Best Operation Wallacea Podcasts (2024)

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Entry #23: Careers in Wildlife Conservation with Dr. Nick Askew 50:30

2+ y ago50:30

50:30

Dr. Nick Askew is the Founder and Director of Conservation Careers, one of the biggest advice centres and job boards for conservationists in the world. Nick started his career as an ornithologist and his PhD and dissertation focused on the behavioural ecology of barn owls. He then went on to work in a number of conservation fieldwork and communicat…

1
Entry #22: Why We Should Kiss the Ground with Karen Rodriguez 49:23

2+ y ago49:23

49:23

Karen Rodriguez is Vice President of Program Operations at Kiss the Ground. Originally from Guatemala, Karen grew up in California and followed a deep love of food into the restaurant industry. Through this work, she learned an incredible amount from chefs, farmers, and other people connected to our food systems, which led her to join the Kiss the …

1
Entry #21: Making the Holidays a Little Greener with Katie Bell 28:40

2+ y ago28:40

28:40

Katie Bell leads Opwall's fundraising team and manages our site in Borneo. She originally joined Opwall after becoming passionate about marine science, and achieving a bachelor's degree in marine environmental science and a master's degree in coastal resource management. Katie is also Opwall's Environmental Officer working to lower the environmenta…

1
Entry #20: Sowing the Fields with Ellie Field 32:39

2+ y ago32:39

32:39

Ellie Field is Opwall's Rewilding Lead and International Sales Manager. She spent much of her time during the Covid-19 pandemic learning about efforts to improve agriculture in the UK and rejuvenate biodiversity. Ellie first joined Opwall as a volunteer in South Africa, then went on to complete a master's in biodiversity and conservation with Afric…

1
Entry #19: Empty Stomachs Have No Ears with John Kahekwa 43:11

2+ y ago43:11

43:11

John Kahekwa is the director of the Pole Pole Foundation from The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Pole Pole Foundation recently reached international acclaim as a finalist for the first ever Earthshot Prize founded by Prince William, and has been recognized previously by the Goldman Sachs Whitley Award. John grew up among the endangered…

1
Entry #18: How to Create a Protected Area with Manuel Sanchez 49:14

3y ago49:14

49:14

Manuel Sanchez is an Ecuadorian ornithologist and science communicator who joined our expedition in Ecuador this year to run the bird surveys. Manuel grew up in Southern Ecuador and fell in love with the hundreds of bird species he found in the forests around his home. He went on to study tourism, but with a strong focus on ecology, and then scienc…

1
Entry #17: Wildlife Tourism for Conservation with Sophia Wood and Gara Trujillo 52:13

3y ago52:13

52:13

Gara Trujillo ran Opwall's Galapagos site in 2019. She recently completed an Erasmus Master's program in Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management while traveling across Greece, Hungary, and Sweden. As an ecologist, Gara has worked in the Amazon rainforest in Peru, in coastal Greece, and in the Galapagos Islands with Opwall. This episode was r…

1
Entry #16: On birds and Biodiversity with Joe England 51:11

3y ago51:11

51:11

Joe England is a British ornithologist who has worked with Opwall in Fiji since 2017 when he helped set up the first research sites on the Natewa Peninsula. Joe is deeply passionate about birds, biodiversity, and the natural world, which shines through in his work and his words. He is eager to return to Fiji after the global lockdown to continue hi…

1
Science Snacks #7: Highlights from Fiji 3:22

3y ago3:22

3:22

In this episode we cover: #1. The Biological value of the Natewa Peninsula Authors: Operation Wallacea Journal: Operation Wallacea Report Year: 2019 Full Paper: https://cdn.yello.link/opwall/files/2020/01/The-Biological-value-of-the-Natewa-Peninsula-V2.pdf #2. Nesting behaviour of Natewa Silktail, Lamprolia klinesmithi Authors: Joe England Journal:…

1
Entry #15 A Slice of Life on the Natewa Peninsula with Sara Carlson 43:37

3y ago43:37

43:37

Sara Carlson runs Ocean Ventures, a dive and research centre on Natewa Bay in Fiji that works alongside Opwall for the marine research portion of our expeditions. Before moving to Fiji, Sara worked with Opwall for several years running the US office and projects in Mexico, Indonesia, Honduras, and Greece. She became passionate about the ocean at a …

1
Entry #14: The Magic of Transylvania with Cristi Gherghiceanu 38:25

3y ago38:25

38:25

Cristi Gherghiceanu is the executive president of Fundatia ADEPT, a Romanian non-profit dedicated to protecting Transylvanian biodiversity and traditional agriculture through innovation and education. ADEPT partnered with Opwall to set up our projects in Transylvania, and have deepened the relationship by working with Friends of Wallacea to set up …

1
Science Snacks #6: Highlights from Transylvania 2:56

3y ago2:56

2:56

In this episode we cover: #1. Conservation contracts for supplying Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR) conservation services in Romania Authors: Warwick Wainwright, Klaus Glenk, Faical Akaichi, Dominic Moranc Journal: Livestock Science Year: 2019 Full Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871141319304238 #2. Empowering Yo…

1
Entry #13: Bears, and Butterflies, and Birds, Oh My! with Madalina Marian 28:59

3y ago28:59

28:59

Originally from Sighisoara, Madalina Marian is a proud advocate of Transylvanian heritage, nature, and culture. She grew up foraging in the hilltop forests, keeping an eye out for bears and chasing butterflies in Transylvania's wildflower meadows, which inspired her passion for biology. She went on to study biology in university and during that tim…

1
Entry #12: The Secret Behind Transylvania's Biodiversity with Toby Farman 36:01

3y ago36:01

36:01

Toby Farman is Opwall's Systems Manager and the Country Manager for our Romania expeditions. Toby originally studied biotechnology, but an Opwall trip in 2007 sparked his passion for travel. After graduating, Toby traveled the world for 2 years with nothing more than a backpack. Rather than settle down upon his return, Toby began working for Opwall…

1
Entry #11: How to Use the Forest without Losing the Forest with Dr. Raquel Thomas 53:18

3y ago53:18

53:18

Dr. Raquel Thomas is the Director of Resource Management & Training at the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development. Raquel got her PhD in tropical forest ecology in London, where she studied the role of rodents in seed dispersal in neotropical forests. Raquel has always had a passion for forests and tree compositi…

1
Science Snacks #5: Highlights from Guyana 3:09

3y ago3:09

3:09

In this episode we cover: #1. Designing protected area networks that translate international conservation commitments into national action Authors: Jake E. Bicknell, Murray B. Collins, Rob S. A. Pickles, Niall P. McCann, Curtis R. Bernard, Damian J. Fernandes, Mark G.R. Miller, Samantha M. James, Aiesha U. Williams, Matthew J. Struebig, Zoe G. Davi…

1
Entry #10: Into the Rainforests of Guyana with Scott Sveiven 37:41

3+ y ago37:41

37:41

Scott Sveiven is the Director of Opwall's US office and the Country Manager for our Guyana expeditions. Originally from Minnesota, Scott started travelling the world and exploring his passion for wildlife biology from an early age. He went on to become a biologist, studying dual master's degrees in conservation biology and environmental policy, the…

1
Introducing Opwall's Field Notes 1:20

3+ y ago1:20

1:20

Sophia introduces Opwall's Field Notes and what to expect from this podcast.

1
Entry #9: Reforestation for People and Planet with Mo Johnson 30:46

3+ y ago30:46

30:46

Mo Johnson has run Opwall's sales offices in SE Asia, Australia, and China since 2013, and runs our marine research site on Buton Island in Indonesia. Mo lives full time in Indonesia where Opwall has been running a reforestation project since the beginning of the pandemic. In this special episode, Mo updates us on the progress of the reforestation …

1
Entry #8: Evolution of New Species with Dr. Darren O'Connell 40:53

3+ y ago40:53

40:53

Dr. Darren O'Connell is a molecular ecologist from Ireland focused on speciation. Darren completed his PhD with Opwall in Sulawesi and played a critical role in identifying the Wangi-wangi White-eye, an Indonesian bird new to science. Today, Darren is studying honey bee colonies in Ireland to understand how climate change and other stressors affect…

1
Science Snacks #4: Highlights from Indonesia 3:58

3+ y ago3:58

3:58

In this episode we cover: #1. Citizen science in data and resource-limited areas: A tool to detect long-term ecosystem changes Authors: Adam Gouraguine, Joan Moranta, Ana Ruiz-Frau, Hilmar Hinz, Olga Reñones, Sebastian C. A. Ferse, Jamaluddin Jompa, David J. Smith Journal: PLOS ONE Year: 2019 Full Paper: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id…

1
Entry #7: Exploring the Birds of Indonesia with Panji Gusti Akbar 37:58

3+ y ago37:58

37:58

Panji Gusti Akbar is an ornithologist that worked with Opwall at our Sulawesi field site in Indonesia from 2017-2019. Panji became passionate about birds when he moved from the bustling capital city of Jakarta to the smaller town of Yogyakarta where he had much more access to nature. He went on to study biology, becoming a skilled field researcher …

1
Entry #6: Planting Carbon Credits with Alex Tozer 46:01

3+ y ago46:01

46:01

Alex Tozer is the Director of Operations for Operation Wallacea. Before joining Opwall, Alex studied psychology, not expecting to be an expedition leader. He had his start with Opwall as a volunteer in Honduras in 2003. Today, Alex is a licensed bird ringer, wildlife photographer, EFR instructor, and most importantly the person who makes sure all t…

1
Science Snacks #3: Highlights from Outside Opwall 3:06

3+ y ago3:06

3:06

In this episode we cover: #1. Biodiversity: The ravages of guns, nets and bulldozers Authors: Sean L. Maxwell, Richard A. Fuller, Thomas M. Brooks, & James E. M. Watson Journal: Nature Year: 2016 Full Paper: https://www.nature.com/news/biodiversity-the-ravages-of-guns-nets-and-bulldozers-1.20381 #2. The global tree restoration potential Authors: Je…

1
Entry #5: Innovating in a Pandemic with Dr. Tim Coles 39:04

3+ y ago39:04

39:04

Dr. Tim Coles is the founder and CEO of Operation Wallacea. Tim comes from a long career in connecting conservation and business to create sustainable long-term solutions for the industry. Prior to founding Opwall, Tim was a fisheries scientist with over 13 years’ experience in the UK water industry and river management. In 1990, he went on to foun…

1
Entry #4: Why Conservation is Good Business with Gerardo Orozco 47:54

3+ y ago47:54

47:54

Gerardo is the owner and manager of Akumal Dive Center, the oldest dive shop in Akumal Bay, and Opwall's partner for marine research in Mexico. Gerardo ended up in the field of conservation somewhat by accident. He studied business and after graduating he began to work in the dive shop, which has been in his family since 1975. Gerardo quickly reali…

1
Science Snacks #2: Highlights from Mexico 3:17

3+ y ago3:17

3:17

In this episode we cover: #1. Climate change, aguadas and herpetofaunal community structure in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico Authors: Barão-Nóbrega, J.A.L., Lopez-Cen, A., Sima-Panti, D., Acton, C., Slater, K. Conference: 54th Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation Year: 2017 Full Paper: https://www.r…

1
Entry #3: Restoring Mexico's Biodiversity with Dr. Kathy Slater 51:30

3+ y ago51:30

51:30

Dr. Kathy Slater is Opwall's Research Manager and the Senior Scientist for our site in Mexico. She oversees the terrestrial research done in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve near Guatemala and the marine research done in Akumal Bay. Kathy's personal research focus is primatology and she got her start in Mexico researching spider monkeys for her PhD. …

1
Science Snacks #1: Highlights from Honduras 2:45

3+ y ago2:45

2:45

In this episode we cover: #1: Elevational changes in the avian community of a Mesoamerican cloud forest park Authors: Montague H.C. Neate-Clegg, Samuel E. I. Jones, Oliver Burdekin, Merlijn Jocque, & Çağan Hakkı Şekercioğlu Journal: Biotropica Year: 2018 Full Paper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/btp.12596 #2. Presence of amphibian chy…

1
Entry #2: Growing Bird Friendly Coffee with Fabiola Rodríguez 41:57

3+ y ago41:57

41:57

Fabiola Rodríguez is a doctoral candidate researching how different forms of coffee cultivation impact migratory bird species that spend winter in northern Honduras. Fabiola joined Opwall at our research site in Cusuco National Park, Honduras from 2010-2013. She has since completed a master's degree in biology and is a pursuing a PhD, all while con…

1
Entry #1: Life in the Cloud Forest with Dr. Tom Martin 35:02

3+ y ago35:02

35:02

Dr. Tom Martin is Opwall’s Terrestrial Research & Operations Manager, and the senior scientist for one of Opwall’s oldest and largest projects in Cusuco National Park, Honduras. In this episode, we discuss life in the cloud forests of Honduras, how Tom became inspired to become a biologist, and the implications of climate change on biodiversity tha…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Operation Wallacea Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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Opwall's Field Notes

Operation Wallacea

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Entry #23: Careers in Wildlife Conservation with Dr. Nick Askew 50:30

1
Entry #22: Why We Should Kiss the Ground with Karen Rodriguez 49:23

1
Entry #21: Making the Holidays a Little Greener with Katie Bell 28:40

1
Entry #20: Sowing the Fields with Ellie Field 32:39

1
Entry #19: Empty Stomachs Have No Ears with John Kahekwa 43:11

1
Entry #18: How to Create a Protected Area with Manuel Sanchez 49:14

1
Entry #17: Wildlife Tourism for Conservation with Sophia Wood and Gara Trujillo 52:13

1
Entry #16: On birds and Biodiversity with Joe England 51:11

1
Science Snacks #7: Highlights from Fiji 3:22

1
Entry #15 A Slice of Life on the Natewa Peninsula with Sara Carlson 43:37

1
Entry #14: The Magic of Transylvania with Cristi Gherghiceanu 38:25

1
Science Snacks #6: Highlights from Transylvania 2:56

1
Entry #13: Bears, and Butterflies, and Birds, Oh My! with Madalina Marian 28:59

1
Entry #12: The Secret Behind Transylvania's Biodiversity with Toby Farman 36:01

1
Entry #11: How to Use the Forest without Losing the Forest with Dr. Raquel Thomas 53:18

1
Science Snacks #5: Highlights from Guyana 3:09

1
Entry #10: Into the Rainforests of Guyana with Scott Sveiven 37:41

1
Introducing Opwall's Field Notes 1:20

1
Entry #9: Reforestation for People and Planet with Mo Johnson 30:46

1
Entry #8: Evolution of New Species with Dr. Darren O'Connell 40:53

1
Science Snacks #4: Highlights from Indonesia 3:58

1
Entry #7: Exploring the Birds of Indonesia with Panji Gusti Akbar 37:58

1
Entry #6: Planting Carbon Credits with Alex Tozer 46:01

1
Science Snacks #3: Highlights from Outside Opwall 3:06

1
Entry #5: Innovating in a Pandemic with Dr. Tim Coles 39:04

1
Entry #4: Why Conservation is Good Business with Gerardo Orozco 47:54

1
Science Snacks #2: Highlights from Mexico 3:17

1
Entry #3: Restoring Mexico's Biodiversity with Dr. Kathy Slater 51:30

1
Science Snacks #1: Highlights from Honduras 2:45

1
Entry #2: Growing Bird Friendly Coffee with Fabiola Rodríguez 41:57

1
Entry #1: Life in the Cloud Forest with Dr. Tom Martin 35:02

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