Interviews Scientist September 7, 2023 14 min read

Primates and family ties: Working with our closest relatives

In the world of primate research, few scientists get the opportunity to research both Chimps and Bonobos (our least studied close relative) in the wild. Here researchers Miguel Adán Pascual and Daiane Galdino talk about their incredible field experiences in the African forests. They also discuss finding fieldwork opportunities together as a couple, as well

Claire Tyrrell
Interviews Animal Welfare September 4, 2023 9 min read

Campaigning for wildlife and conservation with Frances Goodrum from the International Fund for Animal Welfare

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

Jennifer von Broembsen

Taking down the wildlife traffickers – Activism, innovation and courage in conservation

Listening to activist Ofir Drori speak, it is impossible not to be energised by the strength of his passion and determination when discussing his work. Back in 2002 he founded West and Central Africa’s first anti-corruption and wildlife law enforcement NGO, and within seven months his dedicated team of volunteer activists had achieved the region’s

Claire Tyrrell
Scientist Interviews August 21, 2023 6 min read

“Bird Is the word”: An interview with British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist and diversity activist Dr. Mya-Rose Craig AKA “Birdgirl”

“You can’t care about what you don’t know about.” Ornithologist, environmentalist, diversity activist as well as an author, speaker and broadcaster Mya-Rose has certainly had an amazing career. Not only has she had many accomplishments, but she was by the age of 17 the youngest person in the world to see half of the world’s

Ryan Eddowes
Interviews Economist August 17, 2023 7 min read

The intersection of commerce and conservation

“If we want to conserve wildlife, maybe we need to eat it.” This is a surprising and provocative statement to my ears, but perfectly logical to Francis Vorhies, a Conservation Economist of more than three decades. Having worked in multiple countries, from private enterprises to NGOs and international agencies including the International Union for Conservation

marie@redthreadcomms.net' Marie Conroy
Interviews Community Conservation August 2, 2023 8 min read

The power of community: A journey in nature conservation with Maggie Muurmans

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

Fedra Herman
Early Years Interviews July 24, 2023 8 min read

Five takeaways from my conservation internship

“I never thought I’d ever have a role in the environmental sector, but now I have a range of new skills and a much greater understanding of the state of the natural world.” Jessica Birabil came to Synchronicity Earth originally on a paid two-week work experience placement through our partner Voyage Youth. Her enthusiasm to

Dr Nick Askew
Interviews Animal Welfare July 20, 2023 6 min read

A career journey into the wildlife trade: An interview with Lindsey Harris from Fauna & Flora

Lindsey Harris is the Head of Wildlife Trade at Fauna & Flora, a wildlife conservation charity which works with partners in over 40 countries to preserve habitats, protect endangered species and improve the livelihoods of local communities. She is the ultimate career switcher, identifying the aspects of jobs she enjoys most early on and expertly

Jennifer von Broembsen
Interviews Senior Level July 5, 2023 8 min read

Working in penguin conservation with ecologist and wildlife educator Katie Propp

Katie Propp is an ecologist and wildlife educator, currently working as the Conservation Education Director at Penguins International. With 18 years of experience in the field of wildlife conservation, Katie shares her tips and tricks in delivering effective science communication, as well as her advice for landing your very own dream job with wildlife. Katie’s

Susie Stockwell
Interviews Restoration & Rewilding July 3, 2023 8 min read

How do you find your holy grail in conservation? Advice from re-wilding and carnivore conservationist Dr David Mills

Originally from Michigan, USA, David Mills has had a long relationship with Africa and mammalian carnivores since the 2000s. He started his conservation career in 2002, volunteering and working with cheetahs, leopards, and human wildlife conflict. Years later, for his PhD, David studied African golden cats in Uganda, a species which no one had studied,

Giuliana Vomero
Interviews June 15, 2023 8 min read

Calling all aspiring conservationists! An interview with environmental recruiter Paul Gosling

“Some of the choices that you make are conscious and pre-planned. Very often, they’re by happenstance, and it’s taking advantage of those opportunities when they come through.” Paul Gosling is a specialist environment and sustainability recruiter with over 25 years of experience. He currently works as the National Director for Sustainability at Hays recruitment company,

Jasmine Santilhano
Wildlife Carer Podcasts June 13, 2023 2 min read

Podcast | Dr Malcolm McAdie | Wildlife Veterinarian

Can you picture yourself rescuing, rehabilitating or even releasing individuals from a Critically Endangered species in the wild? Or translocating wolves from Canada to be released in Yellowstone National Park in the US? Those are just two examples of the work of Dr. Malcolm McAdie, a Canadian wildlife veterinarian who’s worked with species such as

Dr Nick Askew
Interviews Scientist June 7, 2023 9 min read

Banding together for Cuban bird research with Daniela Ventura

Daniela Ventura is a Caribbean wildlife biologist and bird bander based in Havana, Cuba. Fascinated by nature from a young age, Daniela started studying biology at the University of Havana as soon as she finished high school. She continues to work there since her graduation as both a biology lecturer and bird research scientist. Daniela

Susie Stockwell

Enthusiastic workers needed in environmental restoration, says Finnish entrepreneur

Janne Raassina is an entrepreneur focusing on environmental restoration in Eastern Finland. He has a background in forestry and he focuses on restoring landscapes and water systems, such as rivers and lakes, into a more natural state. There’s been an explosion of new projects in the field of environmental restoration in recent years, with newfound

Minttu Hänninen
Interviews Scientist May 26, 2023 11 min read

A deep dive into working in marine conservation with Kate Sheridan

Originally from the UK, Kate Sheridan is a conservation biologist and scuba diver, living and working in the Maldives for a coral restoration and research project, Reefscapers. Although everyday life looks like a tropical dream – marine conservation set in island paradise – we discuss some of the hardships of creating a long-term career in

Susie Stockwell
Podcasts Senior Level May 15, 2023 2 min read

Stella Diamant | The Madagascar Whale Shark Project

Stella Diamant is a passionate conservation biologist who founded the Madagascar Whale Shark Project, introduced a code of conduct for Whale Shark tourism, initiated an environmental education programme for Malagasy youth, and has identified almost 500 individual Whale Sharks.   She’s now working in collaboration with other NGOs and has helped ensure the code of conduct

Dr Nick Askew
Interviews Scientist May 10, 2023 8 min read

Working in Brazilian wildcat conservation with Flavia Tirelli

Flavia Tirelli is a Brazilian research scientist and conservationist focused on mammalian carnivores especially small wildcats. After completing her Masters at Federal University of Rio Grande o Sul (UFRGS) and her PhD at the private university (PUCRS) in Brazil, Flavia continues to follow her passion by monitoring wildcats and addressing issues of human-wildlife conflict that

Susie Stockwell
Scientist Animal Welfare May 2, 2023 2 min read

Podcast | The Power of Communications for Conservationists

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

Dr Nick Askew

Raising awareness through communications: An interview with Barbara Arizaga of the Galápagos Conservancy

Barbara Arizaga is the Director of Communications for the Galápagos Conservancy, an organization based out of the beautiful town of Puerto Ayora in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. The Galápagos Conservancy is committed to protecting one of the world’s most unique island chains and the animals that inhabit them, such as the critically endangered Pink Land

Lisa Mills
Interviews Organisational Manager April 12, 2023 7 min read

Save the Fourways Bushbabies – An interview with bushbaby conservationist Surita Volland

Surita Volland is a bushbaby enthusiast and, on top of her regular job at Johannesburg airport, the founder of Save the Fourways Bushbabies. This small-scale NPO in Johannesburg, South Africa, is working to save the Fourways land corridor from commercial development – a corridor that the bushbabies have made their home. Read on to hear

Jasmine Santilhano
Interviews Senior Level April 10, 2023 9 min read

Habitat conservation in the British Virgin Islands with Nancy Pascoe

The beautiful British Virgin Islands (BVI) are a chain of more than fifty volcanic islands between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The country is home to a huge variety of rare plant and wildlife species. Nancy Pascoe, Deputy Director for Science, Research and Environmental Policy at the National Parks Trust of the

Sophie Blackman
Interviews Senior Level March 31, 2023 6 min read

Where the environment meets economics: An interview with Jetske Bouma

Jetske Bouma is a Dutch environmental economist working for PBL, the Environmental Assessment Agency the Netherlands (Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving). With over twenty years of experience in research and policy evaluation in this field, Jetske has worked internationally on important environmental economic projects from Costa Rica to India. As a teenager wanting to make a

Natalie Cru
Interviews Communicator March 29, 2023 7 min read

Combining your passions | Conservation art and filmmaking with Alicia Hayden, Illustrator and Junior Researcher at the BBC Natural History Unit

Alicia Hayden is a UK-based wildlife artist, filmmaker, animator, writer, and photographer. She has a degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Oxford and a master’s degree in Wildlife Filmmaking from the University of the West of England. Alicia currently works as an Illustrator and Junior Researcher for the BBC Natural History Unit in

Dr Nick Askew
Interviews Ecotourism March 29, 2023 9 min read

Funding for an ecolodge | An interview with Rowens Cristancho of Conservation Allies

Are you an NGO seeking to build or expand an ecolodge? Apply here for USD $50,000 in funding until 15th April 2023 Rowens Cristancho is a Latin American conservation officer working for the small, non-profit organisation, Conservation Allies (CA). Their mission is to help local NGOs across the globe maximise funding by eliminating the administrative

Danielle Hutton