Ep 40: Reginah Smith – North West Parks Board, and female leadership in the ranger corps.

Ep 40: Reginah Smith – North West Parks Board, and female leadership in the ranger corps.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Reginah Smith. Reggie is a ranger corporal in Pilanesberg National Park in North West Province, South Africa. She’s an adjutant of the Pilanesberg Rhino Protection Unit, she’s a participating member of the Game Rangers Association of Africa, and she is studying law to become an advocate for rangers in the legal system.

In this conversation, we talk about Reggie’s unexpected path into becoming a ranger. We talk about her training at the Southern African Wildlife college by Ruben de Kock and Martin Mthembu, and the confidence and leadership skills they instilled in her. We go into the beauty of Pilanesberg National Park, the height of the rhino poaching crisis, the formation of the Rhino Protection Unit, and how she’s overcome the challenges of leading a ranger unit as a woman. She remembers Anton Mzimba, and we discuss the lessons loss. Reggie has a deep love for family, inspiring the youth, and advocating for her rangers.

LEARN MORE
Website: northwestparks.org.za/
Instagram: @pilanesberg_national_park
Facebook: @visitnwparks | @PilanesbergNationalPark
Twitter: @NWP_HOME | @PilanesbergNP

Ep 39: Sharon Haussmann – GKEPF and protecting wildlife in the Greater Kruger Area.

Ep 39: Sharon Haussmann – GKEPF and protecting wildlife in the Greater Kruger Area.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Sharon Haussmann. Sharon is the CEO of the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation or GKEPF, which was established to assist with protecting wildlife and combatting environmental crime across the region. Over the last four-plus years, Sharon has held multiple Chairperson positions at Balule Nature Reserve. She has strong roots in farming in the Lowveld, and has academic qualifications in engineering and conflict management.

In this conversation, we talk about Sharon’s early upbringing and her path into conservation. We dig into the history of the formation of Balule Nature Reserve. We go into her experience of the early days of the rhino poaching crisis and how it has evolved over time. We dive into the formation of GKEPF and the wide ranging work they are doing to coordinate partners and programs in an effort to protect wildlife. And we even spend time talking about the importance of rangers and our dear friend and fallen ranger, Anton Mzimba. She had some beautiful words to say about his life and memorial service. Throughout this episode, Sharon exudes passion, dedication, and love for the people and the work of conservation.

LEARN MORE
Website: gkepf.org
Instagram: @sharonhaussmann01 | @thegkepf
Facebook: @GKEPFoundation
Twitter: @gkepf
LinkedIn: @Sharon Haussmann | @GKEPF

Ep 38: Sophie Green – Photorealistic wildlife art, conservation, and creativity.

Ep 38: Sophie Green – Photorealistic wildlife art, conservation, and creativity.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Sophie Green. Sophie is an award-winning conservation & wildlife artist from the UK, who specializes in capturing photorealistic details. Sophie has dedicated her time and artistic work to raising funds and awareness for issues surrounding animal welfare and the environment, and has worked closely with foundations such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and Explorers Against Extinction. Sophie was awarded the ‘medal of excellence’ by the Artists for Conservation foundation in 2021, was the winner of the Leisure Painter People’s Choice Award in 2020 and 2021, was runner-up in the BBC Wildlife Magazine People’s Choice, and was selected to be one of 20 Artists to exhibit at COP26 in the Blue zone.

In this conversation, we talk about Sophie’s winding journey into a career of painting and supporting conservation efforts. We dive into her challenges with selective mutism in her youth, and how she worked through her anxiety. We talk about her development as an artist, how she came back to art after a hiatus, and her leap from teacher to professional artist. We discuss Sophie’s recent Impermanence collection, her artistic style, her love of travel, and the impact she strives to have with her work. It was a wonderful wide-ranging conversation.

LEARN MORE
Website: sophiegreenfineart.com
Instagram: @sophiegreenfineart
Facebook: @sophiegreenfineart
Twitter: @sophiegreenart
LinkedIn: @Sophie Green Fine Art

Ep 37: David Fein – United for Wildlife, working to end IWT, and The Earthshot Prize.

Ep 37: David Fein – United for Wildlife, working to end IWT, and The Earthshot Prize.

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In this episode, I’m talking with David Fein. David is currently the Chair of the United for Wildlife Financial Taskforce, and the Vice Chair of The Earthshot Prize, the most prestigious global environment prize in history. He is also Special Counsel at the law firm Paul Weiss, and a Board Trustee of both The American Friends of The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. David has served as Associate White House Counsel under President Clinton; was an Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of New York; and was US Attorney for the District of Connecticut under President Obama.

In this conversation, we talk about David’s path from prosecuting federal cases to his current role in conservation. We dive deep into the work of United for Wildlife, the importance of fostering public-private partnerships, the urgent optimism inspired by The Earthshot Prize, and the launch of Project Anton. We go into David’s philosophies around work-life balance, finding purpose in your work or side-projects, and why you should try out the board game, Wingspan. David exudes joy and passion for his work, and inspires a vision for a purpose driven life.

LEARN MORE
Website: unitedforwildlife.org | earthshotprize.org
Instagram: @unitedforwildlife | @earthshotprize
Facebook: @UnitedForWildlife | @earthshotprize
Twitter: @united4wildlife | @earthshotprize
LinkedIn: @The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales | @The Earthshot Prize | @David Fein