Boots on the ground pod

Join us as we track the inspiring path of Dr. Robert Aruho — wildlife veterinarian, conservation leader, and head of Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. From translocating endangered species across Africa to leading the Mountain Bongo reintroduction in Kenya, Dr. Aruho shares his passion for preserving biodiversity, empowering communities, and keeping conservation wild at heart. Enjoy

Today's guest is Victoria Wanjohi — a wildlife conservation scientist, award-winning filmmaker, and storytelling force based in Nairobi, Kenya. With over a decade of experience across Africa, Victoria uses the power of narrative to connect communities, especially youth, to the heart of conservation and climate action. As the visionary behind Biophilic Conversations and Nyika Silika Productions, and the Director of Storytelling at the TonyWild Foundation, she's transforming how the world hears African conservation stories. Tune in as we explore how tradition, science, and storytelling can drive real impact for people and the planet. EnjoyEnjoy

In this podcast, I'm chatting with Siana Phillips, the head of Impact at Ocean Sole, here in Kenya. She shares her incredible journey, growing up in Samburu County in Kenya where she developed her creative mind and love for community. That path later led her to Ocean Sole where she is using her skills and experiences in grassroots conservation to community empowerment and education. Listen in and hear more about Ocean Sole, a Kenyan Organization turning flip-flops in art while working hand in hand with the local people to achieve their mission in Education, Community, and Conservation. Enjoy and be inspired to take action

A survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM), Sereti Nabaala turned her personal experience into a mission to protect and empower young girls. In 2019, while still in university, she founded the Matasaru Ntoyie Pastoralist Foundation, which has since supported the education of FGM and forced marriage survivors, provided menstrual hygiene supplies to over 2,000 girls, and empowered young mothers with skills and reproductive health knowledge. With seven years of experience in grassroots activism, policy work, and community engagement, Sereti is a powerful voice for gender equality and a symbol of resilience. Today, she joins us to share her journey, the challenges she has faced, and her vision for a future where every girl has the right to education, choice, and dignity. EnjoyEnjoy

Hello Good people!! In this new episode, I'm chatting with Jana Woerner, a Ph.D student with the Mara Hyena Project at Michigan State University where she studies the hunting behavior of spotted hyenas and its impact on their space use and movement decisions.We talk about her childhood, career, fieldwork, her time at the Mara Hyena Project, all things hyenas, and her mentorship work. Enjoy and be inspired

In this new podcast, I'm chatting with Rebecca Stephens, MBE, the first British woman to summit Everest and the first British woman to climb the Seven Summits, the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. We talk through her childhood and upbringing in the UK, her experiences summiting Everest and what being on top of the world for five minutes felt like, her time leading mountaineering tours across the World, and how those contribute to local tourism and conservation efforts. We also dive into climate change and its impacts on glaciers and high-altitude mountaineering, as well as her leadership coaching and consulting journey and the lessons she applies from her experiences on the mountains. Enjoy and be inspired

I'm super thrilled to introduce to you our next guest on the Pod @lydiatiller, the head of the human-elephant coexistence program @amboseli_trust Lydia joined @amboseli_trust in January 2023 to focus on human-elephant coexistence and connectivity in the Amboseli ecosystem. over a decade@savetheelephants in Tsavo, Kenya as their Research and Science Manager, where she coordinated field research and managed an elephant tracking program. In this episode, we chat about the following: Lydia's upbringing, her career life, and how her childhood shaped the person she is today How she got started working with and for Asian elephants in Thailand, Why elephants? What makes these majestic creatures special Biggest threats facing elephants and all about coexistence in an ever-increasingly changing landscape Her biggest challenge and most rewarding success in her career so far How she is empowering and mentoring the next generation of conservationists and so much more. Enjoy and be Inspired

Gender Bias, discrimination, harassment, inequity in pay, cultural constraints are just but some of the overarching and adverse impacts of gender-related challenges that women go through in the conservation realm. Less than 1% of landowners in the Maasai Mara Conservancies are women. Aside from harmful gender norms such as early childhood marriages, female genital mutilation, and teenage pregnancies, these are over-normalized in the community. As Angela points out, this makes it hard for real, meaningful change across the landscape. Meet our next guest Angela Sanau Paswa Senior Programmes Officer, Gender @mconservancies Her passion is driven by strengthening women's empowerment by working with communities to enhance internal governance structures and promoting inclusive spaces for women in conservation. Enjoy and learn

In this new episode, I'm chatting with Nashipae 'Nash' Orumoy, the Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing, African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). We talk through her upbringing in Ngong and Kajiado, her career path moving from banking & insurance into the conservation world, and what her typical workday looks like in her current role. We also dive into how AWF is building on Africa's perspectives in conservation through storytelling, the need to have locally driven and produced stories and communications as a strategic role, that is rooted in what people believe in. Listen in to the end to hear her special advice to young people who are looking to have a positive impact in their respective fields. EnjoyEnjoy

In this new Podcast, the first one of the year in 2025, I'm super delighted to be chatting with Jane Nashipae a former accountant who was married in the Maasai Mara and found her big passion for serving and leading her community in tree planting initiatives. Her Community-Based Organization, an extended arm of House in the Wild called Women in the Wild, is a 35-member CBO working to restore degraded ecosystems along the Mara River while creating sustainable livelihoods for the community. From organizing beading initiatives to partnering with Kenyan Originals (KO) to bead the Mara Gin Lead, to donating libraries for school-going children to learn more about coexistence and wildlife conservation, Jane and her team are doing it all. Enjoy the podcast and be inspired to make change wherever you're planted

In this Podcast, I'm talking with John Mwakima, a Community Leader whose passion for the carbon market was sparked by witnessing its transformative impact on his rural village, making him a fervent advocate for climate action and sustainable socio-economic empowerment. We talk more about John's Journey as a community leader, the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project, its positive impact on the local community, and how it's tackling climate change. We also dive into how corporations can join in to support and fund efforts on the ground for climate action.

In this episode, I'm talking with Grace Wanene, the Founder of Drawing Dreams Initiative, a Youth-led grassroots conservation organization focusing on menstrual health & hygiene education, teenage Mamas empowerment, and youth development. We talk through her upbringing and how her love for children and people grew from a young age, her Miss. Tourism pageant days, and how that shaped her path in modelling and breaking the ceiling to form the Drawing Dreams Initiative. We also dive into some of the programs she helps to run, their impact, sustainability, and scalability across Kenya plus so much more. EnjoyEnjoy

Here is a short snippet of the episode dropping tomorrow featuring Grace Wanene, Founder of Drawing Dreams Initiative, a youth-led grassroots organization focussing on Menstrual Health & Hygiene Education, Teenage Mamas Empowerment, and Youth Development.  Stay tuned

It's #WorldSoilDay today, and we're chatting with the phenomenal Marete Selvin, a documentary producer and co-founder of Meraki Africa, a multimedia communication and production company dedicated to empowering action toward a more inclusive and sustainable world. We talk through her upbringing and storytelling career to the creation of The Allure of Soil, a campaign that celebrates the beauty and critical importance of soil. Listen in to hear Marete's incredible journey and all about soil, an often overlooked resource and the foundation of life. EnjoyEnjoy

This incredible Podcast will be published next week on Thursday on World Soil Day. Stay tuned to learn the amazing Journey of Marete Selvin, her passion and journey in filmmaking and storytelling and her new found passion, soil, which she will be telling us more about. Stay tuned!!

In this podcast, I'm chatting with Blake Moynes, a Canadian whose big heart and passion for conservation are unmatched. We talk about what got him hooked on nature from an early age growing up, his most vivid memories with wildlife species, and what conservation means to him. We also dive into understanding the aim behind founding Save Our Species Alliance (The SOSA), its objectives, and the impacts they have achieved so far. It's all about inclusion for Blake and getting people out there to see and experience the world for themselves. Enjoy and be inspired!!

In this Podcast, I'm chatting with Amanda Dewey, COO, of Dazzle Africa. Amanda has over 12 years working in conservation and her gracious voice and experiences will make you fall in love with community projects that give you a purpose that is beyond what you can imagine. We talk about her upbringing and where her love for nature, community engagement, and sustainability stemmed from. We also dive into Dazzle Africa, how it came to be, her role, and the great work they're doing. Amanda also weighs in on opportunities that exist out there for the youth in her space tying it all into her love for local communities and positive impact travel. Enjoy and be inspired!!

In this Podcast, I'm talking with Ms. Munira Anyonge Bashir, Kenya Country Director, The Nature Conservancy. We talk through her upbringing in Vihiga County and in Nairobi, her early recollections of enjoying nature and wildlife, and also her early career life working for the Kenya Wildlife Service. We also dive into her transition from Government to Non-Governmental Organization, the Nature Conservancy, her role and what that encompasses, the biggest threats facing wildlife in Kenya and what coexistence looks like in a modern and changing Kenya. Listen in to the end to hear more about the challenges she has overcome, her wins and advise to young people looking to make a difference in the places they have been planted. Enjoy!!

Hello Folks!! In this episode, I'm chatting with World Elephant Day founder, Patricia Sims. Patricia visited the Kenya and Maasai Mara for the first time. She is very passionate about elephants and has done extensive research work and awareness creation for the conservation of these majestic creatures. We talk through her beginnings, her work with dolphins before transitioning to elephants and her time in Indonesia studying and helping to conserve Asian elephants. We also dive into how she founded World Elephant Day, how the project has been so far, and what the future of conservation looks like. Enjoy and be Inspired!!

In this Podcast, I'm talking with Joseph Tororey, the Production Manager at Savannah Tracking Ltd. We chat about his upbringing, his love and passion for design that got him to where he is at the moment, and his current role at Savannah Tracking and what that entails. We also dig into what sort of technological advancements they have made on collars touching on Sustainability innovation and the Internet of Things (IoT). Listen in to hear what message he has for young folks and what he is up to when he is not designing collars. Enjoy and be inspired.

In this new Podcast, I'm talking with Earth League International Founder and Executive Director, Andrea Crosta. A man who wears many hearts and is so passionate and knowledgable with matters of wildlife Crime, and with a proven track record as well. We dive into his early childhood and how he got himself involved in the world of Conservation, founding Earth League International, and what his role as ED entails. We also talk through aiding factors leading to increased wildlife crime, the four types of crime convergence and their intersection, and so much more! Enjoy and learn!

In this new Wildlife Works Sponsored Episode, I chat with Mwakima Joseph, Community Relations Officer at Wildlife Works. We talk through his childhood and upbringing, why he decided to join Wildlife Works at a young age, and all about his work in creating awareness while working hand in hand with the local communities in the Kasigau corridor. We also dig into what REDD+ projects are, Locational Carbon Committees and their role and so much more. Enjoy and be inpsired!

In this Podcast, I'm talking with Shark Allies Founder and Executive Director Stefanie Brendl. We talk through how her passion for the ocean and sharks was developed, founding Shark allies and the impact they're making on the ground and some of the biggest threats facing sharks today. We also dive into the legislative and legal side of things, the 2010 Hawaii 2010 fin trade ban and it's knock on effects in other states and also what makes special plus a lot more. Enjoy

The latest Mara Elephant Project-sponsored Boots on the Ground podcast episode features Holly Budge founder of World Female Ranger Week and the International not-for-profit How Many Elephants. Holly is a long-time friend of MEP and her passion for women on the frontlines of conservation is infectious. As Holly likes to say, conservation without funding is a conservation. Your continued support enables a diverse group of Kenyans to have equal access to make an impact on the wildlife and wild spaces they cherish. Enjoy

In this new and exciting episode, I'm chatting with Taylor Rabe and Yamat Lengai to gain their perspectives on Human-Wildlife Conflict from the American west and East Africa. We talk through their childhood, how their upbringing shaped the people they are today and also about their respective roles in the Organizations they represent. We also dig into what coexistence looks like now and more about the Conservation Nation fellowship program they are both undertaking and what that means for them. Enjoy and be inspired

On #WorldEnvironmentDay Mara Elephant Project wanted to highlight how we're using technology and data to monitor and restore the ecosystem's health and there is no better person than MEP Data and Reporting Manager Francis Odero to explain. Francis is an active member of #GenerationRestoration having grown up in Kajiado in Kenya fascinated by the role tech and data plays in better understanding the landscape. Enjoy

In this episode, I'm talking with Meena Amani, a wildlife photographer with a big passion for animals. We talk through her childhood and upbringing, her work at the Animal Track Sanctuary, the illegal pet trade and what she and her team are doing to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals. We also dive into her storytelling side, and the power of art in today's world plus a whole lot more of other interesting stories from the wild. Enjoy and be inspired

In this Podcast, I'm talking with Daniel Ole Sambu, Program Coordinator, Predator Protection Program. We talk through his humble upbribging in the vast Amboseli ecosystem, what drives his passion for wildlife conservation and all about Big Life Foundation and the Predator Compensation Fund Program that he is in charge of. We also dive into some of the biggest threats facing wildlife in the Amboseli- Tsavo- Kilimanjaro ecosystem and what Big Life Africa is doing to promote coexistence, plus so much more. Listen in and enjoy

In this podcast, I'm chatting with Nuria Salim, founder Watoto Go Green, an organization that works to address the environmental education gap in the Kenyan curriculum by offering creative project based learning to vulnerable children in Meru County. We talk through her journey and what got her to where she is now, Watoto Go Green and how it came to be, environmental education to young children through creative art and Kijani Club program which deals with education, advocacy, and greening initiatives. We also dive into why they are focusing on young people and what the future looks like through the creative curriculum they are building. Enjoy and be inspired

In this Podcast, I'm talking with David Saruni, Security Administrator in Loisaba Conservancy. We talk through what inspired him to work with Wildlife, what has over five years working for Loisaba Conservancy in the Security department taught him and what his typical work day looks like. We also dive into the the role of community conservancies in Kenya and David also narrates the ground breaking reintroduction of 21 critically endangered Eastern Black Rhino back to Loisaba Conservancy after 50 years of extinction and what that meant to him and the team. Listen in and get inspired

In this Podcast, I'm chatting with Olivia Adhiambo, Climate Policy Director for Africa Region at Wildlife Works. We talk through her upbringing, early education and passion for environmentalism, her 10 years plus of experience in conservation focused policy advocacy and all about Wildlife Works and what a typical work day in her role entails. We also dig into the Kasigau REDD+ project, the importance of working hand in hand with local communities, her proudest moments at work, the challenges she has overcome and so much more. Listen in and get inspired

In this Podcast I'm chatting with Cpt. Gilbert Macharia Kibe, MD of Air Transport Consulting Ltd, a company devoted to the growth and development of aviation. We talk through his childhood and how he got into the aviation world, what has been in the aviation sector for more than four decades taught him and his professional career serving in various capacities around the world. We also dive into drones, drone laws in Kenya, his involvement with Expert Drones Africa, and what the future of aviation looks like plus so much more. Enjoy and be inspired

This #InternationalWomensDay, join Mara Elephant Project Research Assistant Sylvia Ondabu as she details how a city girl ended up working up in conservation in the Mara and the women at MEP that Inspire her. Enjoy

This World Wildlife Day, I'm grateful to be talking with Marley Sianto Sikawa, a Maasai Lady with a vast experience and passion for East African tourism, conservation, cultural preservation and a travel enthusiast with a heart for her people. We talk through her upbringing and education, what drives her passion for what she doea, and her earlier years of the Miss Tourism Peagent and what that meant for her. We also dig into her current role as Assistant Director Tourism and Wildlife at Narok County, what her role entails and we touch on women empowerment, fitness and wholesomeness, things she is very big on. Enjoy

In this episode, I'm talking with William Ouma, the head of operations at Expert Drones Afrrica. William is a very talented and passionate young man with a key focus on using drones for good while enpowering the next generation to think bigger in terms of what they can achieve and do with technology. We talk through his upbringing, his current role at Expert Drones Africa, the state of drones in Kenya and how they are revolutionizing key economic sectors. We also dig into the future of unmanned aviation in kenya, where he draws his passion and inspiration, safety procedures while operating drones and his experience working with young people. Enjoy

Mara Elephant Project is sponsoring six episodes of Boots on the Ground Podcast, and we couldn't think of a better first episode than spotlighting one of their key partners, Kenya Wildlife Service Vet Dr. Michael Njoroge who leads the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Mars Mobile Vet Unit. His over 20 years of experience as a wildlife Vet across Kenya has made a considerable contribution to the wellbeing of wildlife. Join us on the latest podcast episode featuring Dr. Njoroge. Enjoy

In this Podcast, I'm super excited to be chatting with Trish Sewe, a phenomenal woman I look up to in the communications and storytelling space. Trish is currently working as the Chief Operations Officer at Wildlife Direct and is also leading the implementation and management of all aspects of the National Geographic's Team Sayari and Nature Positive Kids Outreach project. Tune in to hear her incredible journey in conservation, her passion for leadership and communications. We also dig into Team Sayari and the impact they have achieved with this groundbreaking series which is kids lead. Listen in and get inspired

In this episode, I'm chatting with Christian Mugabe, the Founder of Ngozi Naturals, a social enterprise changing the lives of local people in Rwanda and making a positive contribution to Rwanda's conservation goals. We talk through his childhood, education, and how he got into conservation. We also dive into founding Ngozi Naturals, the impact they have achieved so far, and how he is empowering women and working closely with local communities to make sustainable skin care products. Enjoy and be inspired

In this last episode of our series ‘Female Vets Driving Wildlife Conservation in Kenya Forward' I'm super thrilled to be chatting with Dr. Mukami Ruoro-Oundo, a senior Veterinary officer working for the Kenya Wildlife Service. We talk through how her journey into veterinary medicine unfolded, the time she almost gave up her schooling to focus on another career, her time at a clinic in Nyali, Mombasa and how that propelled her further into her field of expertise. We also dig into what drives her passion for wildlife conservation, what her typical work day looks like, biggest threats facing wildlife in Kenya and her advise to young people who would want to get into this space. Enjoy and be Inspired

In our third episode of the series ‘Female Vets Driving Wildlife Conservation in Kenya Forward' I'm super delighted to be chatting with Dr. Angwenyi, who is currently the Wildlife Health and Disease Surveillance Manager with Smithsonian's Global Health Program in Kenya. We talk through her upbringing, education and how her passion for animals and wildlife grew. We also chat about what her day looks like working in the research project, and what that entails. We dive deep into her work with community rangers and how the development and training of the EarthRanger health tool is coming along plus a whole lot more. Listen in and get inspired

In this special podcast, I'm chatting with Kyle Buster, Curator at the Watamu Snake Farm. Kyle, born and raised in Nairobi also grew up with his grandparents in Tanzania where he was immersed in the rich wildlife learning from his grandad and a Tindiga bushman, developing valuable bush skills and deepening his respect for nature at an early age. In this podcast, we chat more about his upbringing, what fuels his passion for snakes, and how he ended up working as Curator of the Watamu Snake Farm. We also talk through the biggest threats facing snakes in Kenya, the programs he helps run at the Watamu Snake Farm and the intricacies about snakes and how the community perspectives is changing for the better. Enjoy and be inspired

In this second episode of our new series, I'm chatting with Dr. Florence, a female wildlife veterinarian based at Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. We talk through her childhood, growing up surrounded by pets, her education and passion for conservation and her dreaded Meru National Park encounter with a lion. We also dive into her time working with Chimpanzees and black rhino at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Get to hear her insights into how she aims to mentor young girls looking to venture into the world of veterinary medicine. Enjoy and be inspired

In this Podcast, I'm talking with Dr. Sharon Mulindi, a dedicated wildlife veterinarian committed to wildlife health and conservation. We talk through her journey into veterinary medicine, her passion for wildlife, and how she manages a healthy work life balance. We also dig into the threats she has come across facing wildlife and wild spaces in Kenya, a sneak peek into her day as a vet, and her final word to any women out there who are looking to follow her path. Enjoy & learn

In this new podcast, I'm talking with Catherine Machungo, Carbon State at Natural State. We talk through her career and journey into conservation, how she and her colleagues at Natural State are creating tangible technological solutions that people can utilize and how Natural State is tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation. We also dig into the carbon conversation , technology and how Natural State ia looking to increase their capacity building and also work with local Universities in Kenya to create more impact. Enjoy

In this podcast, I'm talking with Felix Mutwiri, the Secretary, Friends of Nairobi National Park(FoNNaP). We talk through his journey into conservation, what drives his passion, all about FoNNaP, and the threats facing Kenya's wildlife and wild spaces. We also dive into Nairobi National Park, how they are linkingthe local communities in management of the park and the youth as well and also fundraising strategies aimed at attracting more funds to safeguard Nairobi National Park. Enjoy

In this podcast, I chat with Dr. Arthur Muneza a Wildlife ecologist working for the Giraffe Conservation Foundation as the East Africa Coordinator. We talk through his childhood and upbringing, how he got started working with giraffe, operation Twiga and what his role entails at the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. We also dig into the biggest threats facing giraffe, Twiga tracker tagging operation and its objectives and youth involvement in conservation. Enjoy

In this new episode, I'm talking with Napanu Stella, a biodiversity conservation scientist and a multitalented artist keen on Ecosystem Health. She is currently working as the rangelands officer with the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT). We talk through her childhood experiences and interactions with nature, her passion for visual arts and live performances, what her role entails at NRT and how she is working alongside her colleagues to improve rangelands health while working alongside local communities. We also dive into how she is connecting art with conservation and her engagement with the youth across Kenya's conservancies to formulate policies that will guide youth involvement in conservation. Enjoy

In this new Podcast, I'm talking with Teddy Kinyajui, Sustainability Director ans Founder at Cookswell Jikos. We talk through his childhood and how he got involved with the natural world from an early age, Seedballs Kenya and some of the programs he helps run and also what seedballs are and why they're so effective in regenerating some of our degraded ecosystems. We also dive into some of the biggest threats facing our key ecosystems and some of the challenges and successes he has had in his colorful career. Enjoy

In this new podcast, I'm super excited to be speaking with Amish Chhagan, a wildlife photographer originally from Zambia. We talk through his first encounter with a camera and what felt like, his career progression and challenges he faced and continue facing in his career. We also dive into his creative process and what that looks like for him when doing stories or creating moments. Enjoy

Happy World Orangutans Day! In this episode, I'm super excited to be speaking with Leif Cocks, world renowned expert on Orangutans. Starting with 15 Orangutans, Leif takes us through why he started working to save this species, what makes Orangutans special animals and he also highlights some of the biggest threats facing Orangutans today. We also dive into the power of collectivization in conservation and the dire need to rewild and reclaim some of the habitas that our wildlife and locak communities call home. Listen in to the end to learn more about how you can support Leif and Wildlife Conservation International (WCI). Enjoy

In this new Podcast, I'm talking with Trishala Naidu, South African based Wildlife Presenter, Voice Artist, Biologist and Safari Guide. We dive into how her childhood shaped the person she is today, working with the KZN sharks board and the transition to WildEarth and she also highlights some of the biggest threats facing wildlife and wild places in South Africa today. We also talk through her deep LOVE for chameleons, pitching for Bob, the green turtle at Wildscreen Nairobi and what that meant for her plus a whole lot more. Enjoy