Synchronicity Earth

🎉 We are celebrating 15 years of Synchronicity Earth! 🎉 To mark this anniversary, Nina Seale spoke to our founders Adam and Jessica Sweidan about the lessons and surprises from the journey so far, and what will be most important going forward.

Some Friday optimism from our partner, the High Seas Alliance! Spain has become the first country to ratify the historic high seas treaty, a vital piece of legislation which will finally provide shared governance and protection for about half of the Earth’s surface and 95% of the ocean’s volume: the high seas. In order for the treaty to come into effect, at least 60 countries need to ratify by the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in June 2025. Follow the High Seas Alliance for more news about the 'race for ratification'. Image description: A tongue-in-cheek nature reference combining the news about Spain with an underloved species: the 'Spanish dancer' sea slug, which is orange, frilly, and extremely cute, is the background for the heading 'Spain becomes the first EU country to ratify the high seas treaty' and subheading '107 countries have committed but so far only 16 countries have ratified, and we need at least 60 for this critical legislation to officially take effect.' Image credited to Prilfish Flickr under a CC BY 2.0 license. #ConservationOptimism #UnitedNations #Conservation #Nature

“The real work starts now that we have the data.”   Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) have published their 2024 RACE (Racial Action for the Climate Emergency) Report, which shows that environmental charities have a long way to go to improve diversity and representation in the sector. Last year, more organisations than ever committed to take part in the report, sharing data on diversity and inclusivity actions to help drive much-needed changes. Some of the results are not surprising – the sector continues to see a huge diversity gap, especially at senior, governance, and board levels. An interesting finding was that ethnic diversity in smaller organisations was significantly greater than it was in large organisations. Intersectional data, collected for the first time this year, offers a fresh lens of who is and isn’t represented. For example, revealing that staff who identify as people of colour and ethnically or racially minoritised are much more likely to also identify as disabled. Meanwhile, people of colour and ethnically or racially minoritised staff are far less likely to appear in older age brackets, compared to their white counterparts. Transparency Cards, created to drive transparency around diversity, have also been published for organisations that took part. Synchronicity Earth’s Transparency Card can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eKY9SgtJ Of course, the data only tells us so much. Amira Campbell, NUS president and community organiser, points out that while data opens the door for change, the real importance is the stories behind the numbers: people who miss out on opportunities to progress, feel the need to change their accents or appearance, and don’t see themselves represented in the sector. The next step is moving beyond the report, from dialogue to action. Asking what can we do as organisations to open up these spaces, and committing to making that happen. Lee Lockhart, student activist, advocate, and researcher, added: “The real work starts now that we have the data.” Please note that the language used in this post reflects that of the report and data sources to ensure accuracy. We acknowledge the difficulties of these terms as they generalise people’s lived experiences and group together ethnicities. Data presented here is not a perfect representation of the sector, but a snapshot of organisations that committed to transparency through the RACE Report last year. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e4biZvnS #RaceEquityWeek #Diversity #Environment

The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced the creation of one of the world’s largest protected areas. 🌿 Covering an area the size of France, the Couloir Vert (Green Corridor) will stretch from the east of the country – across the Congo Basin to Kinshasa in the south-west – with implications for the 31 million people that live in that zone. The reserve, defined as a ‘community-managed protected area’, aims to protect over 100,000 km² of primary forests and 60,000 km² of peatlands, including the UNESCO World Heritage site Okapi Reserve which is threatened by road reconstruction. The decree contains some welcome progressive measures, like requiring development and conservation projects to obtain the Free, Prior and Informed consent of impacted Indigenous Peoples and other local communities. However, the lack of a participatory process has raised concerns – so far there has been little consultation of local people and authorities. Though the announcement is already making noise across the conservation sector, it was met with caution due to the challenges of implementation. Recent conflict and instability in Goma and the east of the country highlights the complexities of working in this region. https://lnkd.in/eUE3V-Pw

Why is youth leadership important? 🌱 Young people are already leading the way on many fronts: questioning outdated systems, adopting new technologies, and pushing social and cultural movements forward. In Mid-Juruá, Brazil, youth-led initiatives are working to shape a fairer future. This starts by fighting for equal rights and opportunities in their communities. But to have real impact in the region, they need support. Find out how a training course for young leaders is helping youth strengthen local democracy, become agents of change in their territories, and preserve the Amazon’s biodiversity and culture. https://lnkd.in/gJ9n5YGM

📢 Applications are open! 📢 The IUCN SSC Asian Species Action Partnership's Network of Women (NOW) Leaders 2025 programme is designed to empower women conservationists across Southeast Asia.   Participants will gain visible leadership skills, strategic tools, and the confidence to amplify their impact in biodiversity conservation, with a strong focus on wellbeing and long-term resilience.    The programme runs from May to November 2025, starting with an in-person retreat to connect and build lasting relationships. Graduates will also receive ongoing mentorship and collaboration opportunities through an alumnae network.    Please share with talented women conservationists! 🌿 Applications open until 16 February. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gtipb_dU 

Looking for a meaningful career move? We are hiring an Event & Administration Officer! This is your chance to: ✅ Coordinate events that support global conservation ✅ Work with a passionate team driving real change ✅ Benefit from healthcare, volunteer days, and a supportive, inclusive workplace 📩 Applications are open now: https://lnkd.in/eYks5EVw Let’s make a difference—together! Image description: A job posting for an Event & Administration Officer role on a blue background with leaf and pangolin accents. It highlights a £30,000–£34,000 salary; key responsibilities like event logistics and administrative support; benefits such as healthcare and parental leave; and a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for people from BAME backgrounds and people with disabilities. A circular photo shows three people collaborating at a desk. The text includes "Apply Now."

Looking for a way to beat the January blues? 💙 Here’s a sneak peek of our latest blog, which shares some of our favourite conservation success stories from 2024. 🏆 These wins are only possible thanks to the efforts of our amazing partners, including RSPN Bhutan, International Rivers and Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA). For more, read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/eQ2mr5sN #ConservationOptimism #Heron #Frogs #Dams #PapuaNewGuinea #Seeds

✨ Women in Conservation Series ✨ Nguyen Huyen is the Conservation Research Manager at Save Vietnam's Wildlife. Her work centers on protecting Critically Endangered pangolins and other native wildlife in Vietnam. Driven by her deep love for nature, Huyen finds joy in uncovering its mysteries and working to preserve its wonders for future generations. As a Oxford and Liverpool John Moores graduate, she recognises that conservation leadership requires more than education—it also depends on a strong support network. “It’s really difficult to find a network of women in conservation to support each other in this field. The ASAP programme is a great opportunity for me to access this kind of network.” Huyen futher added that she found a supportive community of like-minded women facing similar challenges and pursuing shared goals. “This programme provided me with a network of supportive sisters who understand the unique struggles we face. The bonds I’ve formed through this programme have strengthened my resolve and reminded me that I am not alone in this journey.” The ASAP Women in Conservation Leadership Programme provides a safe space to build valuable network for women in conservation. Join us in empowering women like Huyen for a sustainabale future for conservation. Read her full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gS57W8ik #ASAPWomenLeaders

🐟 Seven species to tell the story of freshwater conservation 🦞 Dive into the hidden world of freshwater wildlife with the stories of seven species from across the Global Freshwater Fauna Assessment.  The assessment was published today in Nature Magazine, the result of over 20 years of work by more than 1,000 experts from around the world to update the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for 23,496 species of freshwater fish, dragonfly, damselfly, crab, crayfish, and shrimp. It is a watershed report, identifying patterns in freshwater conservation on a global scale which will be crucial for ongoing conservation action. However, we did not want to lose sight of the fact that every single one of the 23,496 species represents an animal with its own particular beauty, behaviour, and story.  We cannot spotlight 23,496 species, but we have chosen seven. With the help of wildlife artist Van Wangye Shiming, we share their stories: https://lnkd.in/eame56jb #biodiversity #nature #conservation