Research

Written by Xavier Mahele, Trustee, Froglife

Nature is for everyone. All of us are intrinsically connected to nature. It underpins our physical and ecological reality and provides a wondrous enchantment that enriches our existence. Meanwhile access to wild spaces is a key determinant of environmental quality, physical and mental well-being. Thus, being able to interact with and have a say in nature conservation must be a cherished, universal right. Yet certain groups have been traditionally marginalised from many of the stories and management decisions relating to nature at multiple levels. From natural history and scientific research to conservation efforts and nature storytelling, the contributions of black voices and their opportunities have been minimised presenting a serious social and environmental justice issue which hinders the effectiveness and reach of conservation.

I have long sought out inspiring black voices and legends in natural history and ecology. But why do we so rarely hear of their stories and why are black voices in the natural history and conservation sector less visible? 

Growing up as an avid frog geek, I was mesmerised by the adventures and stories of UC Berkeley Professor Tyrone Hayes. Watching him blissfully splashing around catching frogs in waterfalls on the BBC documentary Expedition Borneo was highly influential in my dream to become a biologist and work with amphibians. Meanwhile his heroic fight against the devastating agrochemical industry through his research on frog environmental endocrinology helped cement the idea for me that science should work for the betterment of our social and environmental wellbeing. Throughout his career, he has had to overcome significant amounts of racism but has pioneered the way forward for inclusion and equality in ecology. Professor Hayes remains a shining light of being black and proud in amphibian and reptile science and ecology more broadly, yet I have heard so few stories like his.

In  my personal experiences throughout my youth as a naturalist and during my limited time as an early career researcher in ecology, I have encountered startlingly few black colleagues. Certainly a qualitatively lower number than would be expected from the background population. Many times I have been the only person with black heritage in the room, and even at large conferences colleagues can be few and far between. While conservation seems to be a predominantly white field in this country, it is also profoundly ‘non-black’. There is a distinct disproportionate lack of black diversity even when looking at people of colour in particular. Is natural history overall just not a particularly black ‘thing’? No, there are deep cultural connections with nature in the black community and it is a source of profound joy and inspiration. Rather, entrenched barriers contribute to this underrepresentation and constrain the proliferation of black voices in ecology and conservation as well as amateur natural history. This requires holistic thinking to overcome and change the narrative that nature and conservation is a ‘white, middle class’ endeavour which will ultimately greatly improve the field. 

A lack of diversity in conservation severely limits its effectiveness and tackling this is fundamental for progressing the field. We know from ecosystems that diversity and modularity builds resilience and functioning. Different lived experiences provide novel perspectives, ideas and the ability to more productively reach underrepresented communities and the important habitats they steward. Furthermore, biases in conservation allocation against black communities limits ecological and social gains. Nature restoration has huge potential for improving communities and generating momentum for social progress. It is an act of sociological and environmental regeneration, and has the power to act as a potent positive multiplier for improving living standards and building resilience to stress. It is therefore imperative that all communities are reached and no one is left behind to suffer the fallout of conservation neglect and degradation that marginalised communities are more frequently exposed to. Cultivating diversity and tackling biases in the conservation community is therefore fundamental. 

Likewise in the research world, barriers to entry, participation, research opportunities and publishing disproportionately silences black authors and the important work they represent – especially in the global south. Restricting these contributions impedes effective conservation particularly as these regions harbour most of earth’s biodiversity, including for herpetofauna. This has severe implications for data deficiencies and risks conservation neglect for these important areas and the communities that live there. These are important stories to tell and must be heard. 

To tackle biases and representation issues in ecology and conservation we must mitigate the barriers to entry, inclusion, and participation that stifle the recruitment and flourishing of black voices. Firstly, the future of conservation hinges on young people having passions for nature. However, in general, children are not getting enough exposure to nature and wildlife with many unable to identify common species. This lack of a fundamental natural history proficiency is hugely concerning for conservation and public attitudes towards biodiversity as people do not protect what they don’t know and don’t love. This is coupled with shifting baseline syndromes in perceptions of nature loss which normalises the ecological emergency and can lead to stalled action. A lack of access to high quality, local natural spaces due to regional biases in their distribution and conservation effort can disproportionately affect black communities and reduce opportunities to kindle an interest in natural history. This may diminish the number of committed advocates for those spaces and our natural heritage. Conservation outreach to help foster these experiences and relationships is really important. Prioritising nature protection firmly within the ethos and planning of our communities can help create a positive feedback between ecological and community regeneration in previously neglected areas whilst inspiring the next generation of environmentalists, naturalists and ecologists, especially those from underrepresented communities. 

To allow this pool of interested young, black ecologists to thrive and encourage the community to grow, investments to make the field inclusive and supportive are vital. Well paying entry level jobs with opportunities for rapid progression are necessary to encourage people from a variety of financial backgrounds to consider ecology as a viable career pathway and prevent ecology pricing out talented prospects which may disproportionately affect certain groups. 

It is also important for natural history and conservation to acknowledge it’s colonial and exploitative past. Many key discoveries in classical biology were only possible due to the work of black explorers and local indigenous knowledge. For example Darwin relied on John Edmonstone, a former slave from Guyana, to teach him taxidermy which was essential to preserve the specimens he collected on his voyage on HMS Beagle. Wallace was assisted by teenager ‘Ali’ on his expedition to Malaysia.  Many more are hidden from history, their contributions unrecorded and we have to reconstruct their stories from the margins of more famous scientists. 

Miranda Lowe of the Natural History museum is trying to change this narrative by acknowledging the expertise of indigenous people was crucial to the success of expeditions led by European naturalists and collectors. ‘Their knowledge of local nature and landscapes helped these scientists to navigate and find specimens that they would have been unable to source on their own.’ 

She believes scientific nomenclature is too exclusive and the language needs to change. There are very few examples of species in the Natural History collection being given indigenous names, a rare example is Cassia Amara named after botanist Gramman Kwarsi, ‘It is really unusual that a European would name a plant scientifically after a previously enslaved African’. Reclaiming the narrative about the history of natural science as well as doing work of reparations for history’s ills is important to make the field just and welcoming. 

Finally, a key aspect for making this space welcoming for black ecologists, activists, and amateur naturalists is to spotlight the stories of trailblazers forging exciting pathways in the movement. This helps generate a sense of relatability, support, solidarity, confidence and belonging in the community. Reclaiming the narrative on black relationships with nature and conservation play a vital role here by highlighting that black ecologists are out here and have played a significant role in pioneering science and environmental protection all over the world. 

Highlighting figures who have played key parts in the history of natural science and the modern environmental movement can be transformative. It is fantastic to see the increasing representation of black voices in the natural history community. With a collection of black naturalists and scientists such as Liz Bonnin, Patrick Aryee, Gillian Burke, David Lindo ‘The Urban Birder’, and Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka often featuring on screen in natural history documentary programming, it is becoming more relatable for black audiences. Additionally, it is inspiring to see a new generation of online black environmentalists and scientists showcasing their important work in conservation and ecology. Initiatives and organisations such as Black in Marine Science, Black in Environment, Black Birders Week, and more help highlight these important stories in the environmental sector. For the amphibian and reptile community in particular, researcher Dr Earyn McGee, “The Lizard Lassoer”, is a huge inspiration for young black ecologists and is pushing for more black women to be represented in environmental careers as well as the decolonisation of herpetology. Together, elevating these stories and champions promotes better connection, networking, and opportunities for this vibrant community of black conservationists and scholars to grow.

Conservation charities like Froglife have enormous potential to help further some of these ideas. With a large focus on ‘Transforming Lives’ through outreach into schools and community spaces, Froglife projects are able to kindle passions for wildlife with natural history learning experiences which help generate a vital excitement for protecting and advocating for biodiversity. Meanwhile the habitat improvements Froglife conducts across green spaces helps to make nature more accessible and provide these local opportunities for connecting with it. Meanwhile, Froglife traineeships help to provide entry positions for establishing new voices in the field, especially those from underrepresented communities. 

Dismantling these barriers and reclaiming the narrative requires action and inclusive storytelling across the natural history community, fostering opportunities for nurturing passions and advancement as well as creating an accessible, relatable environment. Tackling systemic inequalities that historically marginalised communities face regarding nature access, vulnerabilities and environmental peripheralisation is also vital. This includes linking the synergisms between various systems of oppression, deprivation, and narrative erasure as well as a rejection of neocolonial western imperialist ideals which also greatly contribute to biodiversity destruction and the suppression of livelihoods. 

The pursuit of environmental justice and action to stem climate and ecological disaster is the fight of all of our lives and everyone must be involved, and able to have their voice and perspectives heard. In this way we can drive a unified, and inclusive charge for a better present and future. Reclaiming the narrative on nature and the black community is a hugely significant step in promoting this inclusion.