Coffee and Conservation with Mike Veale — Featuring Elias Blaset

In this episode of Coffee and Conservation, Mike Veale sits down with Global Conservation Force Conservation Officer and core team member Elias Blaset, founder of The Symbiosis Project, to talk about the many different paths that can lead to a career, and a life, in wildlife conservation.

Originally from Chile, Elias shares his journey of moving to the United States, pursuing his passion for wildlife as a student at Moorpark College’s Teaching Zoo, and eventually working at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Mike and Elias look back at how they first connected during Elias’ student years, stayed in touch over the years, and how that relationship eventually grew into Elias becoming part of GCF’s core team.

Along the way, they share a few stories from the field, including Elias joining GCF for its annual Anti-Poaching Bootcamp in South Africa, volunteering his time alongside GCF’s conservation K9 programs, and how his role has continued to evolve. Today, Elias is helping GCF expand its conservation education outreach and media, using his wildlife experience and communication skills to help connect more people with conservation.

They also dive into a less obvious connection: Pokémon and wildlife conservation. From exploring different environments and discovering new species to learning about animal behavior, habitats, rarity, and biodiversity, Pokémon has introduced generations of people to concepts that have some surprisingly real parallels in the natural world.

Mike and Elias also tease some upcoming Pokémon-themed GCF social media content leading into GCF’s World Rhino Day x Trading Card Game fundraiser on September 26. The family-friendly event brings conservation and trading card culture together, with guests able to hunt for Pokémon cards, play the new GCF Rhino Rescue™ board game, take on mini golf, and enjoy other activities, all while helping raise funds for wildlife conservation.

Most importantly, Mike and Elias discuss how people can actually get involved in wildlife conservation. You don’t have to start as a ranger, scientist, veterinarian, or lifelong conservation professional. There are countless skills, careers, hobbies, and interests that can become valuable tools for conservation when paired with experience, consistency, and a willingness to get involved.

Grab a coffee and join Mike and Elias for a conversation about wildlife, careers, Pokémon, stories from the field, and finding your own path to making a difference for wildlife.