Conservation Connection

What does it take to restore a species that’s central to culture, ecology, and economy? In episode 141, we sit down with Shannon Wheeler, Chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee, to explore their urgent efforts to restore salmon in the Columbia River Basin. From dam removal and stream restoration to public advocacy and tribal collaboration, Shannon sheds light on the complex challenges and opportunities in protecting these iconic fish. Drawing on the Nez Perce Tribe’s 1855 treaty rights and their creation story, Shannon shares how salmon inspire resilience, cooperation, and action. Listen in as we discuss the role of legislative progress, the tribe’s work through the Salmon Orca Project to bring these issues to the public’s attention, and the staggering statistics on why many salmon die before completing their migratory journey. Thank you to the ⁠⁠Sun Valley Forum⁠⁠ for sponsoring this season of Conservation Connection! Each interview this season was recorded live during the forum in July of 2024! Click if you'd like to learn more about the Salmon Orca Project or watch Covenant of The Salmon People on PBS. Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out the merch store on our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠ConservationConnection.co

What if a natural disaster could transform the way we connect with the environment—and each other? In episode 140, we dive into Dr. Deborah Brosnan’s groundbreaking work with OceanShot, restoring coral reefs and estuaries, and how these ecosystems offer powerful lessons in cooperation and interdependence. Drawing from her experiences after the volcanic eruption on Montserrat, she shares how tragedy can inspire resilience and a deeper connection to nature. Listen in as we discuss the value of nature—not just its economic worth but its ability to nourish the soul—and how understanding what people value can bridge divides to inspire environmental action. Thank you to the ⁠⁠Sun Valley Forum⁠⁠ for sponsoring this season of Conservation Connection! Each interview this season was recorded live during the forum in July of 2024! If you'd like to learn more about OceanShot, click here! Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out the merch store on our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠ConservationConnection.co

How do we bridge political divides to protect the places that matter most? In episode 139 Roberta Swann, Director of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, shares her experience uniting diverse constituencies to safeguard Mobile Bay and Alabama's rich ecosystems—even in a traditionally conservative state. In this episode, Roberta explains how a program originally created by Congress through the Clean Water Act has become a model of bipartisan support for environmental work. Today, Mobile Bay’s success isn’t just measured by ecological impact but by the variety of stakeholders working together, from local government funding to community and industry voices. Tune in as we discuss how to set aside differences by finding common ground in environmental priorities, why Alabama’s biodiversity is unmatched, and how nature itself provides the blueprint for resilience in estuaries like Mobile Bay. Thank you to the ⁠⁠Sun Valley Forum⁠⁠ for sponsoring this season of Conservation Connection! Each interview this season was recorded live during the forum in July of 2024! If you'd like to learn more about the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, click here! Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out the merch store on our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠ConservationConnection.co

How do we make it so that a tree is worth MORE standing than it is cut down? This is the exact question that this week's guest is working to answer! Dr. Max Holmes is the President of Woodwell Climate Research Center, and he joined us in episode 138 to discuss their work on the most important things in the most important places. Our discussion covers the controversial topic of carbon credits, natural climate solutions, and even the critical carbon sink in the Arctic permafrost! Thank you to the ⁠Sun Valley Forum⁠ for sponsoring this season of Conservation Connection! Each interview this season was recorded live during the forum in July of 2024! If you'd like to learn more about the Woodwell Climate Research Center, click here! Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out the merch store on our website, ⁠⁠⁠ConservationConnection.co

It will take more than a bandaid to fix our changing climate, but what does a 600 mile bike ride have to do with climate change? Jaquelyn Francis of the Global Warming Mitigation Project joins us on episode 137 to discuss what’s needed to move the needle on climate action. Listen in as we discuss the giant data base of solutions that already exist and how the Keeling Curve Prize is helping to amplify their work! From climate careers, clam chowder, and subsidizing solutions, we cover it all. Thank you to the ⁠Sun Valley Forum⁠ for sponsoring this season of Conservation Connection! Each interview this season was recorded live during the forum in July of 2024! If you'd like to learn more about the Global Warming Mitigation Project, click here! Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out the merch store on our website, ⁠⁠⁠ConservationConnection.co

A lot of people have beef with beef, and ranching can be a divisive topic in the environmental space. Is regenerative agriculture a way to make everyone happy? Wendy Millet is the Director at TomKat Ranch, an operation that’s committed to rebuilding the land and educating their peers on best practices. An advocate for women in ranching, in episode 136 Wendy answers our questions about the evolution & benefits of regenerative agriculture, and the role it plays in fighting climate change. Her passion for educating ranchers and the pubic shines through as she shares how we all can play a role! Thank you to the ⁠⁠Sun Valley Forum⁠⁠ for sponsoring this season of Conservation Connection! Each interview this season was recorded live during the forum in July of 2024! Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out our merch store on our website, ⁠⁠⁠ConservationConnection.co

A sculpture four stories tall captivated audiences outside of the UN headquarters and changed the conversation around plastics. How else can art influence the public? Ben Von Wong is an issue driven artist who went from a career in hard rock mining to globally recognized artist-activist. In episode 135 he shares insights into the role of disruptive activism, how it took SEVERAL leaps of faith to achieve his dreams, and his work on climate change, plastic pollution, e-waste, and more! Thank you to the ⁠Sun Valley Forum⁠ for sponsoring this season of Conservation Connection! Each interview this season was recorded live during the forum in July of 2024! Check out Ben's website here! Check out the BioChar Phoenix here! Want to make your own plastic tap? Click here! Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out our merch store on our website, ⁠⁠ConservationConnection.co

The best conservation plan in the world doesn’t matter if there's no money to make it happen, but The Nature Conservancy has a wild new program that can turn sovereign debt into long-term conservation funding! Melissa Garvey is the director of TNC's Nature Bonds Program, and in episode 134 she shares their strategy that is protecting huge chunks of the most biodiverse habitats on the planet! Listen in as we discuss how she translates finance and conservation issues for government leaders, how she stays connected to nature, and why her suitcase is always full of sand. Thank you to the Sun Valley Forum for sponsoring this season of Conservation Connection! Each interview this season was recorded live during the forum in July of 2024! If you'd like to learn more about the Nature Bonds Program, click here! Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out our merch store on our website, ⁠ConservationConnection.co

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Conservation Connection content to bring you this special look into the background of your favorite podcast hosts! This summer we were interviewed by Mark Titus for his podcast, Save What You Love. We had an absolute blast telling the story of how our marriage, nonprofit, and podcast came to be! Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out our merch store on our website, ConservationConnection.co

Heavy metal music seems to attract sharks, but do you know why? On the final episode of Season 10 we sit down with the world's only Heavy Metal Marine Biologist! Tom "The Blowfish" Hird tells us all about his his wild stories from the field, including how he performed heavy metal music at sea to get a closer look at the ocean's coolest predators! Enjoy this episode and stay tuned for Season 11 of Conservation Connection, coming October 1st 2024. This episode was recorded at EarthX2024 in Dallas Texas!

New tools allow us to collect more data than ever before, but is that always a good thing? When it comes time for policymakers to make decisions, a complex system of stakeholders, limited resources, and unclear goals can make it hard to figure out the best way forward. That's where decision scientists like Dr. Jennifer McGowan swoop in to save the day! ⁠Want to support the show by buying some swag? Check out our online store!⁠ This episode was recorded at EarthX2024 in Dallas Texas Rainforest sounds recorded by by AdrienPola, accessed on FreeSound dot org

More than 50% of the world's turtle and tortoise species are threatened with extinction, but Shannon DiRuzzo of Turtle Island is working to make sure that they all live to see tomorrow. Turtle Island's mission is simple: save turtles & tortoises from extinction through acute rescue, care, research, breeding, and rewilding. Want to buy stickers, shirts, cups, or cool conservation art to support the show? Check out our new online store! This episode was recorded at EarthX 2024 in Dallas Texas! Marsh sounds at the beginning of the episode were recorded by KevinSonger and were accessed on FreeSound dot org.

Support black footed ferret conservation by following this link! 50% of proceeds will be donated directly to the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation for ferret conservation projects! This week we get to learn from Dr. Julie Thorstenson at EarthX 2024 in Dallas Texas. Julie is a wildlife biologist, member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation, Lakota, and executive director of the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society. Her work as executive director assists Native American and Alaska Native Tribes with the conservation, protection, and enhancement of their fish and wildlife resources. Nature sounds recorded by Microsoft Sam on FreeSound.org

Hunting as a conservation tool can be a divisive topic. How can the death of an animal increase the health of the herd? This week we sit down with Ivan Carter, a safari guide, conservationist, and TV host to answer these big questions. He encourages us to set our emotions aside and listen to the science when it comes to making conservation decisions! We're so grateful to have had the opportunity to record this episode with Ivan at EarthX 2024 in Dallas Texas!

Protecting the ocean can seem like a whale of a task! Luckily we have the solutions to turn the tides. We sat down with George Cummings at EarthX to learn about his work as an ocean ambassador. From the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to protecting island nations, and learning how we can help reduce carbon entering our atmosphere, we cover it all!

Protecting the ocean can seem like a whale of a task! Luckily we have the solutions to turn the tides. We sat down with George Cummings at EarthX to learn about his work as an ocean ambassador. From the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to protecting island nations, and learning how we can help reduce carbon entering our atmosphere, we cover it all!

Wind turbines are an incredible source of renewable, carbon-neutral energy that can be deadly to bats. This week we talk to a scientist who's trying to fix that. We sit down at EarthX with Dr. Sarah Fritts, an associate professor of wildlife ecology at Texas State University, to learn how she's working to keep bats away from critical renewable energy infrastructure. Sound Credit: The bat sounds included at the beginning of the show were found on Montana State University's Acoustic Atlas, and are the copyright of Jeff Rice and Montana State University; Use of this audio file is allowed in accordance with the Creative Commons.

When you're standing in the Pitcairn islands, the closest another human gets is the astronauts on the International Space Station. You're also standing on the most plastic polluted beach in the world. This week we learn how Brett Howell, of Howell Conservation Fund, and his team removed ocean plastics from one of the most remote islands on the planet! This episode was recorded in collaboration with EarthX at the EarthX conference in Dallas, Texas.

Having spent more than 7000 hours underwater, Dr. Sylvia Earle has some incredible stories to tell about life under the sea! In the final episode of season 9 we sit down at EarthX2024 with one of the biggest names in ocean conservation EVER, Dr. Sylvia Earle! Listen in to hear how she fell in love with the ocean, what it's like to follow the same eel everyday for weeks, and what you can do to protect life on our planet. If you want to check out Mission Blue, click HERE

From 250 pound sea turtles to half-pound terrapins, the staff of Jekyll Island Authority work all year long to protect their native wildlife! This week we chat with David Zailo and Will Hicks, staff at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, about the important work they're doing to protect some of North America's most incredible turtles!