“The only way you’re going to save the world is with a damn good story.”
What if the future of conservation hinged less on policy and more on storytelling?
That’s one of my favorite takeaways from my conversation with Jeff Parrish, Global Managing Director for Protect Oceans, Lands, and Water at The Nature Conservancy. Jeff leads massive protection efforts in 76 countries. What is unique is the way he is using story as a strategic tool to connect people to places they may never see.
Jeff makes it clear that impact always begins with a local champion and a compelling narrative. From Gabon’s surfing hippos, Chile’s 4,000-year-old alerce trees, or the power of radical collaboration. He says that every project starts with someone on the ground who had a vision.
Jeff’s work is expansive, but he grounds it in relationships. He is partnering with everyone from community-led nonprofits to global brands like Disney to inspire action. He’s chasing connection over credit, and it’s working.
We talked about everything from park rangers and grassroots leaders to elephants and the role zoos play in sparking a lifelong love of nature. No matter your role, be it park ranger, donor, or kid at the zoo, you have the power to shape the future through the stories you share and the people you invite into them.
Conservation doesn’t start with land. It starts with people. And it lasts because of the stories we carry forward. Make sure to take a listen to hear more on how stories connect people to conservation.
Episode Resources
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Notable Moments
02:13 – Jeff’s origin story: how a zoo letter changed his life
04:47 – Radical collaboration and partnerships across conservation groups
06:31 – Story of Pueblo Patagonia and local leadership in Chile
13:16 – Big change starts with one local champion
17:26 – Why storytelling is essential to conservation success
24:16 – Gabon’s 30x30x30x30 model and protecting rivers, too
26:14 – Partnering with Disney for the Lion Recovery Fund
33:18 – Jody’s zoo and creek story: early sparks of passion
37:52 – Jeff’s advice for new park leaders: seek diverse experiences, tell good stories