Category: Education

Sabotaging conservation in the US: this time it’s the next generation of conservation scientists

Posted on By Ali Gaster
Academic life, Conservation, Education, Policy, Science

Let’s be honest. Most of us working in conservation science got into it because we wanted to save something. We envisioned our research ultimately protecting a fragile ecosystem or an endangered species from the numerous threats thrown at them by humans. Looking at the current state of the United States, faced with climate impacts and … Read More “Sabotaging conservation in the US: this time it’s the next generation of conservation scientists” »

Jabberwocks and Snallygasters: teaching environmental education with monsters, mayhem, and dice.

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Conservation, Education, Exploration, Featured, Popular Culture

Did you see the Snallygaster? It was there, clear as day, rooting through the trash at Foxy’s Harbor Grille, its tentacles probing for scraps of fish and week-old oysters. More than a few people heard its horrifying caw as it took the the sky. Thus begins the Curse of the Snallygaster. The Snallygaster is an … Read More “Jabberwocks and Snallygasters: teaching environmental education with monsters, mayhem, and dice.” »

The locksmith and the conservation scientist

Posted on By David Shiffman
Conservation, Education

Why well-intentioned but uninformed guessing cannot and will not solve conservation problems, and what we should do instead. Picture this scene: you’re walking down the street, and you see your neighbor pacing back and forth nervously near the door to his house. He’s locked himself out of his house, accidentally leaving his keys inside. A … Read More “The locksmith and the conservation scientist” »

Please Help This Little Dumbo Octopus Travel Across America

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez 1 Comment on Please Help This Little Dumbo Octopus Travel Across America
Climate change, Education, Featured, Policy

A small, friendly Dumbo Octopus named Miss Abyss is currently traveling across the United States, and she needs your help.  Miss Abyss carries a message of urgent importance for the future of our oceans. As she makes her journey, she is gathering allies from every corner of the country to oppose the looming threat of … Read More “Please Help This Little Dumbo Octopus Travel Across America” »

Researching Historical Erasure on Public Lands

Posted on By Angelo Villagomez
Conservation, Education, Featured, Policy

Most people know me for my work on ocean conservation, Indigenous-led stewardship, and marine protected areas. Over the past year, however, I have found myself increasingly drawn into a different but deeply connected area of research: how public lands tell America’s story, and what happens when that story is deliberately altered or erased. This work … Read More “Researching Historical Erasure on Public Lands” »

Some upcoming public talks on shark science and conservation

Posted on By David Shiffman
Blogging, Conservation, Education, Science

I will be giving some public talks on shark science and conservation this summer. Here’s how to find me! Tuesday, July 7th, Silver Spring, Maryland (Wheaton Library, 5:30 P.M.) This talk is kid friendly, and is an overview of shark science and conservation, as well as my own story. There will be plenty of time … Read More “Some upcoming public talks on shark science and conservation” »

Tackling the least important debate in deep-sea mining: the desultory hyphen

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Education

Is deep-sea mining inevitable? Can deep-sea mining be sustainable? Will the deep-sea mining community ever agree on a payment regime under the common heritage principle? Can the United States issue deep-sea mining licenses in the high seas without ISA approval? Will deep-sea mining awaken eldritch horrors vast and unknowable, from their millennia of slumber? These … Read More “Tackling the least important debate in deep-sea mining: the desultory hyphen” »

“Why Sustainable Seafood Matters” is now available for preorder! Here’s what it’s about, and why I decided to write it.

Posted on By David Shiffman
Conservation, Education, Featured

I am thrilled to announce that “Why Sustainable Seafood Matters,” my second book, is now available for preorder through my publisher Johns Hopkins University Press! Use code HWSSM for 30% off your preorder! Preorders are important because they help signal to booksellers how much interest there is in a book, so please consider ordering a … Read More ““Why Sustainable Seafood Matters” is now available for preorder! Here’s what it’s about, and why I decided to write it.” »

I just told 850 shark scientists a hard truth: We’re not communicating shark conservation correctly.

Posted on By David Shiffman
Conservation, Education, Policy, Science

At the 2026 Sharks International conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, I was invited to present my research on the causes and consequences of public misunderstanding of shark conservation issues. The meeting brought together more than 850 shark scientists and conservation professionals from 84 countries, a new record for the conference. Here’s what I told them. … Read More “I just told 850 shark scientists a hard truth: We’re not communicating shark conservation correctly.” »