Endangered Far Eastern Curlew near Darwin Harbour Amanda Lilleyman
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Our new video interview series amplifies the voices of fearless women working to conserve Australian wildlife. Hosted by Australian Geographic, the series also asks viewers to consider how travel can be a tool to support the critical work of those directly involved in protecting our planet.
Hear the voices of fearless women fighting for wildlife
Ornithologist, Dr Amanda Lilleyman, is one of the many people fighting to stop major developments around Darwin in northern Australia. Her research shows that these developments will severely degrade the feeding grounds of migratory birds.
Because our friends at Australian Geographic celebrate conservation they are helping us support women like Amanda. That’s why AG and it’s travel arm, Australian Geographic Travel, are hosting our new video interview series, “Conservation Travel with Roger Smith”.
The inaugural episodes of this new video series are dedicated to a theme close to our hearts; “Fearless Women Fighting for Wildlife”. Our first three interviews exhibit the passion, dedication, and grit these women possess in fighting for their causes.
The first two interviews are now live with the third due to be released in early April. Watch the interviews below:
Amanda Lilleyman: fearless woman, Northern Territory
Amanda is fighting to protect Darwin Harbour and nearby Lee Point from developments that will dangerously impact on migratory shorebirds like the Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis – pictured above). With a PhD and Honours in shorebird ecology she knows what she’s talking about. Arrested last year at a conservation protest at Lee Point, Amanda’s unwavering drive to conserve the ecosystems of the Northern Territory shines through in her interview.
Karen Dick: fearless woman, Tasmania
Our series then ventures south to Tasmania, Australia where you’ll find out how to hold a cup of coffee on a small, wildly rocking boat in the Southern Ocean. Karen Dick, a passionate ornithologist who’s lived in many countries working to protect nature will tell you how she manages her morning cuppa at sea.
Karen is a pelagic bird expert, dedicated wildlife guide, ecologist and conservationist who champions an inclusive birding community through her involvement with Women Birders Australia and BirdLife Tasmania. You’ll hear about her lifelong passion for seagoing birds in this interview.
Next up, fearless woman, Janine Duffy – global changemaker
We can’t wait to hear Janine Duffy’s story from the heart of Victoria’s Western Volcanic Plains. She was the founder and global Marketing Director of Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours before moving to her new role as President and CEO of grass-roots charity, Koala Clancy Foundation. Janine is on a wildlife conservation mission to save local koalas from extinction. By educating and mobilising a passionate community her plan is to plant 300,000 trees by 2030.
Janine’s ground-breaking work brought tourism and conservation together. She was the reason Echidna Walkabout won Best In Conservation at the World Responsible Tourism Awards in London in 2014. She quite literally changed the face of tourism at a global level.
Keep an eye out for her video interview in early April. In the meantime check out Janine in a a powerful call to action to save koalas.
Unveil the Stories Behind Conservation Travel
This series will take you on a journey into the lives and minds of inspiring and passionate people taking action in the wildlife, conservation, and sustainable tourism space.
These insightful conversations are led by series host Roger Smith, the mind behind Australian Geographic Travel’s latest emphasis on conservation travel and climate action.
Roger’s extensive background in conservation as a wildlife tourism operator, wildlife guide and conservationist add a unique layer of knowledge to the series.
As the Director of Conservation and Sustainability at Australian Geographic Travel and author of Australian Geographic Magazine’s “Treading Lightly” column, Roger has spearheaded this series toward its successful launch, inspiring viewers around the world.
Follow the interviews. Subscribe here: Australian Geographic’s YouTube channel
Read more about Conservation Travel:
Five ways conservation travel empowers you and helps save animals
Echidna Walkabout gratefully thanks:
- Eliza Anderson: producer and series co-ordinator of “Conservation Travel with Roger Smith”
- Koala Clancy Foundation for “lending” Eliza to us for a day each fortnight – support Koala Clancy here
- Australian Geographic for its support with the series especially Rebel Haslingden for the concept and Lisianne Chann for her support with the final production
- Australian Geographic Travel’s Conservation Travel Framework is the foundation upon which this series was created.
Help unleash the power of Conservation Travel
Step into the future of travel. Join one of our Conservation Travel tours. An increasing number of these tours include an important Citizen Science project.
Echidna Walkabout is a Founding Member of Australian Wildlife Journeys.
We also create, guide and operate tours for Australian Geographic Travel
