Conservation Nation

Sanaa Caldwell spent her childhood watching Animal Planet and National Geographic, always aspiring to be just like Steve Irwin and to help lead conservation efforts for marine life. ⏩ Fast forward to now: funding from the Chrysalis Fund allowed her to successfully troubleshoot issues throughout her proposal and develop new protocols for her proposed research project. In June 2023, Sanaa even attended the 5th Asia-Pacific Coral Reef Symposium in Singapore to present a poster about her planned coral microbiome study, and in November 2023, she attended Black in Marine Science Week, where she met other Black marine scientists in different stages of their careers. 📸: Sanaa's friend TreVaughn Ellis drew this amazing illustration of her experience!

Welcome Tykee James to the Conservation Nation team! Tykee James, the president of the DC Bird Alliance, one of the founders of Black Birders Week, and a featured guest on the Emmy-winning Nat Geo series, Extraordinary Birder, has joined us as our Education Program Manager! We're thrilled to have Tykee on board 🎉

🎉 Big Announcement! 🎉 I am thrilled to join the Conservation Nation team as the new Education Program Manager! 🌿✨ My journey began in Philadelphia, where my passion for nature started as an environmental educator. Over the years, I have used my love for birds to build trust, coalitions, and make a meaningful difference in my community. 🌍❤️ My dedication to wildlife conservation led me to Washington, D.C., where I served as a federal lobbyist, advocating for national efforts in wildlife conservation, outdoor access, and environmental justice. 🏛️🦅 In 2020, I co-created Black Birders Week and co-founded Amplify the Future, a non-profit organization providing scholarships and outdoor education. My leadership and vision in promoting equitable access have brought me to serve on several organizations’ boards of directors. 🌿📚 Now, based outside of Denver, CO, I continue my mission of breaking down barriers to nature’s benefits with Conservation Nation. As Education Program Manager, I am eager to support emerging environmentalists and cultivate a diverse community of eco-champions. 🌟🤝 Follow my adventure at Conservation Nation (Follow their account)! Together, we will combat the extinction crisis and foster a more inclusive and equitable environmental movement. 🐦🌱 #ConservationNation #WildlifeConservation #EnvironmentalEducation #Inspiration #Leadership #NatureForAll

TOMORROW: Join us for an insightful exchange featuring two Conservation Nation grantees who will explore the dynamic and often challenging relationship between humans and wildlife. Yamat Lengai and Taylor Rabe will share their journeys as women in conservation and discuss what it means to coexist with wildlife across diverse ecological, social, and cultural landscapes. Whether you’re a conservation professional, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersections of human and wildlife communities, we promise you'll love this conversation! https://loom.ly/Xg14x8M

What makes Conservation Nation special? Our grants fund activities that are essential for conservationists' work, but may not be covered by standard grant programs. That includes things like: 📝 Publishing of a paper ✈️ Professional development or conference attendance 🎤 Stipends for guest speakers or lecturers 🍼 Dependent care assistance for a child or adult dependents

Over the past three weeks, Jess Blakeway has been working with the Conflict Islands Conservation Initiative (CICI) ranger team to conduct walking shark surveys. 🦈 The CICI ranger team has acquired new skills like shark capture and release, photo identification, and basic laboratory techniques. This hands-on experience in the field is invaluable for both the team and the future of the project. #SharkWeek #Conservation https://loom.ly/YzQGVl8

Things I couldn’t get enough of at the terrific Aspen Ideas Festival: Listening to and learning from Common; being a foot away from a magnificent wolf from Mission: Wolf sanctuary; feeling hopeful about Sway’s regenerative plastic replacement made from seaweed; spending time with my wildlife conservationist friend, Dr Jo Lambert; and those aspen tree eyes that follow you everywhere. Thank you Aspen Ideas for a year’s worth of inspiration, education, connecting and fun in a few days.

In celebration of World Female Ranger Week, Corinne Boyd and Jana-Perry Smith, two William & Mary students, paired up with Cynthia Kileken to shadow the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO) female rangers. Last week, the students conducted research on the rangers' motivations, goals, and perspectives — and how to maximize the impact that women have on conservation outcomes. They conducted interviews with the women rangers, shadowed them on their patrols, and even woke up at 5AM to participate in their morning workout and training routines. 💪

Join us for an insightful exchange featuring two Conservation Nation grantees who will explore the dynamic and often challenging relationship between humans and wildlife. ➡️ Yamat Lengai has grown from a Maasai girl fearing lions to leading efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in Tanzania. ➡️ Taylor Rabe is reshaping perceptions about wolves in the Greater Yellowstone region. They will delve into their journeys as women in conservation and discuss what it means to coexist with wildlife across diverse ecological, social, and cultural landscapes. Whether you’re a conservation professional, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersections of human and wildlife communities, this webinar promises to inspire and inform. https://loom.ly/Xg14x8M

School may be over for the 2023-2024 school year, but our education programs are just heating up! 🔥 Our free lessons challenge stereotypes and feature authentic conservation champions from around the world who come from diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. Want to learn more? https://loom.ly/xqtj36M