Title: Protecting Birds and Biodiversity with Martin Harper, CEO of BirdLife International | Global BirdFair 2026

Episode Description:

Recorded live at the Whinchat Podcasting Station during the 2026 Global BirdFair in Rutland, this episode features an in-depth conversation with Martin Harper, Chief Executive Officer of BirdLife International—the world's largest partnership of civil society nature conservation organisations, supporting 125 partner organisations across 120 countries and territories.

Martin shares insights from his nearly 30 years of conservation leadership, including his decade as Global Conservation Director at the RSPB before joining BirdLife International in 2021 and becoming CEO in November 2023.  We discuss BirdLife's ambitious strategy agreed at their centenary celebrations, the critical role of nature-based solutions in tackling the climate and biodiversity emergency, and how the Partnership's 120+ national organisations work together to protect endemic birds and prevent extinctions worldwide.birdlife

Martin also reflects on BirdLife International's support for the 2026 Global BirdFair's conservation work in São Tomé, the importance of projecting hope and optimism in conservation, and why this decade is crucial for ensuring our species can live in harmony with the rest of nature.birdlife.

A biologist by training, Martin has nearly 30 years of experience in senior conservation leadership roles across the NGO sector.  He spent 17 years with the RSPB (BirdLife's UK Partner), including a decade as Global Conservation Director, before joining the BirdLife International Secretariat in 2021 as Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.  He served as Vice President for Regions and Partnership before becoming Interim CEO in June 2023 and was appointed permanent CEO in November 2023.birdlife

Martin has been part of the BirdLife community for over 20 years and has served on numerous NGO boards.  He is currently a trustee of Green Alliance (joined September 2024) and a council member of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative.  He was educated at the University of Oxford (Biological Sciences, 1990–1993) and University College London (MSc Conservation, 1994–1995), and undertook research in the Comoros and Mongolia.green-alliance

In his own words: "I am honoured to lead BirdLife International in this crucial decade. Having been part of the BirdLife family for the past 19 years, I have seen the power of our Partnership acting both nationally and together globally to tackle the nature and climate emergency. I will do everything that I can to ensure that the BirdLife Secretariat mobilises its exceptional science to inspire action while bolstering the collective capacity and capability of our 120 Partners operating in 116 countries so that together we project hope, optimism and confidence that our own species can live in harmony with the rest of nature."birdlife"

The one with 

Scott Keys is an American wildlife photographer based in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, known for expressive bird imagery and his educational work through S.Keys Images and Wildlife Inspired. A dedicated birder and photo tour leader, he creates intimate portraits of songbirds, raptors, and other species in natural habitat, with a strong emphasis on photographing birds among native plants and wildlife‑friendly gardens.

He shares his work and teaching through his Wildlife Inspired YouTube channel (

https://www.youtube.com/wildlifeinspired

) and a subscription-based Patreon community focused on in-depth fieldcraft and editing, accessible via his website (https://www.skeysimages.com [https://www.skeysimages.com/]). 

Scott is also highly active on Instagram, including @skeysimages for his main bird photography (https://www.instagram.com/skeysimages/) and @skeysnatives for his native plant and habitat gardening work (https://www.instagram.com/skeysnatives/) [https://www.instagram.com/skeysnatives/).%5B6]

The one with Scott Keys

Josh Galicki is your go-to wildlife photographer if you believe muddy boots, a kayak, and a float blind are essential kit—not just marketing props.

He's known for environmental portraits that show birds as part of the real world, not generic close-ups cropped to erase all signs of humanity.

Josh prefers his Chesapeake Bay sunsets seasoned with herons, gannets, and the occasional power line he refuses to edit out.

As co-host of the Wildlife Photography Podcast, Josh brings straight-talking advice, tackling everything from gear debates to the actual stories behind photos. Behind the scenes, he judges for OneEyeland awards WildArt POTY, BirdLife Australia Awards, and PhotoCrowd—and he's candid about how seeing thousands of submissions sharpens your own eye faster than any workshop ever could.

He travels hard from the Falklands to Shetland, , has a knack for conservation images that spark actual conversations—not just likes—and keeps things grounded. If you ever catch him by a saltmarsh, expect strong coffee and honest advice about patience, context, and leaving the "messy bits" in.

Because that's real wildlife photography.

Find him at https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography

and 

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/wildlife-photography/

He said what??? 

Welcome to the Authentic Voice podcast, where we celebrate real stories in a noisy world. Hosted by wildlife photographer, blogger, and unapologetic coffee snob Vince Maidens, this show is your backstage pass to the wild side of content creation—minus the filters, forced hype, and algorithm-chasing drama.



Expect unpolished, honest chats about what it really takes to create with purpose, whether that's behind a camera in a muddy field or at your kitchen table with a microphone and some questionable snacks. If you're tired of buzzwords and just want practical, hard-won advice (plus a few laughs at our collective expense), you're in the right place.



Featuring candid interviews, field recordings, and plenty of unscripted rambling, Authentic Voice is for creators who want to stand out for the right reasons—and stick to their principles, even when it's not the popular path.



Pour yourself a strong coffee (trust me: instant just won't do) and join the conversation. This is the podcast for anyone learning to find—and use—their authentic voice.



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Vince Maidens

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