Protecting Wildlife Starts at Home: A Moment with the Whiteley Swans

After spending the last few months in Costa Rica protecting endangered sea turtles — from confronting poachers and guarding nests to leading beach cleanups — I’ve come home with a renewed understanding of what conservation really means.

Because the truth is: wildlife conservation doesn’t just belong in distant rainforests or along tropical coastlines. It belongs right here, too — in our parks, our woodlands, and our communities.

This evening in Whiteley, I sat quietly by the lake and captured a simple but beautiful moment on film: the local swans gently guiding their two tiny cygnets into the water. It was peaceful, moving — and a powerful reminder that these everyday scenes are just as worth protecting as any far-flung wildlife encounter.

These swans have had a difficult few years, facing disturbances and even harm. And yet, they’ve come back. They’ve chosen Whiteley - us - to raise their young. That’s a responsibility we all share.

The male may seem protective, but that’s nature doing what it must to keep its family safe — especially after past experiences. If we give them space, educate one another, and lead with kindness and respect, we can help make our community a place where wildlife thrives, not just survives.

Let’s be proud of what we have. And let’s work together to look after it.