How Sir David Attenborough’s Words Inspire Erfan Firouzi’s Conservation Mission

Erfan Firouzi’s journey as a conservationist is one of curiosity transformed into purpose—a path marked by wonder, scientific rigor, and a deep commitment to the natural world. From his earliest encounters with the wild to the global stages he now occupies, his work is a testament to the power of youth-driven change. Along this journey, the words of Sir David Attenborough, a figure Erfan has long admired, have served as both a compass and a call to action, inspiring him to push forward in his mission to protect the planet’s biodiversity.

Erfan’s connection to nature began in his childhood, in landscapes teeming with life. Growing up surrounded by mountains, rivers, and forests, he developed a fascination with the delicate balance of ecosystems and the silent conversations that unfold in the wild. The documentaries of Sir David Attenborough, which brought the wonders of the natural world into his living room, ignited a fire within him—a desire not just to observe but to understand and protect these fragile systems. This fascination was further deepened by the groundbreaking theories of Charles Darwin and the passionate conservation work of Dr. Jane Goodall. Together, these influences shaped Erfan’s worldview, inspiring a lifelong commitment to conservation.

As a teenager, Erfan began to channel this curiosity into serious scientific inquiry. He spent countless hours in the field, documenting species, observing animal behavior, and studying ecological patterns. This hands-on approach to learning culminated in the publication of his research book, “The Year Earth Changed.” The book, which expanded on his TEDx Talk, explored the profound shifts in ecosystems during the global lockdowns, highlighting the interconnectedness of natural systems and the urgent need for conservation. It was a bold step for a young scientist, reflecting his ability to bridge scientific understanding with public awareness.

Erfan’s journey deepened when he joined the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots program. This experience allowed him to connect scientific theory with real-world action, teaching him the importance of grassroots conservation and the power of community. It also led to a personal invitation from Dr. Jane Goodall herself to join the Jane Goodall Institute of Australia—a moment that further solidified his place as a young leader in the conservation movement.

Erfan’s commitment to conservation extends beyond writing and advocacy. Over eight years of meticulous fieldwork, he collected over 300 animal and plant specimens, which he later donated to Azad University and the Museum of Nature and Technology of Shiraz. These specimens, carefully curated to reflect the diversity and complexity of natural ecosystems, serve as vital educational resources, helping students and researchers better understand the intricate web of life. This work not only demonstrates Erfan’s scientific rigor but also highlights his commitment to preserving nature through education—a critical component of his conservation mission.

As Erfan’s voice in conservation grew, his work captured the attention of Sir David Attenborough. The first letter from Sir David, sent in late 2023, came after Erfan shared his conservation journey and the impact of his educational efforts. This letter, a powerful affirmation from a figure he deeply admired, marked a turning point in his journey:

“Dear Erfan Firouzi,

Thank you for your letter and all you and your pupils have done to awaken people to the pressures facing our planet and what must be done to save it.

Best Wishes,
David Attenborough”

Encouraged by this recognition, Erfan continued to push the boundaries of his work. He presented his research at prominent global forums like COP28, COY18, and TEDx, where his voice reached thousands, challenging leaders to take decisive action against biodiversity loss. His leadership roles, including Youth Council Member at Reserva and former Leader of Change with Emirates Nature-WWF, further solidified his position as a youth leader in conservation. In recognition of his efforts, he received accolades such as the Storyteller of the Year by WeNaturalist, Junior Eco Champion for COP28, and a Top 50 Finalist for the Chegg.org Global Student Award.

As Erfan prepared to begin his studies at Monash University, a second letter arrived on March 24, 2025, from Sir David. This note recognized his growing influence as a young environmental advocate and encouraged him as he embarked on the next phase of his journey:

“Dear Erfan Firouzi,

Thank you for your letter and congratulations on all you are doing to help the natural world.

Best Wishes,
David Attenborough”

Most recently, on April 22, 2025, Erfan received a third letter from Sir David, just ahead of the release of the iconic naturalist’s latest documentary, “Oceans with David Attenborough.” This message reflected Sir David’s appreciation for Erfan’s continued support and his commitment to raising awareness about conservation:

“Dear Erfan Firouzi,

Thank you for your letter and the very complimentary things you do and say. I am so glad you think well of my programmes.

Best Wishes,
David Attenborough”

For Erfan, these letters are more than personal milestones—they are a call to action, a reminder of the shared mission to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards. They reaffirm his commitment to conservation and serve as a powerful source of motivation as he continues his work.

Reflecting on his journey, Erfan emphasizes the power of youth-driven change:

“I believe that in order to understand something, we must first be able to relate to it. This understanding comes from curiosity. If even one person is inspired, it can create a huge impact. Children have lost their connection with nature, and we must help them reconnect with the wild world. Together, we can REWILD the world.”

Erfan’s story showcases the power of youthful passion and perseverance. As a passionate protector of the planet, his journey serves as a reminder that impactful change often starts with a single voice. Guided by mentors like Sir David Attenborough, he continues to inspire a more sustainable future.

Erfan Firouzi is a Monash Biological Sciences Student, Naturalist, Researcher and Author.

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Monash Leipzig Exchange – A Student’s Perspective

Written by Nathan Martens

Most of us at one point or another have had that awful encounter with a ‘friend’ who just returned from a euro trip, having ‘discovered themselves’ and feels the need to reference their travels every two seconds with a pesky anecdote or the classic , “You think this is cold?! You should have seen winter in Rome!”.

A few months ago, I would have dismissed these people the same as the rest of us, silently willing them to shut their traps for fear of internally exploding and letting a snide remark fly.

HOWEVER, I’ve recently had a change of heart thanks to the Monash-Leipzig exchange program. I’ve become ‘that guy’ and I’m not remotely mad about it.

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Tackling exam mind blanks with six simple tips

Written by Christina Nelson

#FeelingPrepared

It is that time of semester again … the mid-semester slump.

But there is good news as we are now past the halfway point!

You may have already had your mid-semester tests, or you have them to look *forward* to after the break. Regardless, we want to tackle those end-of-semester exams with confidence – and may all the late nights be worth it.

For many, exams are a headache and the thought of them makes you feel sick in your stomach.

Perhaps you have experienced the feeling where your mind freezes during an exam? Or where you just cannot recall why DNA is described as a double helix?

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Student Life Management – Time

Time Management

Aidan Matthews  @aidanjrmatthews

Time management is the essence of Life Management. It allows for the utilisation of time for the maximum productivity and the successful completion of tasks and goals. Developing techniques for your time as a student means you can have a social life, stay healthy, eat food, work a job and study a whole degree all at the same time. People have better time management skills than believed, but quite often struggle with the self-discipline and succumb to temptations.

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Welcome to Student Life Management

 

Week 1

Welcome to Student Life Management

Aidan Matthews 5. April 2018   @aidanjrmatthews

Life as a Student is incredible, challenging, enriching, stressful and so much more. Each year of your studies bringing an increase in pressure and challenge, the constant development of skills, methods and ideas allows for the continual development and achievement of goals. This series of articles produced in conjunction with the Scapegoat Science Newsletter aim to provide you with tools to develop skills in Student Life Management. With the ever-present threat of mid-semester exams, essays, reports, group presentations and quizzes, this series will offer quick snapshots to challenge your ideas, habits, and methods with the objective of developing your Student Life Management.

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Final Year Feels

 

Final year feels

by Christina Nelson

It is completely normal to feel a host of emotions whilst going through your final year. You might find yourself in a self-induced deadline crisis, whilst trying to maintain a semblance of normality so that your lab partner thinks ‘how on earth are they managing’ (even though a few minutes before class you were having a mini-meltdown in the bathroom). The thought of leaving university, and what comes next, starts to dawn on you.

I mean who wouldn’t miss those student discounts, longer summer breaks, skipping those early morning lectures to grab brunch with your mates (or just sleep-in), or having a good excuse for being unemployed?

And let’s be honest ….

This is what you feel like when someone asks you what you are doing next year:

So, enjoy your final year with your friends, and remember that final year is not forever. The study will end!

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Integral Parody Song by George Sariklis

“I came across this article in my readings, and thought it sounded an awful lot like the title of the Bangles song, ‘Walk like an Egyptian’. Seeing the opportunity for a good parody, I wrote a verse to the tune of ,’Walk like an Egyptian'”
~ George Sarikilis
All statistical physicists, they have to use Stirling’s old technique,
If it doesn’t work (O-A-O), their future is definitely bleak
Differential systems will show how these particles accelerate,
If they can’t be solved (O-A-O), they’ll have to go and approximate,
Articles about integrals say (A-O-A-O-A-O-A-OOOOOOOOOO),

 

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What we can learn from R U OK? Day. A student’s perspective.

Written by Jenny

Despite some misconceptions out there, R U OK? day is not about asking anyone ‘Are you okay?’ insincerely with the expectation that they will say ‘Yes, I’m good. Thank you. How about you?’.

In these modern times and more than ever in history, we are seemingly more connected to everyone – through the boom of mobile phones and social media.

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Impacts of Covid-19 on Science at Monash and advice for students

This blog is a collation of responses from prominent lecturers and staff from around
the Monash Science Faculty. To begin we would like to thank Ulrik Egede, Martin
Burd, Scott Findlay, Daniel Mathews, Nicholas Price and 2 other staff members for
making this article possible.

How their typical work day changed since the pandemic?

Majority of the respondents have moved to working from home and their face to face
interactions have now been replaced by zoom calls. Also laboratory activities have
stopped.

How has teaching remotely been different from ‘usual’ teaching?

There are both advantages and disadvantages to remote teaching. Teaching
remotely requires a lot more preparation and is a lot more time consuming than
regular face to face classes. One of the biggest challenges is trying to find a virtual
substitute for hands on learning. Learning science through virtual means is a lot less
interactive, which in most cases limits students’ learning ability. However, some
students are finding it easier to ask questions via the zoom chat function than they
would in a large lecture theatre.

Modifications that have been made to research and their impacts.

For most academics conducting laboratory-based research, the pandemic meant a
complete halt of on-campus research. Some have changed to a different part of their
research that is more theory-based. A major drawback to research has been the lack
of discussions with fellow researchers and collaborators, or at least their decreased
frequency.

Overall, the impacts to the research and respective fields of academics has not been
positive. It did, however, demonstrate that although lab-based research will always
need to be done on campus, some aspects of theoretical research can be done at
home with the same efficiency. Additionally, they are able to ‘attend’ international
seminars that were not previously accessible.

Will changes made to science during this time continue into the future?

Overall, the pandemic has proved that a large number of scientific tasks can be
conducted online – including teaching videos and even conferences. These may be
seen more frequently in the future. Additionally, flexibility in working hours was also
shown to be possible. However, face to face collaboration – whether in research or
applied classes – is overall more preferred in person.
In lab-based research however, being on campus is crucial and cannot be replaced.
It may take many years and considerable resources before such research can be
done remotely.

Advice for science students currently undertaking laboratories and general studies

  • Especially during this time communication is the key, continue to ask
    questions and engage with the content in zoom classes and on discussion
    forums.
  • You may be missing out on learning now but we are hoping to equip you to be
    lifelong learners so what you might miss now you can learn in the future.
  • Do what works for you during this situation. Do not worry about what others
    are doing it is okay to just focus on yourself during these challenging times.
  • Utilize your tutors although the setting might be different they are still here to
    help you.
  • Hang in there, this too shall pass.

Composed by Stacey Barbagallo, Israa Hameed and Matthew Wanford in
collaboration with Monash University’s Science Future Leaders Program 2020.

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