Conservation Careers Podcast

Hosted by Conservation Careers

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169

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

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.

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60 recent

August 4, 20261 hr 10 min

How Environmental Education Creates Lasting Conservation | Cindy-Lee Cloete

How conservationists can create lasting impact by empowering communities, transforming environmental education, and building inclusive conservation movements, with our guest Cindy-Lee Cloete. Conservation isn't just about protecting wildlife. It's about people too. The most successful conservation projects don't happen in isolation - they happen when communities are empowered to care for the places they call home. Today's guest is Cindy-Lee Cloete, CEO of WESSA - the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. Growing up in a small community in Namaqualand, Cindy-Lee developed a deep connection with nature that has shaped an extraordinary career in conservation. Today she leads one of Africa's oldest environmental organisations, helping to integrate conservation, environmental education, and community action across South Africa. In this conversation we explore Cindy-Lee's remarkable journey into conservation, why environmental education is one of the most powerful tools for protecting nature, how WESSA has evolved over the past century, and why the future of conservation depends on courageous collaboration, inclusive leadership, and putting communities at the heart of environmental action. It's a community conservation, environmental education, and conservation leadership podcast. Enjoy.

July 21, 202648 min

The Future of Conservation Education | Camille Mougenot

How conservation organisations can use immersive technology to educate, inspire, and reconnect people with nature, with our guest Camille Mougenot. Have you ever wondered whether technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and immersive storytelling could help people care more deeply about wildlife and the natural world? Today I'm joined by Camille Mougenot, Director of International Partnerships at Wild Immersion - an organisation designing immersive conservation experiences for zoos, aquariums, museums, science centres, and conservation organisations around the world. Wild Immersion believes that technology shouldn't replace nature - it should help reconnect us with it. Through breathtaking 360° films, virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive experiences, they're helping people encounter wildlife in entirely new ways, while strengthening conservation education and inspiring lasting behaviour change. In this conversation, we explore how immersive technology is transforming conservation education, what makes an educational experience truly memorable, and how Wild Immersion designs projects from the first spark of an idea through to a finished visitor experience. We also discuss the importance of storytelling, emotion, and community in helping people connect with nature, before turning to Camille's own career journey and her advice for anyone interested in combining conservation, education, technology, and creativity. It's a conservation education, immersive technology, and storytelling podcast. Enjoy. -- https://wildimmersion.io/en/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-wild-immersion/

July 7, 20261 hr 3 min

From Earthshot Prize to Restoring Coral Reefs | Sam Teicher

How entrepreneurs, innovation, and restoration businesses can help save coral reefs and build a new restoration economy, with our guest Sam Teicher. Coral reefs cover less than one percent of our oceans, yet they support around a quarter of all marine life and provide food, livelihoods, and coastal protection for around a billion people. Yet they're disappearing at an alarming rate. Today I'm joined by Sam Teicher, Co-Founder and Chief Reef Officer at Coral Vita - an Earthshot Prize-winning conservation business that's pioneering a new approach to coral reef restoration. Instead of relying solely on traditional conservation funding, Coral Vita is proving that a for-profit business can help restore nature at scale while creating jobs, supporting local communities, and protecting one of the world's most important ecosystems. In this conversation we explore why coral reefs matter, what's driving their decline, and how Coral Vita grows and restores climate-resilient corals. We also discuss the Earthshot Prize, conservation entrepreneurship, the idea of a restoration economy, and whether businesses can become one of conservation's most powerful tools. Finally, Sam shares his own career journey and practical advice for anyone who wants to make a meaningful impact for nature. It's an ocean conservation, conservation entrepreneurship, and restoration innovation podcast. Enjoy.

June 22, 20261 hr 1 min

Building New Models for Marine Conservation | Justin Blake

How marine scientists can combine conservation, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and tourism to create impact, with our guest Justin Blake. Justin Blake is a marine scientist, entrepreneur, and founder of RockHopper - a social enterprise that blends marine science, storytelling, tourism, and conservation to create new ways of funding and delivering impact. After spending more than 15 years studying sharks and working on marine conservation projects across Africa, Justin realised that science alone wasn't enough. Conservation needed new business models, new storytellers, and new ways to connect people with nature. Today, his work ranges from shark tagging and marine research in South Africa to creating ocean experiences that help fund conservation while inspiring people to care more deeply about the marine world. In this episode, we explore how entrepreneurship can support conservation, why storytelling is such a powerful conservation tool, what it's really like to build a career in marine science, and why Justin believes that people protect what they feel connected to. It's a marine science, entrepreneurship, and ocean storytelling podcast . Enjoy.

June 11, 202642 min

Building Marine Conservation Careers in Indonesia | Lauren Sparks

How Indo Ocean Project is using science, education, and field experience to conserve Indonesia's marine ecosystems, with our guest Lauren Sparks. Indonesia sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle - one of the most biodiverse marine regions on Earth. But protecting these extraordinary ecosystems requires more than passion. It requires science, local partnerships, long-term monitoring, and people willing to dedicate their careers to making a difference. Today's guest is Lauren Sparks , Founder and Director of the Indo Ocean Projec - a marine research and conservation organisation working across Indonesia to protect marine ecosystems through research, education, community engagement, and conservation action. Originally from Canada, Lauren has spent the last 15 years living and working in Indonesia, building an organisation that now supports marine research, conservation projects, and career development opportunities for aspiring marine conservationists. In this episode, we explore the incredible marine biodiversity of Indonesia, the conservation challenges facing its reefs and coastal communities, and how long-term ecological monitoring is helping inform better marine management and policy decisions. We also discuss Lauren's own career journey - from dive instructor and ocean educator to conservation founder and leader - and the lessons she's learned along the way. And for anyone considering a career in marine conservation, we dive into the wide range of opportunities available, the skills employers increasingly need, the growing importance of communications and data analysis, and how gaining hands-on field experience can help launch your career. It's a reefs, research, and careers podcast. Enjoy.

June 5, 202639 min

How to Build a Career in Marine Conservation | Dr David Shiffman

How to build a meaningful career protecting our oceans, with our guest Dr David Shiffman. What does it really take to build a career protecting our oceans? Today’s guest is Dr David Shiffman - marine conservation biologist, public science communicator, author of Why Sharks Matter , and our Marine Conservation Expert in Residence here at Conservation Careers. David has spent his career exploring the intersection of marine science, conservation policy, and public engagement, with a particular focus on sharks and the threats they face. In this episode, we explore David’s fascinating career journey - from a childhood obsession with sharks to becoming a leading voice in marine conservation. We discuss why evidence matters in conservation, what solutions are actually working to protect marine biodiversity, and why sustainable fisheries, marine protected areas, and science-based decision-making give him hope for the future of our oceans. We also dive into marine conservation careers - the huge variety of roles available, the skills employers are looking for, and David’s practical advice for students, graduates, career switchers, and anyone who dreams of working in the sector. And finally, we discuss our new Certificate in Marine Conservation , which David helped create as our Expert in Residence, designed to help people understand the principles, practice, and career opportunities within marine conservation. It's a sharks, science, careers podcast. Enjoy.

May 5, 202632 min

How to Build a Purpose-Driven Career | Devon Fritz

How professionals can use their skills, values and career choices to create measurable positive impact, with our guest Devon Fritz. Have you ever wondered how to turn your career into one of the biggest ways you can make a difference? Today’s guest is Devon Fritz , author of The High-Impact Professional’s Playbook and co-founder of the nonprofit High Impact Professionals . Devon works with professionals who want to move beyond good intentions and create measurable impact through their careers - whether that means changing jobs, shifting sectors, using existing skills in new ways, or finding other routes to contribute through mentoring, volunteering, board roles or donating. In this episode, we explore the growing demand for purposeful work, why people from sectors like tech, finance and consulting are increasingly looking towards conservation and social impact, and what often holds them back. We also unpack Devon’s IMPACT framework - a practical step-by-step process for identifying what matters, mapping career options, prioritising pathways, and taking clear action towards more meaningful work. If you’re a professional wondering how to use your skills for good - or a career switcher looking for a more purposeful path - this episode is for you. It’s a purposeful, practical, and high-impact podcast. Enjoy. --- https://www.highimpactprofessionals.org/book https://www.highimpactprofessionals.org/

April 16, 202641 min

Snakes, Startups and Saving Nature | Dr Harry Fonseca Williams

How a conservation entrepreneur is tackling snakebite, restoring ecosystems, and building impact from the ground up, with our guest Dr Harry Fonseca Williams. Have you ever wondered what happens when you combine a passion for wildlife with the drive to actually make a difference? Today’s guest is Dr Harry Fonseca Williams - a toxicologist, conservationist, and founder who is working at the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and conservation impact. Harry describes himself as a “snakebite scientist” with a passion for toxic animals, and in this episode we explore two sides of his work. First, his role in founding The LEAF Charity - a fast-growing organisation restoring ecosystems and supporting communities through large-scale tree planting and conservation projects. And second, his work with ToxiVen and beyond, developing cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments to tackle snakebite - one of the world’s most overlooked global health challenges. We talk about what it really takes to build a conservation charity from scratch, how small ideas can scale into meaningful impact, and why turning research into real-world solutions is so important. We also dive into Harry’s career journey, from studying venom pharmacology to launching companies and leading conservation projects, and the lessons he’s learned along the way - including the importance of collaboration, fundraising, and following your passion. If you're interested in conservation careers that go beyond the traditional path - blending science, startups, and real-world impact - this episode will give you plenty to think about. It’s a snakes, science, impact podcast. Enjoy. --- https://www.theleafcharity.com/

March 24, 20261 hr 4 min

Leadership in Conservation Organisations | Chris Lee

How conservation professionals can build strong teams, positive cultures, and deliver greater impact, with our guest Chris Lee. Today we’re exploring something that sits at the heart of every successful conservation project - but often gets far less attention than it deserves - leadership. I’m joined by Chris Lee, Executive Director at Des Moines County Conservation in Iowa, and co-host of the Parks and Restoration podcast. Chris describes himself as an “organisational ecologist” - applying lessons from nature to help build stronger teams, healthier workplace cultures, and more effective conservation organisations. In this episode, we dig into what good leadership actually looks like in conservation - and why it’s not just about job titles or seniority. We explore how culture shapes performance, why putting people first is essential, and how thinking of organisations as ecosystems can completely change the way we work. Chris also shares his own career journey - from wildlife biologist to organisational leader - including some honest reflections on mistakes, lessons learned, and what it really takes to build a team where people want to show up and do their best work. And we talk about how anyone - at any stage of their career - can develop leadership skills and have a positive impact within their organisation. It’s a thoughtful and practical conversation about the human side of conservation - and how, if we get that right, everything else becomes possible. Enjoy. https://www.parksandrestoration.com/

March 24, 20261 hr 6 min

Community-Led Conservation in Madagascar | Dr Aubrey Alamshah

How SEED Madagascar is working with local communities is key to protecting wildlife and ecosystems, with our guest Dr Aubrey Alamshah. Today we’re heading to southeast Madagascar - a region of extraordinary biodiversity, but also one facing some very real and complex conservation challenges. I’m joined by Dr Aubrey Alamshah, Conservation Research Coordinator at SEED Madagascar - an organisation taking a long-term, holistic approach to conservation by working closely with local communities, alongside protecting wildlife and ecosystems. In this episode, we explore what makes this region of Madagascar so unique, from its hyper-endemic species to its fragile coastal forests. We talk about the realities of conservation on the ground - including climate impacts, deforestation, and mining - and how SEED is responding through research, community partnerships, and practical action. Aubrey also shares what their role involves day-to-day, how research translates into real conservation impact, and how volunteers and local teams contribute to the work. And we dive into Aubrey’s career journey too - from early volunteering and fieldwork around the world, through to a PhD and into a leadership role in conservation research - with some really honest advice for anyone trying to break into the sector. It’s a thoughtful, grounded and hopeful conversation about what it really takes to make conservation work. Enjoy. https://madagascar.co.uk/