Whitley Fund for Nature’s Post

We're thrilled to announce that Ayñiy directed by Irma Verhoeven has become an official partner organisation with AnimalConcepts. Why an official partnership? For many years now, Sabrina and Irma have been good friends and also collaborated on many projects and purposes in the space of animal, human and planetary wellbeing. They wanted to make their partnership official by signing a Memorandum of Understanding so that the two organisations can officially support one another's activities, purposes and seek opportunities for positive change together. We are stronger together - and this partnership reflects that. What does an official partnership mean? This partnership will be complementary but separated from Irma's role as Environmental, Education and Social Architect for AnimalConcepts. Through this MoU both organisations will collaborate on publications, courses and practical resources in line with individual expertise and a shared purpose to strengthen positive action and messaging in support of animal, human and planetary wellbeing. Sabrina shares: “As the African Proverb states, if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together." Collaborations make for greater capacity, insight and impact. That's why we are working towards a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world for all - together. #beahummingbird #bethechange #Ayñiy #collaborations

How may organization design aid in solving collaborative challenges related to natural resource commons? In April, I went back to Maasai Mara, Kenya. Erik Larsen and I have recently initiated an extension of our earlier study with Jacob Eskildsen on sustainable grazing of Maasai rangelands (see below). I spent my time in Kenya conducting interviews with relevant stakeholders to gain a better understanding of the current context, where many things have changed since we conducted our studies. We made a small video to explain some of the issues. Thanks to Carlsberg Foundation for financial support for the field trip. Thanks to Pernille Kallehave for research support, and Anton Gammelgaard and Jesper Stagegaard for sparring and support. Håkonsson, Erik Larsen Jacob Eskildsen (2023): Effective Information Infrastructures for Collaborative Organizing: The Case of Maasai Mara. Organization Science 34(4):1353-1650 https://lnkd.in/gthUc-yu Institut for Virksomhedsledelse, Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association, Aarhus BSS - Aarhus University ODC - Organizational Design Community #organizationdesign #informationinfrastructures #naturalresourcecommons #collaboration #livestock #research #maasaimarascienceanddevelopmentinitiative #sustainability

𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬! 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰: It was an absolute honor to facilitate a session on public speaking at WWF Nepal. This particular training holds a special place in my heart because of its direct impact on the lives of those working closely with animals. Effective communication isn’t just about speaking—it’s about raising awareness, sharing crucial knowledge, and advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: 𝟏. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: Public speaking is essential for raising awareness and engaging others in conservation efforts. It’s a powerful tool for making a difference. 𝟐. 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Learning how to speak clearly and confidently allows professionals to communicate their work with passion, whether they’re addressing a small group or a large audience. 𝟑. 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: The ability to share stories, especially about the animals and ecosystems they protect, helps people connect emotionally and understand the importance of conservation efforts. 𝟒. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: The skills learned in public speaking can ripple out, helping these individuals advocate for wildlife protection, inspire communities, and drive real change. Facilitating this session gave me the chance to help amplify the voices of those who are doing some of the most meaningful work in the world. #creatingresults #impactseries #gratefulbeyondwords #mannsi, #mannsiagrawal, #communication, #communicationcoach, #trainer, #leadership, #skills, #communicationskills, #communicationexpert, #communicationtips, #keynotespeaker, #keynote #customerservice #salescommunication #networking #personalbranding

“Agroecology is a very interesting proposal for women because it’s part of their knowledge, their ancestry, what our grandmothers lived by. So, to work with agroecology is to bring back my grandmother's syrup, traditional ways of eating.” 🌿 I am happy to have contributed to the realisation of this video. Ana Paula’s story reminds me the story of my grandmother in Brazil and that of many other peasants and urban farmers. 🌿 Agroecological approaches can greatly contribute to the realization of the right to food, enhancing food security and nutrition! #righttofood #agroecology #urbanagriculture

The winner of 2024 Natura 2000 Citizens' Award: The Polish Black Stork project This project, led by the Forest Experimental Station in Rogów and the Committee for the Protection of Eagles, has been instrumental in protecting and monitoring the black stork's breeding sites. Here's why this project is essential: - Necessity: The black stork, a long-distance migratory bird, requires undisturbed forests for breeding and is highly sensitive to habitat disturbances. - Initiative: Started around 2015, supported by the Polish Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment. - Achievements: Expanded protection from 16% to 55% of national breeding sites, now covering over 600,000 hectares. - Methodology: Use of GPS-GSM loggers, nest repairs, predator protection, and public education. - Support: Won the award with 39,000 public votes!https://lnkd.in/dwXzGx-M The project continues to face challenges like low juvenile survival rates and threats during migration, but ongoing efforts and community engagement are paving the way for long-term conservation success. We can restore nature, bringing back Earth's Vital Signs! #Conservation #WildlifeProtection #Natura2000 #BlackStork #Poland #EnvironmentalSuccess #Biodiversity

🌍 Empowering Conservationists Globally Like many grassroots conservationists, Micaela Camino plays a vital role, dedicating herself to the farthest reaches of Argentina. Yet, the inherent solitude of such work presents challenges in building capabilities and fostering knowledge exchange with peers and organizations. Micaela, with more than a decade of experience as a conservationist, has encountered the drawbacks of operating in an isolated region, marked by limited professional presence and scarce opportunities for knowledge sharing. This highlights the importance of initiatives like the Winner Network Development Programme organized by the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) in Brazil—a project we proudly support. We believe in the power of facilitating training programs and knowledge exchanges among conservation stakeholders. Our commitment extends to providing a platform for grassroots conservation leaders, enabling peer-led discussions on critical subjects. 🗯️ Annually, our partner WFN orchestrates a transformative training week in a different region of the world, bringing together #WhitleyAwards alumni residing in proximity. This initiative not only equips conservationists with essential skills but also establishes a secure space for these dedicated individuals navigating remote, dangerous, or stressful conditions daily. #ConservationLeadership #GrassrootsConservationists #capacitybuilding #Biodiversity #Conservation #Brazil #KnowledgeExchange #NatureProtection

It’s not everyday I get to post exciting news that isn’t about AImHi Earth... ... But it’s not everyday that a paper I supported with gets published either 🎉🎉 What is the efficacy and impact of international wildlife trade restrictions on the conservation of iconic species in southern Africa? That’s one of the important questions that Tina Hiller and Michael ’t Sas-Rolfes answered in their research, published this week in #ConservationBiology. I got the opportunity to spending part of my lockdown supporting Tina with the structured screening phase of this systematic review (involving hours and hours on google sheets, reviewing all existing evidence in scientific and gray literature between 1970 - 2020). 😵💫🤪 🤓 Tina and Michael’s work focused in particular on on the direct conservation effects at the species/population level, indirect effects on human behaviour, and socioeconomic effects on rural livelihoods and national economies. The outcome? 🐘 Advice for more nuanced (and more effective) policy 🦏 Measures for constructive engagement with local communities 🦁 And important suggestions for future research that improves understanding of the socio economic contributions of wildlife Link to their paper in the comments!

There is a famous whakatauki (proverb) "Kāore te kumara e kōrero mō tōna reka" The kumara does not speak about it's sweetness. This whakatauki speaks about humility and is one that I dare say most Māori people take on board pretty early in life. I know I don't like to put myself out there as anything too flash. That natural tendency conflicts a bit with my job where I am the expert (even if I am just a boy from Kāeo who recently got denied entry somewhere until I put my shoes on, much to my daughters' embarrassment #dadgoal achieved). The last month I have been at several mediations, strategy workshops and presenting at a conference and I have had several people point out to me that I am "world famous in Aotearoa RMA ecology circles" (lol, some were a bit more fan girl than that, which was funny, but I'm not naming names). I once reminded a Hearing Commissioner that I have a PhD and was told (with aroha) by Bronwyn Bauer-Hunt (who was in the room) that I was a bit of a dick about it. I also insisted that my daughter 's boyfriend call me Dr Bramley for the first six months (#dadgoal achieved). I sit in mediations and I cringe when people bring an ego bigger than the room and feel they have to tell everyone how great they are and how valuable their experience is. I have a lot of experience, in a range of ecological settings, but I am always learning and there is nothing like dealing with wildlife to make you wrong. Different perspectives always improve the outcome, no matter who the expert is. In my opinion the most successful mediations are those where people forget their ego, treat people respectfully, remember that they are there to serve the Court, focus on solutions and bring light rather than heat to the situation. But sometimes people just need to know what you bring into the room with you or else the talking kumara get more credibility than they deserve.

Even if you aren't a wildlife enthusiast, this is an amazing live African cam to watch! "This webcam is located at a watering hole in the Balule Nature Reserve in South Africa. Well-known African animals like elephants, hippos, and giraffes enjoy this watering hole, plus others like impalas and jackals. South Africa is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world: According to the World Wildlife Fund, while the country makes up only 2 percent of the world’s landmass, it’s home to 6 percent of the world’s mammal species, 8 percent of bird species, and 5 percent of reptile species.  Conservation is essential to preserving that life. Iconic species like the African elephant (the largest land mammal on Earth), African lion, black rhinoceros, hippo, and mountain zebra are all listed as vulnerable or endangered species. Only 9 percent of South Africa’s landmass is protected; nature reserves and national parks make up nearly half of that protected land. And Kruger National Park—located near this live feed—is one of the largest reserves in Africa".   Happy #Worldwildlifeday. #africa #wildlifeconservation #southafrica #Balulenaturereserve #liveanimalcam #wildlifecam

uMi RahMaN is one hell of a tiger lady.🐅 I first met Umi more than 15 years ago during a training for conservationists. We were both doing community engagements and conservation education; she had already worked for WWF-Malaysia back then while I was still attached with Wildlife Conservation Society. Umi and I became colleagues at WWF-Malaysia in 2014 when I joined as a senior communications officer for their Sabah Terrestrial Conservation Programme. I then had the privilege of forming a closer friendship with her when I moved across the South China Sea in 2017 to join the Peninsular Malaysia Terrestrial Conservation Programme as the Freshwater Communications Manager. In WWF-Malaysia, a programme cycle typically lasts for three years. However, creating #behaviourchange through community partnerships often transcends generations, as in Umi's case. Human-wildlife conflict is one of the challenges; getting committed collaborators such as through public and private partnerships is another. The sad truth is that the Indigenous communities such as the Orang Asli are highly discriminated against in Malaysia, even by some people working in the #socialimpact space. Hurtful Orang Asli stereotypes include coasting through life being fully dependent on aids so they can lounge in nature instead of eking out an honest living in concrete jungles. Shattering these misconceptions at a national level require generational and policy approaches that involve the active participation of the Orang Asli communities. These efforts often take years to even be drafted, let alone gazetted and implemented. In the mean time, we have someone like Umi defying the odds for almost two decades of her life to effect change in the communities. A profound example of change in this instance is embodied by a young Orang Asli man named Merapi, whom Umi has known since he was a boy. Merapi is currently a senior member of WWF-Malaysia's Anti-Poaching Patrol Team who works closely with Umi to protect the Malayan tigers in Royal Belum State Park, Perak. We need more people like Umi in this world. Please share her story below so hopefully more girls will grow up to become the change that they want to see. Just like Umi, the tiger lady. 🐅 #InternationalWomensDay #GirlPower #EmpowerHer #CelebratingWomen #WhoRunTheWorldGirls #AmplifyFemaleVoices Read Umi's story here: https://lnkd.in/eSTV8yBz