In this episode of Protect The World, I speak with Callie Broaddus – founder and executive director of Reserva: The Youth Land Trust.
Reserva's mission is to empower young people to participate in conservation efforts through research, storytelling and fundraising. In 2021, they opened the world's first entirely youth-funded nature reserve, and their long-term goal is to establish a network of youth-led protected areas across the planet.
During this conversation, Callie and I discuss Reserva's history and current ambitions, their efforts to keep gold mining out of their reserve, the ways young people hold financial power, the significance of the recent referendums in Ecuador, what it feels like to walk in a cloud forest, and much more. Callie also shares the story of an incredible person who motivates her every day, which I think everyone ought to listen to.
This was a conversation that left me feeling inspired, hopeful and energised, and I hope it has the same impact on you.
As always, half the funds that came into the Patreon this month were donated directly to Reserva: The Youth Land Trust. This money will go towards engaging young people from across the world in the fight against biodiversity loss, and will also help with a brand new conservation project that the organisation will be announcing shortly.
You can donate to Reserva directly at reservaylt.org/donate, and if you'd like to help me give more money to more amazing NGOs in future, please consider signing up to the Patreon for as little as $5 a month via the following link: patreon.com/brodiehopkinsmedia
You can also follow the rest of my work at @brodiehopkinsmedia on Instagram.
A huge thank you to everyone who supports this podcast, and to Callie Broaddus for joining me on this episode. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to leave a review and share it with your friends and family. Thanks for listening!
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List of organisations and people mentioned in this episode:
Callie Veelenturf of The Leatherback Project
Nature Rights Advocate Natalia Green
Young Nature Artist Benjamin Fallow