent over three decades in the Bahamas. As Founder of the non-profit People of the Water, Cristina has
What can three decades in one wild place teach us about conservation? In this episode, we sit down with Craig Ralston – Natural England Senior Reserve Manager at Yorkshire’s Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve – to explore his remarkable 30-year journey of restoring landscapes, inspiring communities, and navigating change. Craig shares his reflections on the
How Nick Bubb Combines Fundraising, Empowerment, and a Life of Adventure to Guide One of Africa’s Leading Conservation Charities, Tusk. What’s it like to lead one of Africa’s most influential conservation charities? How do you support grassroots leaders across a continent while balancing fundraising, strategy, and your own wellbeing? And how can a mid-career pivot
How Conscious Explorer is transforming travel into a powerful force for conservation and community development, with Daniel Kaul. Can travel be more than just an escape? How can tourism actively contribute to conservation and community well-being? And what does ethical, sustainable travel truly look like? Today’s guest is Daniel Kaul, founder of Conscious Explorer and
Lessons From Four Decades of BirdLife International: Richard Grimmett on Conservation Success and Challenges. How does a passion for birds turn into a lifelong career in global conservation? And what can four decades of experience teach us about the evolution of biodiversity efforts? Today’s guest is Richard Grimmett, Senior Conservation Adviser at BirdLife International, where
How can we restore biodiversity while balancing the needs of people and wildlife? And what can large carnivores teach us about coexistence and environmental harmony? Today’s guest is Jonny Hanson, environmental social scientist, conservationist, and author of Living with Lynx: Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves, and Bears. Jonny brings a unique perspective to conservation,
How do you transform landscapes, restore biodiversity and reconnect people with nature – all at scale? And what does it take to build a pioneering conservation initiative from scratch? Today’s guest is Frans Schepers, co-founder and Executive Director of Rewilding Europe. Frans has dedicated over a decade to leading rewilding efforts across Europe, turning ambitious
In the bustling waters of Hong Kong, a silent crisis unfolds beneath the surface. Stan Shea, Marine Programme Director at Bloom HK and ADMCF stands at the forefront of a huge challenge to protect the region’s marine life from the devastating effects of overfishing and unsustainable practices. Born and bred in Hong Kong, Stan faced
When wildlife is in decline the world over, how do we raise more funds for conservation, and ensure these funds are spent to have the greatest impact locally? Today’s guest thinks she has found the answer. Jade Brudenell is the Executive Director of the Conservation Collective, an organisation with a mission to increase the amount
Increasingly, the private sector is taking a growing interest in their impact on wildlife, and this could lead to a much-needed step change in conservation efforts. But why do companies care about nature? How can they assess and minimise their impacts? And what sort of jobs are opening up for conservationists seeking to work in
Tucked away in a remote corner of southwestern Uganda lies a hidden gem, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its exceptional biodiversity, it is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. A forest oasis in the midst of one of Uganda’s poorest and most densely
Often, we see the blame for global warming or ecosystem destruction being placed onto large companies and corporations, governments or even entire countries. So, if they are the largest issue, who is addressing them to create fundamental change? Is it the activists who protest in the streets? Maybe. But Consultant Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data
You may notice the landscape of conservation is evolving, becoming increasingly diverse each day, with a growing number of people expressing their interest in getting involved. Numerous opportunities are available, indicating a positive outlook for the future of ocean health. However, amid this positivity, a challenging reality remains – the task of enhancing ocean literacy
“To work with nature, we need to understand the systems that are in play. The key to success is systems thinking. Taking all parts of the equation into consideration, and looking at how project’s goals fit into and can work with those systems, not fighting against them”. Joshua Muñoz Jiménez is a specialist in regenerative
“I think empowerment to protect what we have, often comes from celebrating what we’ve got”. Leanne Cullen-Unsworth is the CEO of Project Seagrass, an amazing charity working in the UK and across the globe to celebrate, protect and restore ecologically important seagrass meadows. This incredibly valuable ecosystem was often overlooked in planning and management policies,
What role does ‘urban greening’ have in the world of conservation? This is one question that Angus Cunningham, horticulturalist and CEO of Scotscape, considers, as he shares his enthusiasm for this new and burgeoning industry. While Scotscape is amongst the market leaders in the UK, the phenomenon is worldwide. “Wherever you are in the world”
The world of conservation is a complex one, made up of many different organizations, job descriptions and people from various backgrounds. There is also no standard path to conservation work, with people entering the field in different ways. Career switchers and those over 50 may feel that the door has been shut on them in
What role do schoolchildren play in conservation efforts? Why target them specifically, and how do you successfully establish and grow a conservation enterprise from scratch – now empowering over 13,000 young people to help tackle climate change and wildlife conservation. That’s what today’s inspiring guest – Laura Dempsey – has achieved with Volunteers for Future.
How do people and nature interact? How does nature benefit people? Which interactions have the greatest impacts, and how can research into these questions help tackle some of the biggest issues facing wildlife today? These are some of the questions which today’s guest has dedicated his career to tackling. Kevin Gaston is a Professor of
If you needed a campaigner, Frances Goodrum is exactly the kind of person you would want on your side. Personable, articulate and accomplished, she would, without a doubt, get the job done and get it done right. So, as conservationists, we’re lucky that early on she chose to pursue a different path to her training
Have you ever had a BIG idea that grabbed your attention and got you excited? And if you have, did you know how to start turning your idea into reality? Todays’ guest is a career switcher doing just this. Tara Phillips is a Ted-X speaker coach who is developing an exciting idea to start an
