In July, we embarked on a wild journey around our planet. We met weekly for our virtual Fixing the Future Nature Talks, a free online event that brought together activists and conservation heroes, storytellers and adventurers, and all of our Atlas community to answer one question: how can we live in harmony with the earth?

If we want to thrive on our unique planet, we need to learn how to heal and protect it, and how to promote a culture of collaboration, empathy, and compassion. While this is no easy task, it’s most certainly a crucial one. Human activity represents the greatest danger to biodiversity and although we are making progress, none of the Aichi goals for 2020 to protect wildlife and ecosystems has been met.

That’s why we asked international experts to share their experiences and solutions. The result is an inspiring series of ideas and initiatives to support and celebrate, but also successful models and actionable advice to follow in our own communities.

Along the journey, we kept updating our map as we ferreted out projects that buzz, dive, and soar to protect our home. You can check them all out in our biodiversity month collection.

Now buckle up and replay our wildest moments below.

 

▶️ Christine Smith-Martin
Biocultural heritage champion

“Be bold, making changes means taking risks”

First Nations people have been caring for the ecosystem and wildlife of the area now known as British Columbia, Canada, for over 14 thousand years. That’s why Christine Smith-Martin, Executive Director of Coastal First Nations — Great Bear Initiative knows that the ecological knowledge passed down through generations of Indigenous people must be at the centre of land and water management approaches.

In her session, she discussed how to be bold and take risks to make changes, and gave us tips to understand the interconnectedness of systems in nature and families. She also suggested ways in which we can incorporate science with Traditional Knowledge to build a future that is ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable.

Discover how invaluable lessons from Indigenous Traditional Knowledge can save one of the world’s largest remaining temperate rainforest systems ?

 

▶️ Lucy Houliston and Javier Robayo
Youth wildlife warriors

“Weird, wonderful, and rare creatures”

Young people have unmatched power, and Lucy Houliston and Javier Robayo’s mission is to unleash it to put a halt to biodiversity loss. Together with researchers on the ground in Ecuador and over 60 young activists from 17 countries, they are at the heart of Reserva: the Youth Land Trust, the organisation set to create the world’s first network of youth-funded nature reserves.

They told us of the new ways they found to bridge the gap between youth environmental activism and practical action in biodiversity conservation by putting young people in the driver’s seat.

Find out how many new species you can discover in just one muddy walk and how youth education and engagement can radically change our approach to conservation. ?

 

▶️ Sebastián di Martino
Rewilding game changer

“Healing nature also means healing a culture’s wounds, its pride and identity”

Biologist and Conservation Director of Rewilding Argentina, Sebastián de Martino works tirelessly to reverse the extinction crisis by restoring natural ecosystems and reintroducing key locally extinct species in Argentina.

Sebastián explained how rewilding also means creating new economic opportunities for the communities who live near protected lands, and how the model of Rewilding Argentina promotes ecologically driven local entrepreneurship. He answered our questions about the role that tourism plays in a conservation-based economy and the ways in which city dwellers too can be part of the rewilding revolution.

If you needed one more reason to love jaguars and otters, here you have it. Watch Sebastián shift the paradigm from conservation to nature production. ?

 

▶️ Sacha Dench
Record-breaking ‘human swan’

“Awe inspires creative thinking and collaboration. A big idea will attract talent, even if it’s a challenge”

Sacha Dench’s recipe to tackle the climate crisis is simple: borderless problem-solving, storytelling, cooperation, enthusiasm, and a generous pinch of adrenaline. In 2016, the UN Ambassador for Migratory Species and CEO of Conservation Without Borders flew across 11 countries from Arctic Russia to the UK by paramotor in a life-saving adventure that followed the migration of the Bewick’s swan.

This year, the award-winning biologist and conservationist has taken off to circumnavigate mainland Britain. Hoping to break a few Guinness World Records and inspire action to save the planet through adventure, Sacha has landed briefly to chat with us about biodiversity, migratory species, and getting people excited about environmental activism and conservation.

Catch Sacha mid-flight to learn what you can do to bring about change and joy. ?

Do you speak Catalan? You can find all Nature Talks sessions translated on our YouTube channel.

? Save the date: Fixing the Future will be back on September 16-17, 2022 — FutureFixers and the future-curious will gather in Barcelona for our festival of hope, surprise and inspiration. Come meet the changemakers reshaping our world.