Conservation Is For All
We had a chance to review some of the talks that were given at the Annual Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) virtual conference September 2020. One of the great benefits of the virtual conference method is to be able to listen to talks that you missed as well as talks you'd like to hear again to get a better understanding of what was said.
The other great benefit of the virtual conference is the reduced expense, not only the huge costs of putting on a live conference but the cost to each participant. The virtual conference expands the numbers of people who could participate in the conference (due to the reduced cost) and benefit from the speakers' messages. This audience, not only can hear the initial talk if they had a free time slot, but all the recurring value by having it available for play back and reach folks that didn't get a chance to hear it "live".
One of the talks that I was sorry I missed was Tara Stoinski's talk on “Conservation in the time of Covid” about the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International’s (DFGFI) work with Mountain Gorillas. During the conference, her talk was scheduled at the same time as a talk that each year I must attend. The "On the Boards" presentation showcases current exhibit design projects for an 8-minute summary of the great innovations they have brought to new projects still in the design phase. While I took great interest in each project presented, there was little that really brought me to my feet as something fresh! Presentations showed projects with large price tags with more hard construction made for visitor engagement, and less highlighting care of the animals in captivity.
Tara's talk pointed out that while she was sorry that the virtual conference didn't allow for that face to face interaction with her friends, the actual costs saved due to the various expenses for the attending individuals as well as for the hosting institutions, equaled 83% of her entire operating budget (or $3.5M)! What a realization; that we spend millions of dollars yearly in travel and hotels, rental cars for each conference alone (not to mention 1700 metric tons of Carbon) for this one conference! Can you imagine how that money could better be used if we somehow redirect those funds into important conservation programs? A typical zoo might have 10 people attending – and at $1500/person in expenses – that’s $15,000 per conference. Money that could go a long way on-site or in-situ.
She went on to talk about how the reduced Ecotourism revenues Rwanda is receiving effects her organization and her ability to protect the Mountain Gorillas habitat and support local communities. We need to find alternative methods for conservation organizations to maintain their important work.
These high-profile conservation organizations like DFGFI are critical, but it's also the small ones that can impact the globe in a more comprehensive fashion. If we can not only save money through virtual conferences, but also we can instill a conservation mentality to everything we do, every facet of life, in every locale - can you image the impact on the globe?
On another, related front, we were recently approached by our house builder, Rolando, to help him purchase 200 acres of land in advance of his approved loan being funded. We were glad to help. He wanted the parcel of land so he could expand his cattle herd to make his ranch more sustainable. We agreed to do this with the caveat that we have a friend who is a primatologist survey this land to determine how he might protect the Howler Monkeys living there. She would be able to determine where they are and where they aren't so that when he does clear his land for cattle, the Howler's can still have a home. With this study, he could leave a significant portion of important habitat and food species to maintain aerial pathways and connection-ways for monkeys and other animals to coexist within the framework of his new ranch. He was thrilled at the idea and immediately told us stories of wildlife that he's seen on the property in certain areas. He was already considering maintaining 'conservation' areas at those sites. He talked about wanting help to determine how these sites would connect to a more expansive region so that corridors can be maintained for wildlife, so that he chooses the right areas for his pasture lands.
Working with developers, farmers and communities, we (AZA member institutions) have skills that can assist in making land use decisions that help wildlife. People want to do the right thing, they just sometimes need help to make the right decisions. We need to expand the definition of 'conservation' to include all communities where land uses are changing and to offer assistance and guidance to 'do the right thing'. Our culture is changing and people are more willing to adjust their plans if they see that there are alternatives that create value to their properties. Rolando saw the value for his children and local children to be able to come to the ranch and see wildlife living alongside his cattle. We can help others to create sustainable choices for wildlife everywhere.
During the pandemic, we hear positive story after story about how people working from home are reducing air pollution, by not driving their cars. Other speakers in Tara's Conservation session, talked about how their conservation programs were negatively affected by Covid – that reduced income puts more pressure on these resources in the buffer zone communities. I’m sure that this is the case, and I’m also sure that this is a long-term problem. I think there are additional stories that aren’t told about people who carry on in more thoughtful ways. People are more empathetic, more willing to ask for help and more eager to help when called upon.
This week, we (in AZA) received a message from Dan Ashe, President of the AZA, saying definitively that all of 2021 conferences will be virtual. Not maybe virtual or that they are thinking that they will be virtual, but they WILL be virtual. These include the director's policy conference, the mid-year meetings, and the annual meeting as well as professional development training courses and webinars. This is an organization that has seen the truth, that Virtual conferences are valuable during these uncertain times. As an AZA member, I will attend next years annual meeting to support the organization and to have the opportunity to hear all the talks and use that knowledge to better my understanding of what Zoos and Aquariums are doing to make themselves more relevant to families and endangered species around the world. This is time to also rethink how we fund conservation organizations worldwide. Conservation is a primary role of zoos and we need to get the message out no matter what, and tell the positive stories that conservation is for all.