EarthRanger’s Post

"I was so wary of a non-traditional path after high school, but through things like this, I’ve come to realize that it’s exactly what I need and want to do." That's a quote from our daughter, Stella, who is finishing a freshman gap year through Carpe Diem Education. We all know that learning and progress come in many forms. But when it's you or your child, leaning into the 'known' brings a lot of comfort. Nonetheless, instead of moving from high school into another classroom environment, Stella moved across the world to study and work in Australia. She is an intelligent, curious student who thrives in purposeful learning and in doing. By the end of high school, she was stifled. With Carpe Diem, she's had the chance to do topic-relevant classes online while in the field doing wildlife and wilderness conservation. Set free from the constraints of the traditional learning structure, she has learned more about ecology, animal care, sustainability, and being a grown person than she or Kenji Kuramoto and I imagined she would. As she comes to the end of this year of learning, we're not sure what will come next. But what we do know is that she has gained clarity, deepened her curiosity, increased her confidence and leadership, built tenacity and the ability to work hard, and widened her worldview in ways she would never have on the 'safe' route. Pretty solid transferrable skills. Am I a proud mama? You bet. Do we also have a kid who has very successfully taken a traditional college route? Absolutely. (Sam Kuramoto is a brilliant, successful soon-to-be graduate in Public Health and Spanish.) I might be tooting those horns. But this message is really meant to encourage anyone who thinks that maybe a different way is a better way. It might just be. You can read Stella's inspiring post here 🐊 https://lnkd.in/eCwM2udy #education #college #academics #parenting #grit #gapyear #conservation

I had the privilege of attending a captivating Lunch & Learn event today, organized by the GVA KPMG Sustainability Committee and in partnership with Sea Smart. On this Earth Day, our focus was on 'Species at Risk,' with a special emphasis on the orcas inhabiting the Salish Sea. Elaine Leung, PhD shed light on the myriad threats facing these magnificent creatures, ranging from the disruptive sonic noise emitted by shipping activities to the far-reaching impacts of land-based endeavors like construction and mining. These disturbances profoundly affect orca navigation, communication, and ultimately, their survival. Orcas are not only apex predators essential to the health of the Salish Sea ecosystem but also creatures of complex social structures with unique communities, languages, and diets. This complexity underlines the intricate balance and interconnectivity of their ecosystems—our well-being included. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the ECHO Program are making strides in reducing the impact of maritime activities on these at-risk whales by developing quieter vessel technologies. Sea Smart played a key role in today's event. This charity offers workshops, online courses, and shoreline cleanups, providing solutions-based, action-oriented education on marine conservation. They inspire individuals and organizations to protect our oceans through actionable steps, such as reducing consumption of Chinook salmon, which is vital to local orca diets, and farmed Atlantic salmon. As stewards of Earth, we must ensure the awe-inspiring beauty and the crucial services of healthy ecosystems for future generations. Our choices today shape the health and vitality of our planet tomorrow. #EarthDay #SpeciesAtRisk #SeaSmart #Sustainability #MarineConservation

Education that matters 💚 The Green Academy, in collaboration with a new partnership with the Church of Denmark, is set to have the European Platform for Urban Greening partners collaborate on creating a customized training program for landscapers and gardeners responsible for maintaining the grounds and cemeteries owned by the Church. The training will place a significant emphasis on biodiversity. Jane Thomsen from Syddjurs Provsti "emphasizes the importance of this new education, stating that cemeteries and churches, with their long-established traditions, need to align with biodiversity, green transition, and development due to various ongoing activities in these spaces." See the video "Education that matters" here: https://lnkd.in/eyHj4KGj

The world as a classroom provides a dynamic platform for experiential learning, extending education beyond traditional settings and immersing students in diverse cultural environments. Dr. Kimberly Ange-van Heugten leads the NCSU Thailand study abroad program, focusing on global animal management issues. This course emphasizes learning through direct exposure to various animals and ecosystems, fostering a deeper understanding of global environmental and cultural differences. Such experiences are invaluable in broadening students' perspectives and enhancing their academic and personal growth. Think and do the extraordinary: https://lnkd.in/esqHdU4U

Five Reasons Why We All Win with the Creation of the New Marine Reserve Jardines Sumergidos de Vega Baja and Manatí I am very happy to play an active role in this project alongside such a dedicated team. The creation of this marine reserve not only protects our ecosystems but also benefits local communities and promotes sustainable tourism. Reasons to Celebrate the Creation of the Marine Reserve: 1. Biodiversity Protection: The reserve safeguards marine species and critical habitats, ensuring a healthy ecosystem. 2. Economic Benefits: It increases opportunities for sustainable tourism, boosting the local economy and creating jobs in areas like ecotourism and sustainable fishing. 3. Water Quality Improvement: Marine reserves help filter pollutants, resulting in a cleaner and healthier aquatic environment for everyone. 4. Education and Awareness: It fosters environmental education, engaging the community in the protection of their marine environment and promoting sustainable practices. 5. Resilience to Climate Change: Healthy ecosystems are more resilient, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change and protecting coastlines. I want to highlight the excellent communication and graphic design work that Rocío created, which was crucial for achieving this victory and conveying the importance of the Marine Reserve to the communities. Additionally, we are already mobilizing to launch a new campaign in the bay of Aguadilla, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to marine conservation. Together, we continue to move towards a more sustainable future!

When Wildlife Works first came to me looking for a language learning solution, it was clear that the team was passionate about empowering their people to be successful. They heard the request for language learning, they listened, and they took action! The result for one learner? “When I hear him present, he is so confident. He contributes more, and it’s going to enable him to play such a huge leadership role in the organization…to me that’s the biggest success story.” Check out the link in my comments to learn more about Babbel for Business and how we support teams like yours!

🌍 This past summer, Extern had the incredible opportunity to partner with the National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy again to run a fantastic Marine and Community Conservation Externship program. It stood out, not only for its professional training and experiential learning, but also for how it has inspired young changemakers around the world to make a real impact in their communities. 💡 Our externs, selected from an astonishing pool of 9,938 applicants across 190 countries, dove deep into critical marine conservation issues, from overfishing to ocean acidification. They learned to connect global challenges with local communities, translating complex environmental issues into actionable solutions. 🌱 The diversity and passion of these students gives me immense hope for the future. One of the program's unique features was the invaluable mentorship our externs received from professionals at the National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy. They also learned from experts via guest speaker sessions, providing them with insights and guidance that will shape their careers in conservation. 🔊 Hear it from the externs themselves: “I loved getting to hear from the amazing mentors and guest speakers. It was so inspiring and educational, and it taught me so much about the field and what steps I should take in my career." - Marie Taylor, Utah Valley University “One thing I like the most with this Externship is the opportunity to gain practical, real-world experience in a chosen field. It bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired in academia and its application in professional settings.” - Sunjay Roska, University of the Philippines 🚀 At Extern, we believe in the power of hands-on professional experience, and this Externship exemplifies how professional education and action can come together to create change. We couldn't be prouder of our externs and the bright futures they are crafting in marine conservation! #Extern #MarineConservation #Leadership #Conservation #GlobalOpportunity #SustainableFuture

When we post about accomplishments at work, we often leave out things like this… 👀 Random 🥲 but crucial skills I've developed during June; Ocean Generation’s 🌊 biggest and most important month of the year: 🧪 How to make, manage and get rid of 9 litres of eco-slime. 🎥 How to persuade dozens of strangers to do street interviews with Jemma Sargeant for our World Ocean Day campaign. 🧻 How to balance 7 blue rolls in one hand (and run for a train). 🫡 How to convince my team that a post about ‘cloning Dr Gemma Connell’ was a good idea for launching our e-learning platform.  ⏯ How to repeat the same information to +2,000 people *without* sounding like a stuck record. 🐋 How to ask hundreds of people, "What's your favourite Ocean animal?" and supply them with fun facts. From memory! 😅 Do you know how many possibilities there are?! 240,000 known marine species 🐠 but–spoiler: Most people choose the same 5. 🤓 📸 At The NEC, Birmingham, for the Big Bang Fair, where I learnt how to speak to one person a minute 🤯 for 3.5 days straight (not alone: teamwork 🥳) with Kavina Upadhyay-Fear, Matthew Hallsworth Gemma and Eden Rickson. 🚪 July’s knocking. There's loads more obviously-useful and absolutely-random skills to learn. #development #marketing #growth #skills #WorldOceanDay #events #milestone

🎬 First of three videos I co-produced this year. Loved the experience. Production, talent and voice over! 💪 It was definitely very hectic but learned so much! Looking forward to more projects like this. Our goal was to educate about desired behavior in the interaction with nature with as little voice over as possible. Please comment your thoughts below! 👉 Follow Antares Conservation Tactics new page! #womanboss #natureconservation #naturevideos