Into The Bush Podcast

Join us for part two with our co-hosts Nikki Roach, PhD, and Cat Kutz as they share experiences from their own journeys in conservation. This episode dives into mental health topics, including anxiety and depression.

More about the co-hosts!

Nikki (she/her) is a conservation scientist who has worked at the interface of science, policy, and communication. Nikki’s work has brought her across the America’s - from wetlands in South Carolina to tropical forests in Colombia - where she has worked with local communities, government agencies, and International organizations. She earned her PhD from Texas A&M University in 2020 and is a member of three IUCN Species Survival Commission specialist groups (Climate Change, Amphibians, and Small Mammals), a member of the Center for Nature & Leadership, Women in Nature Network, and an Associate Scientist at Re:wild. She is based in Berkeley, California (Ohlone lands), where she works at the science-policy interface to protect ecosystems, wildlife, and communities by promoting equitable nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change.

Cat (she/her) is a science communicator who has spent a decade working with NGOs, governments, field researchers, academics, and activists to tell stories about conservation and the people working to protect biodiversity around the world. Cat studied science communication and media production at George Mason University, where she also continued her graduate education in biodiversity conservation with a focus on conservation technology. She had the opportunity to support George Mason's future conservation communicators by mentoring students at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation during her recent tenure as the Director of Communications and Marketing for the Smithsonian’s Conservation Commons. At the Smithsonian, she led the popular Earth Optimism campaign – a movement focused on conservation and climate solutions and the inspiration of people leading change for our planet. Cat lives in Northern Virginia and currently works as the biodiversity communications and marketing lead for an NGO driving solutions for global challenges.

Connect with Nikki and Cat on IG: @nikkixnature and @catlikely

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit intothebushpod.substack.com

Join us for a two-part episode with our co-hosts Nikki Roach, PhD, and Cat Kutz as they share experiences from their own journeys in conservation. PSA diva cups and she-wees will be mentioned!

More about the co-hosts!

Nikki (she/her) is a conservation scientist who has worked at the interface of science, policy, and communication. Nikki’s work has brought her across the America’s - from wetlands in South Carolina to tropical forests in Colombia - where she has worked with local communities, government agencies, and International organizations. She earned her PhD from Texas A&M University in 2020 and is a member of three IUCN Species Survival Commission specialist groups (Climate Change, Amphibians, and Small Mammals), a member of the Center for Nature & Leadership, Women in Nature Network, and an Associate Scientist at Re:wild. She is based in Berkeley, California (Ohlone lands), where she works at the science-policy interface to protect ecosystems, wildlife, and communities by promoting equitable nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change.

Cat (she/her) is a science communicator who has spent a decade working with NGOs, governments, field researchers, academics, and activists to tell stories about conservation and the people working to protect biodiversity around the world. Cat studied science communication and media production at George Mason University, where she also continued her graduate education in biodiversity conservation with a focus on conservation technology. She had the opportunity to support George Mason's future conservation communicators by mentoring students at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation during her recent tenure as the Director of Communications and Marketing for the Smithsonian’s Conservation Commons. At the Smithsonian, she led the popular Earth Optimism campaign – a movement focused on conservation and climate solutions and the inspiration of people leading change for our planet. Cat lives in Northern Virginia and currently works as the biodiversity communications and marketing lead for an NGO driving solutions for global challenges.

Connect with Nikki and Cat on IG: @nikkixnature and @catlikely

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit intothebushpod.substack.com

Angela Yang is a dedicated conservationist who has worked in wildlife conservation for more decades than she cares to admit. Her career has spanned the zoo and international field conservation worlds, with over a decade spent living and working abroad. As her career evolved, Angela discovered that her passion stems from working with local organizations, communities, and strengthening capacity, particularly creating opportunities for women.

Before returning to the US in 2018, Angela lived in Cambodia, Kenya and the United Kingdom, working with international organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

Angela holds a BSc. from the University of British Columbia and a MSc. from the University of Edinburgh. She is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and the World Commission on Protected Areas. Angela sits on the Advisory Council of William & Mary’s Institute for Integrative Conservation and the Advisory Board for the International Rhino Foundation, as well as advising for other smaller conservation organizations. She has authored or co-authored a number of publications, including a book chapter entitled, “Bridging the Gap between Conservation and Health”. More recently, she co-authored an editorial for the IUCN WCPA publication that examines the impacts of COVID-19 on protected and conserved areas.

Connect with Angela on LinkedIn

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit intothebushpod.substack.com

Dr. Meredith S. Palmer is a behavioral ecologist and conservation technologist, who has worked for universities, governments, NGOs, and the private sector. She is currently a conservation scientist at Yale University. She has spearheaded wildlife monitoring projects across the African continent and the Americas. By leveraging emerging technologies, she works to collect “big data” that enables us to better understand biodiversity at scale. She currently operates at the interface of conservation and technology, integrating AI, citizen science, and statistics to drive innovation in conservation practice.

Follow Meredith: meredithspalmer.weebly.com | Instagram

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Field Inclusive; Field Futures; Cultivate Project; WildLabs

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit intothebushpod.substack.com

About KM

KM Reyes is a conservation lobbyist, community organizer, and National Geographic Explorer, based on Palawan island, the Philippines. Born and raised in Australia to Filipino parents, she has lived and worked extensively in Europe, Latin America, and North Africa. She is the Co-Founder & Advisor of the environmental non-government organization, Centre for Sustainability PH Inc. Since establishing Centre for Sustainability, KM led the organization in spearheading the declaration in 2017 of the Cleopatra’s Needle Critical Habitat, now the country's biggest critical habitat.

KM is passionate about professionalizing conservation, improving gender equality, and the recognition of indigenous land rights. Her work at CS is driven by the belief that only by connecting communities with their immediate and surrounding environments will we be able to understand and find sustainable solutions to our planet’s greatest environmental challenges.

Keep up with KM’s adventures & advocacy here; and learn more about Centre for Sustainability PH here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit intothebushpod.substack.com