About this Event
Spanish scientist, photographer, and National Geographic Explorer Jaime Rojo and NOAA environmental policy specialist Dr. Seth Sykora-Bodie discuss wilderness conservation, large-landscape connectivity in a program presented with National Geographic.
Wilderness conservation, large-landscape connectivity, and environmental policy play a vital role in protecting fragile ecosystems and iconic species across North America. This edition of Science over Coffee: Wildlife conservation brings together a conservation scientist and an award-winning photographer to explore how research, policy, and visual storytelling can drive environmental action and inspire new approaches to nature conservation.
Dr. Seth Sykora-Bodie explores the strategic planning and policy tools necessary to establish and manage protected areas. Drawing from his interdisciplinary background as a geographer and environmental policy specialist at NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, his presentation examines how marine protected areas, social-ecological systems, and predictive forecasting can guide environmental decision-making to safeguard biodiversity.
Jaime Rojo discusses the power of visual narrative in wilderness conservation, featuring his extensive work on the North American monarch butterfly migration. As a Senior Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers and National Geographic Explorer, he shares insights from his 20-year quest tracking monarchs across Mexico and North America, illustrating how photographic evidence and community-led conservation can become essential tools for creating new protected areas.
Together, the two presentations offer an accessible overview of how scientific policy, predictive spatial planning, and impactful imagery can deepen environmental awareness and contribute to the protection of our planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems.
Program
9:00–9:30 am: Breakfast & Networking
9:30–10: 30 am: Speaker’s discussion
10:30–11:00 am: Networking
Jaime Rojo
Jaime Rojo is a photographer and a strong advocate of wilderness conservation and large-landscape connectivity. His goal is to capture images that can ultimately become tools for the creation of new protected areas.
He is an International League of Conservation Photographers Senior Fellow, a trustee of the WILD Foundation, and the recipient of honors in competitions such as World Press Photo and Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Dr. Seth Sykora-Bodie
Dr. Seth Sykora-Bodie is a conservation scientist, geographer, and environmental policy specialist who works for the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
Dr. Sykora-Bodie is broadly interested in protected areas, wildlife conservation, social-ecological systems, and environmental decision-making. He completed his Ph.D. at Duke University, where his dissertation focused on global efforts to establish a network of marine protected areas in Antarctica using interdisciplinary methods such as participatory mapping, surveys, interviews, statistics, and predictive forecasting.
Program
9:00–9:30 am: Doors open, welcome breakfast, and informal gathering
10:30–10:30 am: Individual presentations
10:30–11:00 am: Moderated Q&A with the audience
11:00–11:30 am: Networking reception with light appetizers
Important Information
- A reservation on Eventbrite is mandatory, printed tickets are not required.
- Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Doors open at 9:00 am.
- Ticket holders will have access to the event while space is available.
- Right of admission reserved.
- If you need special assistance, please contact us at [email protected].
How to get there:
The best way to arrive is by public transportation. The closest Metro station is Columbia Heights (Green line). Limited metered and two-hour zoned parking is available in the surrounding neighborhoods. Public parking garage is available at DC USA Shopping Mall (Columbia Heights Metro Station).
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Event venue & nearby stays
Spanish Cultural Center - Embassy of Spain, 2801 16th Street Northwest, Washington, United States
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