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Working in the conservation field innately involves loss from which is often accompanied by feelings of sadness, grief, anger, and even depression. The whole point of our field is to save species and ecosystems that are facing, often massive, declines and even extinction!
As conservationists, we are compelled to help out because we love nature, often stemming from personal experiences and connections. This love is so great that we are often willing to dedicate our precious time, money, and energy towards this cause.
But we currently live in a time where we are going through a massive extinction event, and unlike others, it’s all because of us - human beings. We are constantly being bombarded with negative news of our changing planet: deforestation, climate change, pollution, wildfires, drought, and the list goes on and on! No wonder this takes a toll on us.
For a long time, conservation organizations have used “doom and gloom” to activate people to change and to some extent have been successful, but it can also cause people to turn away and tune out with feelings of helplessness or apathy. And for those of us working, it can simply be draining and just downright depressing to see these images and read these stories over and over again!
One of my favorite things to ask when facing a seemingly insurmountable problem is to ask “what can I do?” So what can we do? Well, we can turn to optimism in conservation. It can make us feel better and work as a catalyst for change. I have long been saying this so when I saw the organization Conservation Optimism, I was hopeful and relieved to see others who felt the same way.
Conservation Optimism is a movement that emerged from Oxford University in 2017, born out of the desire to shift the narrative in conservation from despair to hope. It came about as a response to the overwhelming "doom and gloom" messaging often associated with environmental crises, which can lead to feelings of helplessness and inaction. The movement aims to bridge the gap BETWEEN conservation science and public engagement by providing a message of hope and agency. It's not about downplaying the severity of our environmental challenges, but rather about empowering people to take action.
I have been following Conservation Optimism for a long time as I have been drawn to their impactful work. Given the challenges we face in our field, I knew that doing this interview with their director, Jon Taylor, would be an invaluable resource for our community!
Jon Taylor is a seasoned wildlife conservation leader with over 30 years of experience working on conservation and sustainable development projects across Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. His career has spanned a variety of roles, including managing projects focused on climate change at WWF, tigers and elephants at the Zoological Society of London, and coral reefs and cetaceans in different parts of the world. Before joining Conservation Optimism in 2024, Jon served as the Managing Director at Save the Rhino International. With a deep passion for wildlife sparked in childhood, Jon has become an expert in conceptualizing and leading conservation initiatives, and he's dedicated to guiding the next generation of conservationists. Despite his extensive experience, he remains in awe of the natural world and continues to be motivated by its beauty and wonder.
Conservation Optimism aims to bridge this gap by providing a message of hope and agency. It's not about downplaying the severity of our environmental challenges, but rather about empowering people to take action. It's clear that while the challenges in conservation are significant, there's ample reason for hope.
Jon's passion for his work and his belief in our collective ability to make a difference is truly inspiring. His message reminds us that every action counts and that we're all part of a global community working towards a healthier planet. Despite the challenges we face, he believes in our collective ability to address environmental issues.
In our conversation, Jon emphasizes the need to articulate the value of nature in ways that resonate with people emotionally, not just intellectually. He points out that while ecosystem services are important, we also need to tap into the spiritual, cultural, and emotional connections people have with nature. This approach can help make conservation efforts more relatable and meaningful to a broader audience.
For those aspiring to work in conservation, Jon's career journey offers valuable lessons. He stressed the importance of perseverance and curiosity, sharing how his path took him from a poor part of North London to working on projects across Africa and Asia, and eventually to his current role at Oxford.
In this episode, we discussed:
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of nearly 20 yrs with 20+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, author of the book Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know (https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/) and founder of Fancy Scientist. My channel and the Fancy Scientist LLC is dedicated to connecting people to science and nature, breaking stereotypes of, and empowering scientists. I help aspiring and struggling wildlife biologists get the right training so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
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