Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet: Why & How Dylan Smith Of Tswalu Kalahari Is Helping To Change Our World
An Interview With Martita Mestey
Don’t waste time: You’re only around for a ridiculously short time on this awesome planet — don’t waste it.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dylan Smith, Head of Dedeben Research Center at Tswalu Kalahari.
In 2017, Dylan Smith transferred to the conservation department at Tswalu Kalahari after working as a guide for two years. Dylan has since been involved with the Tswalu Foundation and heads up the Dedeben Research Center which plays an integral part of everything Tswalu stands for.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I was born and raised in the Big Smoke of Johannesburg where I spent 17 years. Growing up, I made it my mission to steer clear of the city if I could help it. For me, the only place I wanted to be was outdoors with the desire to one day become a game ranger. Unlike others, becoming a pilot, doctor, engineer, or investment banker never appeared on my to-do list. some would say I spent an inordinate amount of time as a kid in any vaguely wild place I could find, and I often had to be dragged indoors to complete homework or chores. Nothing has changed!
You are currently leading a social impact organization that is making a difference for our planet. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?
My focus in leading the Tswalu Foundation at the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is pursuing more cutting-edge environmental research on the reserve. We’re located in the Southern Kalahari, and relative to many areas, there’s a paucity of quality research that’s been undertaken. Understandably, most historical research has focused on areas with very high biodiversity, while side-lining those that are less diverse. However, with the ever-growing threat of climate change, we are trying to get a better handle on how these semi-arid savannas function which in turn will facilitate our management teams to be able to conserve these systems for perpetuity. The Tswalu Foundation is the key conduit for researcher access and engagement as well as providing financial support where needed, thanks to our donors.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
I wish I had some deep back story with a meaning to give–I don’t (laughs). I cannot recall a time in my life that I haven’t been passionate about the wilderness and striving to ignite that passion in others. After all, as a species, we are the ones who have generated the problems we now sit with and we are the ones who are going to have to find feasible, working solutions for both people and the environment. Research and education are good starting points.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
Mmm, good question. Perhaps a better way to look at it, from my perspective, is how each small achievement builds on and facilitates the next. In other words, I had no “eureka” moment, but rather every gain I made spurred me on to try and nail the next one. Hard work does pay off.
Many people don’t know the steps to take to start a new organization. What are some of the things or steps you took to get your project started?
Having worked on Tswalu in guiding and conservation, I was incredibly fortunate to be well-placed to take up the reins of the Tswalu Foundation when the position was offered. It’s incredibly encouraging that the owners of the reserve had the vision and foresight to establish the Foundation as a means of supporting environmental research. To sound very cliché, anyone with a dream and passion can do it — if they take every opportunity with heart, mind, body and soul. It won’t be easy, but hey, that’s part of the challenge, right?
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
I’m intrigued by how different people are, in terms of interpreting the presented information. Not a great anecdote, I know, but certainly a great lesson for me. Don’t assume that, because the best information is available, that everyone has access to it. I think we often make this mistake in conservation circles–assuming everyone understands how to look after the environment. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and we need to make a conscious and concerted effort to ensure that we put across data in a meaningful way and tailor it to those intending to make use of it.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson or take away you learned from that?
Early on in my conservation career, I saved enough money to buy myself a basic GPS unit. I took the unit out on its first foray while I was using radio telemetry to locate a coalition of two male cheetah. I’d saved the location of where I left my vehicle many miles away and as sunset approached and I located the cheetah, I simply went to the waypoint and hit enter. I ended up walking many miles more than I should have in the pitch dark in an area teeming with dangerous game –I was scratched to buggery by the time I thought to recheck which waypoint I’d set as “home” — it was the wrong one. Couldn’t blame the GPS…
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
So many! Without question, I’d say that the best ones were–and still are–those people who give you free reign to make decisions and mistakes without judging you. Embracing “adaptive management” and thinking outside the box are crucial skills now. Anyone that can build confidence in people gets my vote.
Are there three things the community, society, or politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Yes, we can all contribute.
1. Having a clear vision: Know what you want to achieve and crystalize it.
2. Focused engagement: Find the right people to target to help you achieve your vision.
3. Don’t waste time: You’re only around for a ridiculously short time on this awesome planet — don’t waste it.
How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?
That question answers itself: sustainability and being environmentally conscious go together with profitability. Unless of course, one doesn’t care too much for the environment and is purely capitalist driven. If companies redefine what “profitable” is, we’d be way further down the line of finding solutions to many of our environmental challenges.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
None. What I will say is to simply ignore anyone that says you can’t do something! Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
I’d like to simply say, “Because your future and everyone else’s depends on it.”
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“We shall never achieve harmony with the land any more than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people. In these higher aspirations, the important thing is not to achieve, but to strive.” Aldo Leopold. Never, ever give up on trying to make a difference for the better. Always be kind to others and the environment — like Aldo so succinctly put it keep striving!
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
There really are so many people I’d like to have a private meal with. I had the honor of meeting Sir David Attenborough a few years ago and it was most certainly a highlight — not sure he’d feel the same. I’d also love to sit down with Aldo Leopold, if we could somehow bring him back. He was far ahead of his time, in terms of understanding ecology and how people and the environment are inextricably linked, for better or worse. Another is President Barack Obama–perhaps cliché again, but what an incredible leader of people and someone who genuinely strives to make a difference for the better. He was never a politician but a statesman.
How can our readers follow you online?
They can follow Tswalu on Instagram and Facebook and visit our website, where there’s plenty of interesting updates.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Heroes Helping Our Planet: Why & How Dylan Smith Of Tswalu Kalahari Is Helping To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.