Women in Conservation (and on Twitter)
A few weeks ago I posted an article with 100 conservation themed accounts to follow on Twitter. It was really popular, probably because lots of people use Twitter and it makes for quite enjoyable procrastination. At the same time though, I managed to get myself told of by quite a lot of people, because there weren’t enough Women in the list.
I was very surprised because rightly or wrongly, the ratio of men and women on the list hadn’t even occurred to me!
Why not? Well, in my own experience of conservation (a very very limited perspective, of course!), whether I or any of my colleagues are male or female has never seemed to make a scrap of difference.*
Perhaps, as a man, I am unlikely to notice these things. And let me be very clear that I have no doubt that problems of this nature have occurred and still do. But being young and optimistic, I can’t help feeling (hoping) that my generation of young scientists is encouragingly moving beyond these problems. You are of course very welcome to disagree.
The only way we will tackle conservation issues successfully is with a diverse range of people from all walks of life, both men and women, from many different countries with many different skills and perspectives.
So in response to the critics main comment, you’re absolutely right – there are of course many brilliant female conservationists out there and I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight them.
As ever, if I’ve missed someone that you would like to see included (this list is by no means exhaustive!) then please do suggest them in the comments.
*Except maybe in the Middle East, but overall, our experience was extremely positive.
Top Conservation and Environment Tweeters
USGS makes lab creation of coyote x western #wolf hybrids. BUT via artificial insemination; doesn’t prove eastern wolves arose as hybrids.
— T. DeLene Beeland (@tdelene) March 5, 2014
Today I acquired these wonderful old books from the father of a colleague. Can’t wait to have a proper read of them! pic.twitter.com/Q1AXEAMLHK
— Marie Briggs (@BotanistBriggs) March 12, 2014
We provide workshops for women on the importance of conservation, identifying wildlife, safe herding practices. pic.twitter.com/KgTFnUbcp3 — Ewaso Lions (@EwasoLions) March 14, 2014
After my elephant talk at @naturalsciences today, a little girl said “Let’s do it again!” Think she’s an elephant biologist in the making. — Stephanie Schuttler (@StephSchuttler) March 13, 2014
#wildag experiment bird count training #fieldwork on another beautiful california day pic.twitter.com/7BEZchesGM — Sara Kross (@sara_kross) March 13, 2014
‘Jack’ & ‘Daw’reen seem to be liking my nest box! pic.twitter.com/HT12D0ad7V — WildlifeKate (@katemacrae) March 13, 2014
PhD project was just awarded a Carnegie Trust grant, biodiversity and carbon impacts of hydroelectric dams in the Amazon basin is GO! Woo! — Isabel Jones (@jungle_bella) March 5, 2014
Parliament says we need more plant pathologists. Pretty sure @EntoProf has been saying this for the last decade. http://t.co/GagL0jfdvI — Adriana De Palma (@adpalma) March 11, 2014
Ha! Emma Tiger Shark Swims Off w/Camera Rig -guess she’s tired of being photographed she has great taste in cameras! http://t.co/ZmSUmsOYo6 — Alisa Schwartz (@divefinatic) March 14, 2014
Our first Women in Conservation Chair Planning Meeting for the 2014 Rachel Carson Award Luncheon!! pic.twitter.com/fvXdmT0L7t — WomenInConservation (@AudubonWIC) March 7, 2014
Just seen and spent time with a dead rhino – heart breaking experience
— Dr. Paula Kahumbu (@paulakahumbu) March 15, 2014
Elysia chlorotica is about 3 cm long and lives along the Atlantic coast of North America. http://t.co/H7vFWEWFJn pic.twitter.com/0R8guGmiFB
— IFLScience (@IFLScience) March 14, 2014
‘Australia is identified as the only country on earth to be winding back national climate legislation.’ #CC http://t.co/wGtNEFZSWa — Heini Kujala (@HeiniKujala) March 12, 2014
@SeaviewSurvey @KGDives The 360 panoramas are amazing but I also like this circular image in which the entire world appears as a kelp forest — Emma L Johnston (@DrEmmaLJohnston) March 13, 2014
iLCP brings YOU stories that matter! Support us today #GivingTuesday! @cmittermeier photo. http://t.co/MXqKQHQDDd pic.twitter.com/2PZWzIbLqV
— iLCP (@ILCP) December 3, 2013
Want to save the planet? First we need to change behaviors. This is how to do it effectively through social science http://t.co/0h08dnfHFD
— Cristina Mittermeier (@cmittermeier) November 8, 2013
Over 400,000 trees have been planted by the Motutapu Restoration Trust and their volunteers, and the birds are coming back #haurakigulf — Rebecca Jarvis (@rebecca_jarvis) March 6, 2014
Hot off the press! Integrating biological & social values in cons prioritisation in @ConBiology, led by @nzwormgirl http://t.co/eVcqAMoiD1 — Pia Lentini (@pelentini) March 12, 2014
I’m profiling activist-scientists. Your suggestions for great women who advocate for science/environment in Canada? #cdnsci #womeninscience
— Diane Orihel (@DianeOrihel) March 11, 2014
@WhySharksMatter @scicurious Despite being a big-time Darwin groupie myself, I don’t expect people–even biologists–to have read Origin.
— Karen James (@kejames) March 12, 2014
Some great points made in this piece by @jackstilgoe . How can we make science policy more like the Amazon? http://t.co/J0NM7l9uzY — Georgina Mace (@GMMace) March 13, 2014
New International Pact Aims to Protect the Sargasso Sea—Why It’s Worth Saving. #hopespots @NatGeo http://t.co/zOC8vUF52T — Sylvia A. Earle (@SylviaEarle) March 15, 2014
This is my idea of a shopping spree. #womeninscience #fieldwork @4womeninscience @NatGeoExplorers @… http://t.co/pCJynywoQh
— Clare Fieseler (@SeaFieseler) March 11, 2014