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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
In the realm of nature conservation, few individuals possess the dedication and passion exhibited by Maggie Muurmans, a lecturer that teaches on the Master of Conservation Biology at the University of Queensland, Australia. Aside from teaching and pursuing a PhD in community engagement, Maggie is also the co-founder of the NGO Ocean Connect based on
Last year, Sir David Attenborough said that saving the planet is now a communications challenge. And within conservation there is a growing realisation that we need to do much more to share our messages, to encourage more support and action. As a result, conservation employers are rapidly looking for people with communications skills. They want
Conflicts between humans and wildlife are very common in Africa. These conflicts will most likely increase due to the growth of the human population. By 2050, the human population of Africa is expected to double in size, resulting in an ever-increasing need for space to grow food and built houses. The expansion of human civilization
Would you like to receive a grant to support your conservation projects as well as gain opportunities to build connections with peers, access expert mentorship and participate in training courses? The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) – a 35 year-old capacity-building partnership between BirdLife International, Fauna & Flora International and the Wildlife Conservation Society – will
Start your career in wildlife conservation with our unique programme of training, support community & jobs. Do you want to spend your career helping wildlife to flourish, but are feeling a little lost, confused or disillusioned? If you’re a student, job-seeker or career-switcher, getting started as a professional conservationist can be hard. But what if you
Transform your career by learning to speak like a TEDTalker, for greater confidence, employability and conservation impact. Do you worry about public speaking? When you speak in meetings, conferences, or interviews – large and small – do you sometimes feel: Anxious about making a good impression? Maybe you want to be seen as capable or credible
“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.
Dr. Anne Savage didn’t plan to spend 40 years studying and trying to save the Cotton-top Tamarin in Colombia. After studying cotton-tops as a graduate student, she found that mobilizing communities was the only way to reverse forces leading to extinction and she helped found Proyecto Titi, a non-profit now run by Colombians. Here she
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
To master… or not to master? If you’re starting or switching your career into conservation, we know it can be a tough question! That’s why we’ve created this ultimate guide with information, answers and advice to help guide you through your decision. Download your copy to get started!
After over a decade leading efforts to protect Argentina’s wild cats, Dr Erica Cuyckens, Assistant Researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) in Argentina, describes her recent career change to focus on the conservation of queñoa trees – and why she has no regrets. Migrating from Belgium to Argentina as an exchange
We’re excited to announce that enrollment is OPEN for all our courses at Conservation Careers, and we’re offering 33% discounts for early sign-ups. If you choose to sign up early, not only will you secure your special discount, you’ll also enjoy instant access to over 1,000 live jobs listed on Conservation Careers. So don’t hang
Could a single moment change the entire course of your conservation career? At Conservation Careers, we often talk about what steps to take for a successful career helping wildlife. In this episode we switch things up and reflect back on pivotal moments that changed our careers for the better. Joining our host Dr Nick Askew
Professor Amy Dickman is a conservation biologist at the University of Oxford who was recently appointed as the new Director of the University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU). Amy has a particular interest in resolving conflict between humans and large carnivores, and has spent many years working alongside communities in Africa to consider solutions which
The media is full of images and stories of the wonderful side of conservation, including field work, research, travel, being outdoors and working closely with wildlife. But what is working in conservation really like? Joining our host Dr Nick Askew is Head of Community, Dr Fernando Mateos-González – or Nando he’s often known – and
Getting started can be hard. Don’t go it alone. Start your career in wildlife conservation with our unique programme of training, support community & jobs!
With limited time available, and a need to have purpose and impact through our careers, how do we get the right things done well? How we choose tasks, organise our time and keep on top of busy email inboxes? Turns out saving the planet needs some serious time and task management! Joining our host Dr
Dr Fabiola Quesada is a veterinarian and wildlife conservationist based in South Africa. As the CEO of Wild Spirit and co-founder of Wild Spirit Fund, Fabiola used her veterinary background to pave the way for veterinarians interested in wildlife conservation. Read more to hear about Fabiola’s work with Masai tribes, her life as an entrepreneur
Getting experience – whether volunteering, interning or even starting your own project – can do a lot for you in the early stages of your career. It can help you understand yourself, test drive different options, grow your network, demonstrate your passion and commitment to prospective employers, build your skillset and make you more employable.
Christin is one of those rare people in life who you feel totally humbled and awed by, but, in equal measures, she is so down to earth and relatable that you feel that you could easily follow her footsteps into conservation with the right mindset and passion – although she will convince you to seek
Do you have the right skills and experience but you’re struggling to land an interview? Are you unsure how to showcase your skills as a student, graduate or career switcher? Do you feel hopeless or alone in your job search? We know that conservation can be a very competitive sector and that knowing how to
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
