The following is a list of quotes extracted from various pieces. The main intent of this page if to help me find and cross-reference my writing, but I’ve left it open to the public in case people are interested.
2025
-
When determining where to establish a presence, the calculus for Mongabay as a nonprofit environmental news outlet, extends well beyond audience size or pageviews. The objective, as always, is impact: producing journalism that informs and inspires action to protect nature.
Mongabay’s strategy isn’t about rapid expansion but careful, deliberate growth. Establishing a new presence must be sustainable, impactful, and aligned with the organization’s mission.
In short, geography matters, but so do the people, ecosystems, and operating climate in any given region. For Mongabay, the journey toward greater global impact is marked by persistence, pragmatism, and patience.
2024
A look back at my writing in 2024
-
These stories are not just about vanishing creatures; they are about what their absence signals for ecosystems and humanity. Each loss is a tear in the intricate web of life that sustains us all. Yet, even in the shadow of despair, there was room for action.
Hope emerged as a recurring theme—not as blind optimism but as a deliberate, informed belief in the possibility of change. Stories like the astonishing recovery of mountain gorillas demonstrated that conservation, when fueled by determination and collaboration, can yield remarkable results. Similarly, the resilience of ecosystems and the people who fight for them offered a counterbalance to narratives of despair.
Journalism… must avoid being extractive. It should not only inform but also uplift the communities it covers.
Conservation is as much about people as it is about nature.
The fight for biodiversity was not limited to species alone. It extended to the protection of cultural and ecological knowledge.
Conservation is not an abstract ideal; it is a series of choices made every day, by each of us.
The year’s stories were reminders of what is at stake and what remains possible. They called on us to act, not out of fear, but out of love for the intricate, wondrous world we are privileged to inhabit.
The future is unwritten, but 2024 showed that the path forward depends on our capacity to care, to adapt, and to persist. It is a future worth fighting for, and one that I hope my writing helped illuminate.
The conservationists, Indigenous leaders, and environmentalists the world lost in 2024
-
Environmental stewardship often demands not only expertise and dedication but also immense courage.
Obituary for Indonesian conservationist Elva Gemita
-
Elva Gemita’s legacy is one of enduring dedication—an example of how one life, lived with purpose, can shape the fate of a species and the land it calls home.
How to help the Sumatran rhino
-
“We must emphasize to the Indonesian government the global significance of the Sumatran rhino. This is not about placing blame but about fostering pride and encouragement. The Sumatran rhino is a national treasure, as iconic to Indonesia as the panda is to China. It’s also crucial to recognize that, as consumers, our choices—whether in the products we buy or the politicians we elect—have direct and indirect impacts on wildlife and wild places.”
“The Sumatran rhino is a living relic, irreplaceable in its uniqueness. Losing it would be a tragedy not just for Indonesia, but for the world. Tell your friends about this remarkable creature.”
“Let’s remind ourselves that extinction is not inevitable. It is a choice—one that we still have time to make.”
A letter to my daughter I hope I never have to send
-
“It’s about what we lose when we allow a species to disappear. It’s about the holes we tear in the web of life and the inheritance we leave to you and your generation—a world that is poorer, lonelier, and less full of wonder.”
“It’s not too late. There is still time to act, to change the course of history. If we come together, if we fight with everything we have, we can save this species before it blinks out forever.”
This letter can remain a warning, not a farewell. And one day, you can tell your children that when it mattered most, we stood up and chose to protect life—no matter how difficult, no matter how late, no matter how small the chance. Because in the end, hope is a powerful force, and when combined with action, it can change the world.”
How conservation photographer Cristina Mittermeier uses visual storytelling to inspire action
-
Cristina Mittermeier’s journey, from a curious child exploring her backyard to a globally recognized conservationist and photographer, is an example of the transformative power of art with a purpose. In an era defined by climate anxiety, her work stands as a reminder that while the challenges are immense, so too is the human capacity for ingenuity, resilience, and hope. Her lens captures not just what is but what could be, urging us all to envision—and work toward—a future where the harmony of nature and humanity is not an anomaly but a norm.
-
While the biomass of wild mammals may seem small compared to the weight of humanity, their role in ecosystems—and our planet’s future—remains immense.
-
The jaguar is not merely an icon—it is an architect of ecosystems… Jaguars’ survival should not merely be a concern for conservationists; it is a barometer for the vitality of ecosystems on which millions depend.
The wisdom of the elders: Why the oldest animals matter
-
In the twilight of their lives, the world’s oldest creatures carry the weight of wisdom, experience, and resilience. Yet, these elders—fish that spawn in abundance, coral that shelters marine life, or elephants that guide their herds—are vanishing.
Older animals, the study finds, stabilize populations, enhance reproduction, and transmit essential survival knowledge across generations. Their loss ripples through ecosystems, destabilizing social structures and threatening biodiversity. Consider the oldest fish mothers, whose eggs thrive in optimal habitats, or the matriarch elephants that lead herds to water during droughts. These contributions are irreplaceable within a human lifetime, making the decline of elder animals a tragedy not just for wildlife but for the planet.
Humanity has long exploited age for profit—harvesting the biggest, oldest, and wisest. But perhaps now, with science as our guide, we can begin to value age for its role in sustaining life.
Goodbye to the Round Island hurricane palm—for now
-
This is not just the story of a lost tree but a call to action. With perseverance and ingenuity, what was lost in the wild may yet be reborn… at least in this case.
-
The curlew had become, as so many others before it, a creature of memory. Its extinction is not just an ecological loss but a moral indictment. Europe, with its wealth and resources, could not preserve one of its rarest avian treasures.
The slender-billed curlew’s absence now reverberates beyond its marshes and migratory paths. It is a grim emblem of the fragility of life and the consequences of human neglect. In its silence lies a warning: without vigilance, stewardship, and a profound reckoning with the forces reshaping our world, others will follow its flight into the void.
-
In death, the vaquita joins a tragic lineage of creatures extinguished by an insatiable world. Its life was small, a brief flicker in the grander narrative of time, yet the void it leaves is disproportionately vast—an emblem of our disregard for the delicate ecosystems we depend upon. With its loss, we grieve a species we knew only fleetingly, but whose presence once graced the Gulf’s richness of life.
And yet, this fate is not yet sealed. There remains, perhaps, one slender chance to avoid the need for this obituary. If there is enough pressure, enough will, and enough urgency to save the remaining few, then maybe—just maybe—these words can remain forever unpublished. But that choice is not up to them; it is up to us.
The dominant arguments for protecting nature are not resonating with most Americans
-
The urgency around environmental action isn’t resonating broadly. Although environmental harm affects communities everywhere, it has yet to inspire a constituency for change that influences voter decisions. Other priorities are more pressing for most Americans. How we address this gap will shape the future of life on this planet as we know it.
Regardless of the election outcome, our role is more important than ever
-
We stand at a pivotal juncture where our team’s collective efforts in reporting on the planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems, species, and communities remain vital. Each story we tell, each issue we uncover, and every audience we reach becomes an act of preservation in the face of immense pressures.
We’re at Mongabay because we understand that the threats to biodiversity and climate stability are not abstract—they are urgent, interwoven realities. The ecosystems that support life are fragile, and the choices society makes in the coming years will echo for generations. As we press onward, the world will continue to need transparent, courageous reporting on environmental issues to drive accountability and inspire action.
At Mongabay, our role in shaping an informed, engaged public has never been more essential. Together, we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to contribute to the understanding of our world, to shine a light on those working to protect our shared natural heritage, and to document the stories of resilience that remind us what’s still possible.
-
Decisions on the ballot will echo far beyond American borders, touching regions from the Amazon rainforest to coral reefs teeming with life. Our shared natural heritage and ancient ecosystems now hang in precarious balance. The actions of American leaders will ripple outward, signaling either a commitment to protect the irreplaceable or a resignation that the species we share this world with are, indeed, expendable.
Scientists warn that choices made in the coming years will irreversibly shape the resilience of our planet’s biosphere.
The United States stands at a crossroads, with a profound opportunity to redirect the planet’s course—potentially guiding us away from environmental ruin and toward a future where life, in all its diversity and splendor, has a fighting chance to endure for generations to come.
-
As we consider the ecological roles of reptiles today, it’s worth noting that while they don’t ask for recognition, their contributions are buried deep within the very foundations of functioning ecosystems they inhabit.
Appearance on the The Founder Spirit
-
As societies have shifted from rural to urban living, we’ve lost a lot of that connection. We forget about our relationships with other species and the ability to recognize them as fellow beings.
Individuals can make a difference. Start small and see where it leads. I was just a person who loved frogs and became interested in rainforests. I started a website, built on that, and ended up making an impact while creating opportunities for others to contribute.
There are real reasons for hope. It’s not just blind optimism; there’s evidence that if the right opportunities align and people’s interests are in the right place, real change can happen.
-
The march toward planetary degradation is not yet a fait accompli; it’s more a matter of the clock ticking ominously in the background.
Obituary for filmmaker Ryan Killackey, 1978-2024
-
His life’s work serves as a reminder that even when faced with overwhelming odds, there is value in bearing witness.
There is a kind of hope that emerges in the wake of despair, a belief that the seeds of change planted by those who came before can take root, grow, and, against all odds, flourish. Ryan planted many such seeds. Now, it is for the world to nurture them.
Jane Goodall: “Vote as our children’s lives depend on it”
-
The next generation depends on us to act decisively, and it starts with the simple, powerful act of voting.
In an age where crises feel relentless and solutions seem distant, Jane delivered a message of hope—one grounded in informed optimism, inspired by the real actions that individuals, often of limited means and facing difficult circumstances, are taking in communities around the world. The least we can do in democracies, she reminded us, is vote for candidates who understand that the planet’s future can no longer be delayed.
In a world where environmental stewardship is too often sidelined by economic concerns and short-term political gains, Goodall’s call feels both urgent and necessary. She reminded us that while our attention is pulled in many directions, the health of our planet underpins everything we hold dear. For Jane, the path forward is clear: it’s time to choose leaders who will prioritize nature, because, in her words, “when nature thrives, we thrive too.”
International Vulture Awareness Day: The importance of vultures
-
The plight of vultures serves as a powerful reminder: the loss of keystone species can have cascading effects that reverberate through ecosystems, impacting human life in ways not always immediately visible. The economic and public health toll of their decline in India offers a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of failing to protect biodiversity—a lesson that extends to many species globally, whether majestic or maligned.
International Whale Shark Day: Graceful giants of tropical seas
-
The whale shark’s peaceful existence is far from assured. Despite their calm demeanor, they are increasingly at the mercy of a world that is not so forgiving. Rising ocean temperatures and unsustainable fishing practices threaten these docile behemoths in some of the seas where they swim, though in others, conservation efforts have led to population recoveries. The irony is poignant: a creature so large, so ancient, and seemingly invulnerable is, in reality, fragile—a truth that should give us all pause.
Whale sharks are elusive wanderers by nature, their migratory paths spanning oceans and crossing borders. They are citizens of the deep, unconfined by national boundaries, yet increasingly dependent on global cooperation for their protection. Their plight underscores a larger truth: in a world where everything is connected, the fate of even the most seemingly invincible creatures rests in human hands.
World Orangutan Day: A reflection on red apes
-
Orangutans remind us that conservation isn’t just about saving a species; it’s about understanding the intricate web of life, where every thread, no matter how small, plays a role in the survival of the whole.
-
These places are more than just destinations; they are reminders of the incredible diversity and beauty of our planet. While my travel patterns may have changed, the memories of these remarkable places continue to inspire and inform my work with Mongabay.
-
As a journalist, I’ve always believed in the power of words and stories to make a difference. Journalism is not just about reporting facts; it’s about shining a light on issues that are often hidden in the shadows.
In the context of environmental crises, journalism plays a crucial role. By raising awareness, informing key decision-makers, improving transparency and accountability, and inspiring action, journalism acts as a catalyst for change.
Our journalism is most impactful when audiences understand new information and use it to make better decisions. In this way, each of the stories we’ve published is an opportunity to have an impact from the individual level, such as a personal choice, to as big as a societal response to halt imminent deforestation.
When I started Mongabay, my goal was simple: to inform people about tropical rainforests and inspire them to care about their fate. In short, I wanted to make an impact, not money. And I quickly discovered that I’m not alone in this because sharing knowledge through stories can inform, inspire and sustain effective action worldwide.
Mongabay documents this degradation and destruction daily. It can take a toll. However, every problem presents an opportunity for a solution. Responding to the planetary emergency necessitates sustained and collective action worldwide premised on accurately conveyed facts.