<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1xkYpe_0w2d240l00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1xkYpe_0w2d240l00" width="600" height="600" ></figure>Joanna Zhang, WildEarth Guardians’ new Endangered Species Advocate, embodies what it means to be a Voice for the Voiceless.With a global perspective shaped by her international experiences, Joanna’s belief in the interconnectedness of all life grounds her deep commitment to protecting vulnerable wildlife across the West. Global insightsJoanna grew up in Missouri. As a child, she preferred Animal Planet and Discovery Channel documentaries to kids cartoons, which sparked her lifelong love for animals. After dabbling in medicine and engineering, Joanna found her niche in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program during her undergraduate studies at Princeton University. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1RfF8M_0w2d240l00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1RfF8M_0w2d240l00" width="700" height="700" ><figcaption>Joanna researching livestock conflict in Kenya.</figcaption></figure>It was during a transformative semester abroad in Kenya that Joanna’s passion for conservation took flight. She traveled across several different conservation areas and nature reserves studying large landscape conservation, sustainable development, and the livestock-wildlife conflicts that arise in the Kenyan highlands. This hands-on experience provided Joanna with valuable insights into the complex dynamics between human communities and wildlife, and the need for local communities to be empowered in their own conservation efforts.Joanna’s conservation education spanned multiple continents, with enlightening experiences in Kenya, Spain, Peru, China, Bears Ears National Monument, and many more. Once back in the States, Joanna dedicated several months to poking around the West – hiking, climbing, running, and exploring her way from the desert Southwest to the High Sierras to the Pacific Northwest. After her time abroad, Joanna was eager to forge conservation solutions on her home turf – and it didn’t hurt that moving West would mean Joanna could enjoy unparalleled access to wild nature.<blockquote>“We have to advocate for the needs of species that are often overlooked, ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive,” Joanna said. </blockquote>A champion for wildlife<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3vCQZt_0w2d240l00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3vCQZt_0w2d240l00" width="1024" height="683" ><figcaption>Joanna in Colorado’s Homestake Valley. Chris Cohen photo</figcaption></figure>After spending over a year working in WildEarth Guardians’ Wild Rivers Program, Joanna’s love for wildlife inspired her to take on a new role as the organization’s Endangered Species Advocate. In this role, she hopes to give a voice to those who can’t speak for themselves and realize a positive vision for wildlife in the West.In particular, Joanna is excited to launch a new campaign to protect riparian and aquatic species in the Southwest. “Many species that once thrived in the Southwest are now imperiled or entirely absent due to how we’ve managed our rivers,” Joanna shared. With projections indicating that New Mexico could see a 25% reduction in water availability by 2050, Joanna recognizes the urgent need to ensure the survival of wildlife and plant species that co-evolved with the essential rivers that are now drying and dying. Take the survey! We’re expanding our Endangered Species protection campaign and we want your input.Drawing from her understanding of the delicate balance in desert ecosystems, Joanna emphasizes, “Water is life everywhere, but in a water-limited ecosystem, that importance is amplified.” This campaign not only advocates for endangered species but also promotes the restoration and recovery of critical habitats. She envisions using species as ambassadors for their ecosystems, highlighting the need for a collective vision of healing the landscapes that support both wildlife and people.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1cE74Y_0w2d240l00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1cE74Y_0w2d240l00" width="1024" height="605" ><figcaption>San Juan Cutthroat Trout, Kevin B. Rogers photo</figcaption></figure>The campaign will spotlight charismatic species like the river otter and the San Juan cutthroat trout, as well as lesser-known aquatic organisms such as the White Sands pupfish and the Pecos springsnail. “These unique species are adapted to specific microclimates and face immense threats due to their isolated populations,” she said. “Losing even one population could mean losing the species altogether.” Joanna’s unwavering commitment to conservation is fueled by her belief that every species, no matter how small, unusual, or seemingly insignificant, has a vital role in our world. Through her advocacy, Joanna aims to create a future where both wildlife and human communities can thrive together. “We have a unique opportunity to heal these landscapes and restore their ecological integrity as we rethink the last century of mismanagement and poor stewardship,” she said. With her expertise and passion for endangered species, Joanna Zhang is poised to make a meaningful impact at WildEarth Guardians, leading initiatives that honor and protect the diverse life forms that share our planet.Inspired by adventure<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=14B3U3_0w2d240l00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=14B3U3_0w2d240l00" width="700" height="700" ><figcaption>Joanna rafting on the Colorado River in 2023.</figcaption></figure>Beyond her accomplishments as a conservationist, Joanna is an avid adventurer. Whether she’s rock climbing, trail running, rafting, or skiing, she finds peace and inspiration in the landscapes she seeks to protect. She also enjoys painting and reading, ideally with her dog Aki by her side. “One of the most beautiful parts of spending time outdoors is sharing space with other species,” Joanna says. “It reminds me why this work is so important.”Joanna finds her inspiration in the grandeur of places like the Grand Canyon and the High Sierras, where the vastness of the landscape can make anyone feel small in the most comforting way. “It’s like when you look at a really starry night; it feels good to be that small,” she reflects. She appreciates how these landscapes exist outside the constraints of daily life, encouraging introspection and reflection. Read more about Joanna’s raft trip down the Colorado River. Joanna also finds hope in the adaptability of animals and their remarkable resilience in the face of change. She marvels at how peregrine falcons can shift their hunting strategies, diving from city skyscrapers just as they would from trees. “Animals are really complex and they can absorb a lot of chaos,” she said, recognizing that the natural world has an incredible capacity to adapt to new challenges. This adaptability gives Joanna hope in the fight for conservation. Joanna’s compassionate approach to conservation and dogged dedication to the West make her a vital part of the WildEarth Guardians Wildlife team. Her unwavering commitment to protecting endangered species and her belief in the interconnectedness of life inspires all of us at WildEarth Guardians to do our part to safeguard the planet’s biodiversity. Let Joanna’s story inspire you to advocate for the voiceless and nurture your connection to the Wild.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ERqZQ_0w2d240l00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ERqZQ_0w2d240l00" width="700" height="700" ><figcaption>Joanna and Aki enjoying the snowy mountains of the American West.</figcaption></figure></div></body>

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Joanna Zhang: Water is life, everywhere

Joanna Zhang, WildEarth Guardians’ new Endangered Species Advocate, embodies what it means to be a Voice for the Voiceless. With a global perspective shaped by her international experiences, Joanna’s belief in the interconnectedness of all life grounds her deep commitment to protecting vulnerable wildlife across the West. Global...