Coffee And Conservation

Episode Description – Coffee & Conservation with Rita Santas In this episode of Coffee & Conservation , Mike sits down with Rita Santas , conservation K9 handler and founder-owner of Dogs for Nature in Portugal. Rita shares her journey into the world of working dogs for conservation—how she got started, what inspired her to build Dogs for Nature, and what it really takes to train and deplo...

In this episode of Coffee & Conservation , host Mike Veale sits down with Global Conservation Force instructor Amanda Smith — whose decades-long career in UK law enforcement took an unexpected turn after hearing the powerful story of Thandi the rhino and the lifesaving work of Dr. William Fowlds. Inspired, Amanda made the bold decision to leave everything familiar behind and work her way into...

This week on Coffee & Conservation , we sit down with BAFTA-nominated wildlife filmmaker and GCF Conservation Ambassador Anna Dimitriadis . With credits on major series such as Big Cats 24/7 for BBC2 and PBS, and field experience spanning Antarctic ice dives, Patagonian mountains, and the Okavango Delta, Anna has built a career telling powerful wildlife stories through camera, drone, and under...

Sophie Bland, is a wildlife conservationist, photographer, former zookeeper, and part of the Global Conservation Force Team. Recently, she joined us for her first team deployment as a GCF Field Journalist working in the field as part of snare patrols, community based ranger selection and the annual anti-poaching ranger bootcamp. Tune in for part 1! In part 2, we will pick up where we abruptly, not...

Pour yourself a fresh cup and join Mike Veale for an inspiring episode of  Coffee and Conservation , featuring  Karen Odendaal , Chief Operating Officer of  Zululand Conservation Trust (ZCT)  and Managing Director of  Manyoni Private Game Reserve . With a conservation career spanning nearly two decades, Karen has been at the forefront of rhino protection, pangolin rehabili...

Jaidacyn Madrigal is an environmental educator, community advocate, and sustainability storyteller whose work blends activism, and grassroots outreach. A proud graduate of California State University–Sacramento, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration with a concentration in Hospitality & Tourism Management, and a minor in Environmental Studies. She also brings a professio...

Join us as we dive into the journey behind  The Last Ranger  with director Cindy Lee and writer David Lee. Based on true events in the Eastern Cape, the film tells the powerful story of Thandi, a rhino who survived a brutal poaching incident on Kariega Game Reserve, and the woman determined to protect these vulnerable animals. Cindy shares her path from commercials to becoming an Academy...

On this episode of  Coffee and Conservation , we’re here to guide both first-time travelers and seasoned explorers ready to dive deeper into the wonders of South Africa! Whether it’s your first journey to this incredible country or you’re looking to extend your stay and explore more independently, this episode is packed with everything you need to know. We’ll take you step-by-step through the...

In this episode, we chat with Brierley McCubbins, GCF's dedicated Field Journalist. Brierley, who has always had a passion for animals and wildlife conservation, began her path in the police academy and later found her calling while working as a zookeeper. Now, she uses her skills to document the work of Global Conservation Force's instructors and programs. Brierley discusses her journey into wild...

In today’s episode, we’re excited to have Jess Donnelly, the filmmaker behind the impactful documentary  "Holding the Frontline."  Jess will share her journey to becoming a filmmaker, including her experiences filming in the field with the Global Conservation Force. We’ll explore the challenges she faced, the inspiring stories she captured, and how you can get involved in conservation ef...

Our latest podcast episode of Coffee and Conservation is a must-listen! We're thrilled to have Kendra Carano,  @world_of_kenny  , a wildlife conservation filmmaker, as our special guest. Join us as we delve into Kendra's inspiring journey, exploring her experiences in the realm of film and the art of wildlife conservation filmmaking. From the stories behind the lens to the challenges fac...

Join us on the latest episode of Coffee and Conservation, where our host Mike Veale sits down with the incredible Lauren Lee, Education Outreach Projects Coordinator at Global Conservation Force! In this episode, Lauren shares her passion for wildlife, her role in creating awareness about endangered species, and how education is the key to making a positive impact on our planet. Tune in to gain in...

Join hosts Robert Pike and Mike Veale as they bring back Blake Moynes as our special guest. Blake shares his insight about what he thought it would be like to be a ranger and what it truly is like, he shares what it feels like to be on field operations, and he shares the full story about his foot infection that happened during the course.

Join us for this episode as we interview our special guest, Blake Moynes. Blake Moynes is a reality TV celebrity and conservationist who has turned his attention and celebrity reach towards raising funds and awareness for wildlife conservation efforts. Blake Moynes recently returned from the 2023 Global Conservation Force Annual Anti-Poaching Bootcamp in South Africa. Coming in as a foreigner, he...

Join host Mike Veale with his good friends and professional colleagues, Coyote Peterson, Mario Aldecoa, and Trent Underwood, from Brave Wilderness Productions. This episode takes a dive into conservation filmmaking and some behind the scenes discussions around filming "Game of Horns" rhino conservation documentary for the Global Conservation Force, Kariega Foundation, and Brave Wilderness "Save Th...

Wesley Visscher is the Founder and CEO of Scent Imprint Dogs and Scent Imprint Conservation Dogs, a Global Conservation Force Field Instructor, and has trained two of GCF's conservation K9s. Join Mike and Robert as they chat K9s and K9s in conservation during this episode.

Lindy Sutherland grew up in the Eastern Cape of South African where her father founded the Kariega Game Reserve. Now, Lindy is the Director of the Kariega Foundation, one of Global Conservation Force's core partners. Tune in for this episode where we go through the complications of starting a reserve, the challenges of maintaining that reserve, and ultimately how you make it successful for the com...

Join us for this episode talking about a bigger realm of conservation, private reserves, reserve management, ecotourism, and biodiversity. In this episode we take a deeper dive into the broader categories of conservation as it relates to South Africa.

Join hosts Mike Veale and Robert Pike as they interview Tyrone Ping, of South Africa. Tyrone's Bio "Growing up in Durban, South Africa, Tyrone Ping always had ample opportunity to find  reptiles  and  amphibians , so that’s exactly what he did. This initial hobby led to a life-long fascination, and he began his adventure through South Africa trying to locate and photograph as many o...

Join Hosts Mike Veale and Robert Pike as they dive deep into the behind-the-scenes work of conservation biology, project decisions, project implementation, and Scott Trageser's path and current objectives in the conservation world!

GCF has 9 working dogs who work to protect multiple species in Africa and Asia, and GCF supports dozens of other K9s and anti poaching units with K9s in Africa. Natasha manages the admin side of their reports, grants, donor engagement, and updates, so we can be sure to provide the best life and working conditions possible for our K9s.

Join hosts Mike Veale and Robert Pike, of Global Conservation Force, as they bring on Megan Cromp, Founder and Director of Key Conservation, and Daria Shiek, Director of Operations & Conservation Experience for Key Conservation. "Key Conservation is helping conservationists gain critical funding and global support through a mobile app  (in development)  that provides real-time u...

Listen in for a few behind the scenes stories with the group. This episode is part 2 to the First episode of Season 2

Join hosts Mike and Robert with special guests Calvin Kipling and Hein Bester. Mike, Calvin, and Hein go back almost a decade together, working in front line rhino protection and conservation, working as anti poaching rangers and instructors together. Join the group for a deeper dive into the finite details surrounding ranger training and anti poaching in the field of rhino protection.

In this episode, join Robert and Mike as they drive a fully kitted jeep into the ocotillo and Anza borrego desert of California. In this episode they camp out overnight in the desert in a fully rigged jeep. Glamping at its finest, jeep style. The main goal, to film a promotional reel for the upcoming Global Conservation Force, Gala. What ensues? Comedy, fun, off-road adventure, and some good ol gl...