Conservation Cast

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya discussed how to be an environmentally responsible consumer in regards to microplastics and palm oil. This discussion included an in-depth look at deforestation, global warming, plastics, and the effects that these issues have on global biodiversity. Maya also spoke with three communications directors from Live for Wildlife about Gun Moor and the endangered species that reside there. Throughout the podcast, Maya drew some of the iconic species that inhabit Gun Moor using a digital art tablet.

Maya’s community raised $1,430.25 for Live for Wildlife’s campaign to purchase and protect Gun Moor, a plot of land in Staffordshire covering 78 hectares. Gun Moor is home to a variety of threatened species including the redpoll, cuckoo, and snipe.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Jennifer Gilbert who is a marine biologist and founder of the Cairn’s Turtle Rehabilitation Center. The two discussed the six species of sea turtles that Cairn’s works with and the threats that these species face. Some of these threats include climate change, microplastics, and plastic entanglement, and hunting. Cairn’s contributes to sea turtle conservation by engaging in research projects, public education, and a rehabilitation and release program.

Maya’s community raised $826.01 for Cairn’s Turtle Rehabilitation Center, an organization dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles through research, public education, and rehabilitation/release.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with fellow bird enthusiast Jason Ward. Ward is a Writer and the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the National Audubon Society. The two discussed Jason’s Journey from a mortgage broker to a self-proclaimed "birder", his web-series "Birds of North America'' and how Steve Irwin influenced him growing up as a future conservationist. Among other points of discussion were how a chance encounter with a Peregrine Falcon at 14 years old changed his life as well as the important role scientific communication plays in spreading/raising awareness for wildlife conservation.

Maya’s community raised $324 for Birds of North America, a web series developed by Topic.com and hosted by Jason Ward. The program aims to encourage young people, people of color and those living in cities to get involved with animal conservation and learn about natural history.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya had the opportunity to speak with Graham Wallington the CEO and Co-Founder of WildEarth. Together the duo discussed a variety of topics including the effects climate change and poaching play in reducing population numbers of wildlife in the Kruger National park to future plans Graham and his team have for WildEarth. Another interesting point of discussion involved the fascinating and turbulent journey Graham has endured, beginning in 1998 of a waterhole with a refreshing image every 30 seconds to establishing WildEarth in 2007 with his wife Emily. Graham invited Maya to visit the WildEarth campground on the Djuma Game Reserve and broadcast a future episode of the Conservation Cast live on a safari vehicle.

Maya’s community raised $1175 for WildEarth, an organization dedicated to connecting people to nature through delivering an authentic and in real-time view of nature. WildEarth is committed to conservation efforts in South Africa as well as the education of future conservation leaders all over the globe.

During this very unique episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Dr. Michael Dobbins, Mizkif, and John Farmer. Dr. Dobbins is a Quantitative Ecologist/Professor who frequently takes students on a field research trip each year with the help of his "Survival Expert" John Farmer. This year Maya and Mizkif accompanied Dr. Dobbins and John to Belize. The quartet discussed a variety of topics ranging from what they learned on the trip to animal reproduction in the spirit of Valentine's Day. Another point of discussion included their favorite moments from the trip; including kayaking and learning about the local wildlife.

Maya’s community raised $660 for the Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (T.R.E.E.S), a small grassroots Eco-tourism and ecological conservation organization founded in 2012. The facility is managed by biologists and is dedicated to conserving Belize’s natural resources through education, research, and funding community sustainability projects.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Dr. Ben Novak, a De-extinction biologist. Novak is the team leader of the passenger pigeon de-extinction project which commenced in 2012. Novak explained the important role Revive Restore plays in the conservation space as the world's only conservation organization dedicated to advancing and innovating biotechnology. The duo also discussed Ben's research, other projects Revive Restore is working on; current limitations and challenges genetic technology must overcome to be a viable technique to aid in conservation efforts in the future.

Maya’s community raised $1622 for Revive Restore, an organization dedicated to using genetic rescue to enhance biodiversity through the preservation and de-extinction of endangered and extinct species.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Joey Santore of the Crime Pays but Botany Doesn't Youtube Channel. Santore is a self-taught amateur botanist who describes his content as a “low-brow and crass approach to plant ecology as muttered by a misanthropic Chicago Italian". Together, the duo discussed Joey's fascinating story from being a college dropout to illegally riding freight trains across the United States all while expanding his knowledge of the natural world.

Natural Resources Defense Council

Maya’s community raised $560 for the Natural Resources Defense Council, an organization working to safeguard the earth, its inhabitants, and the natural systems upon which all life depends.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Cora Berchem of Save the Manatee Club. Cora, is the multimedia specialist and a manatee researcher, who first got involved with the organization in 2014. The duo discussed Cora's background and her role as the multimedia specialist and manatee researcher at the Blue Springs State Manatee Reserve in Florida. Cora also taught the community about the biggest issues facing manatee conservation today as well as the incredible work their organization is doing to ensure these majestic aquatic mammals are around for many generations to come.

Maya’s community raised $2317 for the Save the Manatee Club, an organization dedicated to protecting manatees and their habitat for future generations.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya had the unique opportunity to speak with Ph.D Candidate, Imogene Cancellare. Cancellare is a conservation biologist and landscape geneticist who utilizes molecular tools to study the relationship between wildlife and the landscapes they inhabit. Imogene is currently studying snow leopards across high Asia, using fecal DNA to investigate the evolutionary history, functional connectivity, and population dynamics of these rare and elusive cats. The duo discussed how Cancellare's research allows for better-informed conservation decisions and her media presence as an established science communicator has made her a powerful advocate for supporting scientists of all backgrounds.

Maya’s community raised $1005 for Panthera, the only organization in the world dedicated to protecting all 40 of the world’s big cat species.

During this episode of the Conservation Cast, Maya spoke with Dr. Michael Dobbins a quantitative ecologist and postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis. Quantitative ecology applies mathematical modeling to investigate the dynamic relationship between a species and its environment. The duo discussed the important work the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund plays in gorilla conservation efforts in Rwanda, how mathematics plays an important role in conservation policy formation and Michael's research in Belize and Rwanda. Michael invited both Maya and Mizkif to accompany him on a research trip to Belize. To hear stories from this trip watch episode 19 of the Conservation Cast.

Maya’s community raised $665 for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, an organization that works with local governments and communities to study, protect, and aid in gorilla conservation throughout Africa.