
Coffee with Conservationists
Coffee with Conservationists is an irregularly published podcast hosted by photographer and filmmaker George Steedman Jones
During each episode George sits down over a cup of coffee (with a focus on ethics and sustainability) and talks to people who dedicate their lives to protecting, researching and documenting the natural world. The podcast discusses diverse topics within ecology, natural history, activism, storytelling and more.
Latest episodes

Sep 7, 2021 • 1h 15min
Episode 25 - Talking with Joe Harkness about mental health and nature
Joe is an avid birder, a SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) by trade, and author of the bestselling book Bird Therapy.
You can find out more about Joe's work here: https://joeharkness.co.uk/ and download his teaching pack here: https://joeharkness.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Bird-Therapy-Teaching-Pack-V3.pdf
Follow the podcast on Instagram - @coffee_with_conservationists / follow me - @george_brynmor on Instagram.
Coffee Notes - Redbank Coffee roasters
I haven't had the chance to try a specific coffee from Redbank yet, but you can find more about this coffee here: https://redbankcoffee.com/
Music credits - "Heron Island" by Richard Bentley - https://www.smallsilence.org/about

Aug 28, 2021 • 45min
Episode 24 - Talking with Scott Gudrich about blue carbon and community outreach
Scott is a marine scientist, conservationist and director of community outreach and science communication charity The Plover Rovers (registered charity in England and Wales (1189992)).
We talked about about salt-marsh and seagrass, their links to blue carbon, and bringing effective and accessible science communication to coastal communities.
You can find out more about Scott's work here: https://www.plover-rovers.com/ and here: https://www.instagram.com/plover.rovers/
Follow the podcast on Instagram - @coffee_with_conservationists / follow me - @george_brynmor on Instagram.
Coffee Notes - Chipp Coffee Co
I haven't had the chance to try a specific coffee from CCC yet, but you can find more about this coffee here: https://chippcoffee.co.uk/
Music credits - "Heron Island" by Richard Bentley - https://www.smallsilence.org/about

Jul 6, 2021 • 45min
Episode 23 - Talking with Isabel Ontaneda about the Maquipucuna reserve, community ecotourism and Andean bears.
Isabel is a conservationist and operations manager at Maquipucuna reserve and ecolodge. We talked about the conservation work done at the reserve, community-lead ecotourism, Andean bear congregations and the threats facing people and wildlife in the area.
You can find out more about Isabel's work here: https://www.instagram.com/isaonta/, https://www.instagram.com/maquipucuna/ and here https://www.maquipucuna.org/.
Follow the podcast on Instagram - @coffee_with_conservationists / follow me - @george_brynmor on Instagram.
Buy me a Ko-fi and help support local and indigenous coffee growing communities and small, independent coffee shops. https://ko-fi.com/coffeewithconservationistspod
Coffee Notes - Café Maquipucuna.
While it's not currently available to export, you can find out more about this coffee here: https://www.maquipucuna.org/maquipucuna-coffee
Music - "Heron Island" by Richard Bentley - https://www.smallsilence.org/

Jun 5, 2021 • 20min
Episode 22 - Talking with Charlotte Foote about bird ringing and making nature safe and accessible for all
Charlotte is a licensed bird ringer, citizen scientist and wildlife photographer. We talked about the importance of bird ringing, Schedule 1 licensing and how it applies to wildlife photography and making nature safe and accessible for all.
You can find out more about Charlotte's work here: https://www.instagram.com/birdringer19/
Follow the podcast on Instagram - @coffee_with_conservationists / follow me - @george_brynmor on Instagram.
Buy me a Ko-fi and help support local and indigenous coffee growing communities and small, independent coffee shops. https://ko-fi.com/coffeewithconservationistspod
Coffee Notes - Girls Who Grind Coffee
Origin - Finca La Plata, Jinotega, Nicaragua
Producer - Cynthia La Rue
Variety - Catuai
Process - Black Honey
Roast date - 29/3/21
Tasting Notes - Red grape juice, fruit and nut bar, tangerine
Music - "Heron Island" by Richard Bentley - https://www.smallsilence.org/

May 27, 2021 • 48min
Episode 21 - Talking with Celina Chien about the Illegal Wildlife Trade, and the importance of truthful science communication
Celina is an intersectional conservationist, ecologist, photojournalist, ambassador for Girls who Click and a member of the youth council for Reseva - the Youth Land Trust. We talked about the Illegal Wildlife Trade, the importance of truthful science communication, her work with Reserva - the youth land trust, and the lack of diversity in wildlife filmmaking and photojournalism. We also finished off the episode talking about two incredible books, so stay tuned for more book-related content on my Instagram and Ko-fi page soon.
You can find out more about Celina's work here: https://www.instagram.com/celinaxchien/ and here https://www.celinachien.com/
Follow the podcast on Instagram - @coffee_with_conservationists / follow me - @george_brynmor on Instagram.
Buy me a Ko-fi and help support local and indigenous coffee growing communities and small, independent coffee shops. https://ko-fi.com/coffeewithconservationistspod
Coffee Notes - gifted by Blackfin Coffee
Origin - Virunga region, Democratic Republic of Congo
Tasting Notes - notes of raspberry, blueberry and dark chocolate
Music - "Heron Island" by Richard Bentley - https://www.smallsilence.org/

Apr 27, 2021 • 43min
Episode 20 - Talking with Tolga Aktas about the African Wild Dogs, soil health and connecting kids with nature
Tolga is a conservation biologist, writer and environmental photojournalist. We talked about his work with African Wild Dogs, soil health and science, connecting kids with nature and more! You can find out more about Tolga's work here:
https://www.instagram.com/tolga_aktas1/?hl=en and here https://waysofthenaturalworld.wordpress.com/
Follow the podcast on Instagram - @coffee_with_conservationists / follow me - @george_brynmor on Instagram.**
Buy me a Ko-fi and help support local and indigenous coffee growing communities and small, independent coffee shops. https://ko-fi.com/coffeewithconservationistspod**
Coffee Notes - Triple Co Coffee
Origin - Nicaragua
Variety - Caturra
Tasting Notes - Cherry, oreo cookie, fudge
Music - "Heron Island" by Richard Bentley - https://www.smallsilence.org/

Apr 5, 2021 • 30min
Episode 19 - Talking with Indah Sartika Sari about Sumatran Rhinos and breaking barriers to women working in science
Indah is a conservationist, scientist, project leader and current postgrad student at the University of Exeter. We talked about her work with sumatran rhinos, the importance of data collection surveys, how vital community engagement is in conservation, and breaking down the barriers to women becoming scientists. You can find out more about Indah's work here:
https://www.instagram.com/littlespiderhunter/ and here https://www.instagram.com/indahssphotos/
Follow the podcast on Instagram - @coffee_with_conservationists / follow me - @george_brynmor on Instagram.
Buy me a Ko-fi and help support local and indigenous coffee growing communities and small, independent coffee shops. https://ko-fi.com/coffeewithconservationistspod
Coffee Notes - Olfactory Coffee
Info - "Knockout" Espresso blend
Origin - 80% Fazenda Cruzeiro (Brazil), 20% Finca Guadalupe Zaju Estate (Mexico)
Roast date - 04/3/21
Tasting Notes - Red grape, toffee, cacao butter
Music - "Heron Island" by Richard Bentley - https://www.smallsilence.org/

Apr 3, 2021 • 41min
Episode 18 - PART 2 - Talking with Jordan Lerma - Our thoughts on Seaspiracy
Jordan is a marine scientist and drone pilot who's work focusses on researching Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) using drones. We talked about the new Netflix documentary "Seaspiracy" and looked at it from the a non-expert perspective (mine) and a scientific perspective (Jordan's). We also discussed complex, convoluted and often misunderstood topics such as whaling in the Faroe Islands.
You can find out more about Jordan's work here:
https://www.instagram.com/uheheu/?hl=en and here https://www.cascadiaresearch.org/drones
Link to the website referenced in the podcast: https://sustainablefisheries-uw.org/
Follow the podcast on Instagram - @coffee_with_conservationists / follow me - @george_brynmor on Instagram.
Buy me a Ko-fi and help support local and indigenous coffee growing communities and small, independent coffee shops.
https://ko-fi.com/coffeewithconservationistspod
Coffee Notes - New Ground Coffee
Origin - Coko Washing Station, Gakenke District, Rwanda
Tasting Notes - Champagne, lime, red grape
Music - "Heron Island" by Richard Bentley - https://www.smallsilence.org/

Apr 1, 2021 • 21min
Episode 18 - Talking with Jordan Lerma - PART 1 - Drone use in whales & dolphins conservation research
Jordan is a marine scientist and drone pilot who's work focusses on researching Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) using drones. We talked about a close encounter between a paddle-boarder (not Jordan as I incorrectly said) and four humpback whales, new non-invasive breath sampling techniques and the possibilities of future research into cetacean behaviour. You can find out more about Jordan's work here:
https://www.instagram.com/uheheu/?hl=en here https://www.cascadiaresearch.org/drones, https://www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaiian-cetacean-studies/April2019 and here https://time.com/5282213/whales-drones/
Follow the podcast on Instagram - @coffee_with_conservationists / follow me - @george_brynmor on Instagram.
Buy me a Ko-fi and help support local and indigenous coffee growing communities and small, independent coffee shops.
https://ko-fi.com/coffeewithconservationistspod
Coffee Notes - New Ground Coffee
Origin - Coko Washing Station, Gakenke District, Rwanda
Tasting Notes - Champagne, lime, red grape
Music - "Heron Island" by Richard Bentley - https://www.smallsilence.org/

Mar 7, 2021 • 45min
Episode 17 - Talking with KM Reyes about her on-the-ground conservation work in the Philippines
KM is a conservation lobbyist, National Geographic explorer and founder/director of the Centre for Sustainability Philippines. We talked about her flagship conservation projects, the biodiversity of the Philippines, the importance of working with Indigenous and local people, and why it is so dangerous to be an environmentalist in the Philippines. You can find out more about KM’s work here:
https://www.instagram.com/karinamay_reyes/?hl=en and here https://www.instagram.com/centreforsustainabilityph/?hl=en
Follow the podcast on Instagram - @coffee_with_conservationists / follow me - @george_brynmor on Instagram.
Buy me a Ko-fi and help support local and indigenous coffee growing communities and small, independent coffee shops.
https://ko-fi.com/coffeewithconservationistspod
Coffee Notes - gifted by Girl with a Portafilter
Info - https://www.girlwithaportafilter.com/coffee-blog
Origin - Migoti Hill, Burundi
Lead farmer - Pascal Ntawuhezisi
Tasting Notes - Cinnamon, black cherry, and milk chocolate
Music - "Heron Island" by Richard Bentley - https://www.smallsilence.org/
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