Voices for Conservation
Voices for Conservation is a podcast series highlighting the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium community members and the conservation issues that matter to them. We focus on learning about our team members to build understanding and belonging. Voices for Conservation is hosted by the Volunteer Engagement team at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Chatting with ZEED Director Alan V.
On this episode of Voices for Conservation, Stacey chats with ZEED Director Alan V. about what it's like to run not one, but two, Zoological parks and the path that brought him here.
Animal Health Care with Dr. Karen Wolf, Head Veterinarian
We were excited to chat with Doctor Karen about her journey toward becoming a vet and her experiences caring for the endangered American Red Wolf.
Celebrating Zoolights with Justin and Sam
On this episode of Voices for Conservation, Stacey and Philina sit down with Facilities Lead Sam M. and Visitor Services Supervisor Justin C . to chat about their roles and their favorite things about Zoolights.
Chatting with the Eye to Eye Shark Dive Team
On this episode of Voices for Conservation, Stacey sits down with Cameron T. and Jackie K. from the Eye to Eye Shark Dive Team to chat about their roles within the aquarium and some of their favorite shark dive stories.
Kelp Conservation with Mark and Heidi
On this episode of Voices for Conservation, Stacey and Philina chatted with Staff Biologist Mark M and Dive Safety Officer Heidi about PDZA's involvement in kelp conservation. We learned about PDZA's work in kelp cultivation and our efforts to monitor kelp beds in the Puget Sound.
For more information, check out the organizations and projects mentioned in this episode!
Puget Sound Restoration Fund: https://restorationfund.org/
Reef Check: https://www.reefcheck.org/
WADNR Kelp Monitoring: https://dnr.wa.gov/aquatics/aquatic-science/nearshore-habitat-program/kelp-monitoring
Getting to know Senior Guides Cassidy, Quill, and Ren
In this episode, Stacey sits down with three senior members of our Youth Leadership Development team and chats about their experiences as volunteers and their goals for beyond PDZA.
Learning about Shark Conservation with Cindy K.
On this episode of Voices for Conservation, Stacey and Philina chat about the Shark and Ray SAFE, Sharks and Rays Awareness Day, and how we can support oceanic sharks. Stacey also chats with Aquarist Cindy K. about how PDZA cares for our sharks and contributes to Zebra shark conservation efforts.
Resources
Article for AZA Connect 2020 https://www.aza.org/connect-stories/stories/zebra-shark-conservation
ReShark https://www.reshark.org/star-project
Raja Ampat Research & Conservation Centre https://stichting-rarcc.org/star-project/
Mongabay (journal organization) – article about Zebra sharks and the...
Animal Health Care with Bianca and Dr. Cassidy
In this staff chat, Stacey sits down with two members of our Animal Health Care team, Vet Tech Bianca M. and Dr. Cassidy S.
Climate Fatigue and Burnout
In this episode of Voices for Conservation, Stacey and Philina chat about burnout, fatigue, and how Zoo professionals get a double dose of both from both climate change and zoo work.
Burnout and Fatigue Resources and Further Reading
Bemister, K. & Tawfik, M. (2023). Record, Recall, Reflect: A Qualitative Examination of Compassion Fatigue in Toronto Zoo Staff. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 4(2):413-426. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370671267_Record_Recall_Reflect_A_Qualitative_Examination_of_Compassion_Fatigue_in_Toronto_Zoo_Staff.
Burned Out on a Burning Planet: ht...
2024 Volunteer Award Winners
In this episode, Stacey sits down with our six 2024 Volunteer Award Winners.
2024 Rising Star Award: Shelby R. and Walt B.
2024 Unsung Hero Award: Tony C. and Jackie C.C.
2024 Rookie of the Year: Bob Y.
2024 Brightman Achievement Award Winner: Tom R.
2024 Volunteer Supervisors of the Year
In this special Staff Chat, Stacey chats with 2024 Supervisors of the Year Suzanne Akerman and Laura Rynberg.
Corals around the world
On this episode of Breaks for Conservation, Philina talks about corals, why we care about corals, and chats with Amy H. and Mette H. about designing the Coral Up Close exhibit in Tropical Reef Aquarium.
Supplemental materials
Coral polyp up close: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/media/supp_coral01a.html
Symmetry: https://evolution.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/symmetrydiagram.gif
Supplemental Reading
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42452-021-04319-8
https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-marine-122414...
Evolution of the TRA with Aquarium Cindy K. and Bruce J.
On this Staff Chat, Stacey chats with Aquarist Cindy K. and Volunteer Bruce J. about their experiences in the newly remodeled Tropical Reef Aquarium.
Plant Conservation with Lead Horticulturist Bryon J.
On this episode of Breaks for Conservation, Stacey is joined by Lead Horticulturist Bryon J.
Unique stories from Front Gate team members Christie W. and Diamond G.
On this staff chat, Stacey talks with Front Gate Leads Christie and Diamond about their journey to PDZA and some of the unique stories from the Front Gate.
Species Survival Plans (SSP) and Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE)
On this episode of Voices for Conservation, Stacey chats with Curator Natalie D. and Aquarist Mark M. about their involvement in the Red Wolf SSP and the Sunflower Star SAFE program.
Red Wolf Staff Biologist Jamie O.
In this staff chat, we talk with staff biologist Jamie O. and her experiences in the Red Wolf Program.
Motivational empathy with guest Nicole M.
On this episode of Breaks for Conservation, we dive back into empathy with a focus on how zoos & aquariums can support conservation action by stimulating motivational empathy in our guests. Special guest Interpretive Programs Specialist Nicole M.
Resources
Consorte-McCrea, Adriana & Bainbridge, Alan & Fernandez, Ana & Nigbur, Dennis & Mcdonnell, Siri & Morin, Aïssa & Grente, Oksana. (2017). Understanding Attitudes Towards Native Wildlife and Biodiversity in the UK: The Role of Zoos. 10.1007/978-3-319-47883-8_17. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312070381_Understanding_Attitudes_Towards_Native_Wildlife_and_Biodiversity_in_the_UK_The_Role_of_Zoos.
Salazar, Gabby & Sa...
Voices for Conservation: Anniversary Episode with Deputy Director Sarah
In this special anniversary episode, we sit down with PDZA Deputy Director Sarah and chat about one year of Voices for Conservation.
Equity in Conservation with Jasmine Williams, PDZA
Hear how Jasmine Williams, Community Collaboration Manager at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium made her way into the zoo and aquarium field. We will also dive into what equity and equity in conservation looks like in the zoo and aquarium industry.
Staff Chat: Guest Engagement Interpretive Specialist Abbi R.
On this episode of Staff Chats, Stacey talks with Abbi Robocker, Guest Engagement Interpretive Specialist, at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. We learn about how her love of PNW marine life, her interest in conservation, and about her work as chair of PDZA's Equity Team.
Empathy for Wildlife at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, part 1
On this episode of Breaks for Conservation listen to Liz Hines, Community Engagement Coordinator, and Suzanne Ackerman, Staff Biologist @ Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater, from Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium talk about empathy, what is empathy for wildlife, and its role at the zoo and aquarium. This is the first part to a mini series on empathy and empathy for wildlife.
Staff Chat: Community Engagement Coordinator Liz Hines
On this episode of Staff Chats, Stacey talks with Liz Hines, Community Engagement Coordinator, at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. We learn how she went from part interpreter to Wildlife Champions instructor and now Community Engagement coordinator and how her previous jobs and interests have helped her in her current job.
Staff Chat: Special edition for National Volunteer Week - 2023 Rookies of the Year
In this episode, we chat with Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's 2023 Volunteer Rookies of the Year Alfredo Miranda, Shelby Rohzen, and Rick Dow. We learn why they volunteer, what they love about PDZA and their successes in their first year of volunteering at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Having Difficult Climate Conversations
Further Reading
Our Changing Climate: https://www.pdza.org/care/climate-change/
The Debunking Handbook (https://skepticalscience.com/debunking-handbook-2020-downloads-translations.html): Written by scientists, this document helps combat climate skepticism by debunking the most frequent climate change myths.
The Talking Climate Handbook https://climateoutreach.org/reports/how-to-have-a-climate-change-conversation-talking-climate/
PBI’s tips for having climate conversations: https://polarbearsinternational.org/act-now/take-action/talk-about-it
Active Listening: https://www.usip.org/public-education-new/what-active-listening
...
Staff Chat: Conservation Engagement Jacob M.
Staff Chat: 2023 Brightman Award Winner Tim D.
The Role of Trust in Climate Conversations
References and Further Reading
McClain CR (2017) Practices and promises of Facebook for science outreach: Becoming a “Nerd of Trust”. PLoS Biol 15(6): e2002020. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2002020
Museums and Trust 2021: https://www.aam-us.org/2021/09/30/museums-and-trust-2021/#:~:text=This%20high%20level%20of%20trust,%2C%20and%20are%20research%2Doriented
Polar Bears International: How to talk about climate change: https://polarbearsinternational.org/act-now/take-action/talk-about-it/
Effectively Communicating Climate Science beyond Academia: Harnessing the Heterogeneity of Climate Knowledge: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590332220301524
How do young people engage with climate change? The...
Staff Chat: Operations Max
Staff Chats Episode 5: Operations Max
Breaks for Conservation: Polar Bear Conservation
Thank you for listening to this month’s Breaks for Conservation! A huge thank you to Sheriden and Zach for taking the time to chat with us.
Below you’ll find some additional resources and information to further your own learning and to expand upon some points touched upon in our interview. Enjoy!
Polar Bears International (PBI)
https://polarbearsinternational.org/
PBI is located in a town on Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada. It has a population of approximately 870 people. Thousands of tourists flock to the town every year t...
Staff Chats: Rocky Shores Kelsie
Staff Chat: IT Lance
Check out the following resources for additional information on the topics discussed in this episode!
Pet Ownership
Not a Pet: https://www.notapet.net/
Wildlife Trafficking Alliance: https://www.aza.org/wildlife-trafficking-alliance?locale=en
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s page on Injurious Wildlife regulations: https://www.fws.gov/story/understanding-injurious-wildlife-regulations
Florida Museum’s page on responsible snake ownership (the page is specifically about snakes, but this information applies to any pet): https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/responsible-snake-ownership/
Feral Cats
It’s g...
Breaks for Conservation: Telemetry
Breaks for Conservation: Researching Hammerheads with Dive Safety Officer Heidi
Staff Chat: Aquarium Tyler
Breaks for Conservation: Palm Oil
Staff Chat: Assistant Curator Erin
