Conservation dilemma in the Colombian mountains

Blue-bearded helmetcrest rediscovered in Colombia,
but may still go extinct. © Fundación ProAves/
Carlos Julio Rojas-www.proaves.org

Every now and again academic staff are contacted by journalists looking into a story they are putting together. Often they want to check out aspects of the story, and to get some quotes to support what they are writing.

Recently, Alex Ossola, a writer based in New York, contacted me about a conservation biology story she was writing about a hummingbird in the Colombian Andes. She was particularly interested in the way the hummingbird's fate is interwoven with a group of indigenous people and the modern world around them. It's an interesting story that is both unique in the details, but common in the generalities.

Her piece is now published in "Undark", a digital publication specializing in the intersection between science and society. I thought you might be interested in reading it, so click here to read the story of the blue-bearded helmetcrest.

Devon Wildlife Trust Placement, June 2016

by Harry Shadwell & Amber Connett

At the start of this month we joined the Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) for our 6 month placement. The DWT is a branch of The Wildlife Trusts charity organisation which runs multiple projects intended to protect and improve the natural environment. In liaison with landowners, developers and farmers, DWT ensures that all parties remain environmentally conscious in their actions. Our placement is based within the North Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA) project where we assist the team with their individual projects through conducting surveys, analysing data, writing reports and meeting with landowners.