Episode 53: Crista Valentino on the New Generation of Conservation Leaders
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Crista Valentino, Co-Founder, Director, CoalitionWILD
Host’s Note: Today’s talk with Crista Valentino about next-gen conservation reinforces my sincere belief that our planet is in good hands.
“Better leave her behind with the kids, they’re alright
The kids are alright” ~ The Who
About Crista
Crista co-founded CoalitionWILD in 2013 after an invitation from the WILD Foundation to address the lack of support and visibility available to younger generations in the environmental sector. She continues to lobby for a stronger integration of youth voices and empowerment in organizational and business decision making, and has achieved this through recently co-publishing an intergenerational leadership toolkit for conservation and leading multiple projects that accelerate and further initiatives around the world being led by young people for nature.
Crista is the North American Focal Point for the World Commission on Protected Areas Young Professionals, was named Wyoming’s Top 40 under 40, and is on the Executive Committee for the 11th World Wilderness Congress.
Topics
- Engaging younger generations in conservation work starts with allowing them to follow their passion
- Seeding the world with young leaders who are making a difference
- Conservation for regular people from all backgrounds
- Similarities and differences between old guard Wilderness advocates and younger generation’s strategy for protecting biodiversity
Extra Credit
Visit: CoalitionWILD
Reading: “How Our Emotions Could Help Save The World”
Director of Digital Outreach (D.O.D.O.) for The Rewilding Institute
Host and Producer of the Rewilding Earth Podcast
Jack started Rewilding work as Executive Director of Sky Island Alliance in the mid-1990’s, organizing the Sky Island Wildlands Network design, ripping up illegal roads on forest service lands, installing wolf acclimatization pens on Ted Turner’s Ladder Ranch & conducting howling surveys to help make way for the final stage of the Lobo reintroduction program in the Southwest.
Through the years, Jack has worked with Dave Foreman and the Rewilding Gang to further Rewilding initiatives and education.
Good to hear the sound of hope
Jack, you got it – generational thinking (for the future 7 generations – and more)!
‘can’t teach someone to care’ – real, deep experiences of nature, of people can wake up this direct line to the heart because it is built into us to care, to care for kids, for community, to have strong compassion and to live simply with gratitude for the place we call home. You’re doing good work, it’s really important to help wake this up and show (by example) where and how people can help – we have a lot of big plans, and we need everyone to take part. I really love this CoalitionWILD mission – but I’m not 35 anymore! Thanks Crista.