There are so many amazing conservation projects going on around the world. It was difficult to choose only five to feature in this workshop. For that reason, we wanted to share some additional videos for you to watch at if you want to learn more. We encourage you to tweet links to these videos or to create Twitter threads about them to share with the #EarthOptimism community.
We've organized these by the themes in the course but feel free to jump around to what interests you the most.
Changing the Conversation About Conservation
Dr. Elin Kelsey
Dr. Elin Kelsey has found that there is a real strong emotional reaction to how we perceive the state of the planet. That can be fear, despair, anxiety...or, by changing the conversation, hope. https://bit.ly/2H32R9Z #EarthOptimism
Amy Knowlton
By reducing boat speed and changing shipping lanes, we've been able to greatly reduce the number of right wales struck by boats each year. https://bit.ly/1i2lXYt #EarthOptimism
Making Conservation Personal
Leah Barclay
"In our visually dominant society, listening to the environment can connect and inspire us at a profound and sensory level. Our soundscape can reveal so much about our environment." https://leahbarclay.com/ #EarthOptimism
Damon Rich
People in Newark had opinions about how they wanted to interact with their riverfront. The city listened to them about the kind of access they wanted when they redesigned the area. http://newarkriverfront.org/ #EarthOptimism
Creating Business Solutions for Conservation
American Prairie Reserve
In northern Montana, the American Prairie Reserve is working to build the largest ever reserve, restore the biodiversity, and preserve it for future generations. https://www.americanprairie.org/ #EarthOptimism
David Rosenberg
AeroFarms uses a business model of vertical farms to help save water, stop food waste, and increase access to healthy food in cities around the world. http://aerofarms.com/ #EarthOptimism
Finding Community Solutions to Conservation
Javier Mateo-Vega, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Research Fellow
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute works with indigenous peoples in Panama to engage them in the conversation about how to best use and protect the forests they live in. https://s.si.edu/2rTI81b #EarthOptimism
Smithsonian Forest Geo
Smithsonian is joining with local communities and the Nigerian Montane Forest Project to better understand and conserve montane forests. https://s.si.edu/2EQfKy3 #EarthOptimism
The Marine Conservation Program, Smithsonian
The Marine Conservation Program works with local communities and governments to identify the best locations to establish marine protected areas and mechanisms to improve the efficacy of marine management. https://s.si.edu/2JOzSEp #EarthOptimism
Melanie McField, Smithsonian
Healthy Reefs for Healthy People supports conservation of the Mesoamerican Reef by tracking its health and making recommendations to policymakers in order to effect real, positive change for the health of the reef. https://s.si.edu/2cG9Q7V #EarthOptimism
Engaging Youth in Conservation
The Gray Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon
By creating a safe space for gray whales to birth and raise their calfs, we've realized that gray whales might be just as curious about us as we are about them. https://on.natgeo.com/2J0B6LA #EarthOptimism
Dajopen
In Kenya, a group of men and women work to make their community better for the next generation by turning garbage into gold. https://bit.ly/2H3YCGU #EarthOptimism
Conserving Coral Reefs
Crown of Thorns Sea Stars are damaging reefs in the South Pacific. But action from local communities and individuals can help bring reefs back to life. https://s.si.edu/2H4Wj6m #EarthOptimism
