Interviews Project Manager November 5, 2024 6 min read

Conservation tech: Finding footing in a new landscape

Dhanushri “Dhanu” Munasinghe courageously navigated a transition from a Quality Assurance Auditor in the Oil and Gas industry to a Conservation Program Manager at Conservation International. Her non-linear journey into conservation exemplifies how her openness to ask for help, strength to keep going and commitment to nature helped her stay on the right track. To

Laura Hayter
Interviews Communicator October 28, 2024 7 min read

Navigating the intersection of literature, conservation and fundraising

Anne Broeksma is a unique figure, who stands at the crossroads of literature, conservation and fundraising. She’s one of the co-founders of Environmental Grants, a freelance fundraiser, a poet and a writer. Her fundraising work has spanned support for museums, nature organisations and conservation initiatives. First publishing poetry she is also now a published author. Her most recent

Luke Clark
Founders Desk Careers Advice October 13, 2024 4 min read

How to stay connected with the impact of our work?

As conservationists, we all want to know that our efforts are making a difference. We want to feel confident that our work is helping to save species and restore habitats. In the early stages of our conservation careers, this sense of purpose often drives us. It’s usually easy to see a direct link between our

Dr Nick Askew
Scientist Podcasts October 8, 2024 2 min read

Podcast | Snakes, rainforests and rock ‘n’ roll | Romulus Whitaker

Today’s guest is Romulus Whitaker, a renowned herpetologist and conservationist often referred to as the “Snake Man of India.” Romulus shares his lifelong passion for snakes, conservation and the incredible biodiversity of India’s rainforests. In this episode, we discuss what drew Romulus to snakes, especially the King Cobra, his experiences in the rainforest, and the

Dr Nick Askew
Interviews Communicator October 3, 2024 10 min read

Turning pixels into purpose | How Josh Dykgraaf uses art to inspire conservation

Josh Dykgraaf is a visionary artist renowned for his breathtaking creations, where he masterfully layers and manipulates images in Photoshop to reveal the beauty and fragility of the natural world. His incredible artwork in his collection “Terraform” highlights species who need our help. For those passionate about art and conservation, this interview offers a window

RosieDowsett
Interviews Organisational Manager September 30, 2024 8 min read

How to work in Pangolin conservation with Kelsey Prediger

Kelsey Prediger is a passionate wildlife biologist who works in Namibia to conserve Pangolins. Originally from Michigan, USA, Kelsey followed her passion to make a meaningful impact for wildlife conservation with an unexpected career pathway shifting from veterinary medicine to wildlife management. She moved halfway around the world and her adventures led her to jump

Susie Stockwell
Interviews Scientist September 23, 2024 8 min read

Extreme conservation: Dr Sandra Lai’s mission to safeguard nature’s last frontiers

What drives someone to the most remote corners of the Earth in pursuit of wildlife conservation? For Dr Sandra Lai, it’s a profound dedication to understanding and protecting our planet’s most vulnerable species. In this article, we dive into Sandra’s remarkable career journey. Discover how Sandra’s unique experiences and insights can offer valuable lessons for

Stephanie Nicolaides
Webinars Careers Advice September 19, 2024 3 min read

Webinar | Certificate in Conservation Standards Project Management and Design

Would you like to create better conservation impact during your career? The ability to design and implement projects to better protect species, habitats and sites is key to success within conservation. But only a small proportion of professional conservationists are formally trained in these essential skills. A well-designed and adaptively managed project can make a

Dr Nick Askew
Founders Desk Careers Advice September 13, 2024 3 min read

Why do VALUES matter in conservation?

I’ve worked for many conservation organisations during my career, and they’ve all had mission, vision and value statements. Based on these, long-term strategies were developed and programmes were created. The problem was, at the time, I failed to see the relevance of most of it. I felt so much time was being wasted on these

Dr Nick Askew
Interviews Scientist September 10, 2024 7 min read

Unveiling the mysteries of the Ethiopian Wolf: An in-depth look at Dr. Sandra Lai’s expedition into the heart of conservation

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

Stephanie Nicolaides
Podcasts Careers Advice September 9, 2024 2 min read

Podcast | Felix Cybulla | Conservation Standards Trainer

A key to success within conservation is the ability to design high-quality projects to protect species, habitats and sites. But only a small proportion of professional conservationists are formally trained in the essential skills of project design and management. With limited time and money available within the sector, it’s no surprise that employers are increasingly

Dr Nick Askew
Podcasts Project Manager August 22, 2024 2 min read

Podcast | Inspiring young conservation leaders | Becky Park

Becky Park is the Programme Manager for the Osprey Leadership Foundation. They work to inspire young people about the natural world and to help them to develop into conservation leaders who can make a real difference, at both a grassroots and international level. We discuss the foundation’s origins, its mission in conservation and leadership training,

Dr Nick Askew
Podcasts Careers Advice August 18, 2024 2 min read

Podcast | “Fundraising turns dreams into reality” – Dr Kate Evans, Elephants for Africa

In this episode we’re speaking with Dr Kate Evans – Founder and Director of Elephants for Africa. She is an award-winning behavioural ecologist and conservation biologist, with over 25 years of experience in running wildlife research and conservation projects. Since establishing the charity Elephants for Africa in 2007, Kate has been responsible for funding their

Dr Nick Askew
Careers Advice Fundraiser August 17, 2024 3 min read

How I raised $2,947,392 for conservation (and you can, too!)

As a fundraiser I could feel my impact. If you want to have an impact as a conservationist, you need fundraising skills in order to turn your ideas into reality. With 88% of professional conservationists reliant on donor funding for their work, the more fundraising skills you have, the more wildlife you’ll help to save.

Nick Askew
Podcasts Senior Level August 14, 2024 3 min read

Podcast | How to raise more funding for wildlife conservation with David Goldman from the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife

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

Dr Nick Askew
Founders Desk Careers Advice August 13, 2024 2 min read

Saving the world on spare change isn’t enough.

Despite the growth and professionalisation in conservation charities – with improved marketing, communications, project management and fundraising activities – we need other sectors to quickly join the race to save the planet. And they better have deeper pockets and be able to act fast. So who is the likely candidate for impact expansion? For me,

Dr Nick Askew
Careers Advice Fundraiser August 11, 2024 5 min read

Get inspired! Conservation funding success stories

Did you know that 88% of conservationists rely on fundraising? In a sector dominated by charities, the majority of conservation projects are funded by donors. These can include large grants secured from governments and foundations to smaller donations via public campaigns, appeals, events and membership drives. Whether it’s conserving frogs in Ghana, or reintroducing Bears

Dr Nick Askew

Playing for the development team: Career advice from Gui Proença, nonprofit fundraiser

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

Giuliana Vomero
Podcasts Careers Advice August 5, 2024 2 min read

Podcast | Elena Zurli from Environmental Grants

To have an impact as a conservationist, you need fundraising skills in order to turn your ideas into reality.  In a sector dominated by charities, the majority of conservation projects are therefore funded by donors, who provide an estimated 90 billion pounds in funding each year.  These include large grants secured from governments, foundations and

Dr Nick Askew
Climate Change Podcasts August 5, 2024 2 min read

Podcast | Jade Brudenell | Conservation Collective

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

Dr Nick Askew

Podcast | From Navy to conservation diversity leader | Taurean Meacham

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.

Dr Nick Askew
Scientist Interviews July 21, 2024 6 min read

Tips for walking your own path in wildlife conservation with Kayla Zoon

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

Susie Stockwell
Founders Desk Careers Advice July 13, 2024 3 min read

It’s time to stop using CVs, Resumes and Cover Letters

Earlier this week we ran a training event for 400+ people on how to apply for conservation jobs. During the live event, we walked through our tried and tested approach to crafting CVs, Resumes and cover letters which significantly increase the chances of landing an interview. We chose to run the event for three reasons:

Dr Nick Askew