Episode Description:

In this episode of Echoes of the Wild, we sit down with Sarah Conley, Director of Conservation at the International Elephant Foundation (IEF), to explore her remarkable journey in elephant conservation.

From working hands-on with elephants as a teenager to representing IEF on the global stage at CITES, Sarah shares how a deep childhood passion turned into a career dedicated to protecting one of the world’s most iconic species. We talk about the challenges elephants face in both Asia and Africa, the power of education and local engagement, and what it's like navigating conservation policy in today’s global landscape.

Whether you're fascinated by elephants, curious about fieldwork, or just love a good origin story from the wild—this episode offers a rare look behind the scenes of international conservation.

🌍 Learn more about the IEF at https://elephantconservation.org

📸 Follow IEF's work @elephantsief on Instagram
🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Echoes of the Wild, we step into the world of bird photography with Will, a passionate wildlife photographer whose lens captures more than just feathers — it captures the spirit of the wild.

We talk about:
 • How one bird sparked a lifelong obsession
 • Will’s favorite birds to photograph — and the stories behind them
 • What makes a wildlife encounter unforgettable
 • The role photography plays in conservation and awareness
 • His personal connection to nature and the wild

Whether you're a photographer, a nature lover, or simply someone who finds peace in birdsong and stillness, this episode will leave you inspired to look more closely and listen more deeply.

🔗 Follow Will's work: [https://www.instagram.com/willswildlifephotography/]

In this premiere episode of Echoes of the Wild, we’re joined by Mich Biesbroek—a certified animal tracker, nature awareness instructor, and conservationist deeply immersed in wolf monitoring and wilderness education across Europe.

Mich shares how a rekindled love for nature led him from his home on the outskirts of The Hague to the snowy Tatra Mountains of Slovakia, where he guides citizen scientists for the Slovak Wildlife Society. He also walks us through his work with Werkgroep Wolf Nederland, advocating for peaceful coexistence with wolves in the Netherlands, and his passion for helping others reconnect with nature through tracking and primitive skills.

💬 Topics covered:

• How Mich fell in love with wolves
• What it’s like tracking large carnivores in the wild
• The return of wolves to the Netherlands
• His work with Werkgroep Wolf Nederland & the European Alliance for Wolf Conservation
• The challenges and rewards of field monitoring
• His philosophy around rewilding people, not just places
• A behind-the-scenes look at his GPS fundraiser for wolf tracking efforts

📍 Mich lives on the edge of a coastal nature reserve in The Hague and runs his own company, Onder de Berk, helping people rediscover their wildness through outdoor immersion and tracking.

📢 Support Mich's fundraiser:
 https://www.gofundme.com/f/new-gpss-for-slovak-wildlife-society

📸 Connect with Mich:
 Instagram – @tallmanhiking
Website – onderdeberk.online
Projects –
Werkgroep Wolf Nederland
Slovak Wildlife Society
Weylin Tracking
Bosbeweging

🌲 Echoes of the Wild brings you conversations with people who live and work in wild places—guides, trackers, photographers, and conservationists—sharing stories that reconnect us with the natural world.