Wildlands Creative

Really delighted and proud that our short film, Defensoras, will premiere at next month! ✨

It features the voices of two increadible female environmental defenders in Bolivia, who are risking their lives to protect Mother Earth and defend Indigenous rights 🌎

It was an honour to work alongside them.

Thank you to an amazing team and funders -
Co director:
Composer:
Sound designer:
Translator:
Funding partners:

DEFENSORAS

Across the world, an environmental defender is killed every other day.

It is particularly dangerous for female defenders who are not only battling to protect their territories but are doing so against deep rooted sexism.

In DEFENSORAS, we hear from a defiant and resilient collective of Bolivian indigenous female defenders who, despite the dangers, continue to stand up against the powers driving ecological collapse

DEFENSORAS is an abstract documentary that celebrates the power of the female collective and uncovers why women must fight to ensure there is a healthy and flourishing world for the next generation.

DEFENSORAS We honor the resilience of Indigenous women who face both sexism and discrimination. Despite these challenges, they play a crucial role in conservation and d...

Massive thanks to everyone who came to the talk last night and to the Scientific Exploration Society for funding the project and continued support 🙏

SES EXPLORER TALKS

What a fantastic evening! Thank you for your inspirational DEFENSORAS talk Bethan, and thank you to all of you that joined us.

We look forward to seeing you at our next talk on March 22 with Rosie Stancer and Pom Oliver - ARAL K*M, at The Park Tower Hotel Knightsbridge.

You can find all of our talks on our events page.

Wildlands Creative Rosie Stancer Explorer Exploration Revealed The Park Tower Knightsbridge, a Luxury Collection Hotel, London

⏰Tonight⏰
I'm giving a talk about Indigenous rights and the protection of our natural world.

It'll explore the use of participatory as a tool for

Venue: Coopers Arms, Chelsea, London
Tickets: http://bitly.ws/ACnf
Hosted by: Scientific Exploration Society

SES Explorer Talk: Bethan John - DEFENSORAS Join us for SES Explorer Talk with Bethan John talking about her DEFENSORAS expedition...EVERYONE WELCOME!

On Tues 28th Feb, I'm giving a talk in London about Indigenous rights and the protection of our natural world.

It'd be really great to see you there😊

Venue: Coopers Arms, Chelsea
Tickets: http://bitly.ws/ACnf
Hosted by: Scientific Exploration Society

SES Explorer Talk: Bethan John - DEFENSORAS Join us for SES Explorer Talk with Bethan John talking about her DEFENSORAS expedition...EVERYONE WELCOME!

Really pleased to have this important story about the impacts of gold mining on indigenous rights in Bolivia published by and co-written with

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/16/bolivian-activists-push-back-against-mining-industry

We travelled to Madidi National Park to interview community members from San Jose de Uchupiamonas, who have rejected attempts by gold miners to gain access to their territory. Despite trying to protect themselves, they've still tested positive for mercury poisoning due to gold mining activity upriver.

Madidi is one of the many protected areas and indigenous territories that's facing escalating pressure from the economic and politically powerful mining industry.

Thanks to the and for supporting this project, and to and .tropics for transcribing the interviews 💚💙💛

I'm just back from visiting Tariquia reserve, in the very south of Bolivia - from the dusty rocky mountains, down into lush green forest.

I was there to meet and interview Paola Gareca (pictured) who is fighting to protect the reserve from oil and gas exploration. She's suffered abuse and threats, but despite the ongoing struggle, she's unwavering in her commitment to defend this land against poweful vested interests.

She's part of a grassroots movement of defenders across Bolivia, called CONTIOCAP, who are fighting to protect their territories from exploitation - 85% of these defenders are women.

It was a privilege to meet Paola and hear her story. When international conferences like Cop27 yet again fail to deliver, it is people like Paola, fighting on the frontlines, who give me hope.

Thanks to the Scientific Exploration Society and One World Media for supporting this project, and to for being the best of teammates.

Just back from an amazing - but sobering - trip to Madidi National Park in Bolivia's Amazon with indigenous right activist and filmmaker

We're reporting on the escalation of gold mining within the country's protected areas and its impact on indigenous communities.

We'll be bringing you more news about this soon...

Thanks to the support of Scientific Exploration Society for making this project possible.

Are you a student/early career and looking to gain more experience in media and communications, specialising in the conservation of our natural world?

Check out these volunteer opportunities with Conservation without Borders for their exciting upcoming expedition -

https://www.conservation-without-borders.org/Opportunities

Opportunities No matter where you find yourself in life, volunteering is a great opportunity to be a part of long-term contribution to the climate and world, while at the same time gaining invaluable experience and knowledge of the world.

Looking for a career in conservation, specialising in journalism and filmmaking?

Check out our podcast episode where we chat about our unconventional route in, the lessons we're still learning (cause it never ends! 😜) and our plans for the future.

Blurb -
Award-winning conservation storytellers Bethan John and Eilidh Munro share their key advice for creating on-the-ground impact and their experiences working together to produce the documentary, Voices on the Road, with Rosalie Wright and the BES Conservation SIG.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0KcQnCRr6J4cg5u58tfq25?si=9RekvE3RQ_Gc_nkgLQw4vg&nd=1

Can't listen right now, here's the Q&A article:
https://besconservationsig.wordpress.com/2021/11/22/careersstories-conservation-communication-with-eilidh-munro-bethan-john-producers-of-the-award-winning-voices-on-the-road-documentary-%ef%bf%bc/

Massive thanks to British Ecological Society Conservation Ecology Group for featuring us and the lovely host, Rosalie Wright.

#CareersStories: Conservation Communication with Eilidh Munro & Bethan John, producers of the award-winning ‘Voices on the Road’ documentary. Award-winning conservation storytellers Bethan John and Eilidh Munro share their key advice for creating on-the-ground impact and their experiences working together to produce the documentary, Voic…