Voices of Nature

Dr. Telmo Pievani is a full professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Padua, located in northeast Italy.

Telmo is a widely acclaimed expert in biodiversity, with an extensive track record of research and publishing on the topic. He also is a frequent guest at international conferences, including speaking at a number of TED Talks.

The topic of today’s episode is biodiversity – the building block of every creature, every plant, and every substance on this planet. It is the foundation of all existence. While we have touched on the concept of biodiversity in previous episodes of Voices of Nature – such as with Michele Sofisti and Jean Claude Biver – the conversation with Telmo will be an in-depth examination of biodiversity.

Hear from John Jurko – the Creative Director of Global Conservation Corps. In this episode John talks about his inspiration for using film as a way to give a voice to nature and what drives his latest passion project - the upcoming film, “Rhino Man”. John also shares his observations from an unexpectedly long stay in South Africa due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and how he used that time to pursue some amazing creative projects.

Ankita is an award-winning journalist, writer, and poet living in Delhi, India. In this episode Ankita shares her observations about how we can find a balance between protecting nature and allowing for socio-economic development. Listen in as we discuss her reporting on topics ranging from illicit mining in Zimbabwe to a community successfully stopping a planned uranium mine in India to the inspiring efforts of a farmer as he plunges into a career of organic farming.

In this episode we meet Ellen Miles, Founder of Nature is a Human Right – an organization based in London, England with a mission of making access to green space a recognized human right. Our conversation will take us in a lot of different directions, not all of which have been covered in previous episodes of Voices of Nature.

For example, we will gain a better appreciation that nature is all around us - no matter where we live - and there is a critically important connection between mental health and nature. Ellen also talks about the steps we can take to be more effective in engaging with policymakers at all levels of government to advocate for nature.

Ellen also has some simple, easy to follow ways for all of us to bring nature into our lives - no matter where we live. Check out the Nature is a Human Right website and her much watched TikToks for more information!

In this episode we speak with Aristide Kamla Takoukam, a National Geographic Explorer and founder of the African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO). The National Geographic Society funds an international community of Explorers — like Aristide — who are working to safeguard the world's oceans for generations to come. AMMCO was created to address the severe declines in African manatee, cetacean, turtle and tortoise species that they were witnessing first hand across the African continent. Together with its advisors and partners, AMMCO was formed in order to focus effective and timely research, conservation, and educational outreach efforts.

The risks freshwater species face and the efforts underway to address their decline are covered in detail in this conversation. Led by Aristide and his fellow protectors of nature, we learn important lessons that all of us can apply to every part of nature around the world. In particular, the value of taking a highly localized approach to safeguarding nature and engaging - and truly listening to - people of all ages and backgrounds to create solutions that make real improvements in the health of nature and the lives of people.

It has been written, “You never quite know what’s going to happen around Biver.” And that is how we treated this podcast. Prior to recording the episode, Jean Claude asked that he be allowed to speak with emotion, passion, and from the heart. At his request, there are no scripted questions – except for the last two I ask every guest.

Jean Claude’s words give the listener hope for a better future - one where nature is treated as an asset to be loved and nurtured - and why he believes the younger generations will reverse so many of the problems society has imposed on nature. Jean Claude explains why he loves nature and he talks about how all of us will be happier and live healthier, more enjoyable lives if we too can find ways to express love for nature.

In today’s episode we speak with Kate Vannelli – a conservationist, artist, and the Future Rangers Program Director for Global Conservation Corps. Kate’s work has taken her from the Himalayas to Brazil to South Africa. Kate’s story is a powerful one as she recounts why she has dedicated her career to giving a voice to the many beautiful animals in some of the world’s most dynamic ecosystems.

GCC Board Member Michele Sofisti has combined a successful career in leading some of the most iconic brands in the world - Ferrari, Gucci, and Swatch to name a few - with a passion for protecting nature. In this episode we discuss the importance of biodiversity - the building block for both nature and humans.

Cara Yar Khan – an international speaker, entrepreneurial humanitarian, film producer and aspiring author. In this episode Cara recounts her 12-day, 200 mile trek into the Grand Canyon by horse and raft. More impressive, Cara did so shortly after receiving a life-altering diagnosis: Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy, a rare form of muscular dystrophy that leads to severe disability. Listen to Cara discuss the difference between overcoming fear and meeting fear head on.

Allison Devlin is a postdoctoral research associate with Panthera and its jaguar program. Panthera is the only organization in the world that is devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 40 wild cat species and their ecosystems. In this episode Allison takes us into the Pantanal region of Brazil as she explains why jaguars are a “near threatened” species. Allison and the team at Panthera are working to balance the imperative of protecting jaguar habitats with providing greater socio-economic opportunities for the people living in the Pantanal.