This month, Mary had the chance to meet up with Michael Zellner, a career journalist and business owner, a leader in local and international commu nity-based conversation and an all around agent of positive change.

Since October of 2020, Mike has served as chief executive officer for the Arizona-based Sonoran Institute. Mike has 30 years of experience building award-winning collaboratrions for global organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, Dow Jones & Co., and Euromoney. He has helped regional and local stakeholders to conserve more than 450,000 acres and mobilize more than $30 million foer conservation in the Americas.

As a business journalist in Mexico and the Americas, Mike played a leading role in the lalunch of the editorial operations of AmericaEconomia (a Dow Jones & Co. publication) in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, and Miami. He also served as editor-in-chief and owner of the Miami based business magazine LatinTrade.

In our conversation, you'll hear Mike speak of the power of community-based conservation and share perspectives from across his career.

To learn more about Michael Zellner, check out the Sonoran Institute. And while you're on the site, take a look at the informative and inspiring blogs Mike has written over his time as CEO of that organization.

Finally, take Mike's invitation to look around your community for how you, too can become involved in community-based conservation initiatives. It’s good for the land, for your neighbors, for you - it's for all beings.

MUSIC ~

This episode includes music by Gary Ferguson and these other fine artists.

Wind Troubles the Water

Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay

Vigilance

Music by Roman Senyk from Pixabay

Touch and Sound

Music by Juan Sanchez from Pixabay