Rhett Ayers Butler
The gunfire began just before six in the morning. At first, Christine (Tina) Lain thought it might be a drill. Upemba National Park had prepared for attacks before. But the sound did not stop. It intensified. By the end of the day, three rangers and four staff were dead. Survivors hid in a crawl space [Continue reading]
Mongabay has in recent months published a series examining the well-being of people working to protect the planet, including the mental health of conservationists. A perspective published by a group of early-career practitioners is both a response to that coverage and a contribution to it. Drawing on interviews with more than 100 young professionals across [Continue reading]
This is the pre-edited version of Earth Day is for the planet. What about the people protecting it?, which was published today on Nonprofit Quarterly. Every Earth Day, we are urged to care more deeply about the planet—to pay closer attention, to look more carefully, to resist indifference. For many, that is a one-day appeal. [Continue reading]
“Let us stop talking about human-wildlife conflict. Some of us live with this reality and we pay a heavy price for sharing space with wildlife.” The remark, made at the 2023 Community-led Conservation Congress in Namibia, challenges how conservation is often described. The term “human-wildlife conflict” appears frequently in policy and reporting, suggesting a problem [Continue reading]
Earlier this month, Jeremy Hance’s “‘An epidemic of suffering’: Why are conservationists breaking down?” and the follow-up commentary “Emotional and psychological stresses beleaguer conservation professionals” by Vik Mohan and Nerissa Chao gave fresh urgency—and language—to a crisis many in conservation have been naming quietly for years. This piece builds on their reporting and reflections, and [Continue reading]
Since publishing my piece on optimism in conservation, I’ve heard from a lot of people who are finding it tough. I’m not an expert, but these are some things that might help in the right situation. Optimism is hard to summon when the work feels like bailing a boat in a storm. Treat it as [Continue reading]
Amid the calls of gibbons and the whir of drones scanning forest canopies, a quieter crisis is unfolding within the ranks of those trying to save nature. Conservationists, often seen as tireless stewards of the planet’s dwindling biodiversity, are burning out. In some cases, they are breaking down. And with disturbing regularity, social media feeds [Continue reading]