Passionate lover of nature

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

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.

Vincent is interested in collaborative conservation, protected area management, and natural resources governance with special interest in the conservation of the critically endangered cross river gorilla. He is currently the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (known for gorillas, chimps and drills) Project Manager where he promotes Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) mission through law enforcement and research work with support from rangers and in close contact with communities, government agencies and other stakeholders. Prior to joining WCS in 2019, Vincent spent the last 5 years working with NGOCE Nigeria as their programing/project management Volunteer and also with Earthcorps in Seattle, USA, first as an eco-restoration crew member and later as an eco-restoration crew leader. Vincent holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Resources Management, from the University of Calabar, Nigeria and a Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management and Climate Change from Bayero University, Nigeria. Vincent is currently undergoing a graduate course on Endangered Species Management at the Durrell Conservation Academy in Jersey, UK which is affiliated to the university of Kent. In his free time, Vincent can be found taking a walk in nature, watching arsenal matches and spending time with family. I am here to network and connect with people that have passion and interest in the conservation of wildlife and wild places. I also look forward to sharing and getting opportunities and learnings that will aid my growth on conservation for the benefit of wildlife and the local communities I work with

David Kabambo is the founder and Executive Director of Peace for Conservation (PFC ) and holds a B. A. degree in Social Work, a Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Management, and is presently working towards a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management and Assessment.  David has a particular skill-set in supporting the transformation of people’s understanding and viewpoints regarding the benefits of conservation. He has had real impacts at the grassroots level, working with bush meat poachers, for alternative livelihoods such as wildlife conservation educators. He has developed and implemented a highly successful employment schemes whereby former poachers a recruited as community conservation educator, they visit at schools and local communities to advocate wildlife conservation, the wider benefits to Tanzania’s national income (for example eco-tourism) and provide real-life testimonials regarding the negative impacts of the bush-meat trade. Since 2016, David has donated 47 tricycles to disabled person greatly increasing their comfort and ability to lead normal lives. He has set himself a goal of donating 100 tricycles by 2025. He is keen that local disabled person do not miss out on experiencing local wildlife, such as the magical ‘Big Five’  and has arranged dedicated tours to the Serengeti. National park .He also feels that these persons living close to protected areas in the Serengeti ecosystem have a vital and active role as ambassadors for wildlife conservation.

I work for a marine science & conservation non-profit studying species and habitats in the Salish Sea and beyond. Much of our work involves looks at how anthropogenic impacts like vessel traffic and underwater noise change the behavior of threatened populations such as southern resident killer whales. Other topics we work on include cetacean distribution and habitat use, the estimated effects of deep sea mining, salmon preservation, and habitat restoration. I have skills in GIS, R, and ecological modeling. I am most interested in research involving spatial data, oceanography, and marine vertebrate behavior. I previously worked on field projects studying cetaceans in British Columbia and sea turtles in Costa Rica, the US, and Australia. I completed an MRes in Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth where I used density surface models to assess the distribution and abundance of harbour porpoises around the UK.

Kevin Lunzalu is very passionate about transformative biodiversity governance, fostering youth-led practical solutions to pressing conservation challenges, and intergenerational equity. This interest first developed while completing his Bachelor’s in Wildlife Conservation and Enterprise Management at Egerton University.  He is the co-founder and national coordinator of the Kenyan Youth Biodiversity Network, one of Kenya’s largest youth-led conservation organizations by membership, building the capacity of young people to address biodiversity loss through policy advocacy, ecosystem restoration, marine action, and awareness creation. Kevin has received several recognitions for his work on biodiversity conservation, including being listed among the Top 100 Young Conservation Leaders in Africa 2021, Youth of the Year 2021 Award of the Youth Agenda 254, World Bank’s #Blog4Dev 2021 Winner, and Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Fellowship. He was an invited delegate and speaker at IUCN World Conservation Congress 2021 to promote stronger youth voices in biodiversity governance. Kevin is also a 2022 Aspen New Voices Fellow, a role through which he actively champions for meaningful youth engagement in conservation frameworks and policies, and advocates for climate justice. 

I am currently a zookeeper studying in wildlife conservation and taking the program management and grant writing course with wild teams. I love being outdoors walking in nature

Where is restoration taking place around the world, and how is it being tracked? This is an important question that should put ecosystem monitoring at the forefront to achieve both quantitative and qualitative goals. That's where my work comes in—launching data-driven solutions for monitoring, reporting, and guiding investment. Because both people and the planet matter.

I am a wildlife film-maker and photographer from Kenya. Besides producing wildlife documentaries, we also publish coffee table books with Augmented Reality.  I run a company in Kenya, and we are also fixers for foreign productions wanting to come and film in Kenya. Looking forward to networking and meeting new people, possibilities of working together and also find platforms to showcase our content. I am keen on sharing the little knowledge/ experience I have and also would like to learn from others.

I'm a wildlife conservationist, with 14 years of hands-on experience in the field management and coordination of international conservation and research programs with endangered wildlife. My work focuses heavily on parrots and macaws, participating in or leading 13 programs in 8 countries. My strong interest is in biodiversity conservation based on field research and focus on wildlife species highly threatened by extinction.