About our Guest:

Devan Showe is a wildlife conservation advocate and a committed professional actively contributing to the welfare of wild animals. She currently holds the position of Campaigns Associate at Born Free USA, an organization devoted to preserving wildlife and ending animal exploitation. With academic credentials from Oxford Brookes University in conservation, Devan couples her theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience garnered from her time as a primate caregiver and veterinary assistant at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in Texas. Devan's work significantly revolves around campaigns aimed at topics like the fur trade and animal trapping, striving to educate the public and initiate action against the exploitation of wild animals in captivity.

Episode Summary:

In this eye-opening episode of BeProvided Conservation Radio, host Marcia Sivek converses with Devan Showe whose mission is to safeguard wildlife and halt the ill-usage of animals. The session begins by delineating Devan's passionate background, her educational endeavors, and her significant roles in animal welfare movements.

The narrative proceeds with a dive into Devan's enriching experiences at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary, underlining the transformative journeys of primates from captivity to more natural environments. Devan also deliberates on pressing challenges in the framework of wildlife conservation, particularly addressing the misconceptions perpetuated by zoos and the need for accurate public information. The conversation offers an in-depth view of Born Free USA’s strides and victories in legislation, underpinning the tenet that safeguarding wildlife is intertwined with public health and safety.

Key Takeaways:

• Born Free USA has been instrumental in passing legislations like the Big Cat Public Safety Act, signifying a landmark triumph in the wildlife conservation arena.
• Challenges in wildlife conservation often stem from misconceptions propagated by zoos regarding animal captivity and spurious claims of contribution to species conservation.
• Social media plays a pivotal role in shaping public perceptions about wildlife, and Devan underscores the importance of using social platforms responsibly to protect animal welfare.
• A gradual phasing out of zoos, halting captive breeding, and prioritizing animal welfare over entertainment are some of the goals Devan Showe envisions for the future.
• The episode highlights personal animal rescue stories from the sanctuary, unveiling the profound emotional impact these endeavors have on conservationists.

Notable Quotes:

• “And when they’re prevented from doing these behaviors, they get very frustrated, and so they do other things to pass their time.”
• “Zoos keeping these animals in these environments and saying that it’s good for them, and also having the sort of interactive experiences they offer… those are all very harmful to people’s perceptions of wild animals.”
• “I wish that people could… speak out against [zoos] in the same way so that the demand would decrease for zoos to stay open and keep perpetuating the captive lives that they do in their institutions.”
• “They are not prepared to have this being who is going to require around the clock care, expensive care for the next 20-25 plus years.”
• “They never learned from their mother or other monkeys how to appropriately behave or submit… That results in monkeys having to live by themselves, just close to other monkeys, and not being able to interact with anyone for a while.”

Resources:

• Born Free USA Website: bornfreeusa.org
• Born Free USA Action Center: (Link to be accessed on the Born Free USA website)
• Born Free USA Activist Toolkit: (Link to be accessed on the Born Free USA website)

Dive into this essential conversation with Devan Showe to grasp the complexities of wildlife conservation, the journey towards more ethical treatments of animals, and the optimistic strides towards legislative change. Tune in for this compelling and transformative episode, and stay connected with BeProvided conservation Radio for more enlightening discussions that challenge and inspire our role in the natural world.

*Show notes were outlined with Decipher AI and edits were made by author for more detail.

The Global Effort to Conserve Cheetahs With Dr. Laurie Marker of the Cheetah Conservation Fund

About the Guest:

Dr. Laurie Marker is a pioneer in the field of wildlife conservation, with a keen focus on the preservation of cheetahs. As the Executive Director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) since 1990, Dr. Marker's journey in conservation commenced at a wildlife safari park in the United States. Her pioneering research has traversed continents, leading her to the grasslands of Namibia. There, she uncovered the grim reality of wild cheetahs being killed due to human-wildlife conflict, a revelation that prompted the inception of CCF. Dr. Marker is acclaimed for her groundbreaking efforts, resultant research, and unwavering dedication to the fastest land animal on Earth.

Episode Summary:

In this exclusive episode of BeProvided Conservation Radio, we embark on a profound exploration of the challenges and strategies involved in cheetah conservation, featuring the esteemed Dr. Laurie Marker. As we delve into the pressing matters faced by the cheetah population, listeners are offered an intimate glimpse into the groundbreaking initiatives spearheaded by Dr. Marker and her team at the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

In the heart of Namibia, Dr. Marker uncovered a harrowing threat to cheetahs—hundreds being killed by livestock farmers. This drove her to establish the CCF and become a central figure in cheetah conservation. The episode further highlights the Global Cheetah Summit in Ethiopia, a milestone gathering where experts and organizations like Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit and the IUCN specialist groups convene to discuss the future of these majestic animals. With urgent vigor, guests are transported to Africa, where the stakes for the cheetah's survival are laid bare, and the collaborative efforts for their preservation are underscored.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Laurie Marker is a pioneering figure in cheetah conservation, with a career spanning over 30 years dedicated to saving these endangered animals.
• The Global Cheetah Summit in Ethiopia serves as a critical platform for worldwide experts to develop an action plan and address the several threats to the cheetah population.
• Cheetahs play a vital role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of their ecosystems, yet they face numerous threats including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change.
• There are approximately 7,100 cheetahs left across 23 countries, representing less than 10% of their historical population.
• Engaging communities and developing conservancies are key to creating sustainable habitats for cheetahs and providing alternative livelihoods for people living in these regions.

Notable Quotes:

• "We can't save the cheetah without the people. And our motto has always been, save the cheetah, change the world." – Dr. Laurie Marker
• "About 80% of [cheetahs] are found outside of protected areas." – Dr. Laurie Marker
• "The cheetah is actually in these fragmented areas and really struggling to survive." – Dr. Laurie Marker
• "The future is in the people's hands." – Dr. Laurie Marker

Resources:

• Cheetah Conservation Fund website: cheetah.org
• Marcia Sivek's email for inquiries regarding being a working guest at CCF: marcia@beprovided.com

Discover the intricate world of cheetah conservation and the riveting strategies devised by experts like Dr. Laurie Marker by tuning in to this captivating podcast episode. Understand how every step toward the conservation of these majestic creatures leads us toward a more sustainable future. Stay connected for upcoming content that promises to enlighten and inspire.

About The Guest(s):
Leif Cocks is the founder of the Orangutan Project and Wildlife Conservation International. He has dedicated his life to orangutan conservation and has worked with these great apes for over 30 years. Leif is also the author of several books, including "Finding Our Humanity" and "Orangutans: My Cousins, My Friends."

Summary:
Leif Cocks, founder of the Orangutan Project and Wildlife Conservation International, discusses the challenges and importance of orangutan conservation. He emphasizes the need for diverse support and funding across ecosystems and highlights the significance of grassroots involvement and community engagement. Leif shares heartwarming stories of his experiences working with orangutans and explains the role of orangutans in the ecosystem. He also discusses the current challenges faced by conservation efforts and the importance of securing funding for meaningful change.

Key Takeaways:

• Orangutans have intrinsic value and deserve conservation efforts for their own sake.
• Saving the rainforest, which is the habitat of orangutans, is crucial for mitigating climate change.
• Indigenous communities play a vital role in orangutan conservation and need support to improve their livelihoods.
• Funding is a major challenge for conservation efforts and is crucial for achieving meaningful progress.

Quotes:

• "Saving the rainforest is the most effective way of mitigating the worst effects of climate change."
• "To dismiss the value and importance of individuals and their rights is to create a world that is worse for everybody."
• "Knowledge not only has to be gained, it has to be selflessly applied in an intelligent way to achieve meaningful impact."
• "Hope can come with despair, but having love and compassion and energy to keep working is a more effective strategy."

Note: The quotes provided are direct quotes from the transcript.

Websites:

Adopt:

https://www.theorangutanproject.org/about-orangutans/orangutan-adoption-program/

Donate:

https://www.theorangutanproject.org/donate/

Learn More:

https://www.theorangutanproject.org/about-us/

About The Guest(s): Ian Rowbotham is the Senior Land Stewardship Manager of Sempervirens Fund. With a master’s degree in Earth Systems from Stanford University, he is an expert in redwood conservation and restoration. Ian has dedicated his career to protecting and restoring redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Summary: Ian Rowbotham, the Senior Land Stewardship Manager of Sempervirens Fund, discusses the pivotal role of redwoods in the face of climate change. Redwoods are resilient giants that can sequester carbon and provide essential habitat for a diverse range of species. Despite the challenges they face, such as drought and wildfires, redwoods continue to thrive and adapt. Sempervirens Fund focuses on active management and restoration projects to protect and restore redwood ecosystems. Through fuel reduction, prescribed burns, and wetland restoration, they aim to create more resilient forests and safeguard these iconic trees for future generations.

Key Takeaways: - Redwoods are resilient and adaptable, with the ability to re-sprout and regrow branches from their trunks. - Redwoods play a crucial role in sequestering carbon and providing habitat for a diverse range of species. - Restoration projects, such as fuel reduction and prescribed burns, are essential for creating more resilient forests. - Wetland restoration projects can provide habitat for threatened and endangered species, such as the California red-legged frog and Western pond turtle. - Redwoods are not only important for their ecological value but also as cultural icons that inspire and connect people to nature.

Notable Quotes From Our Discussion: 

“Redwoods are these incredible sinks for carbon, living 2000 years.” - Ian Rowbotham

“Redwoods are sheltering and providing a last harbor for other species that rely on them.” - Ian Rowbotham

“Redwoods have this incredible will to live and adapt to various challenges.” - Ian Rowbotham

“We’re trying to restore ecosystem processes and create more resilient forests.” - Ian Rowbotham

About The Guest:
Dr. Carl Safina is an ecologist and author known for his work on animal behavior. He has received numerous fellowships and has written for prestigious publications such as The New York Times, Time, the Guardian, and National Geographic. He is the author of many books, including "Alfie and Me: What Owls Know and What Humans Believe."

Summary
Dr. Carl Safina joins the podcast to discuss his new book, "Alfie and Me: What Owls Know and What Humans Believe." He shares his personal experience caring for a wild Eastern screech owl named Alfie and delves into the fascinating world of owls and their behavior. Dr. Safina also explores the historical and cultural perspectives on humanity's relationship with nature, highlighting the Western view of humans as separate from and superior to the natural world. He emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset and offers insights into how individuals can make a positive impact on the environment.

Key Takeaways:
- Dr. Safina's relationship with Alfie, a wild Eastern screech owl, led him to explore the deep connections between humans and nature.
- Owls, like screech owls, have complex behaviors and form deep emotional bonds with their mates and offspring.
- Many cultures throughout history have viewed humans as part of nature and emphasized the importance of maintaining the balance of the natural world.
- Western culture, influenced by Plato and religious ideologies, has perpetuated the idea that the world is not valuable and that humans should focus on an afterlife.
- Individuals can make a difference by making conscious choices in their daily lives, such as choosing sustainable food and transportation options and supporting leaders who prioritize environmental conservation.

Today’s music was provided by soundstripe.com royalty free music. The song is Cabin In the Woods by Brent Wood. 

Dr safina was generous to provide some photos of Alfie and they are posted in our show notes at www.beprovided.com or you can just purchase a copy of Alfie and Me and see some of the photos in the book. Alfie and Me was published by Norton and is available at your local bookstore or by visiting https://www.carlsafina.org

Did you know that Herpetology (study of frogs, snakes, newts and many more!) is a crossroads to falconry? I didn't either! But it was for our guest today, Kenny Elvin. In 2022, Kenny gave a talk to the Bay Area Herpetology group if you want to learn more about the falconry/herpetology connection!  https://youtu.be/zMg_lzlYhiQ?si=KWVqZkv2ASyWQGci

Our guest today is Kenny Elvin of Full Circle Falconry. He flies his raptors for groups and events around the state of California, not only for education of raptors but also for wildlife management. He is also known as King Mighty Flighty at local Renaissance Faires!

I had the pleasure of meeting with Kenny in person to meet a few of his birds thanks to a friend and co-worker, Lisa Villasenor in Los Gatos for this interview. We had great fun and good conversation, though it is easy to get distracted and lose your train of thought when you have a beautiful Eastern Screech Owl and a Peregrine Falcon close by!  But I think we did ok and the interview is informative, casual and fun. I hope you all enjoy it! 

Kenny can be found October 28th at Sanborn County Park in Santa Clara with Lisa Myers of Los Gatos Birdwatcher at a special Raptor Event and Workshop. See below for more information:

Pictures of our meeting can be found in the shownotes at www.beprovided.com.

Welcome to BeProvided Conservation Radio with host, Marcia Sivek.

Mark Haviland is founder of Conscious Careers, co-founder of Train My Generation and Vice Chair of Marine Conservation Society UK. Mark has spent over 25 years in big corporations such as Disney and CNN before changing career paths to the non-profit world. 

Train My Generation and Conscious Careers help future generations understand their roles in any career choice bridge community, education and environmental restoration.  Train My Generation is a volunteer community organization focused on bringing essential infrastructure, expertise, and resources to the islands of Mfangano, Lake Victoria, just off the coast of Kenya.

Conscious Careers gives school aged children and young adults the skills to go into a career with the world in mind. Mark is visiting 100+ schools in 2023-2024 all over the UK and creating workshops designed to inspire understanding, confidence and optimism in future careers. 

The Marine Conservation Society UK is fighting for a cleaner, better protected, healthier ocean. They have over 25,000 volunteers donating their time to help clean up beaches, research and fundraise.  

Please visit the following websites to learn more Mark Haviland’s work:

www.trainmygeneration.info

www.consciouscareers.co.UK

www.mscuk.org

Video link to the podcast: https://youtu.be/rc3QLXLADcU?si=xTzFgFVxNlXPT8eP

Photos from Mark:

I am excited to introduce my guest today. Her name is Rebecca Wildbear and she is the author of Wild Yoga: A Practice of Initiation, Veneration and Advocacy for the Earth. The book is published by New World Library

In her book, Rebecca writes, “ When we are in our bodies, at one with nature, we are in touch with intelligence more significant that our minds. Nature can inspire our movements, align us with our instincts, initiate us into living our soul’s purpose, and guide us in tending the well-being of all life.”

Rebecca Wildbear is the creator of Wild Yoga and has been teaching yoga since 2004. She has been on the faculty at Nosara Yoga Institute and guides vision quests and other programs through Animas Valley Institute. 

Speaking of Animas Valley Institute, Rebecca is leading a Soulcraft Intensive for Earth Activists June 13-17th, 2023 through the institute. This is a great intensive for anyone fighting to protect the earth but is feeling the stress and despair of devastation and compassion fatigue. If you are feeling the need to foster greater resiliency and vision in your mission to protect the physical ecology this is for you. You can please visit www.animas.org/offerings for more information.

For more information about Rebecca visit www.rebeccawildbear.com

Visit New World Library at https://www.newworldlibrary.com/

Today’s music was downloaded from sound stripe.com . The piece is titled Into the Deep by Daniele Musto

Additional information and links related to today’s show and other related shows can be found at www.beprovided.com

Thank you again for listening and stay safe and stay healthy.

My guest today is Mark Weston. Mark was sent to live on a remote island in the Tanzanian half of Lake Victoria where he found a community grappling with one of the world's great unknown environmental crises. In his new book, The Saviour Fish: Life and Death on Africa’s Greatest Lake he tells the story of this environmental catastrophe through the experiences of the people on Ukerewe Island. He lived on the island for two years and was able to create long lasting friendships and gain trust of the community. As Mark says, the book is not all doom and gloom about the bad state of the fishing industry. The book is also about people, their religion and beliefs and rural island life. Mark and his wife became part of the community and formed lifelong friendships. Mark states it was a privilege to get to know these people and their way of life.

I am happy to announce that The Saviour Fish was one of the Daily Telegraph's and Wanderlust Magazine's travel books of the year for 2022.

In today’s episode, Mark first describes a bit about his experiences with the people and the island. Then we get into the environmental crisis about the Nile perch also known as the saviour fish of Lake Victoria, how the crisis came to be and what is going on now. Mark was able to go out with a friend who also happens to be an illegal fisherman and tells us a small portion of his experience going fishing. We end the interview on a lighter note discussing of all things, banana beer. So enjoy the show and enjoy the book. The Saviour Fish is available through John Hunt publishing, Amazon, and hopefully your local bookshop. The publishers link to the book is in my show notes along with some island photos and more information about Mark. I hope you enjoy our conversation and the book as much as I did!!

About the Author Mark Weston

Mark Weston has written about and broadcast on Africa for BBC Radio 4, Slate, the Royal African Society, South Africa's Mail & Guardian, and Roads & Kingdoms. He is the author of the West Africa travelogue The Ringtone and the Drum and the satirical novel African Beauty, and his research on global issues including public health, access to justice, education and demography has been published in some of the world's leading academic journals. He lives in London, UK.

About the Publisher

John Hunt Publishing is an independent publisher with sales teams worldwide welcoming new authors and unsolicited manuscript submissions. For our authors, we provide an automated production system, forums, a marketing database with over 40,000 contacts and other online tools to produce and market each book. We partner with our authors on marketing, reaching all the traditional bookstore markets for print books, worldwide, and all online retailers.

BOOK LINK: https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/earth-books/our-books/saviour-fish-life-death-africas-greatest-lake

Music downloaded from soundstripe.com and is titled Ngoni Nights by Kora Kollective.

Humans have existed for about 300,000 years. And played a huge role in their environment in a positive sustainable way. They grew and killed what they could eat. Gradually, over most of that time or gradually until less than a century ago, humans somehow became separate from their landscape and began extracting from their landscape more than was needed. Small sustainable farms became overrun by industrial agriculture. 

Now the farms in the middle of the US are mostly monoculture crops or single crops to feed cows and livestock stuffed in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The cereal grains grown to feed these animals are not the foods that they are normally meant to be eating. So the animals are injected with hormones and antibiotics just to keep them alive enough until they get slaughtered. Growing enough cereal grains in abundance to feed the livestock crammed into CAFOs gave birth to chemical farming, genetic modifications and heavy pesticide use. The meat from these unhappy animals and grains are passed onto humans. Most of these meats go to feed the masses a cheaper source of meat like those found in the many fast food chains. 

Nowadays a week doesn’t go by when I don’t hear livestock being blamed for the climate crisis. We are told to not eat meat if we want to save the planet. This is so frustrating to me, because all meat is not the same. When we are told this there should be a disclaimer, don’t eat meat from CAFOs. Meat from sustainably operated farms where humans are playing a role in helping livestock eat what they should, rotating crops to save soil, making use of pollinators and natural bug eaters like bats for pesticide control is completely different than meat from a CAFO. In sustainable farms the cows are happy not sick, the land is happy and not contaminated and the food makes people are healthier. 

So the thought here is, in order to be healthier, have healthier livestock that lives on healthier earth - being more a carbon sink than a carbon source, should humans and livestock be considered keystone species? This is one of the topics in todays episode

I am excited today to be interviewing Miriam Kate McDonald, the author of Emergent: Rewilding Nature, Regenerating Food and Healing the World by Restoring the Connection Between People and the Wild. In her book, McDonald explores how humans extracted from natural landscapes can be reintegrated to restore severed relationships with animals and the land. She discusses how regenerative farmers can help build soil, produce nutrient-dense food, healthy happy animals and foster a renewed sense of kinship with their communities. 

This ends todays episode. I hope you enjoyed it. Miriam’s book Emergent can be found to purchase at www.johnhuntpublishing.com. Miriam’s website is www.holisticrestoration.co.uk

and the website to her farm is www.wovenearth-mrh.com. 

About Miriam Kate McDonald:

Miriam Kate McDonald has over 15 years of experience in ecology, conservation and agriculture. Her fusion of science and practise lead her to the realisation that people are a part of the wild, entangled in interdependent relationships. 
​She co-directs Midlands Restoration Hub, Woven Earth and Heartwood and lives at High Leas Farm, Derbyshire, UK.  ​

I will have more information about Miriam and some pictures of her farm in our show notes at www.beprovided.com.

Music today was downloaded from soundstripe.com and is titled Back on the Farm by Andy Elison.

If you like what hear and want to hear more shows like this visit beprovided.com and drop us line, leave a review and let us know how we are doing. Again this is Marcia Sivek of BeProvided Conservation Radio. Until next time stay safe and stay healthy.

About Marcia Sivek:

Marcia Sivek has over 12 years experience in Environmental Engineering. In 2010, she receicved a MS in Nutrition and has been helping people make better food choices since. She began the podcast in 2017 after returning from a working guest volunteer stint at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (cheetah.org) in Namibia where she was inspired about the work being done there to save wildlife and people.