What role do zoos play in conservation, why is diversity important and how can you get upskilled to have more impact?  We discuss these topics in front of an audience from within our CC Pro community on today’s podcast with Dr Helen Gath from the Durrell Conservation Academy.  Helen is a conservation ecologist passionate about enthusing others to protect the natural world. She holds a PhD on the Mauritius Echo parakeet and in her role as Conservation Training Officer enjoys collaborating with world-leading conservation practitioners to facilitate and deliver a wide range of training ..read more

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 is being added to Malagasy law, and will soon be compulsory for all operators across Madagascar interacting with marine megafauna.   An old friend of CC, Stella talks candidly about her insights from her experien ..read more

In this episode we’re speaking with Lucy Standing, who’s the Co-Founder of Brave Starts which offers career change and start-up business programmes to help people over 50 lead more purposeful lives.  Lucy talks openly about the challenges mature people face in their careers and within the workplace.  We discuss why age is being ignored in discussions about diversity and inclusion, and what can be done about it.  We cover a lot of really fascinating ground in this podchat, from her views of career advice to reforms needed in recruitment, to practical steps and advice for peo ..read more

Today we’re speaking with ocean writer and PR freelancer Melissa Hobson.  Mel is passionate about communicating how we can all make a difference for the marine environment, our planet and people’s lives.  She’s a certified scuba diver and has worked in PR for over a decade – at first outside of conservation and then more recently turning her considerable talents towards helping wildlife to flourish.  During our chat we talk about her work in PR and writing and she shares tips on how to be a freelancer in conservation, win clients and craft messages that work.  We also discu ..read more

  Today we’re speaking with Valérie D'Hoedt Meyer, who is the Director of the IUCN Academy.  Launched in September 2021, the IUCN Academy seeks to harness expertise from within the International Union for Conservation of Nature network to provide training for those seeking to make a meaningful contribution to the dynamic world of conservation.   The IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations, and in the podcast we discuss what exactly it is and how it works.   We then talk about the IUCN Academy, before Val ..read more

If you’re interested in conservation, then you’ve probably heard the term rewilding.  Over the past decade or so it has represented a growing movement within the industry to restore nature back to its former glory. Sometimes involving reintroducing long-lost species back into landscapes.   One of the organisations involved in the movement is Citizen Zoo – a young UK charity dedicated to rewilding, made up of a passionate team and volunteers around the country working to restore nature and help species and habitats thrive.  Today we’re speaking to Ben Stockwell, Senior Rewilding ..read more

Are you keen to switch your career into conservation in 2023? Perhaps you’re feeling a little stuck in a job you’re not fully happy with, and you want to follow your passion and help wildlife to flourish as your day job. Well, today I want to show you that this is possible by sharing the inspiring success stories of four amazing ladies who switched their careers into conservation in 2022 with our support. In a minute you’re going to hear a recording of a live event we did win collaboration with my co-host, and all round good egg, Ebony Escalona from Vets Stay Go Diversify. During the webinar w ..read more

What will 2023 have in store for you? Today I'm launching a five-day New Year / New Career challenge to unlock your ideas and help guide you in 2023. It could really change your life. Are you ready ..read more

Welcome to our final podcast episode of 2022! As we look ahead to a new year, we're reflecting on what we loved about 2022, and what we're excited about in 2023. Joining our host Dr Nick Askew is Head of Community, Dr Fernando Mateos-González - or Nando he’s often known - and Head of Engagement Kristi Foster, who together have nearly 50 years' experience working in the conservation sector. We're also good friends as well as colleagues :) Together we explore our favourite moments from 2022, the power of community, inspiring career switch success stories, our dream podcast guest list, our dream ..read more

Rewilding and restoration is an increasingly exciting and popular area of conservation. Whereby land is returned to a more natural state in a bid to let natural processes thrive once more. There are numerous examples of it working quickly and really well - species returning in a matter of years - but have you heard of anyone rewilding a desert before? Today we’re speaking with someone who’s leading a huge team seeking to restore 20,000 sq km of Saudi Arabia to ultimately allow Arabian Leopards to roam free in the near future, whilst also creating a thriving tourist economy. Dr Stephen Browne i ..read more