How to get into Conservation in 7 Easy Steps (2024)

James Borrell is a biodiversity scientist and science communicator researching how people and nature can adapt to environmental change.

Even mildly unconventional ideas can seem crazy. The first person that contemplated taking a ‘Gap Year’ probably got a rollicking from their parents. But then, slowly, it became pretty much quite normal.

The same is true for conservation – 50 years ago it was barely a thing, let alone a career. Now, all manner of paths are open to the passionate and bold, but it can still seem daunting.

You want to be a marine biologist – but don’t really know what they even do, much less how to be one. You’re interested in research expeditions, but not sure where or how to start. What about entomology, mycology, primatology and the rest?

So what’s the secret to doing unconventional things?

Either – be very, very brave (I’m not) – Or make those unconventional things seem rather ordinary. I find best way to make them ordinary is to surround yourself with extraordinary people.

Step 1: ‘Like’ whatever you Like

We all spend a little bit too much time on Facebook, but are afraid to admit it. Conservation organisations are suckers for ‘likes’ as much as the next folks. Start by liking a good selection of pages, for a drip feed of good conservation stories. They don’t just have to be the ‘big ones’ like WWF or RSPB, there’s lots of small projects with interesting and engaging updates.

African Wildlife Conservation Fund
Crees Foundation
WWF (you can look up your local WWF too)
Birdlife International
RSPB
Durrell Conservation and Wildlife Trust
TREE AID
Conservation International

Some slightly more unusual ones…

And maybe some photographers…

Facebook is also a great way to improve your Natural History skills too..

Step 2: Following conservationists…

Do likewise on Twitter, or whatever other social media addiction you have.

Here’s a list of the top 100 conservation Twitter accounts
Another list of 50 more great conservation and wildlife accounts.
And the top 50 climate tweeters.

And if you’re feeling generous, you could follow me too….

“No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced”. David Attenborough
— James Borrell (@James_Borrell) April 1, 2014

Step 3: Improve your reading

Forget clickety-click-bait articles on the Mail Online, and instead read Mongabay. It’s pretty much the best conservation news source.

Wouldn’t you rather read about: The sixth global mass extinction event is happening, and humans are causing it (bit depressing, but still important!). Or perhaps on a lighter note: Scientists find new monkey with unique penis

If you like to follow blogs, then here’s a list to get started with, though there’s dozens more online. While you’re at it, if you want to start writing you could join Wildlife Articles, or you could set up your own conservation blog.

Step 4: Treasure good books, too

Top of my list would be:

Wild Hope: on the Front Lines of Conservation Success, By Andrew Balmford

The Man Who Planted Trees, by Jean Giono (which you can read for free online, here)

Feral: Searching for Enchantment on the FrontiersofRewilding, by George Monbiot

You might also find these useful:

Conservation Careers: My Top 5 Conservation Books

Malcolm Tait’s top 10 wildlife books

The 5 best environmental books of all time

Step 5: Don’t forget to get outside

It’s easy to spend hours working away at a career in conservation. Whatever you do, don’t lose your passion.

Step 6: Be inspired

Listen and watch stories about how other conservationists got into the field. Maybe start with: The Best Conservation TED talks, or these talks talks that show the power of conservation photography.

Which type of conservation career do you want? I had a think and came up with about 12 different types, but there are probably more.

For example, there’s:

The Ecological Consultancy Career
The Get Your Hands Dirty Conservation Career
The Big NGO Conservation Career
The conservation photographer/filmmaker career

And many more…

Step 7: Go to stuff. Meet people!

You might finally be ready to meet real people. Persuade a friend, and head along to one of these events:

RGS Explore – THE BEST EVENT OF THE YEAR

(I’ve written about it here, here and here!)

Conclusion:

Hey presto, you’ve filled your life with conservation ideas, read and watched lots of conservation stuff, and surrounded yourself with conservation folks.

If you do all of these things, I’m certain you will feel more ready and more prepared.

Hopefully, a career in conservation seems a tiny bit closer?

Book James for a speaking event:

James is a highly acclaimed public speaker, delivering keynotes, lectures and debates to a wide range of audiences including students, the public, conservation practioners and scientists. Rather than further polarizing already divisive conservation topics, James aims to explain the complexity and nuance of conservation. What we choose to do over the next five decades, will profoundly influence the diversity of life on eath for the next 5 million years. It’s never been a more important, or more exciting time to be a conservationist.

“Interesting, informative and pitched at exactly the right level for our students.”

Academic summer school

“You gave a splendid talk – cogent, passionate, clear and compelling.”

Fellow of the Royal Society,

“You had the audience hanging off your every word.”

British Exploring,

“It was refreshing to have a speaker who talked with such passion”

City of London Freemen's

I'm an environmental science enthusiast with a deep understanding of biodiversity and conservation, having closely followed the work of professionals in the field. My knowledge encompasses various aspects of conservation, from the evolving landscape of biodiversity science to the practicalities of fieldwork and volunteering opportunities. I'm well-versed in the challenges and rewards of unconventional career paths in conservation, drawing from the experiences and insights of experts like James Borrell.

James Borrell, a distinguished biodiversity scientist and science communicator, explores the realms of conservation in his articles and publications. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to environmental change and encourages individuals to pursue unconventional paths in conservation. Borrell shares valuable advice on navigating the field, particularly for those interested in marine biology, research expeditions, entomology, mycology, primatology, and more.

Borrell's approach to making unconventional ideas ordinary involves immersing oneself in the community of conservation enthusiasts and experts. He provides practical steps to achieve this:

Engage on Social Media:
- Like and follow conservation organizations on Facebook, including both well-known ones like WWF and unique projects like the Okapi Conservation Project.
- Follow conservationists on Twitter, using curated lists of top accounts for conservation, wildlife, and climate-related content.
Stay Informed:
- Shift focus from sensationalized news to reliable sources like Mongabay for in-depth conservation news.
- Explore conservation blogs and consider contributing to platforms like Wildlife Articles or starting a personal conservation blog.
Read Relevant Books:
- Borrell recommends books such as "Wild Hope" by Andrew Balmford and "Feral" by George Monbiot to gain insights into conservation success and rewilding.
Embrace the Outdoors:
- Despite the demands of a conservation career, Borrell stresses the importance of staying connected to nature and preserving one's passion for the field.
Seek Inspiration:
- Listen to TED talks and stories of conservationists who share their experiences, such as talks on the power of conservation photography.
Explore Different Conservation Career Paths:
- Borrell outlines various types of conservation careers, from ecological consultancy to hands-on fieldwork, helping individuals identify their interests.
Attend Events and Network:
- Actively participate in events like RGS Explore, ZSL lecture series, and Earthwatch debate series to meet like-minded individuals and professionals.

James Borrell's comprehensive guide offers a roadmap for aspiring conservationists to immerse themselves in the field, stay informed, and connect with a community of experts. Following these steps will likely leave individuals feeling more prepared for a rewarding career in conservation.