Interviews Senior Level October 29, 2018 7 min read

Ian Drysdale | Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative

The Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative encourages dialogue and collaboration to strengthen efforts to protect the Mesoamerican Reef. Ian Drysdale is the Honduras Coordinator of the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, responsible for data collection and training, as well as partner relations, media and outreach efforts in Honduras. In this interview, Ian talks about

Rachel Gunn
Interviews Senior Level October 11, 2018 6 min read

Blue Ventures | Community-based Conservation

It all started with octopuses… In southern Madagascar, the community of Vezo became concerned that their fisheries were in decline. Blue Ventures, an award-winning marine conservation organisation stepped in and supported temporary closures of fishing zones, as a result, octopus landings increased dramatically, and local incomes grew. News soon spread and Blue Ventures introduced the Locally

Catherine Hunter
Interviews Senior Level September 10, 2018 6 min read

Frances Humber | Blue Ventures

After working over 12 years for Blue Ventures, an NGO that focuses on rebuilding tropical fisheries with coastal communities, Frances Humber has dedicated her entire professional career to non-profit and social enterprises and has a wealth of experience in marine conservation. I was fortunate enough to speak with Fran about how she developed from a

Sam Knowles
Interviews Senior Level September 2, 2018 5 min read

Karen Mitchell | Conservation Communications and Fundraising

Karen Mitchell is the Relationships Manager for Trees for Life, a re-wilding charity based in Scotland. She is passionate about conservation communications and fundraising; getting the message out and raising support. She told Conservation Careers how to get your foot in the door, and key ways to make an impact… Starting out in conservation communications

Kathleen Retourne
Interviews Senior Level August 24, 2018 11 min read

David Hancocks | The Paradoxical World of Zoos

Renowned zoo architect, director and consultant, David Hancocks, has long provided controversial yet credible commentary on the captive animal industry. Having authored ‘Animals and Architecture’ and ‘A Different Nature: The Paradoxical World of Zoos and Their Uncertain Future’, in addition to other works, he is currently heavily engaged in writing a new book but was

Patrick Pester

Shannon Wild | Wildlife Photographer

Shannon Wild is an Australian wildlife photographer and passionate conservationist. She has worked all over the World, capturing the beauty and diversity of wildlife on Earth. In the interview below I ask for her advice and knowledge on the industry… What is your current job title/role?  I am a wildlife photographer and cinematographer.  How did you

Demi McCollum
Interviews Scientist August 7, 2018 8 min read

Dr Charlie Gardner | Conservation Scientist

Interdisciplinary conservation scientist Dr Charlie Gardner holds a portfolio type career. With much of his work focussed on Madagascar, he has held various roles from Field Biologist to Consultant and Scientific Advisor for organisations such as WWF and has also been increasingly involved in communicating conservation as a Researcher and Guide for the BBC, Specialist

Patrick Pester
Interviews Senior Level July 23, 2018 6 min read

Megan Rowland | What it takes to be a Deer Manager in Scotland?

Anyone with a passion for wildlife and the land probably looks at the bounty of the Scottish Highlands in awe, I know I do. As a deer lover, I specifically wanted to find out more about a deer management career, so spoke with Land and Deer Manager (and blogger), Megan Rowland (Wayfaring Hind), about her

Sophie May Watts
Interviews Senior Level July 12, 2018 7 min read

Niall McCann | The front-line of conservation with National Park Rescue

Niall McCann has had a whirlwind of a career. When researching his background prior to our interview, there were so many different aspects to consider that I could have chatted with him for hours! He’s been on multiple expeditions, completed a PhD, filmed documentaries, and even broken his back whilst speed flying; there’s no denying

c.a.chivers@hotmail.com' Charlotte-Anne Chivers
Interviews Senior Level July 11, 2018 5 min read

Conservation Crisis | New game app now in stores

Step into the shoes of a conservationist tasked with saving an endangered species from extinction in Conservation Crisis, a game with a purpose where you play to save wildlife. It is a lesson in real-world conservation efforts, requiring you to think quickly and develop the right strategies to save a species from extinction. Tunza Games,

Dr Nick Askew
Interviews Scientist July 9, 2018 9 min read

Dr Valeria Boron | WWF Brazilian Amazon Conservationist

Dr Valeria Boron is a conservation scientist who is passionate and committed to wild cat conservation. Starting off volunteering with ocelots in Bolivia to studying jaguars for her PhD, Valeria is now Regional Manager (Brazilian Amazon) for WWF UK where along with her other responsibilities she continues to be involved with jaguar conservation. Due to

Caitlin Wilkinson
Interviews Senior Level July 9, 2018 4 min read

Moses Muthoki | Community-based Conservation

During my recent visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya I met Moses Muthoki, the head of community development. Community-based conservation is huge part of the work of the conservancy. Here Moses shares his experiences and career advice for those wishing to follow his footsteps and work in community-based conservation… Moses’ role as head of

Catherine Hunter
Interviews Senior Level July 3, 2018 12 min read

James Lowen | Wildlife Photographer, Author & Travel Guide

I spoke with James Lowen. Nature Lover, Author, Wildlife Photographer, Travel Guide amongst other things. I asked him about his love of nature and where it all began, his writing and photography and what advice he could give people… What first got you interested in nature and did you consider when you were younger that

Stephen Thompson
Interviews Communicator June 28, 2018 6 min read

Claire Thompson | Mindfulness and the Natural World

Claire Thompson is author of ‘Mindfulness and the Natural World’ and has dedicated her career to the protection of our natural world. She has worked World Land Trust and BirdLife International. Here she speaks to Conservation Careers about her career and the importance of reconnecting to the natural world through mindfulness, meditation, yoga and Buddhism… Why do you

Dr Nick Askew
Interviews Senior Level June 22, 2018 4 min read

Samuel Mutisya | Tearing up the conservation rule book

Ol Pejeta Conservancy, located in Northern Kenya is home to the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, the last two remaining northern white rhino, a thriving wildlife community, thousands of domestic cattle, eco-tourism and many community projects. Ol Pejeta is tearing up the rule book of traditional conservation and combining conservation, community development, livestock

Catherine Hunter
Interviews Senior Level June 7, 2018 10 min read

Richard Thomas | TRAFFIC’s Global Communications Co-ordinator

Richard Thomas is responsible for all the outputs of TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, a leading NGO working globally to combat illegal / unsustainable trade in animals and plants. All information they pass into the public domain and to many of their donors goes through Richard and he also oversees updates to the website

Patrick Pester
Interviews Senior Level June 4, 2018 8 min read

Dr Kerry Kriger | Sweeping in to Save The Frogs

Dr Kerry Kriger is the Founder and Executive Director of Save The Frogs. This USA based charity is on a mission to protect amphibian populations and promote a society that respects and appreciates nature and wildlife. For the last 10 years, their staff and volunteers have created over 2000 educational programs in 57 countries. They

Hiral Naik
Interviews Scientist May 31, 2018 9 min read

Working with Save the Elephants (and landing a dream conservation job)

Lydia Tiller works for Save the Elephants and is the Research and Science Manager for their Human-Elephant Co-Existence Program. Save the Elephants are working to preserve vital migration corridors, maintain elephant-friendly landscapes and promote tolerant relationships between elephant and man. There is an increase in pressure on elephants due to the rising human footprint thus

Caitlin Wilkinson
Interviews Scientist April 16, 2018 3 min read

Trouble in Paradise: Advice and insight from Victor Bonito on saving reefs in Fiji

Director and head scientist for Reef Explorer (Fiji) Ltd, Victor Bonito has traveled the globe studying and exploring reefs including throughout Micronesia and U.S. Pacific Territories, Southeast Asia, Hawaii and Madagascar – and of course, Fiji.  Conservation Careers fishes for career advice for anyone ‘cray-sea’ about marine conservation.  The worlds’ reefs are in deep trouble, but

Paige Winslade
Interviews Senior Level April 5, 2018 8 min read

Beach Babies, Marine Invaders and Enthusiasm!

‘Capturing our Coast’ (CoCoast) is an ongoing citizen science project aiming to discover more about the species that live in our seas and how we can protect them. CoCoast believes that the responsibility for protecting our seas and wonderful marine biodiversity belongs to all of us. Here, I speak to Dr Siobhan Vye, project officer,

Rachel Gunn
Interviews Senior Level March 21, 2018 9 min read

Communicating the wonders of the natural world with Stephen Moss

“My passion is to communicate the wonders of the natural world to the widest possible audience”, said Stephen Moss, one of Britain’s leading nature writers, broadcasters and TV producers. He shares my passion of communicating the wonders of the natural world to people of any age wherever they might be. I talked to Stephen and asked

Stephen Thompson
Interviews Senior Level March 21, 2018 5 min read

Insight into the NGO path of Conservation with Sophie Lewis

Sophie Lewis is the Responsible Whale Watching Project Manager at the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA). The WCA is a global coalition of organisations dedicated to the protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises across the world. Here, Sophie discusses her career path and gives advice on how she ended up working for this wonderful organisation. Why

Caitlin Wilkinson
Interviews Senior Level March 15, 2018 5 min read

John Burton – A lifetime working in conservation

Founder of the World Land Trust, a charity which has been running for nearly 30 years; more than a decade as Chief Executive of Fauna & Flora International; and an experienced natural history writer and editor, John has spent his whole life immersed in the natural world and conservation. I spoke to him about his

Alice Johnson
Senior Level Communicator March 7, 2018 5 min read

Communication and Conservation: an interview with Lexie Beach, Communication Coordinator of Sea Turtle Conservancy

Lexie Beach is the Communication Coordinator with Sea Turtle Conservancy, the world’s oldest sea turtle research and conservation group. For nearly 60 years, Sea Turtle Conservancy has worked to protect and conserve sea turtles and their habitats from extinction through research, education, and advocacy. Conservation Careers chats with Lexie about her role with Sea Turtle

Amber Zinser
Interviews Senior Level March 6, 2018 5 min read

Grant Applications, and Tigers, and Bears

Oh My! Advice from Panthera’s Dr Wai-Ming Wong on producing a strong grant application. If you love your cats big (and small) then you’ll likely have heard of Panthera, an organization dedicated to the conservation of wild cats of the world. Panthera aims to secure a future for these majestic animals through scientific research and

Sophie May Watts