Coexistence with Wild Animals: New Frontiers in Wildlife Conservation
Hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Network (a nonprofit dedicated to helping wildlife and people coexist and thrive).
We share our planet with many other animals, including some especially beautiful and captivating wildlife species, and tragically, our own species is taking up more and more space and consuming an ever-increasing share of the biosphere’s resources, so many wild animals are facing unprecedented challenges. Protecting these incredible creatures is a difficult and fascinating job, one that requires as many of us as possible to become engaged and support conservation efforts around the world. In this session, some leading experts in the field will share their insights, experiences and remarkable stories about their efforts to safeguard wildlife and wild places, and tell us how we can be more involved in this critically important work. Hosted by Paul Thomson, Senior Director of Conservation Programs, Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN). With: large-carnivore ecologist and a fellow with the National Geographic Society, Rae Wynn-Grant; Neal Sharma, California Wildlife Program, WCN; ; Zoliswa Nhleko, Ph.D., a wildlife ecologist and Senior Programs Manager at WCN.
Freight & Salvage
March 30th | 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm
Panelists
Rae Wynn-Grant
Wildlife Ecologist and Conservation Biologist
University of California at Santa Barbara + Host of Wild Kingdom
Rae Wynn-Grant, Ph.D., a wildlife ecologist and conservation biologist who researches how human activity influences carnivore behavior and ecology and is passionate about science communication, is the creator of the award-winning podcast "Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant" (produced by PBS’ Nature) and has recently become the co-host of the just resuscitated revered TV show, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. Currently a Research Faculty member at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, she maintains a Research Fellow position with the National Geographic Society in partnership with the American Prairie Reserve and a Visiting Scientist position at the American Museum of Natural History. Dr. Grant, who also serves on the Board of Directors for NatureBridge, is a leading advocate for women and people of color in the sciences and is the author of many scientific papers, as well as her upcoming memoir, Wild Life.
Zoliswa Nhleko
Senior Programs Manager
Wildlife Conservation Network
Zoliswa Nhleko, Ph.D., a wildlife ecologist and Senior Programs Manager at the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), with 10+ years’ experience working with threatened and endangered species, particularly rhinos in South Africa, focuses at WCN on conservation prioritization and providing support services for conservation start-ups around the world. Previously Dr. Nhleko worked for the South African National Parks as a junior scientist in world-renowned Kruger National Park.
Neal Sharma
California Wildlife Program
Wildlife Conservation Network
Neal Sharma, Senior Manager of the California Wildlife Program at the Wildlife Conservation Network, focuses on connectivity conservation, incorporating experience with protected area planning and implementation, habitat restoration, land management, and linear infrastructure. Prior to his work with WCN, he was with Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), where he focused on the organization’s efforts to establish a protected network of resilient ecosystems that enable wildlife to persist and adapt in a rapidly changing landscape and climate.
Paul Thomson
