Podcast appearances and mentions of John E Marriott

Alberta's new regulations allow hunters to target female cougars with cubs. That's exactly what happened to a cat John E. Marriott had been tracking for the past four years. The renowned wildlife conservation photographer tells us why he believes the hunt was "legal but unethical," and what he's doing about it. Later in this episode, we get details on a stunning betrayal as a U-11 soccer coach (allegedly) steals two years' worth of fundraising, burying plans for a tournament in Vegas.  3:30 | John E. Marriott tells us about an emotional few days, and his mission to save orphaned cougar cubs (and reverse changes to Alberta's hunting laws).  TELL US HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT COUGAR HUNTS: talk@ryanjespersen.com  FOLLOW JOHN ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/johnemarriott EXPOSED WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY: https://exposedwildlifeconservancy.com/ 46:10 | A U-11 soccer team's dream of playing in the Mayor's Cup tournament in Las Vegas is dead, after their coach allegedly stole close to $50,000. We talk to parent Adam Scorgie about the loss and the silver linings that have followed. SUPPORT THE GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/U11SOCCER JORDIN TOOTOO on REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/101124TootsAdam FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

We get you up to speed on the FBI investigation into the attempt on Donald Trump's life, buzz from Republicans and Democrats days removed from the attack, and growing focus on "Project 2025".  4:40 | The Republican National Convention is underway, and Trump is front and centre (and trying to stay awake). We check out a compelling cross-aisle message from U.S. Representative Jeff Jackson (D), and criticism around Trump's handling of the civilian fatality at his Pennsylvania rally (20:30). TikTok Trump critic @danasinspired has a lot to say about supercharged political rhetoric, while former Republican representative Adam Kinzinger (Illinois) says American democracy is under threat. He's not the only one: did you read George Clooney's piece in the NY Times (33:45)? Many of you have emailed the show about Project 2025. We take a look at Canadian journalist Ali Velshi's coverage (41:45) on MSNBC.  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  51:15 | Looking for fact-based discussion about grizzly bears in Alberta? We look at a couple of the most enlightening moments from our July 10 episode featuring wildlife photographer John E. Marriott and MLA Dr. Sarah Elmeligi, and read an email from Real Talker Travis, a (talented) amateur wildlife photographer.  THE GRIZZLY EPISODE: rtrj.info/071024Grizzlies 1:01:10 | With an 8-33 record over the past three CFL seasons, it's no wonder (now former) Elks GM and coach Chris Jones was sent packing. Ryan and Johnny muse about what the organization needs to do to build back its fanbase.  1:11:25 | Ahead of our July 17 interview with Dr. Paul Parks, president of the Alberta Medical Association, Ryan reads an email from Real Talker Brock about user-pay MRIs.  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON:   / ryanjespersen   THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

They're one of the most magnificent animals on the planet. For years, they've been a threatened species in Alberta. But grizzly bears will soon be hunted again after the UCP government quietly lifted a 20 year ban. In this episode, we investigate changes to the Wildlife Act allowing "problem" bears to be targeted by sport hunters, and learn what wildlife biologists and other experts think about Alberta's plan. 3:15 | Renowned wildlife photographer John E. Marriott tells us why he thinks Alberta's making a big mistake allowing selective grizzly hunts.  CHECK OUT "IN THE CROSSHAIRS": https://youtu.be/7G61twkGsGI?si=hFSSWt3rz9wSTLlQ FOLLOW JOHN ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/johnemarriott/?hl=en BUY JOHN & SARAH'S BOOK: https://rmbooks.com/book/what-bears-teach-us-2/ 36:28 | We highlight our favourite ways to beat the summer heat in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper! MAKE YOUR OWN JASPER MEMORIES: https://www.jasper.travel/ 39:46 | Dr. Sarah Elmeligi, bear biologist and MLA for Banff-Kananaskis, tells us about her research as a biologist and takes us behind the scenes of the politics of the Wildlife Act.  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Nakoda was a grizzly bear who lived in Yoho National Park. She was a well-known bear, having been tracked by Parks Canada as Bear 178, and popular with photographers and tourists who caught a glimpse of her famous blonde-white fur. Tragically, on the evening of June 6, 2024, Nakoda was struck by a vehicle on the Trans-Canada highway near the park, and was later found dead. This came only 12 hours after Nakoda's two cubs were also struck and killed on the highway. Nakoda isn't the first grizzly to die due to the railways and highways that flow through and around national park sites; but John Marriott and the team at Exposed Wildlife Conservancy hope she may be the last. John, the cofounder of Exposed Wildlife Conservancy and an award-winning wildlife photographer, joins Defender Radio to share the tragic story of Nakoda and her family, what is leading to the deaths of grizzlies in the area, and how wildlife lovers can take action to protect more grizzly bears. SHOW NOTES: Take Action with Exposed Wildlife Conservancy: https://win.newmode.net/exposedwildlifeconservancy/nakodasletter Connect with Exposed Wildlife Conservancy: https://www.exposedwc.org  Exposed Wildlife Conservancy on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/exposdwc/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/exposdwc/) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@EXPOSEDWildlifeConservancy) Support Exposed Wildlife Conservancy: https://www.exposedwildlifeconservancy.org/one-time-donation  Episode art photo of Nakoda by Exposed Wildlife Conservancy Ambassador Lee Horbachewski Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).  Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

John E. Marriott has been photographing wildlife for over 30 years and has authored multiple books on wolves, bears and national parks. He is involved in Canadian conservation issues with his non-profit organization, EXPOSED Wildlife Conservancy, which provides ethical and science-based solutions to solve the most pressing wildlife management challenges today.John spoke at length about the 3-part documentary series, 'Trapped In The Past' that discuss the history, economics, and flawed information used to promote trapping as ethical wildlife management. All 3 parts of the documentary are now available to view on the EXPOSED Youtube Channel @johnemarriott@exposdwcTrapped in the Past on YouTubeExposed Wildlife Conservancy @thewolfconnectionpod

Killing neck snares are cruel devices that experts and scientists have shown to be ineffective and inhumane. Yet they remain common across Canada. A new documentary series, Trapped In The Past, is challenging why killing neck snares remain legal to use, what impact they have on wildlife, and how a lack of updated regulations puts wildlife, people, and pets at risk. The series, the result of a partnership between The Fur-Bearers and Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, features John E. Marriott and Kim Odland, cofounders of Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, as they explore the issues of trapping and interview experts – including trappers. To share more about the experiences that led to the development of the documentary series, what viewers can expect, and how everyone can make a difference to protect wildlife, John Marriott joins Defender Radio. SHOW NOTES Visit TrappedInThePast.com to watch all available episodes and take action now! View Trapped In The Past on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8zRjvAnLUg Learn more about trapping with The Fur-Bearers: https://thefurbearers.com/our-work/make-fur-history/trapping/ Connect with Exposed Wildlife Conservancy: https://www.exposedwildlifeconservancy.org/ Follow EWC on Facebook (click here), Twitter (click here), YouTube (click here), and Instagram (click here).  Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).  Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Wolves are iconic, majestic and absolutely essential apex predators. But what do Canadians think about wolves? That was the primary question driving a survey developed by Drs. Valli-Laurente Fraser-Celin and Stephanie Rutherford in conjunction with The Fur-Bearers earlier this year. The final report, titled, The Social Landscape of Wolves in Canada: A National Survey, revealed fascinating results, some of which were quite unexpected. To dive into the survey results, what we can learn from them, and how they will impact advocacy, conservation, and protection for wolves in Canada, Drs. Valli-Laurente Fraser-Celin and Stephanie Rutherford join Defender Radio. SHOW NOTES: Episode art photo by John E. Marriott (https://www.wildernessprints.com/)  Dr. Valli-Laurente Fraser-Celin (Instagram: @thelivesofwilddogs) Dr. Stephanie Rutherford (Website: https://www.stephanierutherfordphd.com/, Mapping for Change project: https://www.mapping4change.org/, Book (Villain, Vermin, Icon, Kin: Wolves and the Making of Canada): https://www.mqup.ca/villain--vermin--icon--kin-products-9780228011088.php) The Social Landscape of Wolves in Canada: A National Survey (https://thefurbearers.com/blog/the-social-landscape-of-wolves-in-canada-a-national-survey/)  Mario Canseco and Research Co.: https://researchco.ca/ Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).  Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

John E. Marriott has been photographing wildlife for over 30 years and has authored multiple books on wolves, bears and national parks. He is involved in Canadian conservation issues with his non-profit organization, EXPOSED Wildlife Conservancy, which provides ethical and science-based solutions to solve the most pressing wildlife management challenges today. John spoke at length about his experiences as a young, up and coming photographer, his wolf books, The Kootenay Wolves: Five Years Following a Wild Wolf Pack and The Pipestone Wolves: The Rise and Fall of a Wolf Family, and his conservation efforts in Canada's wilderness. John E. Marriott WebsiteExposed Wildlife Conservancy@johnemarriott@thewolfconnectionpod

In the second episode of our Focal Point mini series, we talk to internationally renowned wildlife photographer, John E. Marriot about his book The Kootenay Wolves: Five Years Following a Wild Wolf Pack.  The Kootenay Wolves chronicles Marriott's tenacious efforts hiking, snowshoeing, and hiding silently in camouflage for hundreds of days to document these wary wolves and their tenuous hold in a home range rife with danger, including tourist traffic, transport trucks, trophy hunters, and trappers. Marriott not only watched this family thrive against all odds but also saw and photographed some truly astonishing behaviours rarely documented in the wild before. Join us for an exhilarating look into the daily lives of the Kootenay wolves and some photography tips and tricks from the wildlife photography master himself. Follow John on Instagram: @johnemarriott The Kootenay Wolves is now available online and at your local bookstore!

John E. Marriott is one of Canada's premier professional wildlife and nature photographers, with a career spanning two decades and images published worldwide in National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Canadian Geographic, Maclean's, and Reader's Digest. He is also the wildlife photography columnist for Outdoor Photography Canada magazine. His books with RMB include The Pipestone Wolves: The Rise and Fall of a Wolf Family (with Günther Bloch), What Bears Teach Us (with Sarah Elmeligi), and The Kootenay Wolves: Five Years Following a Wild Wolf Pack. John has also produced four coffee-table books, including: Banff & Lake Louise: Images of Banff National Park, Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies: A Glimpse at Life on the Wild Side, The Canadian Rockies: Banff, Jasper & Beyond, and Tall Tales, Long Lenses: My Adventures in Photography. John prides himself on being a conservation photographer known for capturing wilderness scenes and wild, free-roaming animals in their natural habitats. He currently lives in Canmore, Alberta, with his wife, Jennifer. John's Website to learn more, Order Books or do a Tour: https://wildernessprints.com/

The Nature Photo Guys, Joe and Chris, welcome John E. Marriott to the show. They discuss all things from John's latest trip to Patagonia to photograph Pumas, his review of the new Canon EOS R7, as well as John's latest book "The Kootenay Wolves".Check out the links below mentioned in this video.• JOHN E. MARRIOTT PHOTOGRAPHY | http://wildernessprints.com• CANADIAN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS AND WORKSHOPS | http://canwildphototours.com• EXPOSED WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY | http://exposedwildlifeconservancy.org• EXPOSED WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/EXPOSEDWildlifeConservancy• THE KOOTENAY WOLVES BOOK | https://wildernessprints.com/collections/books-by-john-e-marriott/products/the-kootenay-wolves• JOHN'S INSTAGRAM | http://www.instagram.com/johnemarriott• JOHN'S FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/JohnEMarriottPhotography/*****************************************************The Nature Photo Guys f-stop affiliate link:https://shop.fstopgear.com/?rfsn=5647323.2f459e*****************************************************The Nature Photo GuysEmail: info@thenaturephotoguys.caWebsite: http://www.TheNaturePhotoGuys.caFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/thenaturephotoguyspodcastInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/thenaturephotoguyspodcastJoe DesjardinsEmail: joe@joedesjardins.caWebsite: http://www.JoeDesjardins.caFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/joedesjardins.caInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/joedesjardins.caChris GibbsEmail: info@chrisgibbsphotography.comWebsite: http://www.ChrisGibbsPhotography.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/chrisgibbsphotographyInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/chrisgibbsphotographyVZJW9DIVIO0EZVKH

In this episode you will learn how John E. Marriott, who is one of the world's premier professional wildlife photographers built a career around his passion and purpose. We discuss what he has learned as a men, father and citizen from the bears and wolfs and other wild animals he has been photographing. His success is spanning two decades and his images are published worldwide by National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Canadian Geographic, McLean's, and Reader's Digest.  He is an Associate Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers, a Canon Ambassador, a Fjällräven Guide, and the co-founder of the EXPOSED Wildlife Conservancy environmental non-profit. John has produced seven coffee table books, including What Bears Teach Us (2020), Tall Tales, Long Lenses: My Adventures in Photography (2017), The Pipestone Wolves: The Rise and Fall of a Wolf Family (2016), and the international bestseller, Banff & Lake Louise: Images of Banff National Park (2007). He has one upcoming book in 2021, The Kootenay Wolves: Five Years Following a Wild Wolf Pack.

Get details on the incredible matching gift challenge and how you can be a producer of the new trapping documentary! Learn more about the Trapped In The Past documentary project and donate now by clicking here or going to www.DefenderRadio.com/trapped. Check out the full episode featuring John E. Marriott and Kim Odland discussing this project and Giving Tuesday at https://thefurbearers.com/blog/defender-radio/trapped-in-the-past-a-new-documentary-project/ or be finding "Trapped In The Past" in the Defender Radio and the Switch podcast feed on your device. Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio and/or The Switch? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael), TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).  Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Giving Tuesday Challenge: For the week of Monday, November 29 to Friday, December 3, 2021, all donations to this project will be MATCHED up to $10,000 - but only if we hit the $10,000 goal! Learn more and donate now at https://www.DefenderRadio.com/Trapped. I'm very excited to be able to share this episode with you, as it's a bit of an official launch: we're making a documentary! The Fur-Bearers is working renowned wildlife photography John E. Marriott and the Exposed Wildlife Conservancy team to create a documentary series on snares and trapping in Canada, called Trapped In The Past. The series, which is set to release November 2022, will ask hard questions about snaring and trapping in Canada, and incorporate all perspectives – including those of trappers, biologists, Indigenous leaders, and advocates. Trapped in The Past is poised to be a game changer for Canadians – and for the hundreds of thousands of animals killed for their fur every year. Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs1ZWpOsq2M Donate now: https://bit.ly/3nrRU53 or https://www.thefurbearers.com/trapped Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio and/or The Switch? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael), TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).  Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Eighty-one per cent of BC’s southern mountain caribou local populations have lost more habitat than what’s needed for survival. That’s the lede from the Wilderness Committee news item announcing the release of the NGO’s report, State of Southern Mountain Caribou Habitat in BC: Exceeding Disturbance Limits. The fate of the mountain caribou in this region has been spotlighted in part due to their status under the Species at Risk Act and the controversial methods the government has utilized. Wolf culls and maternity pens are in use but aren’t considered a long-term solution by advocates – and doesn’t address the clear and indisputable cause of the caribous’ perilous position: habitat destruction. The report released by Wilderness Committee measures “all destructive activities within caribou critical habitat over the past 80 years.” The results, according to the report, show that “critical habitat disturbance levels are far beyond the threshold for caribou recovery in 17 out of 21 local population units.” What that means and what Canadians can do to protect caribou – as well as wolves and other wildlife being killed in recovery efforts – is discussed with Defender Radio by report author Charlotte Dawe of Wilderness Committee. Episode cover photo by John E. Marriott: www.WildernessPrints.com Wilderness Committee Report: https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/news/bc-allows-destruction-caribou-habitat-point-extinction-new-report Defender Radio on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio Defender Radio on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DefenderRadio Defender Radio on Instagram: www.Instagram.com/HowieMichael Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio

John E. Marriott has taken some of the most breathtaking photos of wildlife that I have ever seen. He’s the keynote speaker at The Fur-Bearers gala event including the Clements Awards on March 30, and he’s been a regular on Defender Radio sharing stories about his adventures, ethical wildlife photography, and conservation. In his latest episode of the popular web series Exposed With John E. Marriott, John tackles snares – the cruel devices responsible for killing wolves, coyotes, and countless other non-target species across Canada. To discuss the episode, what he’s learned about government regulation on snares, and why every animal lover should be concerned, John joined Defender Radio. EXPOSED website: https://exposedwithjohnemarriott.com/ Defender Radio Patreon: www.Patreon.com/DefenderRadio/  

My interview with writer and world class photographer, John E. Marriott turned out to be a fascinating look into wildlife photography by a terrific photojournalist. John's new book, Tall Tales and Long Lenses, is chock full of amazing wildlife photos and chronicles his ascent into photography, then into the wild! Give a listen and you won't be able to stop

Local Photographers If you're a regular listener, you'll already know that I am both a photographer and author. It was through both of these rolls that I'm feeling very sad today to hear of the passing of Doug Leighton. Doug was a visionary photographer who introduced countless numbers of people to the magic of the Canadian west. His coffee table books and calendars were widely collected. I remember a particular favourite was a large format 11 x 14-inch calendar which thousands of people bought simply so they could frame the images. We were both published by Altitude Publishing in Canmore and I had a great appreciation for the work that Doug produced for them. It was an especially appropriate relationship for Doug. Altitude publishing was created by another pioneer photographer from Banff by the name of Byron Harmon. For the larger part of a century, Altitude Publishing represented the very best of mountain imagery, and Doug wore that mantle well. Doug left the Bow Valley in 2005 and moved to the Blaeberry Valley near the mountain community of Golden, B.C. where he passed with his family on March 28, 2018. Doug was born in Banff in 1953 and the mountains were his inspiration for all of his life. Rest well, Doug. You helped us all see the Rockies just a little bit clearer. Another local photographer, John E. Marriott has recently been honoured by the League of Landscape Photographers for his long practice of ethical wildlife photography. League magazine is a collective of photographers for whom ethical image capture is their first priority. As they state on their website: "Rather than a top-down, formal structure, the League of Landscape Photographers is a grassroots group comprised of photographers with similar values. It transcends borders both physical and digital. If your art has something personal to say about the world, if you photograph with care and respect for other people and the environment around you, if you post these values (or your own ethical values) to the world – then you are the League. " John was awarded The Best of the League for 2018. The advent of digital cameras has seen tens of thousands of so-called wildlife photographers explode onto the scene. Those of us that photograph  WILD life understand that the well-being of the animal or bird is what matters - not the photograph. John has been an advocate for wildlife for decades. He not only refuses to photograph captive or baited animals, he is a powerful opponent of such practices. Here in the Rockies, every year we see more and more people crowding animals, baiting and enticing them, offering food, and even illegally using wildlife tracking equipment to locate research subjects. Way back in episode 6, I shared a story of Banff Park Wardens finding evidence of photographers using antennas designed to help researchers keep track of animals fitted with radio collars just so they could photograph them. I've been a wildlife photographer for many years and I've seen many indefensible actions by unethical photographers, but this is a new level of low. You can listen to the story at www.mountainnaturepodcast.com/ep006. Social media is full of photographs of distressed animals, baited owls, and all means of creating situations dangerous for the photographer, but all too often, more dangerous for the animal. Photographers like John call out this practice. He has made a career of raising the bar and educating photographers on how to capture ethical images. No photograph is worth the life of a grizzly bear, or wolf, or owl. As the League puts it: "Not only does John practice ethical wildlife photography, but he is also an activist for wildlife causes. His YouTube video series,  Exposed with John E. Marriott, highlights wildlife conservation concerns with ideas for concrete results. John is not a complainer but one who points out the facts with solid background research and then puts his knowledge into positive action. John also takes his wildlife ethics and philosophy for conservation on tour with him when he teaches other photographers. Anyone who has been on a John Marriott tour will come away not only with great pictures but also with a bigger appreciation of the issues and the ethics around wildlife and nature photography." Congratulations John. Keep on helping us all to be better photographers. If you'd like to see more of John's work, check him out at https://wildernessprints.com/. You can purchase his amazing images, wildlife photography books, or join him on one of his incredible workshops. Aldo Leopold Aldo Leopold was one of the fathers of conservation in the U.S. and was a forester, educator, writer, and lover of the outdoors. According to the Aldo Leopold Foundation, he was a true believer in the development of a "land ethic" based on an ethical, caring relationship between people and nature. In 1933, he published the very first textbook about wildlife management. Throughout his life, he focused on understanding ecology and the relationships that made up complex ecosystems. While I'm working on this podcast week in and out, I spend countless hours reading long scientific journal articles. More often than not, I have three windows open on my computer: Two windows of the same article. One I use to highlight the important aspects of the study and another one so I can search for the definitions of acronyms without losing my place in the main article. Then I have another Google search window open to help me translate the arcane jingo that allows scientists to be precise but serves to exclude vast numbers of readers from understanding the value of the research. Aldo Leopold understood natural systems, but more importantly, he understood how to share that knowledge. When you read his words, you instantly are transported to a new world full of wonders and magic. I often joke that my job is to take the important science being done by ologists, whether they are palaeontologists, biologists, geologists; the list goes on - and make it cool. Aldo understood the clash between science and ecology. In his most important work: A Sand County Almanac, ironically published more than a year after he passed away, offers an insight that has remained with me for the past 30 years: "There are men charged with the duty of examining the construction of the plants, animals, and soils which are the instruments of the great orchestra. These men are called professors. Each selects one instrument and spends his life taking it apart and describing its strings and sounding boards. This process of dismemberment is called research. The place for dismemberment is called a university. A professor may pluck the strings of his own instrument, but never that of another, and if he listens for music he must never admit it to his fellows or to his students. For all are restrained by an ironbound taboo which decrees that the construction of instruments is the domain of science, while the detection of harmony is the domain of poets." That last line struck me like a hammer when I first read it decades ago. The study of ecology was slowly starting to become more mainstream. I've never forgotten the concept that the detection of harmony is the domain of poets. Ecology is all about understanding all of the instruments. Every strand in the ecological web, just like in an orchestra, is critical to the functioning of that system. Leopold helped millions of people to suddenly see that the orchestra was more than just a collection of instruments - it was the harmony that they create when combined in just the right way. Whirling Disease If you're a regular listener to this podcast, you'll already know that whirling disease has been spreading across the river systems of Alberta over the past year or so. I first spoke about it in episode 7 when it was first discovered in Canada in Banff's Johnson Lake. It is a parasite that affects most trout species and can result in massive losses. For additional background information, check out episodes 008, 020, and 029 In the past year, the parasite has been discovered across Alberta's most iconic river systems including the Bow, Oldman, Red Deer, and most recently, the North Saskatchewan River systems. Johnson Lake, where the discovery first took place, is particularly important. At first look, it's a tiny mountain lake with intensive human use. On a large scale, it doesn't seem like one lake among many watersheds would matter, but Johnson Lake is unique. The Bow River watershed is a blue-ribbon trout stream. It is also home to critical populations of endangered west slope cutthroat trout. Cutthroat trout have been decimated over the past few decades as introduced species like brook, brown, and rainbow trout have become the dominant fish in the mountain west. Native trout like the bull, or dolly varden, and west slope cutthroat trout can be outcompeted by these more aggressive invaders. Johnson Lake forms a transition zone between the wider Bow Valley river system and the upper portions of the watershed where the most important populations of cutthroat trout are found. The original plan for Johnson Lake involved a winter draining of the lake to kill all the trout contained within it as well as to kill the alternate host of the parasite, bottom-dwelling tubifex worms. At this point, 2,700 kg of fish has been removed from the lake along with 15,000 other fish from adjacent creeks. At the same time, they were able to reduce the water level in adjacent creeks which feed into Johnson Lake and capture additional fish there. Recently, as Park officials continued their work on the lake, it became apparent that there were a lot of streams feeding the local wetland which in turn fed into Johnson Lake. To remove the fish from the lake, it's critical to make sure that new migrants aren't just replacing those recently removed. Draining the lake was seen as premature as they focused on reducing reinfection. Instead, they left nets in the lake to catch as many remaining fish as possible. They've also installed a barrier to prevent fish from re-entering the lake from tributaries. For now, the focus has moved to the wetlands feeding the lake. If need be, once this work has been done, they can drain the rest of the lake if need be. It's now apparent that this will be an ongoing project as opposed to a short-term assault. The goal is to prevent the parasite from moving further upstream into already vulnerable populations of cutthroat trout. Whirling disease can be responsible for vast losses within populations and when you have an already stressed one, it can be terminal. If you visit Johnson Lake this year, please pay close attention to the warning signs. Whirling disease is not only easily transported on the soles of boots or boat paddles, it can remain viable for years. This means that you can wade into the lake today, put your waders in the garage for years, and then still infect a new body of water once you dust them off and wear them into a new water source. Let's help keep our most sensitive trout healthy. Kananaskis Grizzly Updates First up…it's bear season in the Rockies again. While deep snows may have led a few of our bears to have a bit of a lay-in this year, Bear 122 was confirmed to be up and at-em by at least March 22 this year. He's merely the bellwether of all the other bears so if you're out on the trails, be sure to carry your bear spray from now on. Grizzly bears have had a lot of challenges in the past few years, but today I'm bringing some good news. In a recent DNA study in Kananaskis Country, it seems things are currently OK for grizzly populations. The most recent study looked at a vast 10,000 square km area stretching from the Trans-Canada Highway all the way to the Crowsnest Pass in southern Alberta. DNA testing has revolutionized wildlife research. Because bears are predictable and are drawn to rub trees where bear after bear take the time to stop, rub and in many cases, leave a hairy howdy do. Researchers can visit these trees and collect these furry follicles, test the DNA and get a good idea of individual bears that were using a particular territory. One of the best illustrations of this was a time-lapse video published by Kananaskis Country that showed a great example of how many individual bears visit rub trees. Not only is it an awesome example of science in actions, it's just fun - and very Jungle Bookey. I'll leave a link in the show notes at www.mountainnaturepodcast.com/ep059 Bears are driven by their noses and scent posts are visited by one and all as they travel through an area. In some cases, researchers added a bit of extra cologne in the form of bear lure to help attract newcomers to the trees. Motion activated cameras helped to make sure that every dance was captured but more importantly, the DNA in the form of hair samples. According to the study, they found 16 grizzlies per thousand square kilometres within the northern part of the region that includes Kananaskis Country. The southern region is still doing well with 12 bears/1,000km2. So how many bears are calling the Kananaskis home? According to this study, there are approximately 96 individuals with 52 females and 43 males in the northern section and 22 females and 22 males in the south. Yup! They can get this specific in terms of numbers. DNA doesn't lie. Hair samples will continue to be an important way to track bear populations in the future. These results will vary with the local conditions for the bears though. Grizzlies populations reflect the ecology of the landscape they call home. If food conditions vary due to drought or other conditions, the bears will follow the food. Essentially, over time, results may vary but continued research will help to determine trends in bear movement. As important as rub trees are, and as much of a traffic hub they form, they're not a place that the bears hang out. It's more of a pass by, spend a few minutes saying I've been here, and then moving on to leave the tree vacant for the next visitor. The longest that researchers witnessed bears hanging around the rub trees was 9 minutes. Many bears just spent a few seconds to a few minutes…a quick rub to say they were here and then on their way. This latest study was good news for Kananaskis Country. While grizzlies are a threatened species in Alberta, Kananaskis Country as a whole seems to be at its carrying capacity for bears. Along with this good news was the discovery that slightly more than half of the bears were females. When this happens Kananaskis Country ecologist John Paczkowski said, they encounter more cases of cubs being killed by other bears. It's nature's way of regulating their population. Even as far back as 2009, I witnessed the first documented case of a female grizzly killing the cub of another female. Both of these females are favourite bears in Kananaskis. Bear 94 attacked and fatally injured the cub of Bear 104. It has always been a puzzle as to why the attack occurred. Perhaps this might lend a clue. Banff's population has also remained steady at 13 bears per 1,000 km2. Grizzlies remain a threatened species, but this is very good news. Bears are one of the truest symbols of the mountain wilderness. They are one of our most iconic animals. With more and more and more people visiting the parks, we need to keep on trying to educate visitors on the importance of enjoying wildlife safely. The tourist season is getting ready to kick off once again. Let's all do our part to keep the bears and the people that want to view them, safe. David Suzuki Honored by the University of Alberta One of Canada's most beloved naturalists, Dr David Suzuki is set to receive an honorary doctorate of science for his years of environmental work. He has been a steady voice for decades on the importance of ecology and been a constant warrior for nature. This is a story that has opened up a floodgate of introspection among interpreters, guides, naturalists, and scientists. Many of us have been really conflicted about our own personal feelings about this most reverent of Canadian figures. Dr Suzuki spoke out at times when it wasn't cool. He never pulled a punch when conservation was on the line. He helped a generation of Canadians to recognize that nature has value. He made us focus on the natural landscape and the importance of keeping it both healthy and intact. His television program The Nature of Things is seen in more than 40 countries and has focused the world's attention on the challenges facing our oceans and fisheries, climate change, and clean energy. He is a member of the Order of Canada, our nation's highest civilian honour, and placed 5th on a list of the greatest Canadians to ever live. This impending honour has made many of us come to grips with our conflicting opinions of Dr Suzuki. I first heard him speak some 20 years ago in Canmore. I booked the tickets months in advance and couldn't wait for the chance to meet a man that had had a significant impact on my career as a naturalist. His presentation left me absolutely flat. It wasn't a presentation as much as it was a rant. It was doom and gloom and government inaction with little prescription for positive actions. It didn't make me want to go out and act at all. It seemed that all the actions had already been done. The planet was finished and all that was left was for the multi-nationals to carve up the profits. I began to realize that we all suffer fatigue when we try to protect something that's, not just important, but critical to our sense of being. I understood his frustration as ecological understanding seemed to be ignored from the larger political discourse. I decided to forget the event and remember David as I had imagined him before the presentation. Few people have done so much for the environment, even if just in terms of awareness, as Dr David Suzuki. Recently, an article in the Calgary Herald by University of Alberta environmental economist Andrew Leach caught my eye, in part because it was shared by another person for whom I have great respect, former Banff National Park Superintendent Kevin Van Tighem. In the article, Leach outlines why he would never share a stage with Dr Suzuki. Now before I move forward, Andrew Leach is no ordinary economist. He's the architect of Alberta's climate change plan. I know. For some of you, I've just lost all credibility…Alberta and climate change policy…what folly is this? For many people in British Columbia at the moment, as wars of words fill the airwaves, Alberta is nothing but an oil-hungry, tar sands purveyor of doom trying to force an unwanted pipeline down the throats of more environmentally friendly B.C. Forget the fact that our neighbour's number one export is coal, the current war of words is not moving either province forward. I'm not here to defend either one, but rather to try to understand a part of my challenges with Dr Suzuki. In this modern world, everything has a value, whether we want it to or not. Natural ecosystems and their processes contribute to the natural world. Intact ecosystems help to protect watersheds by storing water in terms of glaciers, lakes, and aquifers. Intact ecosystems help to provide connection to the creatures that call it home, allowing them to move between seasonal habitats free from disturbance. Today, intact ecosystems also help to offer protection in times of changing climates. It also allows ecosystems to change more slowly than already stressed environments where increases in temperature can become the final stressor that causes ecosystem collapse. Keeping ecosystems intact requires political will. More and more, economists are one of the most important tools helping politicians sell the importance of conservation to a province or a nation that may not see the financial return on investing in ecosystem protection. Dr Suzuki has, has for years, referred to economics as a form of brain damage. To him, all economists do is find the most efficient way to clear-cut a mountain or farm salmon, nature be damned. He has gone so far as to call it a "pretend science". Today, some of the greatest climate warriors are economists. National governments understand numbers, and a well-versed ecological economist that can quantify the risks behind environmental choices can be worth their weight in gold. Natural ecosystems help to regulate climates and provide resources that were, and are, critical to our modern lives. Critical to these discussions today are the economists! If we agree that nature has value, then just what are those values? Economists that specialize in natural systems help organizations and government to see beyond the quarterly balance sheet and hopefully, make better policy decisions. Very dear to our heart in the central Rockies has been British Columbia's choice to end the trophy hunt for grizzly bears. This decision wasn't just a spur of the moment decision. It was a culmination of huge public outcry, along with economics. Every study of the value of live bears as compared to trophy bears has overwhelmingly supported the ban on hunts. Economics showed that the viewing of live bears is worth orders of magnitude more than the value of the commercial hunt. It is the work of economists that help to quantify those numbers. As a nation, we've made grand promises as part of the Paris Accords to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. This is no small task. If we can agree that climates are warming and that Canada, and all of its component parts, need to work together to accomplish any goal towards this reduction than we can also agree that it's a monumental challenge. These goals can only be accomplished as a nation. Alberta has been working very hard to reduce its emissions and has started a phase-out of coal-burning power plants. Its carbon levy is also a powerful tool to help push the province towards a gradual phase-out of carbon-based fuel sources. Economists help to show the value of these changes on ecosystems. Bickering between provinces is not going to get the job done. Let's get it together Canada.

John Marriott is a wonderful wildlife photographer. I’ve had the good fortune to chat with him in the past about his work, particularly on the subjects of ethics and advocacy. When I saw the news that he’d released a new book, I immediately tweeted him, asking for a review copy and an interview. Then I emailed him. I think I called him at 3 am once or twice, too. Long story short, I loved the book, wrote a review of Tall Tales, Long Lenses: My Adventures in Photography, for The Fur-Bearers, and managed to tie down John for an interview between his numerous signings and speaking engagements in recent weeks. We discussed the process of developing this new book, what it was like to invite readers into his memories and life, and why one of Canada’s most popular wildlife photographers is also one of Canada’s most outspoken conservationists.

Witnessing the northern lights dance across an open arctic sky, watching a grizzly mother teach her cubs to fish for the first time, and feeling the solitude of a cold morning in the far north may be something few of us will ever experience. But thanks to John Marriott, we’ll get closer than we ever have. John is an accomplished wildlife photographer, who also leads photography tours across Canada’s wilderness. But in recent years, he’s taken his growing popularity and success and become an advocate for the animals. Most notably, John has started a video web series titled Exposed with John E. Marriott. The combination of incredible videography and photography, along with insightful commentary on the issues related to his subjects (often wolves and bears), creates an experience for viewers that is difficult to describe. His most recent adventure, and the launch of the second season of Exposed, focuses on what he calls Ice Grizzlies – bears who visit a perpetually running stream in the far northern reaches of the Yukon. John joined Defender Radio to discuss the Exposed series, his latest trip to the Yukon, ethical photography, why advocacy has become an important and rewarding part of his career, and answer questions from the Defender Radio audience.