Voices of Nature Bob Ludke

In this episode we speak with Richard Vigne. Richard is the first Executive Director of the School of Wildlife Conservation, located at The African Leadership College (ALC) located in Kigali, Rwanda.

The School of Wildlife Conservation has a very unique approach to conservation – what it calls the business of conservation. Which is about creating and maintaining economic incentives for the sustainable utilization of wild resources and removing economic incentives which drive unsustainable use.

We cover this thought-provoking topic in more detail during the conversation with Richard.

Previously, Richard was the CEO of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and one of the most successful enterprises in Africa. He was born and brought up in Kenya and has more than 20 years of experience in conservation.

In this episode we speak with Anastasia Khoo, the Chief of Staff and Chief Marketing Officer for Conservation International, about the importance of using communications and marketing strategies to engage the public to take action on behalf of nature.

Founded in 1987, Conservation International is one of the world’s largest conservation-focused organizations. Combining fieldwork with innovations in science, policy and finance, Conservation International has helped protect more than 6 million square kilometers (2.3 million square miles) of land and sea across more than 70 countries.

With offices in more than two dozen countries and a worldwide network of thousands of partners, its reach truly is global.

The conversation with Anastasia also takes an interesting detour as we learn more about why mangroves are an often under appreciated - but critically important - resource in protecting ecosystems and communities alike from the ravages of climate change.

In this episode we speak with James Wareing, the finance manager of Tenkile Conservation Alliance – often referred to as TCA.

Tenkile Conservation Alliance operates in the Torricelli mountains in the north-west of Papua New Guinea. TCA was founded to protect several species of critically endangered tree kangaroos, the Tenkile, Weimang, and Grizzled.

When TCA started, numbers of both the Tenkile and Weimand species were as low as 100. Now, thanks to a hunting moratorium, community engagement, and awareness programs, both species are around 300-400 strong. While the Grizzled remains threatened, it is not in as great of danger as the other two species. Further, TCA's work has expanded to bringing the benefits of conservation to the local communities – another topic we touch on in the conversation with James.

In this episode we speak with Marianna Burelli, an actress and entrepreneur. Born in Venezuela, educated in Africa, Mexico, and England, and now living in Los Angeles, Marianna has experienced nature throughout the world. Her passion for healthy living and protecting nature led her to co-found AMAI, an eco-beauty product line that combines the medicinal powers of plants, flower essences and herbal oils to create 100 percent natural, organic, sustainable and plastic-free products. Her desire to create AMAI and the importance of healthy, sustainable beauty products in protecting nature will be a topic we discuss in this interesting and engaging episode.

In episode 26 we speak with Brett Horley, founding partner of BHS Safaris. Brett is a native of South Africa, where he currently lives. Brett has nearly 20 years of experience in the bush and has guided tours across much of the continent.

Brett’s belief in education as part of a sustainable solution for the protection of wildlife led him to become involved in the training of guides in South Africa, Botswana, and Tanzania. He ran a highly successful education program in a few rural South African high schools, teaching skills and promoting tourism as a career path for many young students, a number of whom now work in prestigious luxury lodges in the Greater Kruger National Park.

In our conversation we discuss one topic not yet covered in Voices of Nature – the intersection of tourism and conservation – and another topic that is aligned with the mission of GCC – educating young people about careers that protect and promote nature.

In this episode we speak with West Taylor, a former businessman and IT communications contractor who decided to let go of all the worldly ideas of who he was.

In so doing, West followed his dream and found what was to become his passion and purpose today. Some say he is a horse whisperer. West will say he chooses to listen to the horse and allows them to communicate with him.

West has had two near death experiences that shifted who he is and how he chooses to live his life. He spent 15 years drowning in alcohol. He also faced down a grizzly bear intent on killing him in the backcountry of Alaska.

Both changed his life forever. Listen in to learn more about West and his adventures with horses.