Category Archives: Nature

Wild Revival?

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Martyn Murray

The ‘wild’ delights and terrifies us, conjuring in one organic breath raw nature in her elemental glory and savage beasts lurking in the wastes awaiting their chance to pounce. But what really is the wild? Is it something we should … Continue reading →

Posted in A Wild Call, Boats, Freedom, Molio, Nature | 2 Comments

Call for a Parks Red List

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Martyn Murray

Cause for Concern Whilst assessing the state of protected areas in Ethiopia I became concerned at the number of parks occupied by cattle for large parts of the year, or all year round in some cases. Farming had encroached into … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Nature, Protected Areas | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Radical solution could avoid depletion of natural resources

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Martyn Murray

A radical new approach to managing ecosystems reveals how society’s use of forests, fisheries and other natural resources could be inspired by nature, which creates sustainable ecosystems amid intense species competition for limited resources. It had its origins in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Nature, Threats | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

My Friend Bini

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Martyn Murray

Bini cooked the greatest bush breakfast. We would be camping in some remote Ethiopian park and I would wake to the smell of coffee being brewed. It soon got me out of my sleeping bag to greet the morning. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Nature | Tagged | 4 Comments

Game Over in Africa? II. Last Best Chance for Wildlife

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Martyn Murray

With pressure building for African land, coupled with parks that lack legitimacy in the eyes of local people, declining government investment in their management, booming prices for wildlife products, poaching and the never-ending tales of bribery and corruption (sister blog), … Continue reading →

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Game Over in Africa? I. Empty Forests, Silent Plains

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Martyn Murray

Studying UN projections on population trends a few weeks ago, my world view on the future of African wildlife took a severe dent from which, I fear, it may never recover. What the dry numbers indicated were that the number … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Nature, Protected Areas, Threats | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Butterfly That Beat Its Wings

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Martyn Murray

As we gaze into the future, the further forward we look, the more unpredictable it becomes. Despite our skills in satellite imagery, science-networking and super-computer processing which give us unsurpassed details about our planet and its resources and notwithstanding our … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, History, Nature, Threats, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Islands in the Gulf – Fragmented World of Nature Conservation

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Martyn Murray

I’d like to begin with three visual impressions of our disparate and sometimes uncomfortable relationship with Nature: These connections with nature can be so contentious it is as if we were living on separate islands in a stormy gulf of … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, History, Nature, Values | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Advice for a Young Conservationist

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Martyn Murray

Dear Young Conservationist, It’s always a pleasure to write to someone who is interested in wildlife conservation. I think the best way I can help you at the outset of your career is to give a brief overview of the … Continue reading →

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Payment for Eden?

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Martyn Murray

‘Payment for Ecosystem Services’ or PES is the latest mantra in wildlife conservation. It is not a new concept but was brought to central stage in 2005 by the UN’s Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. It takes the conservation movement another step … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Nature, Values | Tagged , , | 1 Comment