Blessed Olokor’s Post

Thank you, University of Cambridge and Lucy Cavendish College that provided valuable course "Key Essentials : The Global Biodiversity Framework, Sustainable Development and the Law". This online short course is broken down into the following six modules:   Module 1: Course Introduction and Orientation Module 2: Nature Conservation, Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Protection Module 3: Sustainable Use and Management of Biodiversity, Trade of Wildlife Species and Ecosystem Valuation Module 4: Benefit-Sharing and Protection of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge Module 5: Biodiversity Finance, Capacity-Building, Scientific Cooperation and Tech Transfer Module 6: Course Conclusion and Final Remarks I would like to share that the course content has been incredibly insightful and well-structured. The balance between theory and practical application has made it easier to grasp complex biodiversity concepts and understand how they can be implemented effectively. I particularly appreciate the focus on global biodiversity frameworks and how they can be localized to address unique challenges in different regions. One suggestion for improvement would be to incorporate more case studies from a wider range of countries, especially from regions facing severe biodiversity threats. It would also be helpful to provide additional interactive tools or simulations to practice real-world scenarios, such as biodiversity management in urban areas or ecosystem restoration projects. Overall, the course has been an excellent learning experience, and I look forward to applying the skills I’ve gained to real-world biodiversity challenges. Thank you! Maeve E. McDermott Prof Dr Marie Claire Cordonier-Segger Markus Gehring Gwynne Foster Tejas Rao #cambridgeuniversity #shortcourse #biodiversity #sustainability #energy

As we reflect on a decade of growing conservation impact through USAID's Measuring Impact and Measuring Impact II, the founding of the Conservation Enterprises Cross-Mission Learning Program in 2015 was a watershed moment! By facilitating connections across biodiversity and conservation teams worldwide, this program paved the way for effective collaborating, learning, and adapting rooted in learning! As EI's Brittany Ajroud notes "there's so much value in bringing people together with the explicit purpose of learning and sharing. We build social connections, create new ideas, scale innovations, and come away with insights and ideas that we might not have encountered otherwise." #EarthDay https://hubs.la/Q02trLv10

Bridging the Gap between Biodiversity Net Gain and Nature Positive England's mandatory BNG requires developments to follow the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy and create more wildlife-rich habitats, and to demonstrate BNG by using the statutory Biodiversity Metric. But while BNG is a step forward, it is only the start. There is now a fast-rising momentum for businesses to contribute to the global Nature Positive goal. But how do we get from a project-level BNG to a corporate-level agenda on Nature Positive? This was the question we asked Amy to answer, when Amy undertook her MSc research project with us. Amy dived into the literature, undertook a series of interviews, and collated everything to develop a conceptual framework on the bridge from BNG to Nature Positive. Today Amy is presenting her findings to our Motts team as part of our Lunch & Learn sessions, together with her insights, learnings and recommendations. Thanks so much Amy, it was great to work with you and your research was excellence. Amy Goodship Katie Sharples #BNG #naturepositive #research

Proud to share my first published research article in the Journal for Nature Conservation! Our research dives deep into the role of #CitizenScience (CS) in shaping the governance outcomes of protected areas (PAs). Using #systematic #mapping and #qualitative #evidence #synthesis, we sifted through over 5000 publications, ultimately focusing on 63 records for an in-depth analysis. 🔍 Key insights: - Contributory CS (often used for large-scale data collection) dominates the literature, especially in national parks and marine protected areas. - Collaborative and co-created CS are less common, particularly in Europe and North America, but they show promising potential in supporting a broader range of governance solutions, from legislative to economic instruments. 💡 Takeaway: For those in conservation practice, I believe it's time to embrace more collaborative forms of citizen science. They offer incredible opportunities for tackling complex conservation challenges with innovative governance approaches. A big thanks to the supportive team and a special mention to Monika Suškevičs for guiding me through this incredible journey. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dEJXPRgC

#snsinstutions #snsdesignthinkers #designthinking Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the complex relationships between human societies and the natural environment, focusing on understanding and addressing the environmental challenges facing our planet. It encompasses various subfields, including ecology, conservation biology, environmental science, policy, sustainability studies, and climate change studies. By integrating natural and social sciences, environmental studies analyzes the impact of human activities on ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate, seeking solutions to mitigate environmental degradation. Key concepts include biodiversity, ecosystem services, carbon footprint, sustainable development, and ecological footprint. Professionals in this field work as environmental consultants, sustainability specialists, conservation biologists, climate change analysts, and policy analysts, among others. Environmental studies programs are offered at universities worldwide, and online resources, journals, and professional organizations provide valuable information and networking opportunities.

🔬 Empowering Citizen Scientists: Exploring Biodiversity with eDNA 🔬🌊 In the age of citizen science and environmental DNA (eDNA) technology, communities around the world are joining forces with researchers to unlock the secrets of our planet's ecosystems. Citizen scientists are playing a crucial role in monitoring and conserving freshwater and marine environments, contributing valuable data to scientific research. At the heart of this movement is collaboration. By working together, citizens and scientists are harnessing the power of eDNA to study aquatic biodiversity, track changes in ecosystems, and inform conservation efforts. From rivers and streams to coastal waters, and even groundwater, citizen-led initiatives are making a real difference in understanding and protecting our planet's precious waterways. The success of these projects lies in the dedication and passion of citizen scientists, who are eager to contribute to scientific discovery and environmental stewardship. Through hands-on participation in eDNA sampling and analysis, volunteers are gaining valuable insights into the health of their local waterways while making meaningful contributions to global research efforts. As we continue to explore the potential of citizen science and eDNA technology, let's celebrate the incredible impact of these collaborative initiatives in advancing our understanding of aquatic ecosystems and promoting environmental conservation🌍💧 #CitizenScience #eDNA #Biodiversity #EnvironmentalConservation #AquaticEcology #ScienceCommunication #CommunityEngagement #STEMEducation

For all who are interested in Citizen Science and its impact on Protected Area Governance, I invite you to check out this review article. If anyone is interested but doesn't have access to the full paper, here is a link that should work for the next 40 days: https://lnkd.in/eCiZ-4RN

Three!!! open rank positions at University of Wisconsin-Madison in Sustainable Land Use, Conservation, and Justice, a second in Sustainability of Natural Resources and excellence in mentoring underserved students, and a third in Sustainable Land Systems. All three are open to environmental social scientists and offer a great opportunity to interact with Adena Rissman 😊 Please spread the word. Sustainable Land Use, Conservation, and Justice https://lnkd.in/ghctHHyc...   Sustainability of Natural Resources and excellence in mentoring underserved students https://lnkd.in/gvr3ctGU... (this one requires background in ecology and is open to a social-ecological researcher). Due Nov 8.   Sustainable Land Systems https://lnkd.in/gy_28--B...

I’m excited to announce our recent publication in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy titled "Sociocultural Valuation of Human Impacts on Marine Ecosystems: The Case of the National Marine Park of Alonissos in Greece." In this paper, we utilize a blend of a choice experiment and a cumulative impact assessment to measure human impacts on marine ecosystems. This methodology offers valuable insights for environmental economists, policymakers, and marine conservationists, aiding in the development of improved management and conservation strategies. A limited number of free online copies of the article are available at the following link. If you miss this opportunity and they run out, please send me a message. #MarineConservation #EnvironmentalPolicy #Sustainability

🌿 How to Innovate in Nature Conservation? 🌿 Believing that one solution fits all ecosystems is simply not true! 🌏 What works in one place might not work in another. The reasons can vary: - Differences in biomes 🌲 - Abiotic and biotic factors 🌞🐿️ - Differences in individuals, populations, and communities 👥 - Population dynamics and carrying capacities of species 🦌 - Species interactions 🦊🦅 - Culture of local communities 🏞️ After understanding the specifics and challenges of the ecosystem being studied, we must then use the most relevant methods to achieve our goals. This includes: - Using appropriate technology 💻 - Collaborating with local communities 🤝 - Creating strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders 🤝 - Focusing on education and awareness to ensure sustainable conservation efforts 📚 - Measuring and adapting methods based on results. We must be prepared for elements we might have missed, such as species interactions and indirect effects in a bottom-up community 🌿🔄 When aiming to preserve or restore areas, we need a scientific approach that is also pedagogical and empathetic to understand all the interactions and their impacts. These impacts can be direct or indirect. 🧬💡 #Conservation #Innovation #Sustainability #Ecology #Nature #CommunityEngagement #Education #Science #Environment 🌱🌍