<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/774236/open_sms">Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!</a>For this special live conversation, Crystal sat down on stage with Rhett Ayers Butler, founder and CEO of Mongabay, one of the most trusted sources of environmental journalism in the world.Together, they explored the current state of conservation- from resilience and adaptation to the role of journalism, storytelling, technology, and informed optimism. The conversation also opened up to the audience, inviting questions from conservation practitioners working across ecosystems, regions, and disciplines.This episode was recorded live at the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) 20th Anniversary Summit, a gathering that brought together conservation leaders and practitioners from around the world to celebrate two decades of community, collaboration, and impact.What emerged was an honest, nuanced dialogue about where conservation stands today, what is changing, what is working, and how we continue moving forward- together.Highlights<ul><li> What are the characteristics of conservation initiatives that are scalable or replicable across the geographies? </li><li>How is Mongabay adapting to the challenges of distrust in science and disinformation campaigns?</li><li>How is Mongabay using optimism as a strategy?</li></ul>WhatYou Can Do<ul><li>Pay attention to the stories you share. Seek out and amplify conservation stories that highlight solutions, learning, and community leadership, not just problems.</li><li>Build constituencies, not just projects. Think about who needs to be at the table for conservation efforts to succeed, especially local and Indigenous communities.</li><li>Practice informed optimism. Look for evidence of what is working, acknowledge setbacks honestly, and use both to guide action.</li><li>Support independent environmental journalism. Reliable, transparent reporting plays a critical role in accountability, awareness, and change.</li><li>Stay connected to nature and to one another. As Rhett reminds us, getting outside and nurturing community are essential for sustaining long-term conservation work.</li></ul>Resources<ul><li><a href='https://mongabay.org/'>Mongabay</a> </li><li><a href='https://www.wildlifeleaders.org/'>Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL)</a></li><li><a href='https://www.butlernature.com/2025/09/12/how-to-find-optimism/'>How to Find Optimism</a> article</li><li><a href='https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/rethinking-how-we-talk-about-conservation-and-why-it-matters/'>Rethinking How We Talk about Conservation and Why It Matters </a>article</li><li><a href='https://www.healthinharmony.org/'>Health and Harmony (Project ASRI)</a></li></ul>If you&apos;d like to sponsor next season (or even just an episode) reach out to me and let&apos;s chat! My email is crystal@forcesfornature.com. Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it <a href='https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'>HERE</a>! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility. Hit me up on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'>Instagram</a> and <a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'>Facebook</a> and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that! What difference for the world are you going to make today?

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/774236/open_sms"&gt;Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For this special live conversation, Crystal sat down on stage with Rhett Ayers Butler, founder and CEO of Mongabay, one of the most trusted sources of environmental journalism in the world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, they explored the current state of conservation- from resilience and adaptation to the role of journalism, storytelling, technology, and informed optimism. The conversation also opened up to the audience, inviting questions from conservation practitioners working across ecosystems, regions, and disciplines.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode was recorded live at the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) 20th Anniversary Summit, a gathering that brought together conservation leaders and practitioners from around the world to celebrate two decades of community, collaboration, and impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What emerged was an honest, nuanced dialogue about where conservation stands today, what is changing, what is working, and how we continue moving forward- together.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Highlights&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; What are the characteristics of conservation initiatives that are scalable or replicable across the geographies? &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How is Mongabay adapting to the challenges of distrust in science and disinformation campaigns?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How is Mongabay using optimism as a strategy?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;You &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can Do&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Pay attention to the stories you share. Seek out and amplify conservation stories that highlight solutions, learning, and community leadership, not just problems.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Build constituencies, not just projects. Think about who needs to be at the table for conservation efforts to succeed, especially local and Indigenous communities.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Practice informed optimism. Look for evidence of what is working, acknowledge setbacks honestly, and use both to guide action.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Support independent environmental journalism. Reliable, transparent reporting plays a critical role in accountability, awareness, and change.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Stay connected to nature and to one another. As Rhett reminds us, getting outside and nurturing community are essential for sustaining long-term conservation work.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Resources&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://mongabay.org/'&gt;Mongabay&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.wildlifeleaders.org/'&gt;Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.butlernature.com/2025/09/12/how-to-find-optimism/'&gt;How to Find Optimism&lt;/a&gt; article&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/rethinking-how-we-talk-about-conservation-and-why-it-matters/'&gt;Rethinking How We Talk about Conservation and Why It Matters &lt;/a&gt;article&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.healthinharmony.org/'&gt;Health and Harmony (Project ASRI)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you&amp;apos;d like to sponsor next season (or even just an episode) reach out to me and let&amp;apos;s chat! My email is crystal@forcesfornature.com.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it &lt;a href='https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'&gt;HERE&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hit me up on &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;What difference for the world are you going to make today?&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show! For this special live conversation, Crystal sat down on stage with Rhett Ayers Butler, founder and CEO of Mongabay, one of the most trusted sources of environmental journalism in the world. Together, they explored the current state of conservation- from resilience and adaptation to the role of journalism, storytelling, technology, and informed optimism. The conversation also opened up to the audience, inviting questions fro...

The State of Conservation: What’s Changing, What’s Working, and What Comes Next with Rhett Ayers Butler, Ep.107

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/774236/open_sms">Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!</a>This is another episode of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program series! Affectionately known as the <a href='https://www.instagram.com/therealmanateeman/'>Manatee Man</a>, Jamal Galves discovered his calling earlier than most. Growing up in the coastal village of Gales Point Manatee, he saw these gentle animals almost every day, never realizing they were endangered until a team of researchers arrived and opened his eyes to their struggle. At just eleven years old, he stepped onto a manatee research boat for the first time and that moment reshaped the entire trajectory of his life.Today, Jamal leads the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute’s Belize Program, home to the longest-running manatee conservation effort in the Greater Caribbean. His work blends rigorous science with the wisdom and partnership of local communities, creating a model of conservation that is as people-centered as it is wildlife-focused.This episode explores the heart and science behind his work from marine mammal rescue, to the shifting health of manatee populations, how he gets buy-in of his conservation efforts, and more. Highlights<ul><li>How did an 11-year-old kid with no shoes talked his way onto a manatee research boat?</li><li>How a two-day old manatee rescued after a hurricane inspired a whole nation.</li><li>A first look at Belize’s new Marine Rescue &amp; Education Center, built to heal manatees and inspire people toward action.</li></ul>What YOU Can Do<ul><li>Be mindful on the water. When boating or visiting coastal areas, follow no-wake zones, avoid seagrass beds, and stay alert for wildlife.</li><li>Start young - or start now. There is no age or skill requirement to make a difference. All you need is your desire to help.</li><li>Volunteer for cleanups, youth programs, or community events.</li><li>Share stories that inspire action. Spreading positive conservation messages helps reach people who may never encounter them otherwise.</li><li>Practice sustainable habits at home. Small changes in waste, water use, or energy matter when many people do them.</li></ul>Resources<ul><li>Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute – <a href='https://mission.cmaquarium.org/research-institute/manatee-research/belize-manatee-conservation/'>Belize Program</a></li><li>Manatee Conservation <a href='https://www.fws.gov/species/west-indian-manatee-trichechus-manatus'>Information</a> (Greater Caribbean / Antillean Manatee)</li><li>Jamal’s <a href='https://www.instagram.com/therealmanateeman/'>Instagram</a></li><li><a href='https://wildlifeleaders.org/'>Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders</a> (EWCL)</li><li>Clearwater Marine Aquarium – Belize Marine Rescue &amp; Education Center <a href='https://mission.cmaquarium.org/news/clearwater-marine-aquarium-shows-global-influence-with-belize-marine-rescue-and-educational-center%E2%80%AFgroundbreaking/'>Announcement</a></li></ul> Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it <a href='https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'>HERE</a>! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility. Hit me up on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'>Instagram</a> and <a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'>Facebook</a> and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that! What difference for the world are you going to make today?

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/774236/open_sms"&gt;Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is another episode of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program series! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Affectionately known as the &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/therealmanateeman/'&gt;Manatee Man&lt;/a&gt;, Jamal Galves discovered his calling earlier than most. Growing up in the coastal village of Gales Point Manatee, he saw these gentle animals almost every day, never realizing they were endangered until a team of researchers arrived and opened his eyes to their struggle. At just eleven years old, he stepped onto a manatee research boat for the first time and that moment reshaped the entire trajectory of his life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Today, Jamal leads the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute’s Belize Program, home to the longest-running manatee conservation effort in the Greater Caribbean. His work blends rigorous science with the wisdom and partnership of local communities, creating a model of conservation that is as people-centered as it is wildlife-focused.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode explores the heart and science behind his work from marine mammal rescue, to the shifting health of manatee populations, how he gets buy-in of his conservation efforts, and more. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Highlights&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How did an 11-year-old kid with no shoes talked his way onto a manatee research boat?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How a two-day old manatee rescued after a hurricane inspired a whole nation.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;A first look at Belize’s new Marine Rescue &amp;amp; Education Center, built to heal manatees &lt;em&gt;and&lt;/em&gt; inspire people toward action.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What YOU Can Do&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Be mindful on the water. When boating or visiting coastal areas, follow no-wake zones, avoid seagrass beds, and stay alert for wildlife.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Start young - or start now. There is no age or skill requirement to make a difference. All you need is your desire to help.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Volunteer for cleanups, youth programs, or community events.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Share stories that inspire action. Spreading positive conservation messages helps reach people who may never encounter them otherwise.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Practice sustainable habits at home. Small changes in waste, water use, or energy matter when many people do them.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Resources&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute – &lt;a href='https://mission.cmaquarium.org/research-institute/manatee-research/belize-manatee-conservation/'&gt;Belize Program&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Manatee Conservation &lt;a href='https://www.fws.gov/species/west-indian-manatee-trichechus-manatus'&gt;Information&lt;/a&gt; (Greater Caribbean / Antillean Manatee)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Jamal’s &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/therealmanateeman/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://wildlifeleaders.org/'&gt;Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders&lt;/a&gt; (EWCL)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Clearwater Marine Aquarium – Belize Marine Rescue &amp;amp; Education Center &lt;a href='https://mission.cmaquarium.org/news/clearwater-marine-aquarium-shows-global-influence-with-belize-marine-rescue-and-educational-center%E2%80%AFgroundbreaking/'&gt;Announcement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it &lt;a href='https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'&gt;HERE&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hit me up on &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;What difference for the world are you going to make today?&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show! This is another episode of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program series!  Affectionately known as the Manatee Man, Jamal Galves discovered his calling earlier than most. Growing up in the coastal village of Gales Point Manatee, he saw these gentle animals almost every day, never realizing they were endangered until a team of researchers arrived and opened his eyes to their struggle. At just eleven years ol...

Manatee Rescue and Conservation with Jamal Galves, Ep.106

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/774236/open_sms">Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!</a>When you imagine lions, you probably picture big prides sprawled across open savannas.But in northern Kenya’s Samburu landscape, lions live a very different life, often alone, slipping quietly through a patchwork of people, livestock, and shrinking wild spaces. It is a hard place to be a lion… and an even harder place to protect them.For nearly two decades, Shivani Bhalla, founder of Ewaso Lions, has been working alongside Samburu communities to understand and safeguard this uniquely challenging population of lions. What started as her desire to learn why lions were disappearing has grown into a powerful example of coexistence - one where warriors, women, and even young herders play a central role.In this episode, we talk about the realities of living with lions, the deep cultural knowledge that makes conservation possible, the heartbreaks and wins that shape Shivani’s days, and the unexpected visitor who reminded us - mid-conversation - what coexistence looks like in real time.Highlights<ul><li>Why do Samburu’s lions live so differently from the ones we see in documentaries?</li><li>What made young warriors shift from hunting lions to protecting them?</li><li>How did a group of local women convince Shivani that they could restore habitat better than anyone else?</li><li>Who was Nana, the lioness whose story continues to shape an entire landscape?</li></ul>What YOU Can Do<ul><li>Spend time in nature. Reconnecting with the natural world, even in small, everyday ways, builds empathy and a desire to protect it.</li><li>Help others access nature. Support programs that give children and communities the chance to experience wildlife positively.</li><li>Speak up for local green spaces and wildlife. Your voice can influence how your community values and protects nature.</li><li>Support community-led conservation. Funding essentials like salaries, fuel, medical care, emergency response, and habitat work helps organizations like Ewaso Lions stay effective.</li><li>Champion efforts grounded in local leadership. Programs created by the community, like Warrior Watch and Mama Simbas, are the ones with real staying power.</li></ul>Resources<ul><li><a href='https://www.ewasolions.org'>Ewaso Lions </a></li><li><a href='https://www.instagram.com/ewasolions/'>Instagram </a></li><li><a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIwhkM0hPrTM11oIJnv66A'>YouTube </a></li><li><a href='https://www.facebook.com/ewasolions'>Facebook  </a></li></ul> Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it <a href='https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'>HERE</a>! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility. Hit me up on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'>Instagram</a> and <a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'>Facebook</a> and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that! What difference for the world are you going to make today?

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/774236/open_sms"&gt;Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When you imagine lions, you probably picture big prides sprawled across open savannas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But in northern Kenya’s Samburu landscape, lions live a very different life, often alone, slipping quietly through a patchwork of people, livestock, and shrinking wild spaces. It is a hard place to be a lion… and an even harder place to protect them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For nearly two decades, Shivani Bhalla, founder of Ewaso Lions, has been working alongside Samburu communities to understand and safeguard this uniquely challenging population of lions. What started as her desire to learn why lions were disappearing has grown into a powerful example of coexistence - one where warriors, women, and even young herders play a central role.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we talk about the realities of living with lions, the deep cultural knowledge that makes conservation possible, the heartbreaks and wins that shape Shivani’s days, and the unexpected visitor who reminded us - mid-conversation - what coexistence looks like in real time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Highlights&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why do Samburu’s lions live so differently from the ones we see in documentaries?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What made young warriors shift from hunting lions to protecting them?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How did a group of local women convince Shivani that they could restore habitat better than anyone else?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Who was Nana, the lioness whose story continues to shape an entire landscape?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What YOU Can Do&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Spend time in nature. Reconnecting with the natural world, even in small, everyday ways, builds empathy and a desire to protect it.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Help others access nature. Support programs that give children and communities the chance to experience wildlife positively.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Speak up for local green spaces and wildlife. Your voice can influence how your community values and protects nature.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Support community-led conservation. Funding essentials like salaries, fuel, medical care, emergency response, and habitat work helps organizations like Ewaso Lions stay effective.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Champion efforts grounded in local leadership. Programs created &lt;em&gt;by&lt;/em&gt; the community, like Warrior Watch and Mama Simbas, are the ones with real staying power.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Resources&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.ewasolions.org'&gt;Ewaso Lions &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/ewasolions/'&gt;Instagram &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIwhkM0hPrTM11oIJnv66A'&gt;YouTube &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/ewasolions'&gt;Facebook  &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it &lt;a href='https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'&gt;HERE&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hit me up on &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;What difference for the world are you going to make today?&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show! When you imagine lions, you probably picture big prides sprawled across open savannas. But in northern Kenya’s Samburu landscape, lions live a very different life, often alone, slipping quietly through a patchwork of people, livestock, and shrinking wild spaces. It is a hard place to be a lion… and an even harder place to protect them. For nearly two decades, Shivani Bhalla, founder of Ewaso Lions, has been working alongsid...

Living With Lions in Samburu with Shivani Bhalla, Ep.105

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/774236/open_sms">Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!</a>Most people have heard about elephants and rhinos being in trouble. But few realize that giraffes are quietly disappearing too. And also the hirola, a graceful antelope found only along the Kenya–Somalia border, is down to fewer than 500 left on Earth.In this episode, Dr. Abdullahi Ali shares how his journey from a nomadic childhood to a Ph.D. in ecology led him to found the Hirola Conservation Program and the Somali Giraffe Project - two community-led efforts rewriting what coexistence looks like.Ali’s story is as much about people as it is about wildlife. From restoring grasslands once maintained by elephants before they were poached to helping farmers swap mango trees for lime trees to prevent conflict with giraffes, his work shows that when conservation is rooted in local knowledge, everyone thrives.Highlights<ul><li>How Dr. Ali’s childhood herding goats (and occasionally getting lost doing it!) shaped his lifelong connection to nature.</li><li>How climate change is creating “climate refugees” - not just people, but also animals.</li><li>The power of community-led solutions: from adult literacy classes to wildlife-friendly livelihoods.</li></ul>What You Can Do<ul><li>Partner with the <a href='https://www.hirolaconservation.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com'>Hirola Conservation Program</a> and the <a href='https://somaligiraffe.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com'>Somali Giraffe Project</a>.</li><li>Share what’s going on with giraffes and hirolas. It might be a surprise to most.</li><li>Look for ways to design coexistence where you live - in your garden, your community, or your workplace.</li><li>Remember that conservation works best when it’s collaborative between species, between people, and across borders.</li></ul>Resources<ul><li><a href='https://www.facebook.com/people/Hirola-Conservation-Program/100066521416137/?ref=br_rs'>Facebook   </a> </li><li><a href='https://x.com/hirola_program'>X</a>  </li><li><a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9k2LOXyofLog0aPyDj9Ddw'>YouTube</a></li></ul> If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and review it on your favorite podcasting app! This helps to boost its visibility.Hit me up on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'>Instagram</a> and <a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'>Facebook</a> and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!Never miss another episode! <a href='https://lvg.vof.mybluehost.me/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'>Sign up</a> to receive email updates!What difference for the world are you going to make today? Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it <a href='https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'>HERE</a>! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility. Hit me up on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'>Instagram</a> and <a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'>Facebook</a> and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that! What difference for the world are you going to make today?

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/774236/open_sms"&gt;Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Most people have heard about elephants and rhinos being in trouble. But few realize that giraffes are quietly disappearing too. And also the hirola, a graceful antelope found only along the Kenya–Somalia border, is down to fewer than 500 left on Earth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Dr. Abdullahi Ali shares how his journey from a nomadic childhood to a Ph.D. in ecology led him to found the Hirola Conservation Program and the Somali Giraffe Project - two community-led efforts rewriting what coexistence looks like.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ali’s story is as much about people as it is about wildlife. From restoring grasslands once maintained by elephants before they were poached to helping farmers swap mango trees for lime trees to prevent conflict with giraffes, his work shows that when conservation is rooted in local knowledge, everyone thrives.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Highlights&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How Dr. Ali’s childhood herding goats (and occasionally getting lost doing it!) shaped his lifelong connection to nature.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How climate change is creating “climate refugees” - not just people, but also animals.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The power of community-led solutions: from adult literacy classes to wildlife-friendly livelihoods.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What You Can Do&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Partner with the &lt;a href='https://www.hirolaconservation.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com'&gt;Hirola Conservation Program&lt;/a&gt; and the &lt;a href='https://somaligiraffe.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com'&gt;Somali Giraffe Project&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Share what’s going on with giraffes and hirolas. It might be a surprise to most.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Look for ways to design coexistence where you live - in your garden, your community, or your workplace.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Remember that conservation works best when it’s collaborative between species, between people, and across borders.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Resources&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/people/Hirola-Conservation-Program/100066521416137/?ref=br_rs'&gt;Facebook   &lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://x.com/hirola_program'&gt;X&lt;/a&gt;  &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9k2LOXyofLog0aPyDj9Ddw'&gt;YouTube&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and review it on your favorite podcasting app! This helps to boost its visibility.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hit me up on &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Never miss another episode! &lt;a href='https://lvg.vof.mybluehost.me/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'&gt;Sign up&lt;/a&gt; to receive email updates!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What difference for the world are you going to make today?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it &lt;a href='https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'&gt;HERE&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hit me up on &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;What difference for the world are you going to make today?&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show! Most people have heard about elephants and rhinos being in trouble. But few realize that giraffes are quietly disappearing too. And also the hirola, a graceful antelope found only along the Kenya–Somalia border, is down to fewer than 500 left on Earth. In this episode, Dr. Abdullahi Ali shares how his journey from a nomadic childhood to a Ph.D. in ecology led him to found the Hirola Conservation Program and the Somali Giraf...

How Local Leadership is Reviving Vanishing Species with Dr. Abdullahi Ali, Ep.104

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/774236/open_sms">Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!</a>Federal policy might seem distant from the forests, rivers, and wildlife we care about but, as Bentley Johnson of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters explains, its impact reaches straight into our daily lives.From an executive order that resulted in higher(!) energy prices to bipartisan efforts that ensure the water coming from your tap is clean, Bentley reveals how political decisions ripple through ecosystems, economies, and communities alike.He also reminds us that our power doesn’t end at the ballot box. Between elections, we can still shape the laws that protect clean air, renewable energy, and wild spaces- by showing up, speaking out, and holding leaders accountable.If you’ve ever wondered how what happens in Washington affects us directly, this episode will connect those dots and help you see what you can be doing in between elections that can make a difference.This is another episode of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program Series! Highlights<ul><li>The real-world consequences of rolling back clean-energy and conservation laws.</li><li>Bipartisan success stories- from PFAS cleanup to Great Lakes restoration- that prove cooperation is still possible.</li><li>Why framing issues around health, cost, and community helps bridge divides.</li></ul>What YOU Can Do<ul><li>Vote in every election, especially local ones. City and state leaders decide on wildlife corridors, pollution standards, and habitat funding. **CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR AREA IS HOLDING ELECTIONS THIS NOVEMBER 4TH.</li><li>Check your representatives’ environmental records. Visit your state’s League of Conservation Voters or lcv.org/scorecard.</li><li>Speak up between elections. Attend town halls, share your story, and comment on proposed environmental rule changes.</li><li>Join or support local conservation and restoration projects. The federal picture changes, but local action keeps progress alive.</li><li>Share success stories. Remind others that clean-energy projects, restored wetlands, and wildlife protections are working. Hope is contagious.</li></ul>Resources<ul><li>Michigan LCV&apos;s <a href='https://www.michiganlcv.org/take-action/'>Take Action page.</a></li><li>MLCV&apos;s <a href='https://www.michiganlcv.org/actionhub/'>Action Hub</a></li><li>Michigan LCV&apos;s <a href='https://www.michiganlcv.org/scorecard/'>Scorecard </a></li><li>Because Michigan LCV&apos;s scorecard is focused on Michigan, you may be interested in the <a href='https://www.lcv.org/congressional-scorecard/'>national LCV&apos;s congressional scorecard</a> where anyone in the country can look up their Members of Congress.</li><li>We also talked about the greenhouse gas emissions reporting rollback. <a href='https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-epa-to-keep-the-greenhouse-gas-reporting-program-2/?source=MCV'>Here is a link to take action on that</a> (it&apos;s a national effort but this link is unique for Michigan LCV so that if people use it to make a comment, they can get credit).</li><li><a href='https://wildlifeleaders.org/'>Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) pro</a></li></ul> Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it <a href='https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'>HERE</a>! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility. Hit me up on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'>Instagram</a> and <a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'>Facebook</a> and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that! What difference for the world are you going to make today?

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/774236/open_sms"&gt;Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Federal policy might seem distant from the forests, rivers, and wildlife we care about but, as Bentley Johnson of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters explains, its impact reaches straight into our daily lives.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From an executive order that resulted in higher(!) energy prices to bipartisan efforts that ensure the water coming from your tap is clean, Bentley reveals how political decisions ripple through ecosystems, economies, and communities alike.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He also reminds us that our power doesn’t end at the ballot box. Between elections, we can still shape the laws that protect clean air, renewable energy, and wild spaces- by showing up, speaking out, and holding leaders accountable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever wondered how what happens in Washington affects us directly, this episode will connect those dots and help you see what you can be doing in between elections that can make a difference.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is another episode of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program Series! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Highlights&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;The real-world consequences of rolling back clean-energy and conservation laws.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Bipartisan success stories- from PFAS cleanup to Great Lakes restoration- that prove cooperation is still possible.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why framing issues around health, cost, and community helps bridge divides.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What YOU Can Do&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Vote in every election, especially local ones. City and state leaders decide on wildlife corridors, pollution standards, and habitat funding. &lt;b&gt;**CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR AREA IS HOLDING ELECTIONS THIS NOVEMBER 4TH.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Check your representatives’ environmental records. Visit your state’s League of Conservation Voters or lcv.org/scorecard.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Speak up between elections. Attend town halls, share your story, and comment on proposed environmental rule changes.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Join or support local conservation and restoration projects. The federal picture changes, but local action keeps progress alive.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Share success stories. Remind others that clean-energy projects, restored wetlands, and wildlife protections are working. Hope is contagious.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Resources&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Michigan LCV&amp;apos;s &lt;a href='https://www.michiganlcv.org/take-action/'&gt;Take Action page.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;MLCV&amp;apos;s &lt;a href='https://www.michiganlcv.org/actionhub/'&gt;Action Hub&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Michigan LCV&amp;apos;s &lt;a href='https://www.michiganlcv.org/scorecard/'&gt;Scorecard &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Because Michigan LCV&amp;apos;s scorecard is focused on Michigan, you may be interested in the &lt;a href='https://www.lcv.org/congressional-scorecard/'&gt;national LCV&amp;apos;s congressional scorecard&lt;/a&gt; where anyone in the country can look up their Members of Congress.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;We also talked about the greenhouse gas emissions reporting rollback. &lt;a href='https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-epa-to-keep-the-greenhouse-gas-reporting-program-2/?source=MCV'&gt;Here is a link to take action on that&lt;/a&gt; (it&amp;apos;s a national effort but this link is unique for Michigan LCV so that if people use it to make a comment, they can get credit).&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://wildlifeleaders.org/'&gt;Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) pro&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it &lt;a href='https://forcesfornature.com/becoming-a-force-for-nature-free-guide/'&gt;HERE&lt;/a&gt;!&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Hit me up on &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/becoming.forces.for.nature/'&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/becomingforcesfornature/'&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;What difference for the world are you going to make today?&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show! Federal policy might seem distant from the forests, rivers, and wildlife we care about but, as Bentley Johnson of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters explains, its impact reaches straight into our daily lives. From an executive order that resulted in higher(!) energy prices to bipartisan efforts that ensure the water coming from your tap is clean, Bentley reveals how political decisions ripple through ecosystems, eco...

How Citizens Keep Environmental Progress Alive in Between Elections with Bentley Johnson, Ep. 103

Do you care about environmental issues but feel overwhelmed by all the information out there? Forces for Nature is here to help. We provide a clear, accessible overview of the challenges our planet is facing and, more importantly, focus on solutions. Instead of dwelling on the doom and gloom that fills the news and social media, we answer the question, “What can I do about it?” With Forces for Nature, you’ll find practical steps and inspiring stories that empower you to make a difference so that you, too, can become a force for nature.

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