Nova Conversations

I'm putting myself and my thoughts out there.

Raw, unfiltered, bare.

Conservation needs to change, yes.

But also:

Our world needs to change.

Are you in?

In today’s episode, Lynn and I talk about Conservation Nation, the environmental non-governmental organization (ENGO) she runs. They have three pillars to their mission:

1. Expand funding to role model conservationists
2. Educating and inspiring a more diverse generation
3. Convening & bringing together people from all backgrounds so we can brainstorm larger solutions together.

We also chat a LOT about money, capitalism, and how we can divert more funds to protecting our planet. Regardless of your background and experience in wildlife or environmental issues, this conversation is for you. It’s for all of us.

As Lynn says, “let’s break barriers to bring a more diverse, representative, and inclusive core of conservationists to the fight.”

**Also: I’m taking a slightly different approach with the podcast. I love talking about all things conservation and science, but I’m realizing my gifts and interests are better suited to emotionally nuanced discussions. Therefore, future episodes will focus on somewhat sensitive topics relating to mental health, addiction, depression, eco-guilt, eco-anxiety, and more.

Resources:

Conservation Nation: https://conservationnation.org/ 

The Ministry for the Future (book): https://www.amazon.com/Ministry-Future-Kim-Stanley-Robinson/dp/0316300136 

Nova Conservation Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/novaconservation

This is probably one of the best episodes yet of Nova Conversations. When I started this podcast, this is exactly the type of discussion I wanted to have: Informative & emotionally deep discussions where we look at global conservation issues from multiple frames of reference. 

Even though Danielle’s research has focused on elephants, this episode applies to anyone hoping to make conservation a full time career. We openly discuss the pros and cons of white westerners conducting research in other countries (sometimes labeled as “parachute science”). More discussions need to be had to find solutions, but I hope this can open the door for future dialogue.

Danielle and I talk about everything that I’d hoped this podcast would be about. From trauma in elephants and conservation work, online shaming to posting on social media, underpaid work to toxic career cultures, we cover a lot in this conversation. No matter your background or culture, one thing stands out from our talk: collaborations are absolutely essential to global conservation success.

Resources:

Danielle’s blog The Call to Conserve: https://www.thecalltoconserve.com/

Join our growing Patreon Community: https://patreon.com/novaconservation

Connect with us! IG @nova_conservation, TikTok @novaconservation

Learn more about how we are using travel to give back at novaconservation.com

Dillon Jones (@dillonthebiologist) is energetic, fun, and bursting with creative ideas for making conservation better, especially through technology. We talk about everything from using ziplines to survey turtles, decentralizing traditionally bureaucratic ways of doing science, using ecotourism and travel to benefit conservation, science misinformation and handling haters and trolls, the connection with geotagging and white supremacy (jk- there is none), and a whole host of other innovative topics. I’m not sure how he does it all – there’s so much packed in here and I hope you glean something fresh and revolutionary from it! 

It’s a long one for sure but most podcast apps give you the option to speed it up, so listen to the whole thing, mmk? It’s worth it, trust me. :)

And at the very end I talk about my idea for a field biology reality show, so: Nat Geo, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, if you’re listening, hit me up. Seriously. ;)

Resources:

Come to Belize with us! http://learnadventurously.com/belize-trip/

Applied Biodiversity Conservation Scholar (thru Texas A&M): https://absconservationscholarsprogram.wordpress.com/

Research Experience for Undergrads: https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/research-experiences-undergraduates-reu

Join our growing Patreon Community: https://patreon.com/novaconservation

Connect with us! IG @nova_conservation, TikTok @novaconservation

Learn more about how we are using travel to give back at novaconservation.com

Welcome back to a new season! We're diving right in the deep end, guys.

We know there are organizations that exploit young biologist hopefuls and take advantage of our passion. But there are also some really good ones out there that just legitimately don't have money. It's so easy to bash organizations and say "pay your interns/volunteers better" but not provide solutions about where that money is going to come from.

In this episode, I ask:

What defines an unpaid job (that *should* be paid) versus volunteering altruistically?

Will turning down unpaid work directly help diversity, equity and inclusion in conservation careers?

Is unpaid work necessary to get a job in conservation?

What are some other ways we can look at this problem and - most importantly - find sustainable solutions?!

I also talk about being “cancelled,” listening to other points of view, public shaming, generational differences (where I confuse Gen X and Gen Z, oops), the positives and negatives with nonprofits, and I realize I'm an eco-socialist! How fun!

Resources (there are lots, sry)

Frustrated Conservationists IG: @frustratedconservationists

Animal welfare accounts: @danielle4wildlife @connie.needham @larotravels

Review conservation nonprofits & research orgs here: https://app.novaconservation.com/entity/28815b6b-d569-46dc-b8ce-fc8ba638b8f2

Conservation Nation: https://conservationnation.org/

Vercammen et al paper: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26937306?seq=5

Hidden Brain | Red Brain, Blue Brain https://www.podbean.com/ea/dir-7tjxe-6198c73

In the Grey: Public Shaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4l-tJtVzpA

Cozy Robot Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cozy-robot-show-formerly-ask-science-mike/id956995247

If you’ve ever wondered how and why diversity is so important in wildlife, nature, and conservation careers, you’ll love this discussion with Corina Newsome (@hood__naturalist). Corina is an awesome social and environmental justice activist who JUST YESTERDAY announced her new position as Associate Conservation Scientist at the National Wildlife Federation!! Woohoo!

In this episode you’ll learn: 

• Why representation for all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds is invaluable in conservation
• How to overcome barriers and dream BIG
• How nonprofits like Georgia Audubon (which she used to work for) are engaging with the community to overcome racial and historical prejudices (like government land grabs in the name of “conservation”)
• The effectiveness of taking action locally
• What #ShutDownSTEM is
• The importance of having a mentor who understands your needs
• The perspective of a black woman doing fieldwork in Southern Georgia in the era of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery

We even get into some church-y and political talk, like how the evangelical movement needs to get on board with issues like climate change and biodiversity loss. If that’s not your thing, that’s cool, but it’s my podcast and I can talk about whatever the hell I want! (hah)

But seriously, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. It’s another deep, amazing conversation and I am SO excited to share it with you all. Enjoy!

Resources:

Corina’s website: https://corinanewsome.wixsite.com/hoodnaturalist/bio

Young Evangelicals for Climate Action: https://yecaction.org/

https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-ibram-x-kendi-on-how-to-be-an-antiracist/

Nova Conservation website: http://novaconservation.com

Support us on Patreon! http://patreon.com/novaconservation

Laura's TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqip9NcV2qQ

In our very first crossover episode, creator and host of the Rewildology podcast Brooke Mitchell-Norman sits down with us at Nova Conversations! Laura and Brooke chat about conservation-focused travel, solutions to ending exploitation, and so much more. We talk about her current role as a Conservation Director of the Wild Source, how her persistent paid off, disruptive empowerment and other models to give back to local communities, how nonprofits need to be run more like businesses, and our thoughts on exploitation and lack of diversity in the sector. It’s a long episode– but such an amazing conversation. Tune in and let’s solve these problems together! 

Follow the Rewildology podcast: @rewildology or linktr.ee/Rewildology

The Wild Source: https://thewildsource.com/

Join our growing Patreon Community: https://patreon.com/novaconservation

Connect with us! IG @nova_conservation or @novaconservationtravel 

Learn more about how we are using travel to give back at novaconservation.com

Jessie Panazzolo (@ecolojesst) author and founder of Lonely Conservationists (@lonelyconservationists), sits down with Laura, and things get deep. We talk about everything from trauma and PTSD during life-threatening field conditions (trigger warning here), being valued for your work, knowledge, and experience, and solutions to making conservation work better for all! We talk a lot about ethical ecotourism-- specifically solutions to providing funds to conservation projects. We also dive into what it means to be “inspiring”, advocating for yourself, unhealthy gatekeeping within conservation, mental health, handling haters, parachute science, and so much more. 

Jessie is incredibly vulnerable as she shares her stories, and this has opened the door for so many of us to find community and know we are not alone! Let’s take back what it means to be resilient, and instead acknowledge that it’s ok to not be ok.

Resources:

Lonely Conservationists Blog and Community: https://lonelyconservationists.com/

Buy Jessie's books! https://www.booktopia.com.au/how-to-conserve-conservationists-jessie-panazzolo/book/9780645240221.html

Hi folks! We covered so much in this episode that I feel my titles keep getting longer and longer. The original title was “Turtles & Tainted Tables: Being Unapologetically You [Despite the Challenges in Conservation]” but a) that was way too long and b) at this point now I think it’s a given that you’ll face challenges in conservation work, amiright?

If you’re interested in working as a biologist, especially at a federal or governmental agency, Al’s story and experiences are for you. We touch on a variety of topics, such as:

• The unique and subtle struggles that come with being underpaid seasonal workers (like not getting seniority access & pay raises the same way a full time employee might)
• Underrepresentation and microaggressions in the sciences
• Pros and cons of working for the US government vs. nonprofits
• Grants and scholarships for marginalized scientists, specifically women and students of color– in fact I’d eventually love to have a page of resources on novaconservation.com that highlights these scholarship and grant opportunities!

Al encourages us all to be unapologetically ourselves, which is a beautiful thing. Let’s destroy the “tainted table” that only allows a limited number of seats, backgrounds, and beliefs, and instead rebuild a new table where all perspectives are welcomed and elevated.

Follow Al!

Twitter: @n8ture_al

Instagram: @n8ture_al

Support us on Patreon!

patreon.com/novaconservation

Is working in wildlife really accessible for everyone? The answer, currently and sadly, is no. Most of the time only those with privilege (i.e. those that can afford to work for free, are able-bodied, and have financial & emotional support) are able to gain access to the coveted jobs in wildlife conservation. 

My discussion with the amazing and super-positive Danaé Mouton (@dancingdanae18 on IG) is a breath of fresh air. We discuss her background which laid the groundwork for her to find a job she loves. We brainstorm solutions to making conservation work truly more inclusive and accessible. Plus, we discuss some of our favorite stories of working in the field and our encounters with animals. I know you’ll walk away feeling inspired and ready to make a difference in conservation!

If you like these types of discussions, please consider supporting our podcast on Patreon (www.patreon.com/novaconservation). We are taking steps to create a nonprofit that addresses some of these inequities in wildlife work. No money to support us? I hear you. Just share this episode with a friend or two. Your support means the WORLD to us as we continue to make conservation work better for all.