Conservation Careers Podcast

Conservation Careers
  • 4.9 (29)
  • CAREERS
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Nick Askew from Conservation Careers uncovers what it's like to work in wildlife conservation. He explores how to get a conservation job, and discusses the latest industry news, by speaking to professional conservationists who share their career stories and advice. So if you want the inside scoop on the life of a professional conservationist and their industry, are feeling lost in your conservation job hunt and need some direction, or wanting to switch careers into conservation but don't know where to start - this is the podcast for you! Conservation jobs, conservation volunteering, conservation internships, conservation careers, conservation news, conservation stories. Check us out at conservation-careers.com to find the most conservation jobs and the best conservation careers advice.

  1. What it really takes to build a career in marine conservation | Dr Lissa Batey

    FEB 11

    What it really takes to build a career in marine conservation | Dr Lissa Batey

    How to build a meaningful career protecting the ocean by working with people, communities, and partners, with our guest Lissa Batey. If you’re interested in building a career in marine conservation, this episode is for you. Today’s guest is Dr Lissa Batey, a marine conservation professional whose work brings together communities, partners, and organisations to deliver meaningful change for marine ecosystems. In our conversation, we explore what a marine conservation career really looks like. Lissa shares her own career journey, what her role involves day-to-day, and how working with people - rather than just species or habitats - is often the key to protecting our oceans in the long term. We talk about the skills needed to succeed in marine conservation beyond technical science, including communication, facilitation, and collaboration. Lissa also offers practical advice for students, early-career professionals, and career switchers who want to work in marine conservation but aren’t sure where they fit, or whether they need to follow a traditional scientific pathway. It’s an honest, grounded conversation about marine conservation careers, the realities of working in the sector, and how to build impact by working with people, not around them. It’s a thoughtful, practical, and people-powered episode. Enjoy. --- Join CC - www.conservation-careers.com/join Lissa Batey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lissa-batey-b2538567/

    52 min
  2. Butterflies, Brazil Nuts and Biodiversity – Protecting the Peruvian Amazon  with  Johana Reyes

    FEB 5

    Butterflies, Brazil Nuts and Biodiversity – Protecting the Peruvian Amazon  with  Johana Reyes

    How the Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon is combining science, education and community action to keep the forest standing, with Johana Reyes. If you’ve ever wondered what a sustainable Amazon looks like in practice – how local livelihoods, science and education can work together to protect one of the most biodiverse places on Earth – this episode is for you. Today’s guest is Johana Reyes, Founding Member and President of the Board for the Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon. Johana joins us from the south‑eastern Peruvian Amazon – a region rich in Brazil nut forests, scarlet macaws and community‑led conservation. We unpack the Alliance’s mission and model – from long‑term biological research and reforestation with local families to education programmes that connect children and students directly with the forest. Johana shares what life is really like leading a small, field‑based team in the Amazon, the insights her work is revealing, and practical ways that you can get involved through internships, volunteering and research placements. Whether you’re a student, career switcher or professional looking to make a greater impact, you’ll come away with grounded career advice – from experimenting early and translating your skills, to building confidence through hands‑on experience. It’s a field‑based, hopeful, and practical episode. Enjoy. Join CC - www.conservation-careers.com/join ASA - www.sustainableamazon.org

    1h 1m
  3. The Power of Wildlife Forensics in Conservation | Dr Greg Simpson

    12/09/2025

    The Power of Wildlife Forensics in Conservation | Dr Greg Simpson

    How the Wildlife Forensic Academy is training the next generation of crime scene investigators for nature, with Dr Greg Simpson. Hi, Nick here from Conservation Careers and welcome to the podcast. Today we're exploring a lesser-known but vitally important side of conservation: wildlife forensics. My guest is Dr Greg Simpson — a vet, public health specialist, conservationist, and Managing Director of the Wildlife Forensic Academy in South Africa. Greg brings a fascinating blend of experiences — from veterinary clinics and public health to conservation education and wildlife crime scene investigations. In this conversation, we unpack what wildlife forensics actually is — and why it’s becoming such a crucial tool in fighting wildlife crime and protecting biodiversity. We also explore the work of the Wildlife Forensic Academy — the world’s first institution of its kind — which delivers hands-on, field-based training for students, rangers, researchers and professionals. You’ll hear about the Academy’s unique approach, its growing global partnerships, and how you can get involved. Finally, Greg shares personal insights into his role, career journey, advice for aspiring wildlife vets or forensic scientists — and his vision for scaling the Academy's impact across the world. Before we get started, I wanted to give you a quick heads up that whether you’re just beginning your journey in conservation or looking to progress further, we’ve built three membership levels designed to support you at every stage. CC Free gives you full access to our library of career guides and templates, along with bespoke job alerts from the world’s biggest conservation job board here at Conservation Careers. For deeper support, CC Pro unlocks access to all listings our website and adds our private members’ community — a friendly, career-boosting space with training, events, expert guidance, and even the chance to join these podcast interviews live and put your own questions to our guests. And coming soon, CC Pass will give you full access to all our premium training courses. That includes programmes such as the Certificate in Rewilding, Project Management & Design, Fundraising, Communications, Community-Based Conservation, Marine Conservation, and our career development courses — with more added over time. If you’d like to explore any of these options, everything is available at conservation-careers.com, and we’ll pop a link below for you. Righty, let’s jump into today’s podchat with Greg. Enjoy. Links Our membershipsWildlife Forensic Academy

    53 min
  4. Community-Based Conservation in Action | Helen Gibbons

    11/13/2025

    Community-Based Conservation in Action | Helen Gibbons

    Hi there, Nick here from Conservation Careers and welcome to the podcast. If you’ve ever wondered how conservation can be truly inclusive, collaborative and community-led — this episode is for you. Today I’m joined by Helen Gibbons, an expert in community-based conservation and our current Expert in Residence at Conservation Careers. With over 25 years of experience working for leading organisations like the Gorilla Fund, WWF, Greenpeace and the Maasai Mara Conservancies, Helen brings a wealth of insight into how conservation can and should work with people at its heart. Together, we explore what community-based conservation really means — not just in theory, but in practice. We talk about trust, respect, and partnerships — and why supporting communities to lead their own conservation efforts is often the key to lasting impact. Helen also shares stories from her incredible career, along with advice for people looking to work in this space — including the skills, experiences and mindset that really matter. It’s a conservation, community, and career episode. Enjoy. Links Certificate in Community-Based ConservationHelen Gibbons on LinkedIn

    58 min
  5. Painting Conservation: Rory McCann on Using Art to Connect People and Wildlife

    10/24/2025

    Painting Conservation: Rory McCann on Using Art to Connect People and Wildlife

    When was the last time a piece of art changed how you thought or felt about the natural world? Today’s guest is Rory McCann — a conservation artist and muralist who uses large-scale, community-driven art to inspire awareness, connection, and action for nature. In this conversation, Rory shares what it’s like to create wildlife-inspired murals, and how involving schools and communities in the creative process can help people fall in love with wildlife. We explore the power of art in conservation, education and behaviour change — and how Rory’s own journey, shaped by childhood arthritis and a deep love of nature, led him to forge a creative career outside the traditional path. Whether you’re a career switcher, student, artist or conservationist, this is a beautiful reminder that there’s no one way to make a difference. It’s a bold, personal, and inspiring episode. Enjoy. Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-mccann-artist/ https://www.instagram.com/rorymccannart/ https://www.facebook.com/RoryMcCannMurals https://rorymccannmurals.com/about/

    53 min
  6. Keeping Scotland Beautiful: Leadership, Nature & Community with Barry Fisher

    10/17/2025

    Keeping Scotland Beautiful: Leadership, Nature & Community with Barry Fisher

    Scotland is a land of breathtaking beauty — from its rugged coasts and misty glens to its rich biodiversity and wild spaces. But like all places we love, it needs care, commitment and community to keep it that way. In this episode, we’re joined by Barry Fisher, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, the environmental charity on a mission to inspire action for a clean, green, sustainable Scotland. Together we explore what makes Scotland so special — especially for wildlife — and why it can’t be taken for granted. Barry shares the charity’s current strategy, how they work with partners across government, schools, businesses and communities, and how they’re tackling issues like biodiversity loss, climate change, and waste. We also explore Barry’s personal journey — from youth development to leading a national charity — and what it’s really like to be a CEO in the conservation space. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of leadership, what success looks like for him, and the pivotal career moments that shaped his path. Whether you’re based in Scotland or just love the idea of community-powered environmental action, this conversation offers insight, inspiration, and real-world examples of conservation in action. It’s a reflective, practical, and optimistic episode.  Enjoy. www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org

    1h 1m
  7. Is Coaching Right for You? With Kristi Foster of Conservation Careers

    10/17/2025

    Is Coaching Right for You? With Kristi Foster of Conservation Careers

    Have you ever felt stuck, burnt out, or unsure of your next move in your career? In this episode we’re joined by Kristi Foster, Head of Programmes at Conservation Careers and an experienced careers coach. Kristi has been a guiding force for hundreds of conservationists — helping them overcome internal barriers like imposter syndrome, burnout, and decision paralysis. Together, we explore what coaching actually is — and what it isn’t — clarifying how it differs from mentoring, consulting or therapy, and what makes it such a powerful tool for growth.  We discuss the unique challenges conservationists face today, from burnout to imposter syndrome to uncertainty, and how coaching can bring you clarity, confidence and direction.  Kristi also walks us through what happens in a typical coaching session, including some of the tools and exercises she uses to help people unlock breakthroughs.  And finally, we explore how to know if coaching is right for you — and what it takes to get the most from the process. Whether you're a student, switcher, seasoned professional or someone in-between, this conversation will help you understand the power of coaching to support your growth and success in the sector. It’s an open, honest, and practical conversation — and if you’d like to explore whether coaching could be right for you, there’s a link in the description to find out more. Enjoy Want to learn more or book a coaching session? Visit -> https://www.conservation-careers.com/support/clarity-coaching/

    55 min
  8. What Rewilding Really Looks Like | Pedro Ribeiro, Rewilding Expert in Residence

    09/25/2025

    What Rewilding Really Looks Like | Pedro Ribeiro, Rewilding Expert in Residence

    How rewilding is helping nature and people thrive in Portugal and beyond, with Pedro Ribeiro. If you’ve ever wondered what rewilding really means – or what it takes to make it happen on the ground – this episode is for you. We’re joined by Pedro Ribeiro, our Expert in Residence here at Conservation Careers, for a practical and inspiring look at rewilding in action. Pedro shares what rewilding looks like across the Portuguese landscape – from restoring large grazers like horses, to supporting vultures and other scavengers, tackling invasive species, and rebuilding healthier ecosystems. We also discuss Pedro’s career journey into rewilding, his work with communities and landowners, the kinds of jobs emerging in the field – and how you can get involved through our new Certificate in Rewilding training programme. It’s a grounded, hopeful, and insight-packed conversation – and a “boots-on-the-ground” look at rewilding. Enjoy.

    52 min
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4.9
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About

Nick Askew from Conservation Careers uncovers what it's like to work in wildlife conservation. He explores how to get a conservation job, and discusses the latest industry news, by speaking to professional conservationists who share their career stories and advice. So if you want the inside scoop on the life of a professional conservationist and their industry, are feeling lost in your conservation job hunt and need some direction, or wanting to switch careers into conservation but don't know where to start - this is the podcast for you! Conservation jobs, conservation volunteering, conservation internships, conservation careers, conservation news, conservation stories. Check us out at conservation-careers.com to find the most conservation jobs and the best conservation careers advice.

Information

  • Creator
    Conservation Careers
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    158
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Conservation Careers Ltd
  • Show Website
    Conservation Careers Podcast