Conservation Cast

Maya speaks with Dr. Michael Dobbins, a quantitative ecologist and professor at UC Davis who studies a range of species from sharks to jaguars.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Dr. Michael Dobbins about the work that is done at T.R.E.E.S which is a research center in Belize. The two reminisced about their trip to Belize and the species that they observed, along with the species that reside in Belize which they were not able to observe. Maya and Dobbins also played animal Pictionary against each other to give the viewers the opportunity to donate additional funds to the cause. The donations raised were sent to T.R.E.E.S, an organization dedicated to conserving Belize’s natural and cultural heritage through education, income-generating conservation-based community projects, capacity building, and local and international networking.

T.R.E.E.S

Maya’s community raised $1050 for T.R.E.E.S, an organization dedicated to conserving Belize’s natural and cultural heritage through education, income-generating conservation-based community projects, capacity building, and local and international networking.

Maya speaks with Clayton Pilbro, the founder of Aye-aye Conservation which is an organization that engages in public education and research collaboration to promote the conservation of aye-ayes.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Clayton Pilbro about the threats that aye-ayes face such as habitat loss, human-animal conflict, and superstitions associated with aye-ayes that are shared by local communities. Clayton answered viewer questions about special adaptations that this primate has evolved to survive in Madagascar. The donations raised were sent to Aye-aye Conservation, an organization that engages in public education and research collaboration to promote the conservation of aye-ayes.

Aye-Aye Conservation

Maya’s community raised $1005 for Aye-aye Conservation, an organization that engages in public education and research collaboration to promote the conservation of aye-ayes.

Maya speaks with William Sorley, an educator for Monarch Nation which is an organization that helps connect youth with wildlife and conservation using hands-on education methods.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with William Sorley about common misconceptions about butterflies and utilized a USB microscope to show phases of metamorphosis up close. William educated viewers about how climate change and habitat loss is detrimental to butterfly populations. The two also discussed what viewers can do to help Monarch butterfly populations. The donations raised were sent to David Suzuki Foundation, an organization that strives to restore habitat for monarch butterflies by planting native plants in residential neighborhoods.

David Suzuki Foundation

Maya’s community raised $643 for the David Suzuki Foundation, an organization that strives to restore habitat for monarch butterflies by planting native plants in residential neighborhoods.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Dr. Dani Rabaiotti, a postdoctoral researcher at the Zoological Society of London who studies the impacts of climate change on African Wild Dogs. Dani discussed the threats that African Wild Dogs face, including habitat loss, climate change, and human-animal conflict. The two also discussed how Dani came to be an author and her success with the books “Does it Fart?” as well as the sequels: “True or Poo?” and “Believe it or Snot.” The donations raised were sent to the Zoological Society of London, an international conservation charity that supports field conservation and public engagement through their two zoos: the Whipsnade Zoo and the London Zoo.

Zoological Society of London

Maya’s community raised $960 for the Zoological Society of London, an international conservation charity that supports field conservation and public engagement through their two zoos: the Whipsnade Zoo and the London Zoo.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Dr. Sebastian Alejandro Echeverri, a science communicator with a Ph.D. in visual ecology who studies spiders and other arachnids. The two discussed Sebastian’s journey as a grad student and how he fell in love with spiders. Sebastian discussed commonly held myths about spiders, arachnophobia, and his research about the complex relationship between spiders’ eyes and how they use color, shape, and movement to communicate. The donations from the podcast were directed at Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, an international nonprofit that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.

Maya’s community raised $1,400 for Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, an international nonprofit that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Dustin Growick, a science communicator and museum consultant who is dedicated to spreading enthusiasm and knowledge about dinosaurs. Dustin shared commonly held myths about dinosaurs and shared some of his favorite images of dinosaurs, teaching the audience about interesting dinosaur species and their adaptations. The donations from the podcast went toward supporting Dustin’s Youtube Series: Dinosaur 101. This series was created to promote engagement in sciences, starting with an interest in dinosaurs.

Maya’s community raised $1,010 for Dinosaur 101, a series created by Dustin to promote engagement in sciences, starting with an interest in dinosaurs.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Corina Newsome who is a field biologist and an advocate for underrepresented communities in wildlife sciences. The two discussed Corina’s story from growing up in Philadelphia to attending graduate school at Georgia Southern University. Corina shared her current research studying nesting success of Seaside Sparrows and her myriad of experiences working in the wildlife education field. The donations from the podcast went to Skype A Scientist, an organization that aims to make science more accessible by matching scientists with classrooms or adult groups for virtual Q&A sessions.

Maya’s community raised $1,020.53 for Skype A Scientist, an organization that aims to make science more accessible by matching scientists with classrooms or adult groups for virtual Q&A sessions.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Sam Allen who is a master's student at the UTS Fish Ecology Lab studying weedy sea dragons. The two discussed Sam’s journey in studying marine life and what led him to his master's program at the lab. The community learned about the unique adaptations that weedy sea dragons have evolved along with the challenges that the species face as a result of climate change and habitat loss. Sam discussed how the Fish Ecology Lab utilizes citizen science to aid in conservation research and the goals of studying the data collected. The donations made provided funding for field research and student programs at the UTS Fish Ecology Lab.

Maya’s community raised $656.69 for the UTS Fish Ecology Lab, an institution that provides the research needed to inform the sustainability of the oceans and their fish populations. The lab engages in public education and promotes citizen science while training students to be the next generation of marine scientists.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Wes Larson who is a biologist who has experience studying polar bears, black bears, and sloth bears. The two discussed human-animal conflict for black bears and sloth bears ranging from habitat encroachment to the “dancing bears” of India that are tortured for street entertainment. Wes shared wild stories from his field expeditions and answered a variety of questions from the live chat. The donations from the podcast went to Wildlife SOS to support their vision of “coexisting in the same landscape in a manner in which both conservation and welfare are addressed for both man and wildlife.”

Maya’s community raised $1,283.01 for Wildlife SOS, an organization committed to protecting India’s national heritage, biodiversity, and forests while addressing welfare for the people that live amidst the wildlife.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spent time with her American Kestrel while introducing the American Eagle Foundation as the organization that would benefit from the live donations. Later, Maya was interviewed by SuperPunch about her journey as a streamer and experience as an apprentice falconer. The community watched Maya’s top clips and learned more about her aspirations as a conservationist on Twitch.

Mayas community raised $1,400 for the American Eagle Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1985 in Tennessee dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the Bald Eagle and other birds of prey.