Past SYWTBAMB intern Aislinn Olthoff joins us on the show today! Inspired by nature around her and Jane Goodall, Aislinn took a gap year after high school in order to figure out where her interests lie. A pivotal volunteer opportunity working with elephants in Asia firmly pointed her to her degree in Wildlife Conservation. Not one to sit idylly by, Aislinn did quite a bit of traveling and work during her undergrad, including to Costa Rica, Africa, and Paris. Then she decided to turn her focus below the surface of the waves, and discovered the SYWTBAMB podcast. This led her to an amazing position as a naturalist working in close proximity to humpback whales in Hawai’i. Aislinn has such a great story, and some really great insights into the conservation world and connecting with nature.
Connect with Aislinn: Facebook
QUICK LINKS
Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand
Elephant Nature Park
Denison University
Juniata College
Juniata EcoHouse
Two-fingered sloth
Sloth Institute
Samango monkey
Louis Trichardt
Pacific whale foundation
Humpback whale
SHOW NOTES
1 :09 During a gap year after high school, Aislinn worked with elephants in Thaïland. After that she decided to start her studies in wildlife conservation at Juniata College, Pennsylvania.
5 :15 : Aislinn had the best job tittle when she went to Costa Rica during her studies : she was a sloth technician!
9 :05 She went to Paris working on policies with the natural history museum and conservation laboratory.
14 :08 After a funny encounter, she found a job as a naturalist in Hawaii for the Pacific Whale Foundation, where she did whale watching and conservation speeches on humpback whales. She tells a fun fact on humpback whales’ behaviour.
21 :19 : Living experiences with other people across the world was the most meaningful part of her traveling.
26 :59 She mentions her new job at Ecology Project International
28 :05 Aislinn tells us her favorite sea creature, which is always a hard question on this show.
31 :30 : Given a blanck check, what projects would Aislinn invest the money for?