Justin Birkhoff
Vertebrate Conservation Coordinator, Global Center for Species Survival - Indianapolis Zoo
I am an enthusiastic and progressive conservation professional with over 15 years of experience in zoological institutions and conservation non-profits. I currently work as part of a unique partnership between the IUCN SSC and the Indianapolis Zoo as part of the Global Center for Species Survival. Throughout my career, I have focused on the role of zoos as conservation organizations, serving as a bridge between in situ and ex situ conservation. I am a firm supporter of the IUCN’s One Plan Approach to conservation. My range of experience provides a broad foundation to draw from and offers unique insights for problem-solving and partnership engagement. I have experience working for and with domestic and international conservation non-profits. My focus includes supporting the development of conservation skills, utilizing innovative tools, technologies, and approaches to tackle conservation challenges, and emphasizing the contributions of local communities to wildlife conservation. I strongly believe in the power of storytelling as a conservation tool. I am eager to connect with other conservationists and offer them support, skills, and training to aid in their ongoing work.
I’m Alexandra Verdes, an ecologist and environmental project manager with over 5 years of experience in the NGO and conservation sector. I currently work with WWF Romania, supporting the implementation of various projects, including cross-border initiatives focused on wildlife connectivity and conservation in the Carpathians, as well as forestry, innovation, and climate change projects.
My academic background includes a Master’s in Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation and specialised training in animal-assisted therapy, waste management, and environmental education. I’ve also worked with youth groups, local communities, and international partners to organise different events, trainings, and outreach programs.
My key interests include: 🟢Biodiversity protection: wildlife and forestry conservation 🟢 Wildlife crime- illegal logging (new interest) 🟢 Environmental education 🟢 Community involvement in conservation 🟢 Project coordination and donor reporting
I’m enthusiastic about collaboration, sharing knowledge, and learning from others working in the field of nature conservation.
I am the founder of Ubuntu Magazine. We share personal stories from the frontlines of conservation globally.
I have a background as a Applied Biologist and have been traveling the African continent since September '22 in a Land Rover Defender. Alongside watching wildlife and learning more about new countries and cultures, we (my partner and I) visit projects for Ubuntu Magazine.
I am an emerging environmental and climate change professional focused on Environment management, climate action, and sustainable natural resource governance. I am currently in my final year pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Environment and Climate Change at Mukuba University, with a growing orientation toward applied, policy relevant, and community grounded solutions.
My professional experience includes industrial attachment with the Mansa Forestry Department in Luapula Province, where I gained practical exposure to forest management, conservation planning, and the operational realities of environmental governance. This experience reinforced my interest in forests as critical climate systems and strengthened my commitment to linking ecosystem protection with local livelihoods and resilience.
I bring a strong blend of technical, leadership, and advocacy credentials. My training includes ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems Awareness, GIS applications in conservation mapping, leadership in climate change, natural conservation education, climate change and human health, and WASH related environmental programming. These competencies position me at the intersection of environmental management, spatial analysis, public health linkages, and climate leadership, with an emphasis on evidence based action.
Beyond formal training, I have demonstrated leadership through regional and grassroots engagement. I served as the 2024 Africa Ambassador for the Healthy Environmentally Friendly Youth Campaign and remain actively involved with the Mukuba University Climate Change Action Society and the Copperbelt Institute of Natural Resources and Climate Change. I have contributed to tree planting initiatives and community mobilization under platforms such as the Keep Your Promise Campaign, advocating for climate justice and accountability.
My long term direction is centered on advancing practical solutions in forest conservation, environmental management systems, and climate policy implementation. I am particularly interested in roles that allow me to integrate science, leadership, and community engagement to drive sustainable and measurable environmental impact in Zambia and across Africa.
Hi, I‘m Sabrina, I love the outdoors, laughter, journeys, and connecting with others, including other animals! How are you (but then really) & can you please tell me a story, are two of my favourite questions. Stories of call kinds can inspire, bring us joy, connection, and help us heal. Stories and ACTs can affect change. One of my favourite quotes is along the lines of ‘What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say’ by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It connects deeply to my ideas around flourishing for all. For peoples, other animals, the greater community of life, and this beautiful planet we share. To listen, learn, share, and act from a culture of respect and care. I look forward to connecting with you.
Sabrina Brando PhD is the director of AnimalConcepts, including InterBeing, an online platform uniting people and organisations on 6 continents, combining animal, people, and planetary wellbeing. Sabrina is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional and an Optimize Eudaimonia Coach, and has an MSc in Animal Studies. Her PhD at the University of Stirling in Scotland focussed on human wellbeing at an individual, team, leadership, and organisational level in animal wellbeing and conservation professionals. Sabrina is a graduate of the Inner MBA class for which she completed a project on creating a culture of care in the workplace.
Sabrina teaches at universities and works with zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and other facilities worldwide. She is a frequent keynote speaker and has organised over 500 events through AnimalConcepts since 2004. Sabrina has published popular and academic articles, and works with governments, writing policies and guidelines. She is the author of a book on ‘Optimal Welfare of Ageing Wild Animals in Human Care’ by Springer Nature. She is working on a forthcoming book by Taylor & Francis on wellbeing in animal care professionals and wildlife conservationists, informed by her 37+ years in the field and PhD research, together with the external AnimalConcepts team a book by Routledge on Animal Behaviour Training and Ethics for Animal Wellbeing Education Research and Conservation, and a book close to her heart with all the things she wishes she knew when starting in the field of animals and conservation, with the provisional title of Wild about self-care.
In 2018, Sabrina became a Chief Storyteller. She loves storytelling and writing - particularly about animals, the human-animal connection, and the natural world. She often wears a button with “I love stories” on it. This button sparks many great conversations and storytelling about animals, among many other topics, from people she meets at conferences to strangers on a plane. If you have a story you want to share about the animal(s) you care(d) for, a special friendship you have with your favourite animal, a great action for animals, peoples, or the planet you were involved in, or anything else that makes your heart sing, Sabrina would love to hear from you!
I am a biologist passionate about biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability, with academic training and hands-on experience in scientific research, fieldwork, and environmental education.
Continuing to grow professionally is my greatest motivation. I am always eager to learn from others and contribute to projects that promote the study, conservation, and respect for nature.
As a Ph.D. graduate with a focus on improving animal welfare, my journey is driven by a passion for the natural world and enhancing human-animal relationships. My diverse experience spans independent biological research, community engagement, citizen science, wildlife illustration, teaching, and managing environmental projects. I aspire to keep sharing my expertise as an Educator, Science Communicator, and Illustrator by telling stories about the natural world and sparking curiosity in the community. Let's chat about the wild side of life!
My name is Judith and I am from the Netherlands. I have a background in IT but moved to nature conservation some years ago. In 2022, I moved to Africa (as a digital nomad) and last year I settled in Tanzania. I started a company that delivers innovative solutions for biodiversity monitoring and we train local people to work with these solutions
Affordable, flexible and sociable online learning in technical skills for conservation and open education. Support for virtual and hybrid conferences and events
I'm a dedicated field ecologist and biological scientist with a strong academic foundation and hands-on experience in conservation, ecological data analysis, and sustainability. With an MSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Amsterdam and a BSc from the University of York, I bring a global perspective and a deep respect for nature rooted in my upbringing in Zambia.
My work spans diverse ecological projects—from predator-prey behavior under artificial light to long-term vegetation monitoring using GIS and remote sensing. I’ve contributed to field research in Zambia’s Kafue National Park, mapped grazer impacts in the Dutch dunes, and supported customer knowledge systems at a biotech startup. Whether I’m analyzing habitat data, writing scientific reports, or improving internal operations, I’m committed to promoting biodiversity and sustainable practices.
Skilled in R, ArcGIS, ecological monitoring, and scientific communication, I enjoy bridging the gap between science and society. I’m currently contributing to conservation in the Netherlands while also supporting operational systems at Purovitalis. I aim to make a positive, lasting impact on environmental stewardship wherever I go.
Turtle Up is my passion project. I am a professor in leadership and work on sea turtle conversation with local and international experts in Ghana. I am passionate about sustainable practices that help people and the planet. I joined WildHub to meet and learn from like minded colleagues and friends, get some feedback and some tips as well. At Turtle Up we are always seeking collaborators and partners. Together we are stronger!
Turtle Up's mission is to sustainably preserve and conserve Ghana’s sea turtles by utilizing a community-based approach.
Our vision is a world where marine wildlife and people in coastal communities are thriving together.
Tyler Pounds
Ecological Anthropologist, Ethnobiologist, Integrated Wildlife Biologist, Self Employed ( Integrated Human-Nature Relations )
I am an Ecological Anthropologist & Ethnobiologist. I study how humans from various cultures all around the world affect plant and animal ecosystems and how human use of these ecosystems affects the wildlife populations. This is known by various names such as: Ecosystem Services, Human-Wildlife Interactions, Ecosystem Function. I study all various aspects of the "Human-Wildlife Interface" while dealing with issues associated with Wildlife Conservation, Biodiversity Loss, Global Climate Change, Anthropogenic Factors Affecting Wildlife & Habitat, Anthropocene Epoch Related Issues, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Systems of Indigenous People's. I am also a National Science Foundation Summer Scholar. I utilize "Integrated Biological Approaches" from the fields of both Anthropology & Wildlife Biology/Ecology when conducting research for the 21st century. I am also the founder and creator of "Integrated Human-Nature Relations".
Lydia is a seasoned conservation educator,majorly training learners in primary and secondary schools in Kenya. She is also a social mobilizer and trainer at community workshops, training on conservation of wildlife,wetlands,forests and savannahs. Lydia is very intrigued by wildlife and water related research, prompting her to carry out biodiversity research with Nature Kenya's herpetology,youth and ornithology working groups on a rolling basis. She is also a member of Nature Kenya under HARI and youth working groups.As an educator,she has interacted with at least 100 schools in the last two years during ecological visits to different forests,wetlands and national parks, teaching them about different issues on environmental conservation.
I joined this platform to learn how to write compelling proposals for funding,network and face my fear of grant writing.
Ecologist with extensive terrestrial practical survey, training and education, consultancy and advisory experience. Extensive wildlife conservation research and land management project experience as well as in working in forestry, agriculture and natural resource management, climate change resilience and disaster recovery. I've also lectured on field survey techniques, environmental impact assessments and flood and fire risk management and am also working on climate change impacts and mitigation. Open to short term consultancy projects.
Jamie Lee is the founder of Fine Foods Íslandica ehf (est. 2021), a mini seaweed farm and small food production company. She holds a master´s degree in Marine Resource Management from Háskólaseteur Vestfjarða (2019).
Through FFÍ, she aims to create sustainable and delicious food products from seaweed, seafood and local produce. She has been conducting research and trials with seaweed cultivation since 2017. Collaborating with a nimble team of mussel farmer, chefs, fishermen, academics and creatives, she currently sharing knowledge on sustainable seaweed aquaculture through the A-AAGORA Living Lab ICEKELP project, aiming to support social resilience through capacity-building, equitable access to resources and most importantly, sustainable means of production and consumption.
Prior to moving to Iceland, Jamie has worked 8 years as a designer and consultant for food and beverage, hospitality, fashion, arts and NGO sectors in San Francisco.
Shivangi Mishra
Postdoctoral Associate, Arctic Institute of North America, University of Calgary
I am a Postdoctoral researcher with the Arctic Genomics Project, focusing on the use of genomic tools to support wildlife conservation, food security, and Indigenous-led research in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions. My work lies at the intersection of conservation biology, climate change, and community-based approaches, with a strong emphasis on ethical and respectful collaboration with Indigenous Peoples.