Earth to Humans

New Zealand is known as a land of extensive wilderness and pristine ecosystems, but, as with pretty much every single other natural habitat on this planet, it isn’t without its issues. These isolated islands have got some pretty big problems being caused by some very little animals.

Before Maori settlement in the early to mid-1300s New Zealand’s two big islands and numerous surrounding smaller islands were completely human-free. Since our species arrived, the country has seen its (largely endemic) bird population plummet, with numerous near and complete extinctions of some seriously amazing species, including all nine species of moa - a giant, flightless bird that reached heights of up to 3.6 metres, weighed up to 250kg and laid 4kg eggs, and the giant Haast eagle - the largest eagle to have ever lived, with talons reaching 8cm, a wingspan of up to 3 metres and standing at a metre tall.

Throughout history, New Zealand’s native species have faced many threats - overhunting, land use changes and habitat destruction - but in the modern day, the most pressing threat to New Zealands bird, lizard and insect life are invasive predators. Not only is the wildlife suffering, but the natural habitats are too - reduced bird populations means less seed spreading and less pollination, and habitat health is declining as a result.

 

These predators have been introduced both accidentally and purposefully, sometimes purposefully to try and remove the accidentally introduced ones. But, the NZ government, in collaboration with Predator Free NZ, have set an ambitious target of removing all invasive predators by 2050 - Predator Free 2050 - it’s got a good ring to it right?! This may sound like one of the world’s most ambitious conservation projects due to the predator populations being absolutely huge, but with a massive amount of community and stakeholder support, and some amazing scientific innovation, it might just be possible and in some areas and for some species, it’s already working. Listen as Wildlife Biologist Hannah Mulvany speaks with Jessi Morgan, CEO of Predator Free NZ, about the conservation battle the country is fighting, and how they are getting on.

Music sourced from freemusicarchives.org 

Bird song provided by the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC)

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Rosalind Helfand was enamored with the wild hills of Simi Valley as a child. Their continuous destruction by human expansion ignited a quest for justice that has embedded Roz on the frontlines fighting for environmental and social issues her entire life. Recognition that human rights and the plights facing our natural ecosystems are intertwined has strengthened her resolve.

Roz works as a consultant helping develop progressive policies for non-profit and governmental entities. A recent focus has been on the upcoming 2021 Convention on Biological Diversity where her efforts and those of many others have helped establish the state of California as an official observer of the convention.

Roz spoke with Wild Lens member Jason Milligan about her history with progressive policy, the challenges facing the Convention on Biological Diversity, and how issues facing biodiversity are intricately linked with climate change.

LINKS:

Roz Online:

https://rozhelfand.com

UN Convention on Biological Diversity:

https://www.cbd.int

Guardian Links Climate Change and Biodiversity:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/06/biodiversity-climate-change-mass-extinctions

Panel Announcing CA as an Observer:

https://youtu.be/pr6l4GEIAZY

GEC Supports CA’s Participation in CBD:

https://gec.eco/gec-supports-ca-participation-in-the-united-nations-convention-on-biological-diversity/

CA Biodiversity Collaborative:

http://biodiversity.ca.gov

Governor Newsom’s Executive Order to Combat Climate Change and Protect Biodiversity:

https://www.opc.ca.gov/2020/10/governor-newsom-signs-executive-order-to-conserve-biodiversity-combat-climate-change-and-build-climate-resilience-through-nature-based-solutions

IIED Links Biodiversity and Social Issues:

https://www.iied.org/theres-justice-battle-for-biodiversity

NPQ Links Biodiversity and Social Issues:

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/environmental-justice-moving-equity-from-margins-to-mainstream/

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In the picturesque Pacific Northwest lies an incredible landscape where the sea and mountain meet. This environment means life on land and sea are deeply intertwined with one another. In this episode, we will explore exactly how trees being planted near rivers throughout the region are helping save salmon, orcas, and an entire ecosystem.

I’m Victoria (Tori) Obermeyer, an environmental photojournalist based in Washington State. Over the last three years, I have been studying the highly endangered, Southern Resident Killer Whale which call the Salish Sea home. From conducting critical long-term data for NOAA to co-producing a feature-length documentary called Coextinction Film (hyperlink: https://www.coextinctionfilm.com), I’ve come to understand the complexities behind their rapidly disappearing population. 

In this episode, I had the honor of speaking with Diana Chaplain, Marketing Director from One Tree Planted (hyperlink: https://onetreeplanted.org) and Dr. Kathleen Guillozet, Senior Director of Bonneville Environmental Foundation Watersheds (hyperlink: http://www.b-e-f.org/). These two organizations are working together to find the most productive and helpful location to plant trees in order to restore salmon habitat all over the West Coast. 

Together, we break down the threats toward these incredible species and their ecosystem, what’s being done to help save them, and what you can do to get involved.

To check out an informative, interactive map: https://defenders-cci.org/map/Promise_the_Pod/index.html or https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=15lH5DGQEiRf_q_ySe7rhkf2N0E9XcClF&ll=44.45935547631631%2C-124.3810253&z=6

To support One Tree Planted: https://onetreeplanted.org/collections/united-states/products/orca-project

To support Coextinction Film: https://www.coextinctionfilm.com/shop

Music:

It's Okay by Firefl!es

Life Doesn't Escape Us by Sapajou

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‘’We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already.’’- J K Rowling. 

This holds true for the 19 year old changemaker-Melati Wijsen. 

I’m Aishwarya Sridhar-a wildlife filmmaker and presenter from India. I first read about her through an Instagram takeover she had done for National Geographic Asia. It left me super inspired. 

As a population, parents usually tell their children that when they grow up they can make a difference. But why should we wait till we become an adult? The youth only form about 20% of the total population but they are 100% the future of our planet. Melati and her sister Isabel are an excellent example of what young changemakers can achieve if they decide to do something. 

She founded Bye Bye Plastic Bags when she was 12 years old with her younger sister and has been leading the movement driven by youth since 2013. In 2019, Bali government banned single use plastic completely. She also started the people movement One Island One Voice and the social enterprise, Mountain Mamas. Melati has spoken on world stages such as TED and the UN and has also been selected as FORBES top ten most inspiring women in the country. She graduated from high school one year early at the Green School and has since been honored by TIME as part of the most influential teens in the world along with CNN Heroes Young Wonders and FORBES 30 under 30. Today, Melati is excited about her new youth empowerment project; YOUTHTOPIA, empowering youth through meaningful and short peer to peer programs and providing them the tools they need to be young changemakers.

In this episode of Earth to Humans, I speak to Melati Wijsen. She talks about her journey, starting Bye Bye Plastic Bags, the impact of single use plastic on our planet and much more. 

Listen and be inspired!! 

Website- http://www.byebyeplasticbags.org

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/byebyeplasticbags

Instagram- @byebyeplasticbags | @melatiwijsen  | @youthtopia.world

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What is the first thing that you think of if you hear the words “tropical forest conservation”? You wouldn’t be alone in imagining an untouched, fenced-off expanse of land, but today we’re going to discuss how it is possible to sustainably use a forest in a way that benefits both forest and people through sustainable forestry techniques. We’re going to visit the very special place that is Iwokrama, a protected area comprising 371,000 hectares of forest in the middle of Guyana, South America.

I’m Iona Cunningham-Eurich, a recent biology graduate and conservation-enthusiast who has had the opportunity to visit Iwokrama on three separate occasions to perform biological monitoring surveys. During my time there, I was able to learn about its unique management strategies, and I wanted to share its story. 

Guyana is a small country in the North-East of South America, situated between Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, with a tiny population of about 750,000 people. It is one of the most forested countries in the world (over 82% pristine rainforest), and possesses a total of 5 protected areas, including Iwokrama, Kaieteur National Park (one of the oldest protected areas in South America known for its spectacular waterfall), and the indigenous-owned Kanashen Protected Area.

In this episode of Earth to Humans, I first speak to Dr. Raquel Thomas-Caesar, a tropical forest ecologist and the Director of Resource Management and Training at Iwokrama. She tells me about the importance of ensuring that local communities are incorporated into all aspects of forest management, as well as the different businesses that Iwokrama runs in its aim of self sufficiency, including sustainable forestry and ecotourism (although we primarily discuss the forestry business in this podcast).

I then talk to Dr. Jake Bicknell, a conservation scientist at DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology) at the University of Kent whose research focuses on degraded tropical forests, including in Guyana. We discuss in further detail the impact of sustainable forestry (Reduced Impact Logging) techniques on forest ecosystems, as well as the potential effects of hunting and mining in those areas. 

Contact: if you are interested in learning more about Iwokrama, its forestry business or its tourism business, you can find out more by checking out the following resources:

Iwokrama website: https://iwokrama.org

Short film about Iwokrama “Green Heart”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upXygwTU0Ow 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IwokramaInternationalCentre/ 

Email Raquel: [email protected] 

Correction: the Kanashen Indigenous Protected Area owned by the Wai Wai people is 625,000 hectares, not 425,000 as stated in this episode.

Music "Green Iver" and "Questing" by Ari de Niro via Creative Commons.

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This Earth to Humans roundtable discussion was recorded LIVE on election night!

Join us for discussion and analysis about the implications of this unprecedented election and how the outcome could effect the environment, wildlife, and much more.

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In this episode of Earth to Humans, which is shared from the Wild Lens produced series COMMON LAND, we explore the ancient history of the Snake River Canyon region in Southwestern Idaho. The Shoshone and Paiute people and their ancestors have lived in and around this area for at least 14,500 years, and this episodes shares a look at their culture and lifeways before the arrival of European American settlers.

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When we think of organized crime, we don’t often think of it involving wildlife. Something more along the lines of the Sopranos and Breaking Bad maybe, but not tigers and turtles. Jessica Graham is trying to change that. 

It may be surprising to know that wildlife trafficking is one of the five most lucrative illegal, global trades, valued at over 20 billion USD per year. Jessica, who has worked in INTERPOL’s Environmental Security Program as well as in the U.S. State Department’s Presidential Task Force for Combating Wildlife Trafficking, is fighting to put an end to wildlife trafficking through partnership building and on the ground work. 

In this episode, we discuss the mechanics behind wildlife crimes, the link between the illegal wildlife trade and future pandemics, as well as female anti-poaching teams in Africa setting the example for a world without corruption. 

Links: 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tracking-ivory/article.html

www.jgglobaladvisory.com

https://livingplanet.panda.org/en-us/

https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/tnrc-blog-female-rangers-and-anti-poaching-strategies-to-stem-corruption

https://royalfoundation.com/programme/private-sector/

https://www.state.gov/2019-end-wildlife-trafficking-strategic-review/

Music used in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions via Creative Commons licensing.

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After months of conversation, debate, and reflecting on listener feedback... we've settled on a new name. We are still the Eyes on Conservation people you've come to expect, but our focus is shifting ever-so-slightly to the needs of this world and the people, plants, and animals on it. We hope you continue to join us for the adventure. Find out more at www.wildlensinc.org

Music in this show: "Hotshot", by Scott Holmes via Creative Commons licensing.

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A case of the Nigerian Bird Atlas Project (NiBAP)

“Birds are just a window for us to get a better understanding of what goes on around us and for us to understand what our impacts might be on the environment and on other wildlife.” Dr. Samuel Ivande

Wherever you are in the world, September is an important time in the year for many species of migratory (migrant) birds because it typically marks the beginning of a new season and some birds are either leaving or returning. In Africa, some yearly bird visitors begin to arrive in September, especially from Europe.

In this podcast episode, we talk about the importance of international collaboration in the study and conservation of migratory birds and especially how it is fueled by local participation. We also talk about the challenges faced by Nigerian conservationists in their efforts to collect local bird data and increase awareness of biodiversity issues in Nigeria.

Our guest, Dr. Samuel Ivande is a research/teaching fellow with the A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, Jos, Nigeria (aplori.org), and a lecturer at the University of Jos. Dr. Ivande studied migratory birds for his PhD at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, which he completed in 2015 and since then he has been involved with the Nigerian Bird Atlas Project (nibap.ng) – a citizen science project seeking to promote public participation in updating information about the natural history of birds in Nigeria.

Dr. Ivande also serves on the executive committee of the Migrant Landbird Study Group (migrantlandbirds.org), a group for promoting collaborative research for migratory landbirds across flyways, and he is currently involved with the collaborative Egyptian Vulture – New LIFE Project (lifeneophron.eu).

 

Great links for more information:

A really nice documentary about the Nigerian bird atlas project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ioX8ee-BM0&feature=youtu.be

Dr. Sam talks about birdwatching and the use of apps

https://youtu.be/9-PboPoY1To

This episode of EOC was produced by Wild Lens Collective member, Esther Nosazeogie. See more of Esther work here.

 

Music: Happy Clappy by John Bartmann from Pixabay.com

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