Wildlife Field Guiding in Africa
Free Live Webinar
Turn your passion into purpose
Are you studying wildlife conservation, ecology, zoology, or botany at Oxford Brookes University?
If you're curious about how to turn that passion into your profession–but aren’t sure where to start–this free live webinar will give you an inside look at Africa’s conservation landscape, how your degree can complement a career in conservation, and how careers in field guiding and wildlife tourism play a vital role in protecting nature.
This webinar is open to all Oxford Brookes University students and wildlife enthusiasts – but space is limited, book your spot now so you don’t miss out!
Thursday, 29 May
17:00 - 18:00 BST
Online webinar via zoom
Sign up to secure your free virtual seat
Erin Herbst (Host)
Marketing Manager
Bushwise
Erin is our passionate Marketing Manager, bringing a unique blend of field experience and creativity to the Bushwise team. Originally from Pretoria, South Africa, she turned her lifelong dream of living in nature into reality in 2018. She spent six years working as a field guide at lodges across South Africa, including the world-renowned Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, while also taking on roles in lodge management, digital marketing, and tour planning. Today, Erin combines her love for the bush with her storytelling and strategic skills to help others discover the magic of guiding.
Jason Smith
Field Guide Trainer
South Africa
Jason Smith is one of our dedicated field guide trainers, based at our campus in the world-renowned Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. He began his career in 2013 in the Eastern Cape and has since worked across a variety of game reserves throughout South Africa, gaining experience in both guiding and team management. Today, he channels his passion into mentoring the next generation of field guides, sharing his deep knowledge of Africa’s diverse ecosystems, and shaping future leaders in conservation tourism.
Katie Adams
Environmental Consultant
& Research Manager
Katie is a UK-born environmental consultant who has been based in South Africa since 2016, working at the intersection of field research and conservation management. With a background as both a safari/field guide and research manager, she focuses on wildlife monitoring, habitat restoration, and applied ecology. Passionate about practical, evidence-based conservation, Katie also supports early-career professionals through skills development and field training. Her work is centered on bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world conservation impact.
Speakers
Event Details
In this live webinar, we’ll unpack the current state of conservation in Africa, what’s at risk, and how ecotourism and field guiding contribute meaningfully to protecting wildlife and wild spaces. You’ll gain a clearer picture of how tourism supports conservation efforts, why skilled field guides are vital to this system, and how your current studies, whether in conservation, zoology, ecology, or beyond, could align with real-world impact.
We’ll also explore entry points into this broad and dynamic industry, with practical insights and career tips from professionals working in the field.
Whether your future lies in research, education, tourism, or hands-on wildlife work – this is your opportunity to understand how it all connects and where you can bring what you’ve learned in your university lectures to real-world conservation efforts.
Stick around for a live Q&A session to ask your questions and hear directly from people who’ve turned their passion for wildlife into meaningful careers.
This live webinar will be hosted on Zoom*. You’ll receive the event link via email and SMS the day before, with reminder notifications on the day itself. Our speakers will present live, and you’ll be able to engage throughout using the Q&A box. There will be time for a live Q&A at the end, where some of your questions will be answered in real-time as well.
*Please note that no Zoom account is needed. If you would like to download Zoom, then the free version is perfectly suitable. Please note that the presenters and other attendees will not be able to see or hear you, and questions are taken via Zoom Q&A.
Agenda
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