Writing and Research
CONSERVATION RESEARCH
A summary of lessons from USAID's peer-to-peer learning exchange on demand reduction programs, programming efforts and reports, and peer-reviewed literature about monitoring and evaluating campaigns to reduce the online wildlife trade
Gender and Illegal Wildlife Trade: A Summary of Recent Evidence
A summary of recent publications exploring the gender dynamics of the illegal wildlife trade and how men and women may engage with the wildlife trafficking supply chain
A Review of USAID Biodiversity Activity Evaluations 2015-2021
A review of USAID biodiversity conservation activity evaluations that identifies and analyzes common approaches, lessons, and areas for improvement
Cameroon's Illegal Wildlife Trade
Graduate thesis, an analysis of trafficking supply chains, routes, and actors, with typologies of the wildlife trade in and through Cameroon
The trade of hawksbill turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata
With recommendations for improved conservation under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
LINKS BETWEEN INVASIVE SPECIES AND ZOONOTIC DISEASE TRANSMISSION: A CASE STUDY IN FLORIDA, USA
Findings from the study ‘Mammal decline, linked to invasive Burmese python, shifts host use of vector mosquito towards reservoir hosts of a zoonotic disease’ (Hoyer et al., 2017)
Visualizing Packed Cell Volume in Cattle: A GIS Analysis in East Africa
Blood parameters are an important indicator of animal health and, in the case of domesticated livestock, can consequently affect human health and the agriculture industry
Big Tech, Small Planet: Assessing Microsoft and Sony’s Environmental Policies
A case study that highlights the need for better understanding of technology’s environmental impacts; though often posed as the “solution” to many problems, the industry affects global systems in complex ways
WHAT DOES A TREE DO FOR ME? ECOSYSTEM SERVICES INFOGRAPHIC
An infographic visualizing the range of ecosystem services—provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural—that trees provide around the world
Tropical Rainforest Sustainability: An Assessment of Sri Lanka
An assessment of Sri Lanka’s southwestern lowland forests, examining their value to people, drivers of deforestation, and methods for sustainable forestry management
ARTICLES
Learning from the winners of the USAID Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge and their innovations
Conserving Fisheries and Fighting Corruption in Peru
A seafood traceability app also helps reduce illegal fishing and increase fishers’ incomes.
4 Ways USAID Promotes Community-Based Conservation
For decades, USAID has partnered with communities to strengthen resource rights and conserve forests and wildlife.
CONNECTING HUMAN AND FOREST HEALTH IN WEST AFRICA
In 2014, a disease began to spread quickly across West Africa, decimating the health and security of the region.
Promoting the Rights of Indigenous People
It is often the most vulnerable people who rely most on the environment for food, livelihoods, and security.
A FLAVORFUL PARTNERSHIP: VANILLA COOPERATIVES IN MADAGASCAR
Sustainably grown vanilla has the potential to protect forests, while providing farmers with much needed income.
WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING IN THE AIRLINE SECTOR
In 2019, authorities seized more than 1 million illegal wildlife products being moved through the air transport sector.
Environmental Equality: Addressing Gender-Based Violence
Gender inequalities hinder conservation results, as women and their knowledge are left out of solutions.
Tipping the Scales: Adopting fair trade fishing practices In INDONESIa
Indonesia’s marine resources provide food to millions. But demand has surpassed supply, becoming unsustainable.
Peace, Security, and Conservation on Central Africa’s Radios
In Central Africa, high-frequency radios are helping to cultivate peace, security, and, more recently, conservation.
SELECTED INTERVIEWS AND BOOK REVIEWS
Scientist as Diplomat: Five Questions for DR. Alex Dehgan
In The Snow Leopard Project, a biologist shares tales of conserving wildlife in the midst of political instability.
On Immunity: An Inoculation by Eula Biss
“If vaccination can be conscripted into acts of war, it can still be instrumental in works of love.”
Among the Whales: Five Questions for DR. Nicholas D. Pyenson
In Spying on Whales, a marine paleobiologist explores Earth’s largest creatures—and their perilous future.
Nobody Is Ever Missing by Catherine Lacey
There are no lessons here, only a stunning portrait of, to paraphrase Doris Lessing, a woman going mad all by herself.
Marilynne Robinson interview: 'The life of literature is mysterious'
In Lila, the Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist returns to Gilead, Iowa, and again stuns readers with her quiet brilliance
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
There is such glory in humanity, in what we continue to create and in what we are capable of sustaining.
David Duchovny on writing his debut novel, Holy Cow
The actor and erstwhile literary scholar turned his idea for a kids’ film into one brilliant, irreverent book
300 Million by Blake Butler
About 300 million people live in the United States, hence the title of Blake Butler’s latest novel, in which he kills all of them.