Richard Leakey and Ngaren, The Museum of Humankind

Join host Kim Langbecker in a discussion with world-renowned Kenyan paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey. Learn about the formation of his visionary new project and Terra Conservation Initiative partner, Ngaren: The Museum of Humankind. Dr. Leakey feels that the story of human evolution has to be told in an integral way, in which humans are not superior to, working against, or threatened by nature, but are part of it. Ngaren’s goal is to utilize innovative design and technologies to bring our collective history to the world from the heart of where our story began, the Rift Valley in Kenya.

As the son of the famous paleoanthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey, Leakey has made numerous discoveries in the field of human evolution and published extensively on his work. He heads Kenya’s Turkana Basin Institute, where students and experts come together to do fieldwork, study fossils and explore and exchange knowledge. And he was director of the National Museum of Kenya in Nairobi and made a name for himself as a powerful fighter against wildlife crime in his role as director of all wildlife parks in Kenya. 

Forging a Sustainable Life, with Dr. Suki Hoagland

In honor of Women’s History Month, join host Kim Langbecker in conversation with Dr. Sara (Suki) Hoagland, Lecturer in the Earth Systems Program of the School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences at Stanford University. Terra Group Founder Tony Saxton met Dr. Hoagland while attending the International Environment and Development Semester program she created while Assistant Professor at the School of International Service at American University. His experience with her in East Africa served as inspiration for his current work in sustainable technologies and conservation. Here she shares her innovative work and career, as well as her deeply personal story as a woman of great accomplishment who came to terms with the struggle of living in a world of limitless expectations.

Born Free 

As a follow up to their guest blog post on TerraStories.bz, Born Free President Will Travers and Programs Director and Sanctuary Manager Dr. Liz Tyson joined Kim Langbecker on News from the Field podcast to give a more in-depth perspective on their mission, history and far reaching efforts –from conserving wild lions in Northern Kenya; to fighting the ravages of the ongoing ivory trade; and fighting to end the cruel trapping of wildlife on US National Wildlife Refuges. And the primate sanctuary that Dr. Tyson manages in south Texas is the largest in the United States. Terra Conservation Initiative is proud to support Born Free USA through raising awareness as well as funds for much-needed sustainable technologies.

Grant Fowlds on Saving the Last Rhinos, and the Wilderness of Zululand

Meet Grant Fowlds, South African conservationist and author of the best-selling Saving the Last Rhinos (cowritten with Graham Spence). Fowlds and host Kim Langbecker discuss his extensive work combating rhino poaching, the importance of education, and being inclusive of the community that surrounds game reserves. Fowlds’ current focus is the establishment of the Loziba Wilderness Reserve, situated In the heart of spectacularly scenic Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This new wildlife conservation area is fast becoming a catalytic revenue generator for local communities in the area and an extraordinary example of sustainable community conservation. It’s also a destination on the 2021 roster for our Terra Explore Expeditions. If you’d like to join in the effort and experience its beauty, learn more here.

Driving Renewables, from the Lab to the Market

Environmental innovator Kristian Gustavson champions the efficacy of biofuels, and he and his team have the algae-fueled motorcycle land speed records and Baja 1000 chops to prove it. In Kristian’s words: “The concept of village stability operations—where you’re creating alternatives or other economies to combat illicit ones or to provide opportunities where they didn’t exist—they all come back down to education, renewable energy, agriculture, sanitation and clean water. Very simple things, and if people have that they can begin to incorporate them and take care of them… We need to energize that, and we need to do it with renewable and electric and push it forward. And if we’ve got to turn some heads by dashing down a desert wash at 100 miles an hour or setting some land speed records to start the conversation then I guess that’s something we’ll have to do.”

On the Frontlines: A Warrior and His Rangers

Meet Marc McDonald, founder of ICORP (International Coalition of Rhino Protection) and a 35-year veteran of counter-poaching in Africa. Marc is a true Wildlife Warrior with many tales to tell from the African bush. No one champions and values his rangers more passionately than Marc. Learn about his work and the harsh realities they face each day.

Part 2: Focused Conservation, Bringing Wildlife Traffickers to Justice

Wim Brown and Lydia Rouse continue their conversation with Kim, discussing  the impact of the pandemic, public health issues tied to trafficking, and Wim’s formation of specialized, highly effective Wildlife Crime Units. 

Part 1: Focused Conservation, Bringing Wildlife Traffickers to Justice

Founder and CEO Wim Brown and Director of Development Lydia Rouse of Focused Conservation reveal how their team works to fight illicit wildlife trafficking syndicates. Wim brings his years of investigative experience and skill set as a former DEA agent to fight this global crisis.

Jimmy Nelson, Seeing the World in All Its Richness and Glory

Renowned artist Jimmy Nelson shares his personal story, and how his experiences have directed his efforts to use aesthetic empowerment for a better world, for generations to come, by reigniting the fire and pride within and for indigenous people.

Part 2: To Protect and Conserve, Mara Elephant Project, Kenya

Kim continues the conversation with Marc Goss and Dr. Jake Wall, to learn how technology is used to support their counter poaching efforts and Maasai Mara ecosystem conservation goals.

Part 1: To Protect and Conserve, Mara Elephant Project, Kenya

Marc Goss and Dr. Jake Wall share their perspectives on the current state of the Mara, and how the pandemic is affecting their work protecting Kenya’s most majestic wildlife and ecosystem.

Seeking a Sustainable Path for Conservation

Terra collaborators Ellen O’Connell and Remer Lane discuss conservation funding associated with tourism, and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in both the industry and its local communities.