Conservation Storytelling
Over the weekend we came across an inspirational interview on one young woman’s journey into the world of conservation – “The Achilles Heel of Conservation in Africa” with Meryln Nomusa Nkomo – on the Conservation Storytelling website.
Merlyn Nomusa Nkomo is from Zimbabwe. In her ‘Conservation Storytelling’ podcast she shares her path from her fascination with small mammals and birds as a child, via her degree in Forest Resources and Wildlife, to her current graduate volunteer research on Southern Ground hornbills and vultures. She is now an Ornithologist by profession and is the youngest member of the BirdLife Zimbabwe committee (Matabeleland branch), mentoring her local BirdLife Youth Chapter.
Merlyn is passionate about bridging the gap between science and communities, feeling that many Africans are now disconnected from the nature that surrounds them. She asks ‘who are we conserving Africa for’ and whether conservation is seen as a luxury or should it be an integral part of our school curriculum and local communities?
Her podcast can be found on the Conservation Storytelling website which hosts informal chats on a diverse range of conservation field-based subjects in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. Their aim is to share ideas, create awareness and fulfil curiosity about conservation in Africa.
You can listen to Merlyn’s interview, along with other podcasts from conservationists working in Lower Zambezi, Kafue and North Luangwa National Parks at www.conservationstorytelling.com
Main photograph – © Conservation Storytelling 2020