In this episode of Coffee & Conservation, Mike sits down with Rita Santas, conservation K9 handler and founder-owner of Dogs for Nature in Portugal.

Rita shares her journey into the world of working dogs for conservation—how she got started, what inspired her to build Dogs for Nature, and what it really takes to train and deploy K9s for wildlife protection, research, and environmental monitoring.

They dive into what conservation K9 work looks like on the ground, from field deployments to training methodologies, and the realities of building capacity in a growing but still under-resourced field. Mike and Rita also unpack the challenges facing conservation K9 programs globally—funding gaps, operational hurdles, misconceptions about working dogs, and the broader challenges facing conservation practitioners today.

Expect honest insights, practical lessons, and plenty of banter between two people passionate about dogs, conservation, and building more effective tools to protect wildlife and wild places.

Grab a coffee and join the conversation.

Mike and Amanda talk about how her law enforcement background shaped her approach to ranger training, integrity in the field, and leadership under pressure — and how everyday people can chart their own path into meaningful conservation work. It’s an inspiring look at courage, purpose, and the ripple effect one story can have.

In this episode, Karen shares the story behind founding the Zululand Rhino Orphanage, her leadership role in Manyoni’s range expansion projects, and her passion for connecting conservation with local communities.

Mike and Karen also discuss the impactful partnership between ZCT, Zululand Rhino Orphanage, and Global Conservation Force (GCF)—from pioneering K9 tracking for live pangolins and launching Manyoni’s in-house K9 anti-poaching unit, to GCF’s hands-on support in rhino orphan care, staff training, and ranger security preparedness.

Together, these efforts are creating a stronger, more adaptive future for wildlife conservation in South Africa.

Jaidacyn is a Climate Reality Leader with Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, where she presents climate change education to high school students and community groups, helping to translate science into action. Whether she’s speaking in classrooms, attending rallies, or creating educational content on her EcoGirl YouTube channel, Jaidacyn is passionate about empowering people to make eco-friendly choices in their everyday lives.

Through her work with Earth 350 San Diego and Fright for Future, she supports environmental and animal justice campaigns and uses creative outreach to mobilize younger generations. Her approach is rooted in the belief that climate action can be both practical and personal—starting with the habits we cultivate daily.

In this episode, Jaidacyn joins host Mike Veale to explore the intersection of conservation and consumer choices, offering insights on sustainable sourcing, ethical tourism, and how even small lifestyle changes can ripple out to make global impact.

We’ll take you step-by-step through the essentials—from preparing with the right vaccinations and packing the must-haves, to navigating the local roads and finding the best places to stay. For those eager to immerse themselves fully, we’ll share tips on how to plan a longer stay, explore off-the-beaten-path locations, and make the most of South Africa’s stunning wildlife and vibrant cultures.

And if you’re dreaming of setting out on your own, we’ve got expert advice on driving in South Africa, finding hidden gems, and soaking in the country’s top wine regions. Whether you're embarking on your very first adventure or planning to linger and explore, this episode will equip you with all the insights you need for a safe, seamless, and unforgettable journey!

Join us as we delve into Kendra's inspiring journey, exploring her experiences in the realm of film and the art of wildlife conservation filmmaking. From the stories behind the lens to the challenges faced in the field, this episode promises to ignite your passion for conservation. Grab your favorite brew, sit back, and join the conversation!

In this episode, Lauren shares her passion for wildlife, her role in creating awareness about endangered species, and how education is the key to making a positive impact on our planet.

Tune in to gain insights into the vital work being done to protect our world's most vulnerable inhabitants and discover how you can become a conservation advocate in your own community.

Blake Moynes is a reality TV celebrity and conservationist who has turned his attention and celebrity reach towards raising funds and awareness for wildlife conservation efforts.

Blake Moynes recently returned from the 2023 Global Conservation Force Annual Anti-Poaching Bootcamp in South Africa. Coming in as a foreigner, he experienced many challenges that were new for him. Listen in with us as he shares his experience and point of view of the training course. Of course, Robert and Mike share a couple behind the scenes stories that are sure to keep you entertained.

Want to watch the rhino conservation documentary where Brave Wilderness follows Global Conservation Force into the field?

Visit SaveTheHorns.com or www.GlobalConservationForce.org

Tyrone's Bio

"Growing up in Durban, South Africa, Tyrone Ping always had ample opportunity to find reptiles and amphibians, so that’s exactly what he did. This initial hobby led to a life-long fascination, and he began his adventure through South Africa trying to locate and photograph as many of these creatures as possible."

Support his work! Buy his book, link below.

https://www.tyroneping.co.za

"Key Conservation is helping conservationists gain critical funding and global support through a mobile app (in development) that provides real-time updates on day-to-day campaigns."

Join the group for a deeper dive into the finite details surrounding ranger training and anti poaching in the field of rhino protection.

Jeeps provided as a sponsored trip for Global Conservation Force by Xpedition Horizon. Xpedition Horizon has come onboard as a trip sponsor for GCF to help us fund more wildlife protection and conservation efforts.

In this catch-up episode we share some of the comical stories of what happened during our last deployment in South Africa. And, more importantly, we introduce GCF Anti-Poaching Unit Instructor Marcus Chischilly, aka Chilly. Chilly shares how his time as a US Marine transferred into ranger training and how the GCF instructors brought him aboard to further this specific GCF mission.

The perfect combination of casual conservation conversations, stories from the field, and how we continue to push forward in our wildlife protection and conservation efforts.

“Since early childhood, animals have played a significant role in Coyote Peterson’s life. As he passed through high school and into college, Coyote discovered his second passion in his love for film and television. While a student at The Ohio State University, he studied video production, writing, and directing. His deep admiration for wildlife and video production inspired him to combine the two mediums.

Today, Coyote is proud to be an Emmy Award-winning host on YouTube's "Brave Wilderness" where his videos have been viewed over 3.8 billion times worldwide, making Brave Wilderness the largest wildlife brand in the digital space. Coyote has spent the past decade getting up-close with animals to uncover the true stories behind some of our planet’s most misunderstood creatures. His passion for wildlife is driven by a desire to educate the world about animals and to foster a future that conserves environments and their species. Forever dedicated to the joys of storytelling, Coyote is constantly honing his craft to ensure audiences of all ages can partake in his animal adventures.

 Through his YouTube channel Coyote has also produced multiple pieces of content supporting feature films including an episode filmed in New Zealand promoting How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, and a 4-part series in support of the Jurassic World franchise titled Jurassic World Explorers. Spring of 2020 also saw Coyote venture into the world of television, where he produced and hosted 18 episodes of the animal adventure series Coyote Peterson: Brave the Wild on Animal Planet.”

From coffee tours, to snorkeling in the Caribbean, to night hikes in the middle of the jungle looking for poisonous and venomous critters. We share a little bit of everything.

Stay tuned as we ramp up our episode presence again, after a month stall due to lots of conservation project planning and operations.

Learn the current issues surrounding their populations, what is being done, and how you can help!

In this episode we talk goals, field stories, impact, and challenges of the field.