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Send us a textIn this episode, host Court Whelan sits down with professional photo guide and Director of Photo Expeditions at Natural Habitat Adventures, Mike Hillman. Mike shares invaluable insights on wildlife photography, from mastering perfect pawsture in bear photography to the art of bird photography and finding your personal photographic style. We also dive into intentional camera movement (ICM), editing techniques that harness the psychology of the eye, and the logistics behind planning the perfect photo expedition. Plus, Mike gives us expert advice on photographing in the dramatic landscapes of Canyon Country. Whether you're a budding wildlife photographer or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with tips to elevate your craft!Show Notes:Episode Highlights:(02:26) Mike Hillman's journey into wildlife photography and guiding(06:49) How zoo photography helps develop wildlife photography skills(12:06) Bear photography tips, including the concept of perfect pawsture(15:56) Bird photography techniques—capturing behavior, using depth of field, and composition(26:49) Defining personal photography style and the creative potential of intentional camera movement (ICM)(31:37) Editing workflows—masking, vignetting, and the psychology of the eye(38:13) What makes a great photo expedition? Planning, subject selection, and guiding philosophy(41:07) Photographing in Canyon Country—handling contrast, night photography, and essential gear(46:17) Mike's favorite lenses for wildlife and landscape photography(50:40) Must-have photography tools—including an unexpected use for a toothbrush!Resources & Links:Connect with Mike: MikeHillmanMedia.com | Instagram: @WildVenturerCheck out Court's photography and conservation work: CourtWhelan.comFollow The Wild Photographer on YouTube for more photography tipsSponsors:Art Helper AI – A game-changing tool for photographers to market their work. Use code WILD for a free 30-day pro trial at ArtHelper.AILensRentals.com – Rent specialty camera gear with 15% off using promo code wildphotographer15 at LensRentals.comShimoda Designs camera backpacks. Perhaps the best camera bag designed to-date. My new go-to!Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with fellow photographers. Stay inspired and keep capturing the wild world around you!Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Wildlife Adventures05:03 The Journey into Wildlife Photography07:53 The Role of Zoo Photography10:42 Mastering Bear Photography15:37 Bird Photography Techniques18:50 Talking about Gear25:43 Embracing the Moment in Wildlife Photography26:37 Defining Personal Photographic Style30:21 The Art of Editing: Techniques and Tools37:16 Directing Photo Expeditions37:33 New Chapter37:45 Planning the Perfect Pho Check out Court's photography and conservation work: CourtWhelan.com Follow Court Whelan (@courtwhelan) on YouTube for more photography tips Sign up for Court's conservation, travel and photography blog at www.courtwhelan.com
On this episode, we are joined by Susan Heinrich from Midlife Globetrotter. Susan is a Canadian writer living in Denver, Colorado. She is passionate about travel and supporting women in tourism. In 2020, she created Midlife Globetrotter, a website and platform that helps women over 40 follow their travel dreams to new places, with destination guides, practical tips and stories of her own adventures. Susan is passionate about reframing midlife as an opportunity, and explores themes of reinvention and self-discovery in her work. You can follow Susan on Instagramand Pinterest. In this episode, we talk about group tours and group tour operators, especially those that offer group trips just for women. To learn more, see Susan's blog posts about: Women's tours around the world: https://midlifeglobetrotter.com/womens-tours/ How to select a small group tour: https://midlifeglobetrotter.com/how-to-select-a-small-group-tour/ Croatia group tour with Adventure Women: https://midlifeglobetrotter.com/a-womens-sailing-trip-in-croatia/ Episode Highlights Some things to think about when choosing a group tour include: What is the pacing of the trip -- is there any free time, how often do you switch hotels? What is the group size? Small group tends to be under 14 people. Small groups have advantages in terms of the type of accommodation and the size of the tour group when exploring cities What is the activity level? Some companies like Adventure Women and Adventures in Good Company specialize in active trips and offer detailed explanations of the activity level involved in the trip If you are traveling solo, you can also look for tours that are only solo travelers When you are evaluating a group tour, be sure to read the itinerary in detail. You can also call the tour operator and see if they can give you any information on how many solo travelers there might be versus those traveling with a friend or relative. Also look at what the single supplement is. Some companies like Girls Guide to the World have private rooms by default but typically group tours are priced based on double occupancy and if you want your own room they charge a single supplement. Some companies will pair you with another solo travel as a roommate if they don't charge a single supplement. Be sure to read through the documents to understand what is included in terms of transfers and meals Understand who is guiding the trip -- is it a local or a U.S.-based guide Make sure you understand the cancellation policy and buy travel insurance If you aren't sure if a group trip is for you, opt for a private room, start with a shorter trip, feel free to opt out of activities, and maybe start with a trip in the U.S. that doesn't require a more expensive airfare. If you just want to relax or if you don't like having scheduled activities, then a group tour may not be a good fit Good tour operators for budget travelers include G Adventures (now have tours for women and certain age groups) and Intrepid Travel (who have women expeditions to places where you can meet and interact with locals in a way that you couldn't if there were men on the trip) For a luxury trip, Girls Guide to the World is a good fit and Insight Vacations is upscale and have women-only trips For nature and wildlife, Natural Habitat Adventures partner with the World Wildlife Federation and are known for wildlife trips and have women's only expeditions Adventure Women is one of the first companies to get into women only tours and typically offer four-star accommodations with active adventures Backroads is known for cycling and hiking tours and offers some just for women and they have trips that accommodate a variety of activity levels each day There are also group tour operators focused on certain destinations like Viking Women in Iceland Another themed tour is the British Book Club Tour: https://thebookclubtour.com Susan is also co-hosting an art-history based trip to Paris this spring Some women-only focused travel companies and others that have women-only trips Next Chapter Travel - small group, curated trips in Europe Next Tribe - over 45 women Gals Abroad Getaways - luxury Untethered Expeditions - adventure Adventure Women - small group adventure Adventures in Good Company - active Girls' Guide to the World - authentic, responsible (luxury) Sisterhood Travels - over 50 Country Walkers - walking/hiking Scout Escapes - mother daughter travel and group trips for women over 40 Viking Women - Iceland Explorer Chick - hiking and adventure in National Parks and abroad Insight Vacations - upscale group trips some women only Backroads - women only hiking and cycling Road Scholar - educational, some women only, over 50 Uniworld - women's cruises
Each year, millions of migratory eastern monarch butterflies embark on a breathtaking 3,000-mile migration from North America to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, where they hibernate in the towering Oyamel fir forests. But this iconic species is in trouble. WWF's research conducted with conservation partners since the early 2000s shows that the eastern monarch population has been trending downward for years. And while the latest report released by WWF and the Government of Mexico found that the population nearly doubled during the 2024-2025 winter, this latest finding is still far below the long-term average. In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson speaks with Court Whelan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Natural Habitat Adventures, about the wonders of the monarch's migration, the threats they face, and the conservation efforts bringing hope for their future. Discover how you can help protect these incredible pollinators, from planting native milkweed to utilizing your own personal “superpower” to advance conservation efforts. Join us for an inspiring conversation that highlights why monarchs are worth saving and what we can all do to ensure their survival. Links for More Info:Court Whelan bio Natural Habitat Adventures WWF: Eastern monarch butterfly population nearly doubles in 2025 WWF Milkweed Finder CHAPTERS: 0:00 Preview 0:15 Intro 1:58 Court's backstory 4:53 Monarch migration 13:42 Inside an expedition to the monarch's winter home in Mexico 16:45 A “snow globe” of monarchs 23:10 Threats to monarchs 24:48 Why should we care about saving monarchs? 30:37 Hope for the future of monarchs 33:14 Outro
In this episode, Christina welcomes Court Whelan, a conservation biologist and nature guide with a PhD in Ecology and Sustainable Tourism. They discuss the role of conservation-focused travel in inspiring and educating travelers, the sustainable practices of Court's company, Natural Habitat Adventures, and how travel can be a powerful tool for conservation when done responsibly. Court shares insights from his recent trip to Greenland, reflecting on the Greenland ice sheet and the urgency it conveys about climate change. He and Christina also explore how companies in the tourism industry can lead with sustainable practices and how individual travelers can make a difference by supporting eco-conscious providers and integrating conservation into their lives.
How can business solve humanity's most significant challenges? Why is business the best vehicle to solve them? For the last 35 years, Rinaldo Brutoco has devoted himself to asking – and answering – these crucial questions. The founding president of nonprofit think (and do!) tank the World Business Academy (WBA) and founder and CEO of green hydrogen transportation firm H2 Clipper (H2C), Rinaldo is a trailblazer in both the theory and practice of sustainable business solutions. Rinaldo graduated from Santa Clara University with degrees in economics and philosophy and later received a J.D. from UCLA School of Law in 1971. His career has had many remarkable turns – pioneer in consumer law, Inc. 500 CEO, author, lecturer, and co-founder of the world's first paid cable TV company. Behind all these turns was an unshakeable conviction that business could – must – be a force for good, driving Rinaldo to found the WBA in 1987 to explore the role of business in addressing serious moral, environmental, and social issues around the world. The think tank has since been responsible for initiatives like the Optimist Daily newsletter, Safe Energy Project, Global Citizen's Club, and the New Business Paradigms podcast. As of 2011, Rinaldo has been practicing what he has preached with the launch of H2C, a firm pioneering a low cost, effective, end-to-end transport and distribution system for green hydrogen. Its revolutionary approach tackles the biggest obstacle to the widespread adoption of hydrogen while also producing a scalable, carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels that's powered by Rinaldo's patented generative AI manufacturing technology. Hear Rinaldo talk about his unique path to clean energy visionary, the importance of teaching entrepreneurship as a noble profession, and why paid cable was a source of good for the world. Episode Highlights:00:00 Rinaldo Brutoco on the rise of pay TV00:49 Conor Gaughan introduces Rinaldo, WBA, and H2 Clipper04:38 Entrepreneurial interests, UCLA law, Nader's Raiders17:09 Businesses for good, meditation, third party perspectives 25:16 Launching paid cable, having a vision, pitching investors34:55 Modern entertainment, generative A.I, merchant banking46:53 Creating impact, shareholder motivation, finding inspiration51:50 Where to learn more and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Ben Bressler of Natural Habitat Adventures on Nature, Travel, and Pursuing Your PassionMore on Rinaldo Brutoco, World Business Academy, and H2 Clipper:linkedin.com/company/world-business-academy linkedin.com/company/h2clipper linkedin.com/in/rinaldo-brutoco-b052a2 optimistdaily.com Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in...
Does connecting to a planet require seeing it? And at what cost to the environment, the wildlife, and people?Join us for an Earth Day special on Talking Apes Podcast as we chat with Ben Bressler, founder of Natural Habitat Adventures, about the transformative power of purposeful travel.'We're passionate about conservation, and we're passionate about travel, so we use travel to affect conservation.'A Conservation Journey:From humble beginnings in the late 1980s, Natural Habitat Adventures has grown into a global leader in environmental travel. Their intimate, curated wildlife adventures offer unforgettable experiences while prioritizing conservation efforts worldwide.Influencing Change:NatHab's impact goes beyond tourism, influencing industry-wide practices and partnering with organizations like World Wildlife Fund US and GLOBIO to shape a future where travel is purposeful and sustainable.Connect & Explore:Discover meaningful adventures with Natural Habitat Adventures and join the conversation on Earth Day as we delve into the transformative power of purposeful travel.Connect with Natural Habitat Adventures:Website: Natural Habitat AdventuresExplore Trips: Our TripsConservation Initiatives: Electric Safari VehicleWatch: Make Travel MeaningfulNatural Habitat Sustainability Report: https://www.nathab.com/conservation/sustainability-report/Social Media:Instagram: @naturalhabitatadventuresTwitter: @NatHabSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO. Official website: talkingapes.orgInstagram: @talkingapes_podcastTwitter: @talking_apes BUY OUR MERCH
Frank Heidinger believes that lots of small improvements over time can create a huge impact, and he's using that concept to electrify the recreational boating industry, responsible for 1% of global carbon emissions. Frank is the founder and CEO of HALEVAI, a cutting-edge company making high-performance, fully electric recreational boats that will reduce the industry's environmental footprint, shorten supply chains, and bring more manufacturing jobs to the U.S. A hospitality industry veteran and lifelong ocean advocate, Frank shares how prioritizing customer experience, committing to incremental improvement, and embracing a “We Will” vision of the future can truly make all the difference. Hear Frank talk about the idea that led him to launch HALEVAI, combining materials sciences, design, and engineering to build boats, and the exciting future for (water-based) electric vehicles. Episode Highlights00:00 Frank Heidinger on energy, hospitality, and the natural environment00:39 Conor Gaughan introduces Frank and HALEVAI04:10 Brooklyn beginnings, creating experiences, and sustainable hospitality in the Maldives13:58 The idea for electric boats, initial obstacles, and developing a design20:30 The recreational boating market and marginal improvements29:10 Pitching to investors, the spirit of innovation, and creating impact36:30 Sustainability in luxury, open sourcing, and prioritizing customers41:22 Frank's vision for a sustainable future and where to learn more45:43 Wrap up and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Ben Bressler of Natural Habitat Adventures on Nature, Travel, and Pursuing Your Passion More on HALEVAI and Frank Heidinger:halevai.cominstagram.com/halevaipower/ linkedin.com/company/halevai linkedin.com/in/frank-heidinger-halevai Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back to season 5 (and the series finale) of The Altruistic Traveller podcast. My name is Bianca Caruana and for the past five years, I have been bringing you stories from influential change makers who are shaping our world for the better. In this episode, I speak with Court Whelan, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Natural Habitat Adventures (Nat Hab). Court shares insights from his journey, from his upbringing in Florida to his passion for conservation and sustainability. We discuss the intersection of biodiversity conservation and ecotourism, the impact of travel on local communities, and Nat Hab's efforts to promote sustainable travel practices. One of Nat Hab's key initiatives is to empower local communities and support grassroots conservation efforts. Court shares, "We work closely with local partners to ensure that our trips benefit the communities we visit. Whether it's providing funding for small-scale projects or fostering sustainable livelihoods, we believe in creating shared value for all stakeholders." Through its innovative conservation projects and immersive travel experiences, Natural Habitat Adventures is helping to shape a more sustainable future for our planet. As Court summarises, "Our goal is to inspire travellers to become stewards of the environment and advocates for conservation. By exploring the world responsibly, we can protect and preserve the natural wonders that make our planet so unique." Follow Court's adventures on Instagram. Follow Natural Habitat Adventures on Instagram. Join one of NatHab's upcoming conservation adventures.
Twenty-five years ago, I read about the polar bears of Churchill, Manitoba in Departures Magazine and saved the article for nearly 15 years. Occasionally I would gently unfold the page to gaze at the mesmerizing photograph of a polar bear standing on its hind legs, leaning against a tundra rover. I finally went. The best word to describe this incredible immersive experience is "awe." The vast landscape, seeing the expanding sea ice form overnight, watching polar bears in their natural habitat, the resilience of the people I met along the way, and how we are all interconnected with the universe. This Episode features an inspiring conversation with Krista Wright, Executive Director, Polar Bears International. Krista began volunteering with PBI in 2008 and became the Executive Director in 2013. In the 10 years since taking the helm, Polar Bears International has grown from a small nonprofit with a budget of less than $500,000, to a global leader in polar bear conservation, and a budget of more than $4.5 million. She is a passionate conservationist who is deeply concerned about the effects of global warming on polar bears, the Arctic, and the planet. We discuss how polar bears are uniquely suited to survive in their environment, how communities co-exist with polar bears, climate warming, groundbreaking research, and why protecting their future saves ours.
Ben Bressler, founder and president of Natural Habitat Adventures (NHA), joins the podcast. Ben had the epiphany for what would become NHA as a teacher during a ski trip. Soonafter, he launched the responsible nature travel company in 1985 with a core idea: create life-enhancing travel experiences by taking people to some of the world's most remote places– while also getting as close as possible to the wildlife. Fueled by a passion for travel, nature, and the outdoors, Ben and Natural Habitat Adventures are still finding new ways to enhance their adventures and impact on the environment 38 years later. NHA, the conservation travel partner of the World Wildlife Fund, was the first 100% carbon-neutral travel company. But who better to tell the full story than Ben himself?Whether it's a close-up encounter with polar bears, talking about the restorative power of nature, or how to launch and lead a company for almost 4 decades (and still going), this episode has something for everyone. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform.More:Visit www.NatHab.com to learn more about Natural Habitat Adventures. Follow CiC host Conor Gaughan on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and more. Episode Timestamps:(0:03) - Ben's cold open (0:52) - Intro on Ben Bressler and Natural Habitat Adventures(2:54) - Background, passion for nature, and college (8:11) - Early career, teaching, and the epiphany for a travel company(11:01) - Origin and early days of Natural Habitat (19:16) - First big sale and International Fund for Animal Welfare(25:18) - Memorable moments and what Nat Hab is up to today (29:56) - Reflecting on the experience of nature and travel(35:41) - Economic benefits, biodiversity, and community (40:30) - Sustainability-based initiatives(43:03) - The future, new trips, and leaving a legacy (46:51) - Where to learn more about Natural Habitat Adventures(47:54) - Conclusion(48:40) - End credits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On a recent personal expedition to Iceland, two seasoned guides, including Natural Habitat Adventures guide and Artist for Air Colby Brokvist, faced unexpected challenges driven by a changing climate and found unexpected joy, as well. Hear the full story at tomorrowsair.com/education/podcasts
In this conversation meet Colby Brokvist, an Expedition Leader with Natural Habitat Adventures, Guide Trainer and author of The Professional Guide's Handbook. This conversation is a mix of the pragmatic and the philosophical, and begins with a discussion of risk and challenge and how these concepts intersect with travel and the opportunity before us in helping tackle climate change. As Colby aptly puts it, “you can accept the challenge or not.” It's easy to see, looking back over Colby's experiences as a child and in his early career, how his perspective on guiding and climate were forged in the outdoors, from early experiences with his family on their boat, to hiking the Appalachian Trail out of college, Colby reflects on the experience of sharing interpretative information about plants, geology, and wildlife with enthusiasm. He has a degree in Environmental Science and is also a certified photography instructor through Lindblad Expeditions / National Geographic. He chairs the board for the Polar Tourism Guides Association and is a certified Senior Polar Guide. His book, The Professional Guide's Handbook is available on Amazon and you can view more of his photography on Instagram at @colbyoutdoors.
In this week's episode we sit down with Nick Grossman at the Wild and Scenic film festival! Nick is the Director of Marketing Production for the organization Natural Habitat Adventures, and he was a Producer for the film Endangered Migration. Natural Habitat Adventures brings awareness to wild spaces by organizing trips for members of the general public to visit them in a sustainable manner. Their film, Endangered Migration, talks about the struggles of the Monarch Butterfly and its recent inclusion on the Endangered species list! Click here to watch Endangered Migration: www.NatHab.com/monarchs Click here to learn more about their educator scholarship: www.NatHab.com/monarchgrant
In this episode, we'll talk about Indigenous tourism with Keith Henry, President of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and how they are looking to better times ahead. Then we'll chat with the folks from Natural Habitat Adventures about a new Bear Camp they'll have set up in Alaska this summer. And the Minister of Tourism for the state of Yucatan in Mexico was in town this past week so I sat down with her to learn about all the things to see and do in Yucatan. Support the show: https://www.theinformedtraveler.org/
In this episode, we'll talk about Indigenous tourism with Keith Henry, President of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and how they are looking to better times ahead. Then we'll chat with the folks from Natural Habitat Adventures about a new Bear Camp they'll have set up in Alaska this summer. And the Minister of Tourism for the state of Yucatan in Mexico was in town this past week so I sat down with her to learn about all the things to see and do in Yucatan. Support the show: https://www.theinformedtraveler.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today you'll come face to face with a polar bear, see a herd of twenty elephants passing by your picnic setup, and hear the wings flap of 500,000 monarch butterflies. The topic of today's show is nature travel, and my guest is Ben Bressler, Founder and CEO of Natural Habitat Adventures - a company that achieves their mission of conservation through helping you explore the wilderness. Whether you're in India tracking tigers, or just in your own backyard enjoying the wonders of a tiny hummingbird, there is an awe in observing the natural world that can teach us something precious about life. Ben and I chat about the first time he realized tourism could be a driving force for conservation, some incredible experiences he's had in the wild, and how just being in nature and taking it all in can be one of the most powerful tools for sustainability. Learn more at www.luxtravelinsider.com Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn
Host Eric Bowman discusses the latest trending topics in the world of travel, including some good and bad news in the industry, updates on reopenings around the world and more. This week, Bowman is joined by Court Whelan, Director of Sustainability and Conservation Travel Programs and Expedition Leader at Natural Habitat Adventures. The two first discuss what's trending before diving into the many facets of green tourism. Want to be a more eco-friendly traveler? Whelan provides excellent insight! Follow TravelPulse across social media (@TravelPulse) and reach out to the podcast by emailing us at podcast@travelpulse.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Court is a PhD scientist, photographer, expedition guide and director of sustainability for Natural Habitat Adventures. We spoke about conservation tourism, its benefits to people and planet and its uncertain future in the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic - you can find more about Court's work here: https://www.courtwhelan.com/; here: https://www.instagram.com/court_whelan/; and here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAbTWrHTd7i9z7i7gJAUXOA. Follow the podcast on Instagram - coffee_with_conservationists / follow me - george_brynmor on Instagram. Coffee Notes - Yallah Coffee Info - Explore Coffee, seasonal single origin Origin - Micosta Washing Station, Muyinga region, Burundi Roast Date - 17/09/20 Tasting Notes - Juicy and delicious with ripe berry and plum notes Learn more about Yallah Coffee - https://yallahcoffee.co.uk/ Music - "Heron Island" by Richard Bentley - https://www.smallsilence.org/
Lauren Deeley is cleaning up your trash on the trails - one hike at a time.Whether it's hiking up a mountain or going for a run in your neighborhood park - there no doubt you've seen trash on the trails as you go. Most of us, honestly, just leave it behind. But did you know the act of picking up trash as you jog has a name?! Its called Plogging. To talk more about plogging, the great outdoors, and why she feels the need to clean it up herself is Lauren Deeley - an Adventure Specialist at Natural Habitat Adventures in Colorado, and self-appointed "Wilderness Cleaner-Upper."
Lauren Deeley is cleaning up your trash on the trails - one hike at a time.Whether it's hiking up a mountain or going for a run in your neighborhood park - there no doubt you've seen trash on the trails as you go. Most of us, honestly, just leave it behind. But did you know the act of picking up trash as you jog has a name?! Its called Plogging. To talk more about plogging, the great outdoors, and why she feels the need to clean it up herself is Lauren Deeley - an Adventure Specialist at Natural Habitat Adventures in Colorado, and self-appointed "Wilderness Cleaner-Upper."
Lauren Deeley is cleaning up your trash on the trails - one hike at a time.Whether it's hiking up a mountain or going for a run in your neighborhood park - there no doubt you've seen trash on the trails as you go. Most of us, honestly, just leave it behind. But did you know the act of picking up trash as you jog has a name?! Its called Plogging. To talk more about plogging, the great outdoors, and why she feels the need to clean it up herself is Lauren Deeley - an Adventure Specialist at Natural Habitat Adventures in Colorado, and self-appointed "Wilderness Cleaner-Upper."
Episode 125 - Could you go on a trip for a week in Yellowstone National Park and generate Zero Waste? Absolutely no trash? Could you and a group of 12 generate Zero Waste for the same weeklong adventure? Court Whelan of Natural Habitat Adventures discusses the world's first Zero Waste Adventure and how there were able to accomplish this feat, on this week's Travel With Hawkeye podcast.
Natural Habitat Adventures is spearheading the world's first zero waste trip—a travel-industry first. On the July 6-12, 2019 departure of Safari America: Yellowstone Country, 14 travelers will join this pioneering endeavor in which Nat Hab's goal is to divert (refuse, recycle, compost, upcycle, or re-use) 99 percent or more of all waste produced as part of Nat Hab-sponsored trip operations. With the World's First Zero Waste Adventure, Nat Hab aims to fit all waste produced on the trip into a single small container at the end, nearly eliminating the need to send any materials to a landfill or incinerator. Trip leaders will encourage travelers to refuse potential waste whenever possible, such as declining disposable straws or individually packaged condiments, minimizing the waste they produce along the route while in vehicles, lodges and camps throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Tune in as we talk with Nat Hab's Director of Sustainability, Court Whelan.
I think it’s fair to say that animals, even more than cars, sunsets, and children, are the most photographed subject by listeners of the B&H Photography Podcast and, on this week’s episode, we speak with two photographers who not only have dedicated their craft to photographing animals, but bring to their process a compassion and advocacy that goes far beyond just a pretty picture. Our first guest, Steve Morello, is recognized for his whale and polar bear photographs, but he is also a founding partner of Natural Habitat Adventures, a wildlife adventure organization dedicated to sustainable tourism and guide training programs in Peru, Tanzania, and the Canadian and American Arctic. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Alaska Whale Foundation, where he assists on research projects and is currently working together with tourism planners, scientists, and local fishermen to conserve a newly created marine sanctuary off the coast of Peru. Morello’s photos have appeared in National Geographic and The New York Times, and he is a major contributor to the photo collection of the World Wildlife Fund. After a short break, we welcome photographer Isa Leshko to discuss her series Allowed To Grow Old: Portraits of Elderly Animals from Farm Sanctuaries, which has been made into a gorgeous new book by University of Chicago Press. Photos from this series have appeared in The Atlantic, Harper’s, and The New York Times, and will be exhibited at the Richard Levy Gallery, in Albuquerque, and at ClampArt Gallery, in New York. Leshko provides insight into her process and workflow as it evolved over the many years she worked on this project. Her dedication to process is clear as she explains how she hit upon this idea, why she chose certain animals to photograph, what cameras and gear she decided upon, and how the series developed into an advocacy project. She emphasizes her cognizance of the power dynamic in portrait photography and how respectful interaction for and even a form of collaboration with the animals was fundamental to create this type of portraiture. Join us. Guests: Isa Leshko and Steve Morello Photograph © Steve Morello
Natural Habitat Adventures is spearheading the world's first zero waste trip—a travel-industry first. On the July 6-12, 2019 departure of Safari America: Yellowstone Country, 14 travelers will join this pioneering endeavor in which Nat Hab's goal is to divert (refuse, recycle, compost, upcycle, or re-use) 99 percent or more of all waste produced as part of Nat Hab-sponsored trip operations. With the World's First Zero Waste Adventure, Nat Hab aims to fit all waste produced on the trip into a single small container at the end, nearly eliminating the need to send any materials to a landfill or incinerator. Trip leaders will encourage travelers to refuse potential waste whenever possible, such as declining disposable straws or individually packaged condiments, minimizing the waste they produce along the route while in vehicles, lodges and camps throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Tune in as we talk with Nat Hab's Director of Sustainability, Court Whelan.