I created The Conservation Report blog in an attempt to disseminate environmental news and opinion. Personally, I believe that environmental degradation, living wastefully, or unsustainably are the greatest threats to democracy and national security. Furthermore, politics are relevant on The Conservation Report, because policy is translated into the environment. I believe that we socially construct natural landscapes with both good and bad policies.
I grew up in North Carolina where I explored the countryside and gained a respect for nature. To fulfill my childhood dream of living in Africa, I joined the Peace Corps, so I’m a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Madagascar. After Peace Corps, I attended graduate school.
After graduate school at the University of East Anglia’s School of Development Studies, where I completed an MSc in Environment and Development, I returned to Madagascar to escort a research expedition to study the influences of anthropogenic activity on Madagascar’s unique Spiny Forest. We published our findings in Biological Conservation.
After Madagascar, I was contracted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a National Marine Fisheries Service observer to collect economic and scientific data onboard commercial fishing vessels where I gained experience in the gillnet, trawl, and scallop fisheries. Witnessing the ocean’s power and its marine life reaffirmed my belief that nature and its elements deserve protection. However, I equally believe that resource users, such as fishers, must be integrated into nature protection. I also believe that their livelihoods must be preserved by promoting sustainable natural-resource use.
After working at sea as a fisheries observer, I moved to Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and continued working as a NOAA contractor in the role of instructor biologist with NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP). In addition to teaching and developing new catch estimation protocols for NEFOP, I was responsible for certifying new trainees and recertifying observers in the gillnet, purse seine, pot and trap, and trawl fisheries.
Currently, I’m a third-year law student at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where I’m concentrating in both environmental law and litigation. Last summer, I completed a legal externship with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Richmond, Virginia. Most recently, I was selected to work as a Public Defender through a Michigan court rule that allows qualified students to practice law under the supervision of an experienced attorney. As a Public Defender, I gained significant experience representing indigent clients on the record in a high-volume court.
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Hey,
Amazing pictures!…….
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I like your blog here… and it’s refreshing to find somebody who actually cares about the environment. It seems very rarely that people nowadays actually even consider the damage they’re doing when they act the way they do, yet I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who gets upset by this.
On a recent outing in the No.California Gold Country I came across a puddle that upon first look apeared to have an oil slick on it, but upon closer inspection I may have discovered a new species of Insect or perhaps never before see behavior.
If this species is indeed undiscovered,then I hereby name it The Little Big B.
Please see attached short video and 2 photographs.
Video>>>> http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb150/BIG_BRIAN_ALBUM/?action=view¤t=100_0436.flv
Photograph>>> http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb150/BIG_BRIAN_ALBUM/100_0434.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb150/BIG_BRIAN_ALBUM/100_0435.jpg
Thank you for creating the conservation report, you reminded of why in my home country, Trinidad and Tobago, I would observe nature for hours fascinated by their abilities. Beautiful images. If you get a chance, check out our nariva swamp with mangrove trees, pitch lake, and Nature reserves, we are located in the tropics and closest island to Venezuela. As a heads up, the Caribbean has been experiencing an increase in crime so stay away from Laventile and basically at night time travel in groups, last sad but true don’t pick up random taxis from the side walk unless is a business. Everything in life comes with the good and bad, that’s what makes it unique.
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Dear ,
Just wanted to thank you for putting up SUCH an interesting site. I haven’t read through it much yet, but there are many things that lead me to KNOW that I’m going to enjoy this a LOT.
Great work.
MUCH appreciated
I am thrilled to have come across this blog. I am using parts of your blog in my class, thank you. I would also like to point out that yesterday was the 350 work day – 350.org
I Think you should check out this blog, it has a recent article about animal protection in Netherlands: http://elmedioambientemundial.nireblog.com/post/2007/12/10/importancia-de-cuidar-el-medio-ambiente
Excellent blog about the environment. Not many are quality blogs and I find yours just great. Keep going. The more we talk about environmental issues and solutions, the more chances we get to wake-up people.
Nice to find your blog … great focus and excellent photos!