With experience in Marine Animal Rehab., Rescue and Research coupled with a nerdy love of data, data science and all things technology, my data collection software company, WatchSpotter is the cumulation of my life’s work. From the hallways of the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center at the University of New England, my affinity for caring for marine animals was fostered and grew. Being tasked with the center’s life support systems and flow thru animal pools further opened my eyes to water quality, fecal coliforms, and bio-loads.  I was the primary research technician in a multiphase study: Protecting the Saco River: Tracking non-point fecal pollution to its species source. Upon leaving UNE, I traveled to the Southern Great Barrier Reef Australia to work on an international research team focusing on population dynamics for three cetacean species. Once back stateside, I sharpened my Software UX skills working as a software consultant for Centersoft Technologies. After a brief stint volunteering for the Dolphin Photo ID program at Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, I was hired to join the team. I split time the first years at FAU HBOI between the Harmful Algal Bloom lab and the Dolphin Population and Assessment Lab. Settling in as a Research Assistant for the latter as well as a first responder for the Marine Mammal Rescue Team. In working with the Dolphin Population and Assessment Primary Researcher, along with other industry collaborators, I soon became the PIs data analyst and was paramount in the creation and development of the programs state of the art cloud-based SQL database platform. I worked as a liaison between the research program and software architects to assure ease of use, maximum data output and advanced analytics. The software is still used by the newly formed team today.  At the end of 2019 it was time for me to branch out on my own.  In the spring of 2022, WatchSpotter was born. My idea was to create a customizable SaaS application that could be used by researchers worldwide. Data is data- scientific questions need to be answered. My contingency was that no matter what the research topic- if the research brings people into the field-whether scientists, volunteers, or citizens, they are there to gather data-to answer questions. I knew that the two biggest challenges facing many environmental research groups were time and money. It would not be feasible for most nonprofits or other environmental institutions to pay for custom software- which often runs in excess of $150K nor do they have the time to wait for such programs to be complete.  These known challenges fueled the customization and simple UX that make up the WatchSpotter platform. When I’m working with Environmental Science or software, I enjoy being outside in the woods or at the beach, volunteering and hanging with family and friends.

I have been in the field of conservation for more than 8 years. After completing my bachelor's programme in Natural Resources Management, I joined the Consultoria de asesores Forestales S.A. de C.V. in Mexico focusing on the estimation of tree's biomass and volume for the sustainable use of forest product. I later furthered my studies and joined the Double Degree Master's Programme "ENREM" in Environmental Science at Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Mexico and Natural Resources Management & Development at TH Köln, Germany. My master's thesis focused on carbon sequestration in the soil. Currently, I am the Terrestrial Researcher at Belize Audubon Society. In the process of my professional growth, I have seen that Project Management has become very important not just in the business sector but also in conservation. The effective use of tools for the management of resources will assist in the overall efficiency from planning to reporting. 

Meet Muhammad Asif Khan, a passionate forestry student. With a strong interest in conservation and sustainability, I'm dedicated to understanding the management of forests and the impact of human activity on them. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and camping in the great outdoors. I'm also active in student clubs and organizations related to forestry and environmental conservation. I wish to do my Master's in Forestry abroad.

Iam Lourdes Alessandra Ventura Seabra, biologist and veterinary in my NGO Bioventura in Brazil and study conservation jaguars, pumas and other animals in the Atlantic Forest (Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station - 24º18'-24º32'S e 47º00'-47º30'W).

Instagram:
@luventurabiologa
@bioventura_ecoturismo_biologia
@felinosdajureiaitatins

Tara Hetz is a Master’s student in the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department at the University of Utah. Her research interests cover two primary areas: 1) the role that adventure tourism plays in biodiversity conservation and improvement of community livelihoods; and, 2) benefit-sharing from protected area tourism and community capacity-building related to conservation and tourism initiatives.  She wants to help better engage communities in protected area conservation design, the custodianship of natural resources, and improvements that benefit their livelihoods.

I am a conservation enthusiast with a bias for wildlife fauna. I intend to specialize in project management. I am also looking for more opportunities in conservation all over the world, especially in the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Namibia, and Tanzania.

Hi, my name is Ouma Oluoko. I am the CEO of Oluokos Signature. Am a highly experienced tour operator, in touch with indigenous communities and ecosystems around East and Central Africa. I am extremely passionate about environmental conservation. My company, Oluokos Signature, provides the essential linkage between supply and demand by liaising with several eco-conscious organizations to design responsible tour packages that integrate environmental, cultural, and social considerations. I help my clients to responsibly experience pure value holiday bliss in packages within their budgets and style; Thereby implementing positive environmental and social impacts. My strong interpersonal skills enable me to quickly adapt and build rapport with my clients, fellow tour operators, staff and guides thereby improving my efficiency and boosting professionalism. I absolutely love the outdoors and bird watching is my cup of tea, anytime. I also enjoy hiking, biking, and sky-watching. My personal mantra is ‘Travel opens your heart, opens your mind, and fills your life with stories to tell.

Passionate lover of nature

I am an Agricultural Engineer in Natural Resources Management: Fauna and Flora from the University of Kinshasa. I did my academic internships respectively at the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) where I was assigned to the zoological garden of Kinshasa, and at the National Institute of Study and Agronomic Research (INERA) at the station of Mvuazi in the province of Central Kongo.

 I followed online training courses provided by the African Protected Areas and Conservation Program of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), where I passed online exams on protected area management in Africa and species conservation in African protected areas.

 Currently, I am a volunteer member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in the World Commission on Protected Areas, but also responsible for the commission: Conservation of Nature and Climate Change within the NGO Kimbala Development.

Following the World Youth Summit of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in April 2021 in which I participated; under my initiative and some African comrades from other countries, we are in the process of setting up a Conservation Network of Endemic Biodiversity of Africa (CNBEA) whose main objectives are the following:

• To create an active solidarity around the conservation of the endemic biodiversity of Africa;
• Establish a space for sharing knowledge, opportunities, common challenges and innovations around the conservation of Africa's endemic biodiversity;
• To constitute a representative network of lobbying for the conservation and the research of the endemic species of Africa;
• Valuing Africa's endemic biodiversity through the promotion of ecotourism;
• To promote African traditional knowledge on the conservation of Africa's endemic biodiversity;
• To promote environmental education.

In addition, I am the designer of a project whose reference theme is: the study of the impact of human activities on the African manatee and its natural habitat. This project suffers from a lack of funding to date.  I have also completed a thesis entitled: chronological analysis of daily rainfall as an indicator of climate change in the city of Kinshasa.

I am a Biologist specializing in Wildlife Rehabilitation and Enrichment for Zoo Animals. I have  keen interest in Carnivore Biology (Wild Felines, Meso-predators & Birds of Prey) & Marine Mammals Conservation

I have 15 years experience in team leadership and management of award
winning Non-Profit organisations for both People and Planet working along
side some of the worlds most influential community and biodiversity
conservation driven philanthropists and leaders. I have extensive and
diverse knowledge in the international development sector as an
established leader in project management, governance and compliance,
monitoring, evaluation, strategy mapping and policy development.

I am a trained communication professional with 12+ years of progressive experience in orchestrating strategic communication plans and designing programmes to promote sustainable development & pro-conservation behaviour amongst businesses, government employees, educators, and youth. My area of expertise includes marketing communications, content development, programme design, development and execution, and event management. I am interested in catalyzing change through the implementation of innovative projects and programmes that address socio-environmental challenges and are embedded in equity and justice.

My name is Irene Kananura Natukunda. I am the Co-founder and COO at Biodiversity Hub International (BHI), an environmental scientist, a passionate conservationist and a nature lover. In the past 4 years, i worked as a volunteer as several organisations including Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN-Uganda), Earth Day Network, Fridays for Future-Uganda, Nature Uganda, Youth Go Green and many other where i learnt a lot and became more passionate about nature conservation. I am so interested in engaging in activities that contribute towards nature restoration and climate change mitigation such as planting trees on degraded forests and creating awareness in communities around wildlife protected areas to reduce human-wildlife conflicts that result into poaching and illegal trade of critically endangered species. I like to connect and engage with like-minded people which i believe has helped me to increase my knowledge and understanding in the field of biodiversity conservation. I help in write project proposals and concepts for my organisation which has truly been a great learning journey.

I am so honoured to be a member at Wild Hub and am hoping to learn more and share as much as i know towards one main goal of conserving wildlife to end the silent killer known as Biodiversity Loss.

Thanks