Episode Details

In this episode I bring you the first of a two part conversation with Cassie Carstens, the Secretarybird Project Manager at BirdLife South Africa.

Before we begin, a big thank you to Summerveld Country Lodge for allowing us to record this episode on their premises. The lodge is located in Outer West Durban, and if you ever find yourself in the area, it’s well worth a visit. They serve outstanding food and the service is absolutely excellent.

This episode is much more than just a conversation about conservation. It’s an honest look at the journey that shaped Cassie’s love for birds, his passion for species like the Secretarybird and Cape Parrot, and the lessons and mistakes that have helped shape his work along the way.

We talk about who Cassie is, what drives him, and what it really looks like to work on the front lines of conservation. I also ask some important questions about the conservation of the Secretarybird, the wider role of BirdLife South Africa, and how decisions are made within the organisation.

Along the way, we also get a fascinating glimpse into the world of research. How data is collected, how it is organised, and how it ultimately helps guide the decisions that shape conservation work.

Visit our online store to get your birding related merchandise at great prices https://www.thebirdinglife.com/online-store

Intro and outro music by Tony ZA https://soundcloud.com/tonyofficialza

Links from show:

If you would like to support the work Cassie is doing, you can reach him at cassie.carstens@birdlife.org.za

BirdLife South Africa Secretarybird Conservation work website

Summerveld Country Lodge https://summerveldcountrylodge.com/