In conjunction with World Wetlands Day on 2 February, we celebrate how biophilia—human’s innate tendency to connect with nature—led two individuals to make conservation their lifelong career: Irshad Mobarak, Langkawi-based naturalist at Junglewalla, and former Maybanker; and Dr A Aldrie Amir, Head of the Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability Research Centre, under LESTARI at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. They talk about their passion, what must be done to save coastal wetlands or mangroves, adding their views about carbon offset mechanisms to fund regeneration. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim Crested serpent eagle sound credit: Rejoice Gassah, XC461263. Accessible at xeno-canto.org/461263