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This is another episode of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program series!

Across Africa, thousands of primates are finding themselves the victims of the illegal wildlife trade, bushmeat hunting, and habitat loss. For many, survival depends on the work of sanctuaries. These safe havens provide food, medical care, and, in some cases, even a path back to the wild.

Today’s guest, Kaitlyn Bock, has spent the past decade with the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) helping to support these vital places. PASA is a network of 23 sanctuaries in 13 countries working together to rescue primates, fight trafficking, and engage local communities in conservation.

Kaitlyn’s stories- from orphaned chimps taking their first steps into forested enclosures to the tireless staff who keep sanctuaries running day after day- shine a light on why sanctuaries matter and how they give wildlife a second chance.

Highlights

• What makes a sanctuary “good” and how to spot red flags.
• Why reintroduction to the wild is both rare and extraordinary.
• The hidden role sanctuaries play in enforcing wildlife laws across Africa.

Key Signs of a Good Sanctuary

• No direct contact: Visitors should not be feeding, bathing, or taking selfies with the animals.
• Educational focus: You leave more informed about the animals’ plight and why the sanctuary exists.
• High-welfare enclosures: Spacious, naturalistic habitats that mimic the species’ environment.
• Enrichment provided: Animals are given activities and materials (like branches or puzzles) to encourage natural behaviors.
• Transparency: Staff openly explain each animal’s story and why they are there.
• No intentional breeding: Ethical sanctuaries don’t breed animals in captivity for display or tourism.
• Responsible social media: No images of animals in clothes, behaving like pets, or posing with tourists. Captions should educate, not entertain at the animals’ expense.

What YOU Can Do

• Donate to sanctuaries. Even small, monthly gifts- especially unrestricted- help to cover food, care, and staff.
• Volunteer either on-site or remotely with skills like grant writing or communications.
• Speak up on social media when you see red flags in wildlife content.
• Only visit sanctuaries that avoid direct contact and focus on education.

Resources

• Pan-African Sanctuary Alliance website
• X
• Facebook
• Instagram

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This season of Forces for Nature is extra special- all of the guests are participants in the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) program, a global network of conservationists who are pushing the boundaries of how people and wildlife can thrive together. As EWCL celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, I’m spotlighting some of the inspiring individuals whose work is shaping the future of conservation.

To kick things off, I sat down with Dr. Hugo Pereira, a field veterinarian with the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance. Hugo’s job might sound like it’s all about the animals- from darting elephants, to rescuing orphaned rhinos, and rehabilitating pangolins- but as he makes clear, conservation is just as much about people. In Mozambique, communities and wildlife share the same land, which means Hugo’s work often starts with listening to frustrations, building trust, and co-creating solutions that reduce conflict and create opportunity. And while you may never lift a rhino calf into a helicopter or pull an elephant out of the mud, you probably do encounter your own version of human–wildlife conflict whether it’s deer eating your garden, coyotes prowling your neighborhood, or simply the daily choices of how your community shares space with nature. Hugo’s “people-first” approach shows us that coexistence starts with compassion, creativity, and persistence and the principles he lives by in the savannas of Mozambique are the same ones that can guide us in our own backyards.

Highlights

• The adrenaline and precision behind rescuing a rhino calf orphaned by poachers.
• How Hugo and the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance adapt with creativity in the field to save animals in crisis.
• Why a “people-first” approach is essential for reducing human-wildlife conflict and creating space for coexistence.

What YOU Can Do

• Volunteer your skills to support local zoos or conservation institutions.
• Share conservation stories on social media. Spreading the right information helps raise awareness and attract wider support.
• Donate to conservation organizations.
• Educate yourself about organizations in your own area: Who they are, why they do what they do, and what would happen if they didn’t exist. This awareness builds empathy and informed support.
• Get informed about local wildlife and why they’re present. Understanding why deer, coyotes, or other species show up in neighborhoods helps people move from frustration to tolerance.
• Modify your environment to prevent conflict:
  • Build or adjust fences to keep animals out of gardens or crops.
  • Use deterrents like flashlights, noises, or scarecrows, depending on the species.
• Recognize “tolerance” as an important step: we don’t have to love the wildlife around us, but learning to tolerate them is the bridge toward coexistence.

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

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Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

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After a powerful series of conversations recorded at the EarthX Conference in Dallas, Texas, Forces for Nature host, Crystal DiMiceli, is taking this moment to pause, reflect, and share what she's carrying forward as the season ends.

In this solo episode, she talks about the common themes that emerged across the EarthX series, the value of having all stakeholders in the room—even those we may not always agree with—and why it’s okay to hold complexity in this moment. She also offers some gentle questions to help you stay grounded and engaged as we face both political and environmental challenges alongside a sneak peak as to what she will be up to in the coming months.

EarthX is more than just a conference—it’s a space for unlikely alliances, which leads to real, on-the-ground hope. If you're intrigued to check out the conference for yourself, go to https://earthx.org/

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

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Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

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Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

When you think of ocean conservation, coral reefs likely come to mind. But what if the real unsung hero of the sea is something far less glamorous—and far more vital? Filmmaker Adam Hussain brings us into the underwater world of kelp forests in his upcoming documentary Seaforestation. These underwater ecosystems cover more area than coral reefs, support an astonishing range of marine life, and play a quiet but powerful role in fighting climate change.

Adam shares surprising facts—like how kelp forests could be worth more than the Great Barrier Reef in economic value—and tells stories from the field, including sea lions hopping aboard boats and witnessing the last 5% of Tasmania’s once-vast giant kelp forests. If you've ever dismissed seaweed as just ocean salad, this episode might just change your mind.

Highlights:

• Why kelp is critical to coastal ecosystems and climate stability?
• What’s threatening these forests—and it’s not just one thing?
• How scientists are using “assisted adaptation” to help kelp survive warming oceans?

What YOU Can Do

• Most people don’t even know kelp forests exist, let alone how important they are. Just talking about what you learned in this episode can spark awareness and curiosity.
• Companies that farm seaweed responsibly (rather than harvesting it from the wild) are helping create demand for sustainable ocean industries. Look for packaging and food products made from farmed seaweed.
• Ocean warming is one of the biggest threats to kelp. Cutting back on emissions—from energy use to transportation to food choices—can make a difference at scale.

Resources

• Seaforestation movie

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series!

What if the way we approach learning could shape not just our own success, but the future of our planet? In this episode, I sit down with James Keyes—former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster—who believes that education isn’t just about getting a degree; it’s the key to freedom, progress, and solving some of our biggest challenges. But here’s the catch: many of us stop actively learning after school, relying instead on the information that already fits our worldview. That’s where we get stuck.

In this conversation, we explore how fear is weaponized to keep people divided, why knowledge alone isn’t enough to change minds, and how we can shift the way we communicate environmental solutions to be more inviting, less polarizing, and ultimately more effective.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, an activist, or simply someone who wants to engage more critically with the world, this episode will challenge how you think about learning, decision-making, and even the way you advocate for change.

Highlights

• Why fear—not lack of information—is at the root of many societal and environmental challenges.
• How militant ignorance keeps people from seeing solutions (and how to avoid falling into that trap ourselves).
• The three skills you actually need to be a lifelong learner—far beyond the classroom.

What YOU Can Do

• Challenge your own biases: Are you truly open to new perspectives, or just reinforcing what you already believe?
• Shift your messaging: When advocating for change, focus on shared values and opportunities rather than battles and division.
• Reignite your curiosity: Instead of assuming you already know the answer, start asking why more often.

Resources

• Education is Freedom: The Future is in Your Hands by James Keyes.
• Jame's website
• James Keyes’ TEDx Talk on the power of learning

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series!

The health of our oceans is critical—not just for marine life, but for our economy and future sustainability. Enter Ocean Exchange, an organization dedicated to accelerating solutions that improve ocean health and coastal resilience. And, one of only four groups in the United States that was awarded the recent NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerator grant!

In this episode, I sit down with Millicent Pitts, the Executive Director of Ocean Exchange, to explore how they’re funding and supporting game-changing innovations in the blue economy.

From cleaning up agricultural runoff to creating bio-based chemicals from coral reefs, these solutions are already making a difference. Over the past 13 years of giving non-dilutive grants to start-ups, the finalists in their process have raised $3.1 billion, mostly in seed and venture capital rounds.

Millicent shares the challenges these innovators face, why investors are finally paying attention, and how we can all play a role in supporting ocean health.

Highlights

• How Ocean Exchange helps fund and accelerate ocean-focused startups.
• The growing blue economy and why it matters.
• Innovations tackling biodiversity loss, pollution, and carbon sequestration.

What YOU Can Do

Even if you’re not an investor or scientist, there are ways to support these innovations and ocean health:

• Stay Informed – Follow and share updates from organizations like Ocean Exchange.
• Support Sustainable Businesses – Look for companies investing in ocean-friendly practices.
• Advocate for Stronger Policies – Support initiatives that regulate ocean pollution and promote clean energy.
• Reduce Your Own Impact – Minimize single-use plastics, choose sustainable seafood, and reduce carbon emissions.
• Get Involved Locally – Participate in beach cleanups or citizen science projects related to marine conservation.

Resources

• Ocean Exchange
• Water Warriors
• Cordelia Biosciences
• Ocean Rescue Alliance
• Silent Returns
• Minesto
• EcoSubSea

If today’s conversation sparked your curiosity, there’s no better place to dive deeper into topics like this than at EarthX, the world’s largest environmental gathering. Tickets for their event in April are on sale now at earthx.org. Be sure to grab yours and join the global community working toward a healthier, more sustainable planet.

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series!

What if nature itself could help clean up our most toxic messes? That’s the promise of bioremediation, a groundbreaking process that uses living organisms—like microbes, plants, and fungi—to restore polluted environments. In this episode, we’re joined by two guests who are leading the charge in this field: Cheyne Robertson, founder of Ergofito Bio, whose expertise lies in leveraging microbial solutions to heal ecosystems, and Rudy Montes, founder of Phoenix Harvest, a U.S. Army veteran turned environmental innovator working to transform toxic sites into thriving, sustainable landscapes. Together, we explore the science, challenges, and hope behind bioremediation, and the ways it could reshape our approach to environmental restoration.

Highlights

• What is Bioremediation?
• What role do microbes play in bioremediation?
• What are some real-life examples of Bioremediation in action?

What YOU Can Do

• Superfund cleanups often rely on federal funding through the EPA. Contact your representatives and advocate for increased funding and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.
• Support legislation that holds polluters accountable for the costs of cleanup, ensuring the burden doesn’t fall solely on taxpayers.
• Learn about Superfund sites in your area using the EPA’s Superfund Site Locator Tool.

Resources

• Ergofito Bio
• Phoenix Harvest
• Get your tickets to EarthX
• Keep an eye out for Richard Harmer’s EarthX ProPlanet Podcast—coming soon!

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series!

As the president of the United Nations Association – Orange County Chapter - Dave Rice is committed to localizing the UN's global Sustainable Development Goals. To effectively achieve this, Dave founded the nonprofit Sustainable Impact Alliance (SIA), and its for-profit counterpart, Sustainable Impact Alliance Solutions International (SIASI). Through his mantra of "Think Globally, Act Locally," Dave demonstrates how harnessing data and fostering collaboration can make sustainable development attainable for all communities.

Highlights

• The mission of SIA and how it mobilizes local communities to achieve global goals.
• How SIASI bridges the gap between nonprofit initiatives and innovative for-profit solutions.
• The development of a Climate Dashboard in Orange County, California, to track energy usage, emissions, and green solutions for 34 cities and 3.5 million residents.

What YOU Can Do

• Join the United Nations Association.
• Find a local citizen coalition or climate group you can get involved in.
• Promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Resources

• Sustainable Impact Alliance Solutions
• Check out Local2030
• Follow Dave Rice on LinkedIn

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?