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Dr. Jim Dubovsky, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service central flyway representative, rejoins the DU Podcast to provide nostalgic reflection as he share insights on the role of sex-specific duck regulations, how they were formulated under the point system, and what determined if a bird was worth 10, 15, or 35 points. Despite being conceptually sound, the point system was withdrawn in 1994, largely due to challenges with the practicality of its implementation and enforcement.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you're winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.
This Day in Legal History: Wallace Stands in the Schoolhouse DoorOn this day in 1963, Alabama Governor George Wallace physically stood in the doorway of Foster Auditorium at the University of Alabama to block the registration of Vivian Malone and James Hood, the two Black students whose enrollment had been ordered by a federal district court. Wallace's “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door” was the culmination of a long campaign of state defiance of federal desegregation orders that ran from Brown v. Board in 1954 through Cooper v. Aaron in 1958 — the case in which a unanimous Supreme Court told the Little Rock school district, and by extension every state actor, that federal constitutional rulings are the supreme law of the land and that state officials may not nullify them.President Kennedy responded to Wallace's stand by issuing Executive Order 11111, which federalized the Alabama National Guard, and ordering Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach down to Tuscaloosa to confront the governor. Wallace gave a long speech invoking states' rights and Tenth Amendment sovereignty, then stepped aside, and Malone and Hood walked in and registered. That night, Kennedy went on national television and delivered the civil rights address that put the Civil Rights Act of 1964 onto the national agenda. The legal and political throughline matters: the schoolhouse door, the executive order federalizing the Guard, the televised address, and the omnibus civil rights legislation that followed were a single coordinated federal response to massive resistance, and the institutional habit they built — the willingness of the federal political branches to back federal court orders with whatever force is necessary — is the substrate on which the modern enforcement of civil rights law sits. Whether that habit holds up under contemporary pressure is one of the live constitutional questions of our moment.The “Anti-Weaponization Fund” saga we have been following all week reached at least a partial resolution on Wednesday when Judge Leonie Brinkema of the Eastern District of Virginia declined to extend her temporary restraining order against the program into a preliminary injunction. The reason, in essence, is that the Justice Department has now formally represented to the court, in writing and through acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, that the $1.8 billion fund is “not going forward.” Brinkema took DOJ at its word for present purposes and dissolved the TRO, which under standard mootness doctrine is the right call when a defendant credibly commits to abandoning the challenged program. But she also did something practical: she warned the government in plain terms not to “play possum with this court,” language that gives the plaintiffs a built-in mechanism to come back fast if the fund quietly re-emerges under a different name.The substantive theory the plaintiffs were pressing — that the fund is an unappropriated expenditure of public money, that the underlying Trump-IRS settlement was a litigation in which the United States was never really adverse to the President in his personal capacity, and that the program's payout criteria are based on political characterizations of past prosecutions rather than any neutral standard — is now preserved for another day rather than litigated to judgment. The practical lesson is the durability of voluntary-cessation doctrine: a government defendant who is willing to abandon a program in court usually wins on mootness, but the cost is real, because future revivals get scrutinized against the prior representation. Watch the Federal Register and the DOJ component-level budget submissions for the next six months — if there is a successor program coming, those are where the first signal appears.Judge declines to halt “anti-weaponization fund” since Blanche says it's dead, but warns DOJ not to “play possum” | CBS NewsA coalition of environmental and tribal-nation plaintiffs filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Wednesday seeking to block a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved land exchange that would transfer 715 acres of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge to SpaceX, in return for 683 acres of privately owned land elsewhere. The plaintiffs are the Center for Biological Diversity, Save RGV, the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, and the South Texas Environmental Justice Network.The legal theory of the case is unusually multi-statute: the complaint alleges violations of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act, with the central administrative-law argument being that the Fish and Wildlife Service's environmental analysis failed to grapple seriously with impacts on endangered ocelots, aplomado falcons, and a long list of migratory species whose habitat the refuge was designed to protect when Congress created it in 1979. The plaintiffs describe this as one of the largest national-wildlife-refuge land exchanges outside Alaska, and the suit asks for vacatur of the exchange decision rather than damages — the standard APA remedy.The political and infrastructural backdrop is hard to miss: SpaceX's Starbase facility at Boca Chica has been expanding into the Lower Rio Grande Valley for years now, and the exchange would consolidate the company's footprint on land previously held for the protection of one of the last remaining ocelot ranges in the country. The merits of the case will turn on the rigor of the FWS environmental analysis. Expect a request for a preliminary injunction within weeks.Lawsuit challenges Trump administration's land swap with SpaceX in Texas | The Washington PostA Los Angeles County jury on Wednesday added $22 million in punitive damages to the $176 million compensatory verdict already entered against socialite and former philanthropist Rebecca Grossman and former Major League Baseball pitcher Scott Erickson, bringing the total civil award to the Iskander family to roughly $198 million.The underlying facts of the case are stark: in September 2020, Grossman and Erickson left a Westlake Village restaurant after drinking and street-raced separate Mercedes SUVs through a residential neighborhood, with Grossman striking and killing two young brothers, Mark and Jacob Iskander, then 11 and 8, as they crossed a marked crosswalk with their parents.Grossman was convicted of two counts of murder in 2024 and is serving 15 years to life. The civil case the family brought is the wrongful-death companion, and the punitive damages award the jury added on Wednesday is the part that does the most policy work: the jury split the punitive award $21 million against Grossman, $1.17 million against Erickson, which under California's reprehensibility-and-net-worth framework reflects both the much greater direct culpability of Grossman as the driver and the substantial disparity in their respective financial positions.The case is notable beyond the parties involved because of how clean it is on the standard punitive-damages analysis the Supreme Court laid out in BMW v. Gore and State Farm v. Campbell: high reprehensibility, a relatively modest single-digit ratio of punitive-to-compensatory damages, and an underlying compensatory award that itself was supported by the gravity of the loss. Watch for an appeal that focuses on the compensatory rather than the punitive number — that is where the appellate leverage actually is.Jury Ups Philanthropist, Ex-Pitcher Crash Verdict To $198M | Law360 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum is joined by former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agent Ed Newcomer and retired Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer Tony Latham for a look at the danger, isolation, and critical work of wildlife law enforcement. They discuss the murders of Idaho game warden Bill Pogue and Conley Elms by Claude Dallas, the cold case of Art Teed, an Idaho game warden who disappeared in 1934 while investigating illegal deer kills, and the family memory that helped bring answers to Idaho’s oldest cold murder case nearly 90 years later. Ed also explains how wildlife crimes can connect to broader criminal enterprises, how wildlife officers became part of the Christopher Dorner manhunt, and what listeners can expect from the new wolf-focused season of Nature’s Secret Service, where wolf recovery, poaching investigations, and the politics of conservation collide. Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl McCollum opens Zone 7 with the danger and isolation of wildlife law enforcement before welcoming guests Ed Newcomer and Tony Latham (2:45) Why wildlife crimes are often connected to broader criminal activity (4:00) Tony recounts the murders of Idaho game wardens Bill Pogue and Conley Elms by Claude Dallas (7:00) How the Christopher Dorner manhunt unexpectedly intersected with California wildlife officers (11:45) The 1934 disappearance of Idaho game warden Art Teed (13:30) Art Teed’s locked vehicle, uneaten lunch, and the massive search that followed his disappearance (15:15) The false report that shifted the case and left Art Teed’s family without answers for generations (17:15) Karen Downing reads a local newspaper and connects a family story to Art Teed’s murder (19:00) George Pentland, two child witnesses, and the family accounts that finally helped close Idaho’s oldest cold murder case (21:45) Ed previews the wolf-focused season of Nature’s Secret Service and the controversy around wolf recovery (26:30) Sheryl closes with Theodore Roosevelt’s words on the courage and hardiness of game protectors Enjoying Zone 7? Leave a rating and review where you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps others find the show and supports the mission to educate, engage, and inspire. Ed Newcomer is a former special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he spent more than 20 years investigating wildlife trafficking and other wildlife crimes. He is the host of Nature’s Secret Service, a true crime podcast focused on wildlife law enforcement, poaching, trafficking, and the officers who protect wild animals and plants. Tony Latham is a retired Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer and regional investigator who worked on overt and covert wildlife crime investigations, including cases involving the illegal killing of Idaho’s big game. He is the author of A Case So Cold: The Murder of an Idaho Game Warden, which examines the 1934 murder of Idaho game warden Art Teed. Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an active crime scene investigator for a metro Atlanta police department and the director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, which partners with colleges and universities nationwide. With more than four decades of experience, she has worked on thousands of cold cases using her investigative system, The Last 24/361, which integrates evidence, media, and advanced forensic testing. Her work on high-profile cases, including The Boston Strangler, Natalie Holloway, Tupac Shakur and the Moore’s Ford Bridge lynching, led to her Emmy Award for CSI: Atlanta and induction into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2023. Social Links: Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com X: @ColdCaseTips Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum Instagram: @officialzone7podcast TikTok: @Sheryl.McCollum Sheryl’s new book, Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer: Solving the Cold Case of the Flint River Killer’s Daughter, is available now wherever books are sold.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mathematics was once a required practice in the duck blind, courtesy of the point system of the 70s and 80s. Dr. Jim Dubovsky, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service central flyway representative, joins Dr. Mike Brasher for a trip down memory lane to discuss the origination, objectives, implementation, and critiques of the old point system, a once common regulatory alternative for duck harvest. Although liked and enjoyed by managers and hunters alike, it wasn't without its challenges. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you're winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.
Today I am speaking with a woman from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about volunteering at a fish hatchery in Kentucky. Marsha Hart is from Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery in Jamestown, Ky. The hatchery raises nearly a million trout each year and serves as a popular attraction for campers, anglers, school groups and families. Marsha explains how Workampers help operate the visitor center, assist guests, care for educational animals and support special events throughout the year. She also shares why this volunteer opportunity is ideal for couples, what makes the campsites so appealing and how volunteers become an important part of the hatchery’s mission. More importantly, you’ll learn about the flexible schedule which gives volunteers plenty of time to explore Kentucky, Tennessee and the many attractions surrounding Lake Cumberland. If you enjoy meeting friendly people, sharing your love of the outdoors and helping visitors discover one of Kentucky’s most beautiful destinations, then this episode is for you. While the volunteer positions focus primarily on welcoming visitors and operating the visitor center, Workampers quickly become part of a close-knit community. With spacious full-hookup campsites, beautiful surroundings, abundant wildlife and a schedule that provides many consecutive days off, it’s easy to understand why many volunteers return year after year. We also learned that volunteers play an important role in helping the hatchery fulfill its mission of conservation, education and outdoor recreation. Whether assisting with fishing events, interacting with visitors or helping behind the scenes, Workampers make a meaningful contribution to the experience enjoyed by thousands of guests each year. For those who love nature, enjoy meeting people and want to spend time near Lake Cumberland, this could be an outstanding opportunity. To learn more about volunteering at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, visit the agency's website at www.fws.gov/fish-hatchery/wolf-creek. You can also contact Marsha Hart directly by phone or text at 270-566-3036 or by email at marsha_hart @ fws.gov. That's all for this week's show. Next time I will be speaking with a Workamper who had such an interesting experience as a camp host for many years, that he wrote a book about it. I'll have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thanks for listening and if you like these interviews, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.
Andrew Di Alessandro of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service joins the Prairie Farm Podcast to discuss Neil Smith Refuge, prairie restoration, prescribed fire, bison and elk grazing, private lands conservation, funding challenges, and how landowners can connect money, recreation and legacy to meaningful habitat work across Iowa and Illinois. Hoksey Native Seeds (for all your CRP, Backyard Prairie, Native Pasture, Hunting Mixes, and more) McKay Insurance (for all your insurance and financial planning needs) BirdHunterSupply.com (for all your bird hunting supply needs, and all your bird dog supply needs)
Waterfowl science is entering a new era — and Ducks Unlimited is right in the middle of it.In this episode, host Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by co‑host Dr. Jerad Henson and guest Dr. Patrick Donnelly, Research Scientist with Ducks Unlimited's Western Region, for a deep dive into how emerging technologies are transforming the way we understand ducks, wetlands, and flyways.Patrick brings decades of experience from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, joint ventures, and academia, and now applies cutting‑edge tools like AI, cloud computing, GPS telemetry, remote sensing, and environmental DNA to answer some of the most important conservation questions at continental scales.In this episode, listeners will hear about:Patrick Donnelly's journey from the Fish & Wildlife Service to Ducks UnlimitedMovement ecology and why scale matters for migratory birdsHow GPS transmitters revolutionized waterfowl researchUsing satellite imagery to map wetlands across 40+ years“Functional wetland loss” and why water matters as much as land protectionThe role of snowpack, hydrology, and climate in western wetlandsDisease risk, botulism, and crowding during molting periodsLinking bird movements, habitat conditions, and timeThe Western Mallard Project and tracking 800 birds across the Pacific FlywaySentinel and Landsat satellites explained in plain languageCloud computing and why conservation can now run at scaleUsing citizen‑science data (eBird) alongside satellite dataNew applications of environmental DNA (yes — duck poop)How AI helps identify patterns humans can't seeTraining the next generation of conservation scientistsWhy this moment feels like a “second revolution” in waterfowl scienceThis episode pulls back the curtain on how Ducks Unlimited is using modern science to maximize conservation return on investment, ensuring that every dollar delivers the greatest benefit for waterfowl now and into the future.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you're winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.
The Montezuma County commissioners have reinstated a fire ban in the unincorporated areas of the county. Also on Tuesday, they approved a contract for up to $15,000 with USDA Wildlife Services.
Photo: Ice jam flooding in Chalkyitsik, Alaska on May 7, 2026. (Courtesy National Weather Service) Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-AK) issued a disaster declaration Monday for two Interior Alaska communities, after they were inundated with severe ice jam flooding. The declaration covers the areas near Chalkyitsik on the Black River and Hughes on the Koyukuk River, as The Alaska Desk’s Shelby Herbert from KUAC reports. Jeremy Zidek is a spokesperson for the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. He says almost a dozen homes became flooded in Chalkyitsik, but the situation is especially dire in Hughes. The state is working to deliver emergency supplies to the community, but the water is still high. “They had water and ice on their runway. The water has gone down a little bit, but the runway is not serviceable by fixed-wing aircraft at this time. We're looking at an alternate runway that is nearby.” He says when the flooding peaked on May 9, most of the community's nearly-80 residents had to shelter at the Hughes Tribal Hall. Zidek says spring breakup is in full swing, and the danger hasn't passed for many other riverside communities in the Interior. “We're still looking at other areas of the state that could be impacted by ice jam flooding. And so, if there is a necessity to add new areas, the governor will consider the information we provide to him, and then make that determination.” In addition to activating the state's emergency response capabilities, the Governor's disaster declaration also opens up several assistance programs for the affected areas. The state's public assistance program focuses on restoring essential infrastructure, and can be accessed by local governments, tribes, and nonprofits. And its individual assistance and temporary housing programs can help individuals and families recover from flood-related property damage. Zidek says the state will release more information about those programs in the coming days. A House committee met Wednesday to review President Donald Trump's funding proposal for the Interior Department. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, a southern Arizona congresswoman took that opportunity to talk about the recent destruction of a sacred border wall site. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum shared that federal officials apologized to the Tohono O'odham Nation weeks after a border wall contractor bulldozed Las Playas Intaglio, a thousand-year-old archeological site along the US-Mexico boundary. “This is a super unfortunate thing that happened. There's a series of mistakes that happened along the way – zero intention – and we've delivered direct apologies.” But U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) stressed words aren't enough. “I mean, unfortunately, once it's destroyed, you can't undo that.” Now, Grijalva fears another O'odham cultural site of concern, a desert oasis called Quitobaquito Springs, could be damaged next. It sits just south of Ajo inside Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. “So will you commit that [the] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service avoid Quitobaquito Springs and minimize impact by not using groundwater within five miles, and monitor those water levels closely as the border wall is being built?” Burgum replied, “Well, I – that's a very specific thing that I won't jump ahead and commit to.” Missing person Benjamin Stepetin, 42, stands in downtown Juneau, Alaska. (Courtesy Stepetin family) Divers are searching the murky waters of Gastineau Channel this week for the body of a Juneau, Alaska man missing for nearly a year, as KTOO's Clarise Larson reports. Benjamin “Benny” Stepetin, a 42-year-old Juneau resident, disappeared last June. His family believes he may have fallen or been pushed into the water near the downtown seawalk. His brother, Martin Stepetin Sr., says the family hasn't given up hope. “We just want to find our brother, you know. And we really miss our brother, and if we could get some closure to finding him, then that would be amazing.” The search, funded by the Juneau Police Department (JPD), includes divers and underwater sonar vehicles. Police are investigating the case as criminal and say some people may be withholding information. The search includes both divers and underwater vehicles with sonar technology. The team is scanning up and down the downtown seawalk, while thousands of cruise ship visitors walk above them. Martin says that his family believes their brother may have fallen or been pushed into the water along the seawalk. JPD is currently investigating the case as a criminal investigation. Deputy Chief Krag Campbell says police believe there may have been people involved in Benjamin's disappearance who are withholding information. “Our ultimate goal is to get a successful resolution to this investigation, and if at all possible, recover or find the body and missing person for the family. So doing those things whenever we can, I think, is very important.” People can share information by calling JPD's dispatch line at 907-586-0600 or submitting an anonymous tip through Juneau Crime Line. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Friday, May 15, 2026 – Native In The Spotlight: Washington State Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis
A 2011 study published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory found that 25% of Delaware is wetlands. Some of those are considered freshwater or nontidal wetlands - and are located further inland.Although they're vital to the ecosystem, Delaware does not have any statewide regulations to protect these habitats.A new bill aims to change that. Senate Bill 9 would fill gaps left by federal laws governing what humans can or can't do in protected areas.This week, Delaware Public Media's Jay Shah sat down with the bill's sponsor, State Senator Stephanie Hansen and Emily Knearl, Director of Public Policy at The Nature Conservancy to understand what this legislation would do and why it matters.
CONTACT YOUR SENATOR: https://www.senate.gov/general/contacting.htm Capitol Switchboard - (202) 224-3121 RANDY'S GARAGE SALE: Interested in some signed DVDs? Check them out at shopfreshtracks.com GET IN TOUCH: Have a question or a news tip? Email us at weekly@freshtracks.tv DEEPER DIVE: Randy Newberg and Marcus Hockett dive into the complex and frustrating world of federal budgeting to see where wildlife conservation and public lands truly sit on the national priority list. Despite broad public support for the outdoors, recent budget proposals suggest significant cuts to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and critical research programs. These cuts pale in comparison to massive spending in other sectors. News Stories Leaked Documents could Shake up Hunting Restrictions on Federal Land • Leaked Department of the Interior documents reveal significant policy shifts within national parks, including the expansion of designated firearm areas and new provisions for cleaning game in public restrooms? • https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/climate/hunting-federal-lands-burgum.html AI Advancement Can Speed UP Camera Trap Image Reviews • The Journal of Applied Ecology releases a new study on artificial intelligence and its use for sifting through thousands of wind triggered images. • https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2026/05/07/ai-cuts-wildlife-tracking-time-from-months-to-days/ Montana's Environmental Quality Council Setting the Corner Crossing Stake in the Ground • Link to Randy's Hunt Talk Thread • https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/mt-eqc-to-determine-corner-crossing-as-illegal.332694/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Founded in 2022, Kildare Wildlife Rescue is a volunteer-run charity licensed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Now Ireland's largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre, it cared for more than 5,000 animals last year, and has appointed Katerini Vathi as its full-time vet.
If North America's duck populations are the engine of waterfowl hunting, the Prairie Pothole Region is its factory—and keeping that factory running requires permanence, partnerships, and people on the land.In this episode, DU Senior Waterfowl Scientist and host, Dr. Mike Brasher, continues the regional operations series with Dr. Johann Walker, Director of Operations for the Great Plains Region, based in Bismarck, North Dakota. Johann brings more than two decades of experience working in the heart of the prairie duck factory and offers a candid, detailed look at habitat conditions, conservation delivery, and the role of permanent easements in sustaining duck populations and rural communities.The conversation covers current wetland conditions across the Dakotas, migration timing, and how improved spring moisture may influence breeding distribution this year. From there, it dives deep into DU's most important conservation tool in the prairies: voluntary grassland and wetland easements.In this episode, listeners will hear about:Spring habitat conditions across the Prairie Pothole RegionWet years vs. dry years and what Johann has seen over 22 years on the prairiesHow migration timing interacts with available wetland conditionsWhy permanent grassland and wetland easements are critical for the future of duck productionHow the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Small Wetlands Acquisition Program worksWhy easements are voluntary, minimally restrictive, and landowner‑drivenHow Duck Stamp dollars directly fund prairie easementsThreats to conservation easements and what DU is doing to defend them Why permanence matters for both wildlife and working ranchesThe rancher's perspective on protecting grassland for future generationsPhilanthropic support accelerating large‑scale habitat protectionAdditional DU programs restoring grasslands, wetlands, and migration habitatExpanding public access while supporting private landownersWhy protecting prairies today matters for hunters tomorrowThis episode offers one of the clearest explanations yet of how Ducks Unlimited protects the prairie duck factory—and how every duck stamp buyer plays a role in that success.SPONSORS:Purina Pro Plan: The official performance dog food of Ducks UnlimitedWhether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the world of waterfowl hunting and conservation.Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you're winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly.
As momentum continues to grow around the Land Back movement and Indigenous stewardship worldwide, the value of hearing from Elders who have long studied Indigenous traditions and lifeways, whether adopted or of their heritage, is a growing imperative. Their lived wisdom is essential, a gift and treasure for future generations, and continues the cycle of dynamic, intergenerational learning in the traditional way — the way of direct, felt experience and deep listening. This is an encore presentation of our 2022 conversation with Payoomkawish (Juaneño/Luiseño) Elder Richard Bugbee [https://www.indigenousregeneration.org/]. Richard passed away in 2023 and this interview is a great way to honor his work and incredible personality. Hear him share insights from his decades of studying the way of plants and their uses, re-learning of language, and the practice of material culture. He emphasized the importance of reclaiming our ways of seeing, being, and understanding the world by reclaiming Native languages and observing the world more closely. Richard Bugbee was Payoomkawish (also known as Payómkawichum Juaneño/Luiseño) from northern San Diego County. Richard had ties with multiple Indigenous nations including the Kumeyaay. He was an Instructor of Kumeyaay Ethnobotany and Ethnoecology at Cuyamaca College through Kumeyaay Community College [http://kumeyaaycommunitycollege.com/]. He was the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival (AICLS) [https://aicls.org/]. Richard was on the boards of Indigenous Regeneration (Mata'Yuum), Climate Science Alliance, and Inter-Tribal Fire Stewardship. Richard was the Curator of the Kumeyaay Culture Exhibit at the Southern Indian Health Council, the Associate Director/Curator of the San Diego American Indian Culture Center & Museum, and the Indigenous Education Specialist for the San Diego Museum of Man. He was a member of the Native American Council for California State Parks, California Indian Basketweavers Association ((CIBA), the Land ConVersation, and the Elders' Circle for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Richard has been learning traditional plant uses of southern California and the Kumeyaay language from Jane Dumas, a Kumeyaay Elder from Jamul Indian Village from 1980 to 2014. He was the ethnobotanist for the Traditional Indian Health Program through Riverside-San Bernardino Indian Health providing information on the interactions between traditional plant and pharmaceutical medicines. He teaches indigenous material cultures and traditional plant uses of southern California at many museums, botanical gardens, and reservations, and is an instructor for summer cultural programs for several Kumeyaay tribes. His goal is to use knowledge to serve as a bridge that connects the wisdom of the Elders with today's youth. Listen to our related show on Indigenous Regeneration from 2022: https://wilderutopia.com/ecojustice-radio/indigenous-regeneration-remembering-the-past-to-inspire-the-future/ Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://wilderutopia.com/ecojustice-radio/ethnobotany-cultural-fire-and-indigenous-stewardship-with-payoomkawish-elder-richard-bugbee/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Hosted by Carry Kim Intro by Jessica Aldridge Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Executive Producer: Jack Eidt Show Created by Mark and JP Morris Episode 140 Photo credit: Richard Bugbee
The U. of C.'s Abrams Environmental Law Clinic represents The Center for Biological Diversity which on Thursday notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it intends to sue the agency for denying Endangered Species Act protections to America's populations of lake sturgeon which the Center says are struggling to recover from centuries of human harm. America's remaining lake sturgeon mostly are found in the Great Lakes.
Interested in items from Randy's Garage Sale??? Check out https://shopfreshtracks.com/ This week on Fresh Tracks Weekly, we're diving into the critical role of wildlife-friendly fencing and how new technology like virtual fencing is helping clear the path for big game migrations. But first, we're cleaning out the shop for a cause! Join Randy for a special "Garage Sale" featuring a Leupold clock and a signed collection of books by conservation legend Jim Posewitz—with all proceeds benefiting the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. We also break down the latest news impacting the outdoors, including: • Why proposed 70-80% cuts to the BLM and Fish & Wildlife Service could be devastating for habitat management. • Does nuclear power offer a smaller land footprint for hunters compared to solar and wind? • Wyoming Land Leases, public input is needed on 360,000 acres of potential oil and gas development. • An update on the Farm Bill and the protection of bird dog training practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The U. of C.'s Abrams Environmental Law Clinic represents The Center for Biological Diversity which on Thursday notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it intends to sue the agency for denying Endangered Species Act protections to America's populations of lake sturgeon which the Center says are struggling to recover from centuries of human harm. America's remaining lake sturgeon mostly are found in the Great Lakes.
The U. of C.'s Abrams Environmental Law Clinic represents The Center for Biological Diversity which on Thursday notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it intends to sue the agency for denying Endangered Species Act protections to America's populations of lake sturgeon which the Center says are struggling to recover from centuries of human harm. America's remaining lake sturgeon mostly are found in the Great Lakes.
I took this episode from an article I wrote for Flying Snake magazine, which was published in December 2020 (Vol. 6, #18). Show transcript: Welcome to Strange Animals Podcast. I'm your host, Kate Shaw. The Great Smoky Mountains is a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, which stretches from the middle of Alabama in the United States north into southeastern Canada. The Appalachians formed when the world's continents crunched together to form the supercontinent Pangaea. The southern Appalachians formed separately and later than the northern Appalachians, around 270 million years ago. The Appalachians were once as high as the Rockies or Himalayas, but by the time the dinosaurs went extinct, they had eroded down to the mountain cores. Sediment weathered from the peaks and filled in valleys. But during the Pleistocene, when massive glaciers covered the northern parts of North America, the weight of the ice pushed the North American plate down, causing the southern part of the plate to rise. Eventually the ancient mountains' roots were a thousand feet (300 m) above sea level again. Rivers that once flowed east into the Atlantic Ocean or west into the remains of the shallow Western Interior Seaway shifted their courses to flow northward. Streams that once meandered across the land now plunged down steep slopes and dug gorges into the rock. And over thousands of years, animals and plants retreating from the ice migrated southward along the mountain range. When the climate warmed some 11,000 years ago and the ice age glaciers melted, many cold-adapted species were trapped in the peaks of the southern Appalachians. One of the highest peaks is Mount LeConte, with its highest point, High Top, measured at 6,593 ft, or 2,010 meters. I hiked Mount LeConte on 7 May, 2016 when the weather in nearby Knoxville, Tennessee was a warm 82 Fahrenheit, or 27.8 Celcius, but there was snow on the mountain that morning. I wrote my name in it. A spruce-fir forest grows on the upper slopes, a remnant of forest that grew throughout the mountains during the last ice age. The climate at the peak of Mount LeConte is more like that of southern Canada than the warm, humid southeastern United States. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1934 to protect the mountains along the Tennessee/North Carolina border. No one lives in the park's 800 square miles (2,072 square km), which receives up to 90 inches [2.29 m] of rain a year, some of it from hurricanes that sweep up from the southern Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico. Large tracts of old-growth forest still remain in the park too. So as you can see, the Smokies are a biodiversity hotspot. In 2018, the park announced its 1,000th species discovered that is new to science, which by July 2020 had grown to 1,025. Overall, 20,000 known species live in the park as of 2019 and scientists estimate that up to 100,000 more are yet to be discovered. The Smokies are heavily forested, of course, but some mountain summits and crests have no trees. Instead, native grasses and shrubs grow. They're called grassy balds and no one is sure why they exist. The prevailing theory is that Pleistocene megaherbivores opened the forests for grazing, and after their extinction, the balds remained open due to bison, elk (wapiti), and deer. When white settlers moved into the area, they used the balds to graze cattle and other livestock. Remains of mammoth and mastodon, musk ox, ground sloth, and other megaherbivores have been excavated from various balds throughout the park. Amphibian enthusiasts call the Smokies the Salamander Capital of the World, with 30 known species. Largest of these is the hellbender, which we talked about in episode 14, a giant salamander that can grow nearly 2 ½ feet long, or 74 cm, and which lives in swift-moving mountain streams. It's most closely related to the Chinese and Japanese giant salamanders, which can grow over twice as long as the hellbender. Twenty-seven of the salamanders found in the Smokies are lungless, in the family Plethodontidae. Instead of breathing with lungs or gills, the lungless salamanders absorb oxygen through their skin. Of these, the red-cheeked salamander is endemic to the Smokies—that is, it's found nowhere else in the world. The red-cheeked salamander lives in forests in high elevations. It can grow up to seven inches long, or 18 cm, and is gray or black with bright red patches on its face. It spends the day in a burrow, then comes out at night to find insects in the leaf litter. But it's hard to tell apart from the imitator salamander, although the imitator only grows a little over four inches long, or 11 cm. The imitator has red cheeks but its body is patterned black and brown instead of solid gray or black. Sometimes its cheeks are yellow, too, while the red-cheeked salamander only ever has red cheeks. Another animal found only in the Smoky Mountains, although it may also be present in mountains outside of the park, is a species of jeweled spider fly called Mary-Alice's emerald (Eulonchus marialiciae). Mary-Alice's emerald has a metallic-green body and yellow legs, and the adults eat nectar. But the larvae eat spiders. Specifically, they parasitize spiders. After hatching, the larva goes in search of a spider, especially trapdoor spiders that live in burrows. When it finds one, it works its way into the spider's body and eats it from the inside out, eventually killing it. Then it pupates in the burrow and emerges as an adult spider fly. It prefers high elevations that are cool and moist. A less horrific animal found in the Smokies is the Carolina northern flying squirrel. It was one of the species whose ancestors migrated south along the Appalachians during the Pleistocene. Then, after temperatures started to warm, the cold-adapted flying squirrel migrated north again. Some populations remained on mountaintops in the Smoky Mountains and have been isolated for thousands of years, evolving into a subspecies of flying squirrel found only in high elevations of the Smokies. It's much rarer than the southern flying squirrel that lives throughout the southeastern United States, and prefers spruce forests instead of the hardwood forests that southern flying squirrels like. But the spruce forests are threatened by climate change, the introduced woolly adelgid insect that kills fir trees, and pollution in the form of acid rain and pesticides that travel to the mountains from other states and even other countries. The Carolina northern flying squirrel has a patagium of furry skin that connects its front and back legs. When it jumps from a branch, it stretches its legs out and uses the patagia to glide to a new perch. It's clumsy on the ground, though, and spends most of its time in trees. It mostly eats fungi, mushrooms, and lichens, but will also eat nuts, insects, bird eggs and even baby birds, and other plant material like tree sap and buds. Bobcats still live in the Smokies, but the cougar, or mountain lion, was supposedly killed off in the area by the end of the 19th century. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the eastern cougar subspecies from the endangered species list in 2018, since it is supposed to be extinct. The last cougar in what is now the park was supposedly killed in 1920. But sightings continue in the Smokies, close to a dozen a year, and some sightings are compelling, like the 2002 report of a cougar crossing a road in the park, spotted by a veterinarian who treated captive cougars in his practice. Considering how seldom seen the bobcat is despite it being relatively abundant, it's possible that a small number of cougars still live in the park—either animals that have moved back into the mountains from elsewhere, or a relict population. The red wolf is native to the eastern United States and was once common in the Smoky Mountains, but was killed off by white settlers throughout most of its range. Where it remained in the wild, it interbred with closely related coyotes, until it was declared extinct in the wild in 1980. Fortunately, by then a captive breeding program was in place. Starting in 1991, 37 red wolves were released in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, following the release of 63 red wolves into the Alligator River Natural Area in North Carolina a few years earlier. But the release didn't go well in the Smokies. Wolves are shy and need enormous territories with lots of game. Before long some wolves were leaving the park and attacking livestock. Others died of parvo virus, especially wolf pups. Worse, this was about the same time that coyotes moved into the area from the west. The wolves started interbreeding with the coyotes, and the coyotes also competed with the wolves for food. In 1998, the Fish and Wildlife Service ended the program and recaptured all but one of the wolves originally released into the park. The North Carolina release went better, with a population peak in 2006 estimated at nearly 130 wolves. But that program was suspended in 2015, and without management of the wild population, the number has dwindled. As of 2019, only 14 wolves remain in North Carolina—and that's the entire population of red wolves in the wild. But sightings of red wolves continue in the Smokies. The trouble is that the red wolf looks very similar to the coyote. It's taller and larger, with a more pronounced reddish shade to its coat, but even experts can have trouble telling the two species apart if they can't get a good look at the animal. Most likely people are seeing coyotes, possibly ones descended from red wolf/coyote hybrids born during the reintroduction program. The biggest mystery in the park is the occasional sighting of a Bigfoot-type creature. Most sightings are probably bears, though. An estimated 1,500 American black bears live in the Smokies, and while some bears get used to hikers and tourists, most are shy and seldom seen. A black bear keeping an eye on hikers or cars will sometimes stand on its hind legs for a better view, and would naturally look like a hulking humanoid if glimpsed. But other sightings aren't so easy to explain. In February of 2009, a photographer named Deb Campbell was hiking the Middle Prong Trail in the snow. The Middle Prong Trail passes three major waterfalls and many smaller ones as it follows along a tributary of the Little River. She had the trail almost completely to herself—she says she only saw one person the whole time. Later she reported, “[A]t some point I am photographing along the stream and I start to smell a gawd awful stench. Not really like anything I had ever smelled before. I look around, see nothing, listen intently…nothing. So I finish up at that spot and go further up the trail.” The smell receded behind her but the snow increased, so finally she turned around to hike out. Around the area where she smelled the stink earlier, she started feeling watched. She stopped long enough to secure her camera gear for much faster hiking in slick conditions, when she heard a deep growl that she described as “very low, not like a cat, almost guttural.” Needless to say, she got off the mountain as quickly as possible. The black bear doesn't truly hibernate since its body temperature remains normal instead of dropping, but it does find a den in cold weather and will sleep for long stretches. It may emerge from its den occasionally during the winter during warm spells, but for the most part it's asleep in its den from around November through March in the Smoky Mountains. But Campbell was hiking in February during a snowfall, with snow already on the ground. A bear would most likely not be out of its den in that weather unless it had been disturbed. And bears don't actually smell bad. During the winter hibernation most bears don't defecate at all. Any feces left in a bear's digestive tract harden to form a fecal plug. If it does feel the need to defecate near the end of the winter, it will do so just outside its den, but the fecal plug has very little odor. Even under ordinary conditions, unless a bear has been eating carrion, it will smell no worse than a dog that needs a bath. Not only that, black bears don't actually growl. They make grunty, huffing noises when warning people away or when males fight in the summer, and a frightened bear will moan, but they don't growl like a dog. It's possible that Campbell hiked past a bear that had emerged from its den early and had found and eaten carrion, possibly roadkill, and that she was so close to the bear without seeing it that she smelled its breath. That's almost more frightening than the thought of passing near a Bigfoot. The growl might have come from a different animal, a coyote or who knows, maybe even a red wolf. Or Campbell might have encountered a creature sometimes called a skunk ape due to its foul odor. The skunk ape is most commonly reported in Florida swamps, but sightings—or smellings—have come from many other states. The smell is sometimes described as that of rotting food and roadkill on a hot day. A bear or other animal that has been rooting around in garbage bins can pick up this odor, especially in hot weather, but it's hard to believe that a bear would be actively foraging so much in winter that it would smell like trash. January and February are the depths of winter in East Tennessee. The bears are hibernating, not foraging. Thanks for your support, and thanks for listening! This is what a couple of fighting bears sound like: [bear sounds]
Family-focused Florida gator hunting with Gator Glades Hunts—adventure, conservation, and budget-friendly experiences. Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka ‘BEC' and Jeff ‘Tigger' Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News! A Family Budget-Friendly Gator Adventure with Matt Tarr Guided Gator Hunts: Public Land Hunting, Conservation, and Family Traditions in Florida A Bucket List Hunt for Matt Tarr & family Feature Guest: Matt Tarr, PRCA Barrelman / Rodeo Clown and Guide/Outfitter Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.tarr.52 Exciting bucket list hunt was done by PRCA Barrelman / Rodeo Clown, Matt Tarr, and his 14 year old son Bransen in Florida 2026. Matt Tarr harvested a 10.8 foot alligator, bringing home 75lbs of meat! The monster is at the taxidermist for a full mount. Bransen Tarr excitedly took a 8.3 foot alligator. With the help of his dad, Matt Tarr, the men turned Bransen's prize gator head into an European mount! Gator Glades Hunts Gator Glades Hunts is the ultimate outfitter for Florida Gator, Hog, and Turkey Hunts!! Public land hunting is educational for the family and shows the importance of conservation for nuisance reptiles. Learn more or to book a hunt here: Outfitter: Gator Glades Hunts - Moore Haven, Florida Guide: Justin Guerry Phone: (863) 673-0161 Address: 3288 Wayman Road, Moore Haven, FL 33471 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063586179823 UK Farmer Tries to Make Highland Cows Less “Instagram-Friendly” In the United Kingdom, one farmer is taking an unusual step to protect his livestock from social media attention—by trying to make them less cute. Alex Birch, a farmer in Derbyshire, says he plans to crossbreed his Highland cattle to reduce their famously photogenic appearance. The goal: discourage influencers and visitors from approaching them for selfies and videos. Birch says the problem has grown over several years, with tourists regularly entering fields, touching the animals, and filming content—sometimes even staging yoga sessions nearby. The cows, which graze in the scenic Baslow Edge, have become a viral attraction online. Local authorities, including the Peak District National Park Authority, have repeatedly warned visitors not to approach or touch the animals, citing real risks of trampling or injury—especially when calves are present. Despite those warnings, Birch says crowds continue to gather. In one instance, he found dozens of people surrounding his herd with cameras. He worries that if someone gets hurt, he could be held legally responsible. Crossbreeding the cattle with other hill breeds, he says, may tone down their shaggy coats and distinctive look—features that have fueled their online popularity. It's not a decision he's happy about. The cows have been in his family since the 1970s. But for Birch, it's become a choice between preserving tradition and protecting both animals and people from a growing social media trend. Officials say the message remains simple: admire from a distance. Reference: Farmer to crossbreed his Highland cows to make them 'less photogenic' Federal Officials Seek Public Input on Colorado's Wolf Program Federal wildlife officials are asking the public to weigh in on how Colorado is managing its wolf reintroduction effort—especially when it comes to conflicts with livestock. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it wants to hear directly from ranchers, landowners, and others about their experiences with wolf attacks, prevention efforts, and compensation. Public comments are open through June 5. Colorado voters approved the return of gray wolves in 2020, and the state began releasing animals in late 2023. Under a special federal designation, Colorado has some flexibility to manage the wolves—including, in limited cases, killing them—even though the species remains protected under the Endangered Species Act. Since reintroduction began, state officials have confirmed just over 50 wolf attacks on livestock and guardian animals. Compensation to ranchers has already exceeded initial state funding levels, with more than $700,000 paid out this year alone—and total payouts expected to surpass $1 million. Federal officials are now asking whether those compensation programs are working, how effective nonlethal deterrents have been, and how well agencies and communities are coordinating. The request for input comes amid rising political tension. Some conservation groups argue the review could undermine wolf recovery efforts, while others—including some lawmakers—are pushing to remove federal protections for wolves altogether. For now, federal officials say the goal is to gather feedback and improve how the program works—for both wildlife and the people living alongside it. Reference: Feds ask for input on how Colorado is handling wolf program, conflict with livestock OUTDOORS FIELD REPORTS & COMMENTS We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or stories to share about bighorn sheep, outdoor adventures, or wildlife conservation, don't hesitate to reach out. Call or text us at 305-900-BEND (305-900-2363), or send an email to BendRadioShow@gmail.com. Stay connected by following us on social media at Facebook/Instagram @thebendshow or by subscribing to The Bend Show on YouTube. Visit our website at TheBendShow.com for more exciting content and updates! https://thebendshow.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thebendshow WESTERN LIFESTYLE & THE OUTDOORS Jeff ‘Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca ‘BEC' Wanner are passionate news broadcasters who represent the working ranch world, rodeo, and the Western way of life. They are also staunch advocates for the outdoors and wildlife conservation. As outdoorsmen themselves, Tigger and BEC provide valuable insight and education to hunters, adventurers, ranchers, and anyone interested in agriculture and conservation. With a shared love for the outdoors, Tigger & BEC are committed to bringing high-quality beef and wild game from the field to your table. They understand the importance of sharing meals with family, cooking the fruits of your labor, and making memories in the great outdoors. Through their work, they aim to educate and inspire those who appreciate God's Country and life on the land. United by a common mission, Tigger & BEC offer a glimpse into the life beyond the beaten path and down dirt roads. They're here to share knowledge, answer your questions, and join you in your own success story. Adventure awaits around the bend. With The Outdoors, the Western Heritage, Rural America, and Wildlife Conservation at the forefront, Tigger and BEC live this lifestyle every day. To learn more about Tigger & BEC's journey and their passion for the outdoors, visit TiggerandBEC.com. https://tiggerandbec.com/
A cuckoo has landed in Kerry for the third year in a row after flying over 9,000 kilometres from Ghana. The bird has been named by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as Cuach Cores. Cuach is the Irish for cuckoo and Cores is a mountain in Killarney National Park.But, how rare is it for this bird to end up here?Joining Shane to discuss this is Sam Bailey, Conservation Ranger & Lead of the Cuckoo Tagging Project.
Everyone's trying to get rid of it—but around the world, it's treasured as medicine. What if pennywort could change the way you see your backyard?Pennywort (Hydrocotyle spp.) is one of those plants that many people overlook (or actively try to remove!). Yet across the globe, it's commonly harvested and enjoyed as both a nourishing food and a traditional remedy. In this conversation, herbalist and botanist April Punsalan shares how this unassuming, persistent plant became one of her most meaningful allies.Drawing from her background with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and years of hands-on experience with wild plants, April brings a unique perspective that blends ecology, science, and intuition. She explores pennywort's rich chlorophyll content, its role as a fresh, nutrient-rich herb, and why she prefers working with it in simple preparations that feel more like daily nourishment than “taking medicine.” Along the way, she invites us to rethink our relationship with the plants growing all around us—and to consider what we might discover if we slow down enough to truly notice them.April shares a simple, vibrant way to bring fresh plant nourishment into your daily routine with her Hydrocotyle Chlorophyll Refresher. You can download your beautifully illustrated recipe card for this delightful, energizing drink here.By the end of this episode, you'll know:► Why pennywort is so widely used around the world (even though it's often seen as a weed in the US!)► What makes fresh pennywort preparations uniquely potent—and why drying may reduce its benefits► How the botany and habitat of pennywort can help clue you in to its health benefits► Several ways pennywort can support your health—providing benefits for the skin, the urinary system, the brain, overall vitality, and more!► Why herbalism is as much about connecting with plants as it is about their medicinal uses► and so much more…For those of you who don't know her, April Punsalan is a botanist, herbalist, author, and founder of Wild Herb Academy, an online school devoted to ecological remembrance and plant-based healing. A former botanist for the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, she spent years protecting endangered plants before answering a deeper call to teach.April's lifelong relationship with plants led to degrees in botany and more than twenty-eight years of studying medicinal and edible species. Today, she weaves together botany, ethnobotany, Ayurveda, and intuitive plant wisdom, helping people reconnect with the Earth as stewards, healers, and conscious participants in the living ecosystem worldwide today.Whether you've been pulling pennywort out of your garden or walking past it without a second glance, I hope this episode inspires you to pause, look closer, and maybe even begin a new relationship with this humble plant.----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comWould you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.You can find April at WildHerbAcademy.com.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them by taking my free herbal jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here.
Live from the shores of Devils Lake, Scott Hennen hosts a packed edition of What's On Your Mind at the Landowners Association of North Dakota annual meeting. The episode explores the decades-long struggle between local farmers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over land easements, featuring a passionate call to action from Senator Kevin Cramer. The conversation then shifts from the soil to the skies as we preview a major national security announcement at the Grand Forks Air Force Base regarding "Counter Drone" technology. Finally, we look toward the future of the region's youth with University of North Dakota senior Max Eriksrud, who is organizing a massive faith-based revival at the Chester Fritz Auditorium. From the front lines of property rights to the cutting edge of military tech and spiritual renewal, this episode covers the heart and soul of the 701. Standout Moments [12:69] The Easement War Senator Kevin Cramer pulls no punches while discussing the "gross injustice" landowners face from federal bureaucrats regarding decades-old wetland easements. He explains why he believes the current legal landscape offers farmers their "last best shot" at winning back their property rights. [13:34] The "Counter Drone" Frontier A deep dive into the Point Defense Battle Lab at Grand Forks Air Force Base. Scott and Kevin discuss the "asymmetric" problem of using million-dollar missiles to take out $500 "suicide drones" and how North Dakota is leading the mission to flip that script. [14:48] Detecting a Heartbeat from Space In a stunning revelation of modern military capabilities, the team discusses how search-and-rescue teams used specialized technology to locate a downed pilot in the Iranian mountains by literally detecting his heartbeat from the air. [14:69] The 701 Revival UND senior Maxwell Eriksrud joins the show to discuss "701 Revival," a youth-led movement aiming to bring community and faith back to the center of campus life. He shares his personal journey from an 18-year-old freshman to a student leader on the State Board of Higher Education. [17:19] Budget Hawks and Right-Sizing Retired Air Force Major Dave Hughes, running for Minnesota's 7th District, lays out a bold plan to balance the federal budget. His strategy includes abolishing five major U.S. departments—including Energy and Education—to curb the $2 trillion annual deficit. [18:67] Grains, China, and the Weather David Spickler of Lighthouse Commodities gives a "weather-weather" update, warning North Dakota farmers about a narrow planting…
Coillte and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have kicked off wildfire season with a stark warning. They say humans are to blame for almost every forest fire in Ireland - and a careless spark from a campfire or disposable BBQ can devastate wildlife, and destroy habitats for decades. The public visiting forests and mountains are being urged to act responsibly. For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Pat Neville, Communications Manager at Coillte and John Lyons, Committee Member of the 12 O'Clock Hills Community Group. Image © Forest Fire by Vladyslav Dukhin from Pexels via Canva
Gov. Gavin Newsom convened a meeting of tribal leaders in 2019 to acknowledge and apologize for the genocide and horrific mistreatment of Native American peoples throughout our state's history. (Courtesy Asm. James Ramos / Facebook) A bill in the California legislature seeks a formal apology to Native Americans for the state's role in atrocities committed against them during the formation of the state, including forced removal from their lands, bounties for their heads, and other violence. Assemblymember James Ramos (Serrano/Cahuilla/D-CA) introduced the bill seeking the apology from the California Legislature and courts. The bill also requires a plaque to be displayed in the State Capitol to memorialize the apology. Asm. Ramos notes Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) issued a formal apology in 2019, but the legislature and courts have yet to apologize, which he says is a stain on California's history. He says California's First People deserve an apology for the harm they endured, and the generational trauma that continues today.The bill is supported by tribes and Native organizations in the state. Ophir Creek Water Quality Collection. (Courtesy Yakutat Tlingit Tribe) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Friday it is awarding more than $6 million to tribes across the country. The funding supports 35 tribal conservation projects. According to the agency, the Tribal Wildlife Grants program has awarded more than $100 million to tribes since 2003, supporting hundreds of conservation projects. Patients at the Alaska Native Medical Center come from all over the state. The weekly dance gatherings help to bring a sense of home to the Anchorage hospital. (Photo: Rhonda McBride) You can count on it, like the steady beat of a Native drum. Every Wednesday night, dancers across the generations fill up the hospital lobby at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. But as KNBA's Rhonda McBride tells us, the kids are the ones to watch. These days, we see mostly see Alaska Native dance groups on the stage, but in the hospital lobby, the dancing is not meant to be a performance. Instead, a shared experience. The rhythms are almost hypnotic, yet the dancers are fully present. Everyone is seated, within a circle of sound and motion that spirals out from a small group of drummers. “In Yup'ik, we say Yuraq. Not dance.” Kyle Watson (Yup’ik), a 12-year-old sixth grader at Mears Middle School in Anchorage, is here every Wednesday. His movements are precise, as if every fiber of his being snaps to the beat of the drum. “It just makes me happy.” Once Kyle is here, he says any anger or sadness fades away. The Yuraq demands his full attention. “I keep on learning about Yup'ik words. And I keep on learning about dance motions too.” And then, as if he Is channeling something from another time and place. The excitement that comes out of Kyle's throat comes from way-down deep, a throwback to a technique his ancestors used to excite the dancers and encourage them to pick up their pace. Kyle's grandfather Percy Alexie usually stands in the back of the room to watch. “I'm proud of him. He makes it fun. He makes it fun. He goes around and meets people. And I enjoy meeting other people that enjoy watching him too. And I'm proud to say, he taught himself. He taught himself and it's just over a year now.” Group leader Ossie Kairairuak (Yup’ik) says this dance gathering is going on its sixteenth year – and by far, the best part is watching kids like Kyle. “Kids in their most pure form can never do wrong. This kid is purely motivated to learn those songs by heart. And let his body, let his feelings express it. He has that gift. And it's fun to watch. And it's fun to embrace. And let him be who he was meant to be.” Kairairiak says Kyle's voice is an echo from the spirit world, proof of what his mother always told him – that our ancestors are always with us. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Friday, March 27, 2026 – Native in the Spotlight: Aaju Peter
On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday in a case challenging mail-in ballot deadlines. The state of Alaska is interested in oil exploration near the Yukon River, in the Interior. And Juneau has officially broken its snowfall record.Photo: The Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge is seen from the air on Sept. 1, 2006. (Photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
In Episode 547 of District of Conservation, Gabriella interviews Aurelia S. Giacometto - the 17th U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director during the first Trump administration. Presently, Aurelia is a partner at the Washington, D.C.-based Earth & Water Law.Prior to joining Earth & Law, she served as secretary of Louisiana's Department of Environmental Quality and held various positions in the private sector. Tune in to learn more about Aurelia and her 20+ year career in energy, conservation, and agriculture. SHOW NOTESE&W Law: Aurelia S. Giacometto BiographySteamboat InstituteRamaco Compliments Aurelia S. Giacometto on Joining E&W LawUSFWS Director Page
The Iñupiat community of Kaktovik in northern Alaska is known as the polar bear capital of the U.S. Hundreds of tourists used to flock to the village of about 250 people to see bears. But several years ago, the tours were halted because of opposition from residents. The Alaska Desk’s Alena Naiden from our flagship station KNBA has more on what happened to the tours, and what the tribe is doing to revive them. “There is polar bear ground right there.” Nathan Gordon Jr. is driving his truck on the spit right outside of Kaktovik. He is mayor and leads the town's polar bear patrol program. Under his back seat, he has a shotgun, and in his console, shotgun rounds and cracker shells. Mayor Nathan Gordon Jr. looks at one of the rounds for deterring bears on March 3, 2026. (Photo: Alena Naiden) Kaktovik sits on Barter Island on the Beaufort Sea coast. In late summer and fall, up to 80 polar bears come on land – a trend that has been increasing as the sea ice diminishes. That brought the need for patrol – and created opportunities for polar bear viewing. “There was booming during the fall time.” But in 2020, the pandemic put a pause on visitation. Then the federal government halted the tours. Gordon says Kaktovik leaders have been working to revive them. “Let’s get this place back to making money, and it’ll be great for everybody.” Ketil Reitan started the company Kaktovik Tours in 2010. By 2019, he and his two children took several hundred tourists a season. “We were able to make a year’s income in about six weeks.” The number of tourists soared from about 50 in 2010 to over 1,000. Tourism grew so quickly, residents were worried it was interfering with subsistence practices. NoraJane Burns says that visitors would book out seats on small flights and limit the amount of freight that was coming in. “Especially when we have elders that go out for medical … and then when they try to come back, the flights would be booked.” NoraJane Burns outside of her home in Kaktovik, Alaska on March 3, 2026. (Photo: Alena Naiden) The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the tours. A year later, the U.S. Department of Interior issued an order to pause commercial polar bear viewing permits. Since then, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been collaborating with the city and village of Kaktovik, as well as Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation. They have been working on a management plan for polar bear viewing. Gordon says that this time around, he wants the community to develop infrastructure for tourists and focus more on educating them. But who will run the tours? Burns is busy with her job at Kaktovik Public Works Department and Reitan sold his boats and moved to Nome, but they both hope the younger generation will take over polar bear tours, if and when they are back. (Courtesy Maȟpíya Lúta) A South Dakota high schooler is receiving one of the nation's highest honors for citizens by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. SDPB's Jackson Dircks reports. Cody Two Bulls (Oglala Sioux) came up with an idea four years ago at baseball practice. His teammates told him they did not have backpacks and school supplies. Two Bulls began trying to find donations to help his teammates, but soon realized there were a lot of people needing the resources. “I started like, ‘What if instead of helping out just specifically my teammates or my family, what if I did it for everyone?' So then, like a flower it started blossoming. And then new people started reaching out to me, and I put it out there on the internet. Next thing you know, I'm getting like a bunch of donations to help as much as I can on the reservation.” That idea has led to thousands of meals, backpacks, holiday gifts, and essential items reaching kids and families in need on the Pine Ridge Reservtion. Two Bulls created what is called Baseball and Backpacks. People donate items on Walmart and Amazon shopping lists, and those get sent to Two Bulls' house. He gathers the items, things like notebooks and toiletries, into backpacks for students. The giveaway is done at a baseball field, where simultaneously Two Bulls holds a baseball clinic that teaches kids the fundamentals of the sport. There are four of these different drives, though some look different, like a Christmas toy drive and Easter drive. He does this on top of being a multisport athlete at Maȟpíya Lúta. Two Bulls is one of five individuals named a 2026 Citizen Honors Award recipient. He's receiving the Service Act Award – which honors Americans who “consistently place others before themselves through a focused initiative of volunteer service.” Two Bulls calls it humbling and honoring to be recognized. “The fact that I'm just a smalltown kid from South Dakota, it's mindblowing. It's crazy to me how just by helping others, I was able to get recognized for that,” Two Bulls said. “So, even today for example, when I started telling all my teachers and we shared it to school, it's a whole new feeling. It's like, ‘Wow!'” Two Bulls will be honored March 25 in Washington D.C. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Monday, March 23, 2026 – Stakes are high in the Line 5 oil pipeline legal fight
Soybeans are a lot more than a crop in the field, and this episode proves it. Dave Deken and Brian Arnall visit with Rick and Ginger Reimer of the Oklahoma Soybean Board about how soybean checkoff dollars are being invested in research, producer outreach, education, and consumer awareness across Oklahoma. From Red Dirt Soy and production research to classroom workshops and virtual reality tools, the Reimers share how the board is helping connect agriculture to both producers and the public. The conversation also digs into soybean rotations, the crop's spread into new parts of Oklahoma, why soybeans are so important to livestock agriculture, and how the board has even supported feral hog control because of the damage those animals cause to crops and pasture. It's a wide-ranging look at how soybean leadership, Extension partnerships, and strategic outreach are helping strengthen agriculture from the farm gate to the classroom Top 10 Takeaways This episode reframes soybeans as much more than a crop. The Oklahoma Soybean Board is investing not only in production research, but also in education, livestock-connected outreach, and public understanding of agriculture. Teacher training is one of the board's biggest multiplier strategies. Ginger says the board has worked with nearly 800 teachers and is reaching around 20,000 students annually through workshops and classroom-ready materials. The soybean checkoff is tightly accountable. Rick emphasizes audits, compliance reviews, and documentation because every dollar being spent belongs to soybean producers. Research is still the budget anchor. Rick estimates about 60% of retained board funds go toward research, with another 20% to 30% supporting education and outreach. Soybeans and livestock are directly linked. Rick says most domestically used soybeans go into animal agriculture, which explains why the board supports pork, poultry, and related educational programming. Soybean production geography in Oklahoma has shifted. Counties once dominant in eastern Oklahoma are no longer the only leaders; major soybean production now includes north-central Oklahoma, and the crop is pushing even farther west. Western Oklahoma soybeans bring new management questions. Brian points to irrigated production and iron deficiency issues in high-pH soils as examples of why region-specific research matters. Digital outreach is becoming a bigger part of the mission. The board is expanding through social media, recorded workshop content, YouTube, and online education platforms. Feral hog control is a serious agricultural issue. The board's support for control efforts shows how soybean leadership is responding to broader on-farm threats, not just soybean-only problems. Agricultural literacy is long-term risk management. Ginger makes the strongest public-facing point of the episode: informed teachers become informed communities, and informed communities shape the future of agriculture. Detailed Timestamped Rundown 00:02–01:06 Dave opens Episode 510 and frames soybeans as more than a field crop, tying them to livestock feed, producer research, ag education, and statewide outreach. He previews the conversation with Rick and Ginger Reimer of the Oklahoma Soybean Board and points listeners to Red Dirt Agronomy online for more resources.01:07–01:40 Dave introduces Brian Arnall, and the hosts set up the interview, noting it was recorded January 10, 2026, at the Oklahoma Wheat Commission booth during KNID Agrifest.01:41–03:24 Brian introduces Rick and Ginger Reimer. Rick explains his long tenure with the soybean organization and walks through the shift from the Oklahoma Soybean Commission to the Oklahoma Soybean Board after the national soybean checkoff was established, including the split of funds between the state and national boards.03:25–06:22 Ginger outlines her role in marketing, consumer information, and education. She explains how her classroom work evolved into teacher workshops that equip educators with supplies, books, curriculum, and hands-on materials. Rick adds that the board tracks reach by counting how many students those teachers serve each year. Ginger says they are nearing 800 teachers and about 20,000 students annually.06:22–08:41 The group discusses workshop themes including “Pork and Beans” and “Chicka Doodle Do.” Ginger describes using VR headsets to show students swine production and explains how different workshops are tailored for preschool through older students. Brian notes the board's outreach goes well beyond soybeans alone and reflects the full agricultural ecosystem.08:41–10:32 Rick stresses accountability for checkoff dollars, jokingly summarizing it as “document or die.” He explains the importance of receipts, audits, and compliance reviews because the board is spending producer money. He estimates roughly 60% of the state board's retained budget goes to research, 20% to 30% to education and outreach, and admin is kept near or under 10% when possible.10:32–13:38 Dave and Brian talk about Red Dirt Soy and the Oklahoma Soybean Board's support for digital outreach and research communication. They highlight how the board helped make room for creative, scalable outreach ideas, including online field-day style content that can reach producers across the state without requiring travel. Rick adds that soybean research also includes topics beyond yield, such as ensuring crop protection practices do not harm beneficial beetles.13:38–15:05 Rick explains why the board supports livestock-related education: livestock is soybeans' biggest customer. He says about half of U.S. soybeans are exported, while 97% of the soybeans staying domestic are used in animal agriculture. That is why Oklahoma Soybean Board programs often connect soybeans to pork, poultry, and other livestock sectors.15:05–17:23 The conversation shifts to crop rotation and geography. Rick says soybeans help clean up wheat fields and work well in rotations. He explains that the top soybean-producing counties in Oklahoma used to be in the east, but now counties such as Garfield, Grant, Kay, and Noble are among the leaders. Brian adds that soybeans have pushed farther west, even into the Panhandle, creating new fertility and iron-deficiency management challenges in high-pH soils.17:23–20:32 Rick and Brian explain why Oklahoma can be a strong soybean state: soil, weather, rainfall, and the crop's fit as a double-crop option behind wheat. Brian notes the historical appeal of double-crop beans as a relatively low-risk, high-reward system. The discussion also covers soybeans' sensitivity to timely late-season rains and the use of different maturity groups to spread production risk.20:32–25:11 Brian raises another lesser-known soybean board priority: feral hog control. Rick describes years of support for thermal scopes, traps, panels, and grain carts used in control efforts through Wildlife Services. The hosts explain how destructive hogs are to soybeans, hay meadows, pastures, and farm infrastructure, making this issue much bigger than row crops alone.25:11–29:04 Dave asks what is next for the board. Ginger says a bigger social media presence is a priority, along with posting recorded teacher workshops online so educators can revisit them later. She also describes forming a teacher advisory group, experimenting with Facebook Live training, and growing the board's YouTube content, including Rick reading Full of Beans: Henry Ford Grows a Car from a soybean field.29:04–31:28 Dave asks what producers want from the board. Rick says growers want strong production research and continued promotion of soybeans' value. Ginger adds a broader civic point: when they teach teachers, they are also reaching future voters, and agriculture needs a more informed public as farmland disappears under development.31:28–32:11 The episode wraps with appreciation from both sides and a reminder that agriculture works best when commodity groups and institutions collaborate. Dave closes the show and thanks listeners. RedDirtAgronomy.com
Dr. Jim Jacobi has spent the past 50 years in Hawaiʻi as a biologist specializing in mapping Hawai'i's unique ecosystems and studying the plants and animals contained within them. Like so many of his cohort, he is a skilled naturalist, having worked on introduced rats, native insects first for the Bishop Museum and then mapping vegetation and management research projects for the Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center of the US Geological Survey in Volcano. We talk to Jim about the evolution of tracking changes in vegetation by hand from aerial photos to the use of computer mapping and modelling. He shares with us the unique experiences heʻs had across the rugged U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service transects that traverse mountainous summits to sea, as well as the profound sorrow in witnessing the last Hawaiian honeycreeper in the wild, the Kauaʻi oʻo.
Sign up for our newsletter! On this week's episode: Safe drinking water is not a reality for many Americans. Residents of an Ohio town say their water tastes and smells bad, and leaves an oily sheen. But regulators say it's safe. Monarch butterflies and other species are waiting for official listing as the Fish and Wildlife Service makes changes to the Endangered Species Act. In towns where residents oppose building big data centers, zoning has become a way to control the narrative. The Trump administration announced it would rollback a Biden-era rule on power plant emissions of mercury, a neurotoxin that impairs cognitive development in young children. During the State of the Union address President Donald Trump said he worked out a deal with energy-hungry data centers to build their own power plants. State officials are looking to curb Pennsylvania's ongoing outbreak of bird flu. We're independent and non-profit, and we don't get money from WESA, WPSU or any other radio station. So we must turn to you, our listeners, for support. Take action today so we can continue to keep you informed. Donate today. Or send us a check to: The Allegheny Front, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh, 15203. And thanks!
Welcome back to another episode of Delta Waterfowl's The Voice of the Duck Hunter. Two retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents join us for a powerful and eye-opening conversation. Rich Grosz — one of our most requested guests — returns, and this time he's joined by his longtime colleague and friend Jay Pilgrim. In this episode, we dive deeper into one of the most controversial and commonly misunderstood violations in waterfowl hunting: baiting. How do federal agents detect it? What really counts as baiting? And how do good hunters sometimes find themselves in serious trouble? Rich and Jay share firsthand stories from decades in the field enforcing federal waterfowl laws, along with lessons every duck hunter should understand before stepping into the blind. If you care about ethical hunting and protecting the future of waterfowl, this is a must-watch episode.Website and Social Media Links: Delta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.org Facebook: /DeltaFans/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/Delta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaFans/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/
Welcome back to another episode of Delta Waterfowl's The Voice of the Duck Hunter. Two retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents join us for a powerful and eye-opening conversation. Rich Grosz — one of our most requested guests — returns, and this time he's joined by his longtime colleague and friend Jay Pilgrim.In this episode, we dig into one of the most controversial and commonly misunderstood violations in waterfowl hunting: baiting. How do federal agents detect it? What really counts as baiting? And how do good hunters sometimes find themselves in serious trouble?Rich and Jay share firsthand stories from decades in the field enforcing federal waterfowl laws, along with lessons every duck hunter should understand before stepping into the blind.If you care about ethical hunting and protecting the future of waterfowl, this is a must-watch episode.Website and Social Media Links:Delta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.orgFacebook: /DeltaFans/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/Delta Waterfowl: https://deltawaterfowl.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaFans/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deltawaterfowl/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaWaterfowl/
In this interview, Clay and Melissa talk to husband and wife biologists Colleen and Ian Cole about their respective careers as land stewards and conservation program managers. Both have been working in Hawaiʻi for 25+ years; Ian as a forester and now Wildlife Biologist for the Hawaiʻi Island's Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and Colleen as a land manager for the Three Mountain Alliance and now as a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Colleen and Ian speak to the hard work of managing land and people which sometimes equates to small victories over time. They tell us about forging alliances between land owners, hunters, conservationists and biologists and how these experiences bring both unique challenges and lasting rewards.
The deadline to decide on whether grizzly bears will remain under federal protection has been pushed back by a year. The U.S.. Fish and Wildlife Service was originally court-ordered to make a decision by the end of January, but last Friday, a federal judge extended that deadline to the end of the year.
This story is about a heist that took place back in 2013 – not at a museum, or a gallery, or a royal palace, but at a garden. What these thieves were after… were Venus Fly Traps. We visit the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden in Wilmington, North Carolina to learn about plants that eat meat, a venus fly trap lover with a vanity license plate, and the shocking $20,000 heist that's still an unsolved mystery.Learn about visiting the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden…If you're in the market for a Venus Fly Trap, check out this guide from the US Fish and Wildlife Service about how to avoid poached plants. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Danielle Brigida is the Senior Director of Wildlife Communications & Strategy at the World Wildlife Fund. Prior to that role, she was a Deputy Director of Digital Strategy at the U. S. Department of the Interior and the National Social Media Manager for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Your host, Tim Akimoff of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, first met Danielle in her earlier roles and has often bounced ideas off of her and leaned on her vast experience over the years. It seemed a long podcast conversation was overdue, so pull up a chair and have a nice eavesdrop session on a conversation between two friends who have been bantering about conservation communication and the many challenges therein over the last decade. Learn more about the World Wildlife Fund Contact your host Tim Akimoff timothy.a.akimoff@odfw.oregon.gov (907) 887-4496
Over a Month Since the Last Podcast - feels good to be back. Jason got a new gig at RDO Trucks in Bismarck/Dickinson - Werd. How Thick is the Ice on Lake Audubon? Thick enough to ice fish all over, of course. BUT, if you DON'T know Audubon well, I wouldn't venture all over without worry. Well known freshwater springs all over, especially by the islands. Latest Ice Fishing Report from the Prairie… Lots of Perch Going All Over, Finding the 15+s, well…that's on you My last trip was on Lake Oahe - been pretty tough so far this winter all-around Review on RodFather Ice Fishing Rods Sensitivity Big Hook Keepers Fun Rod to Fish With Call the Rodfather (Find him on Facebook at "Rodfather Rods")…aka, Permo - and tell him what you want. You will love the end result. Found a Great Source for those with BAD problems with ice house tarps (tears, zippers, etc.) Gartner's Capital Shoe Hospital - https://share.google/PQ30tkcU5NhGOSlCa (ZERO sponsor - Good People) If you had unlimited funds….would you run a Snobear? If not….why the heck not? 2nd Half Headlines DuckGate Senator Kennedy urges the USFWS to study legal baiting's impact on duck migration and Louisiana's waterfowl populations. https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Kennedy+Calls+for+U.S.+Fish+and+Wildlife+Service+to+Study+Impact+of+Flooded+Corn+on+Duck+Migration+in+Louisiana Northern Minnesota man to be named to fishing Hall of Fame Brian 'Bro' Brosdahl, owner of Bro's Guide Service, is one of several who will be honored in September. https://www.echopress.com/sports/northland-outdoors/northern-minnesota-man-to-be-named-to-fishing-hall-of-fame Video: A Hunter Was Arrested for Glassing a Dummy Buck During a Poaching Sting. Now He's Suing the DNR for Abuse of Power Body cam footage from the arrest shows that after he was stopped for looking at a deer decoy through binoculars, a game warden told the hunter that "you can't stop and look at a deer with a gun in the truck" https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/hunter-sues-south-carolina-dnr-wrongful-arrest/ ACTIVE TARGET 2XL IS OUT 180-degree View Switch from Forward to Down without Adjustments Can use 2 transducers and create a 360-view https://www.lowrance.com/activetarget-2/?srsltid=AfmBOop4ykevcRlQwr4DAcAfmmLBxh-PaIo_0IOukflDMadUGIxm9NS3 And Again…how will Forward Facing Sonar Affect Fishing Tournaments Going Forward Best HOT Drinks When It's COLD Outside Adult Hot Chocolate Mexican Coffee Irish Coffee Hot Toddy Tom & Jerry Hot Sake
Nineties kids didn't dawdle on the way home from school in the afternoon. This was the age of appointment television, and that appointment was with Totally Wild.From 1992 it was beloved afternoon viewing for almost 30 years, hosted with a massive smile (and a decent fringe) by Ranger Stacey.Every superhero has their origin story, and a superhero of environmental education is no different…From the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service, to holding her own with cranky carpet-faced puppet Agro, and then hosting her own TV show for 29 years.This is the origin story of Ranger Stacey Thomson.Featuring:Ranger Stacey Thomson, environmental educator, Redland City CouncilProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Taungurung people.Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.
Tune in this week as Katrina and Guy head to Alaska's Kuskokwim River! U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guests Frank Harris and Aaron Moses describe this fish, its importance to people, the river + Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, and the logistical challenges of studying fish in remote Alaska (MacGyver story included!).If you like this episode, we've got another for you that offers an Iñupiat perspective and science from a different region of Alaska: S2:E47: Broad Whitefish: Trade and Table Fare
OL hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean heads to D.C. to interview Brian Nesvik, the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under his direction the USFWS is deferring to states, assessing its refuges, leveraging technology, and enabling the energy-first agenda of the Trump administration. Reporting by hunting and conservation editor Andrew McKean. Hosted and produced by executive editor Natalie Krebs. Edited by Mike Pedersen / Eighty Five Audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Originally aired on January 11, 2026. On this episode, Doug addresses Senator John Kennedy's letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service about legal baiting in the Midwest, which is preventing ducks from migrating southbound. It's a big topic with a lot of ins and outs, and Doug brings in David Pruett from Riceland Waterfowl Club to help break it all down. Doug also interviews Ed Arrighi from American Shooting Centers to talk all things rifle supressors. All this and more, on The Doug Pike Show.
In this episode, Matt Wyatt sits down with wildlife biologist Luke Pearson of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to explore one of Mississippi's most fascinating and misunderstood creatures: the alligator snapping turtle. Mississippi holds some of the highest populations in the entire world, especially in the Delta region, where food-rich rivers help these reptiles grow to extraordinary sizes — sometimes 150 pounds or more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Michigan just changed how the next generation learns to hunt and it could reshape hunting nationwide. In this year-end edition of The Sportsmen's Voice Roundup, Fred Bird delivers a concise but consequential policy update for hunters, anglers, and public-lands advocates across the country. The headline story comes out of Michigan, where legislation to allow hunter education in schools has passed both chambers and now awaits the governor's signature. If signed, the program would count toward graduation credit and satisfy the classroom requirement for a Michigan hunting license an unprecedented step toward strengthening hunting heritage and recruitment. Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation's Bob Matthews joins the show to explain how this long-fought effort came together, what it means for hunter recruitment and retention, and why other states are watching closely. This conversation gets into the mechanics of hunter education, the role of conservation-minded lawmakers, and how classroom-based programs can protect access to hunting while building informed, responsible sportsmen. Beyond Michigan, the episode hits critical national updates affecting waterfowl hunting, deer management, and fishing regulations. Listeners will hear about wildlife crossings legislation that improves habitat connectivity and human safety, updates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on refuges and hatcheries, changes to Missouri's deer seasons and CWD management, and new mandatory harvest reporting rules for North Carolina anglers targeting species like red drum and speckled trout. The Sportsmen's Voice is an insider briefing designed to keep serious outdoorsmen informed, effective, and engaged as we head into a new year of hunting and fishing policy battles. Get the FREE Sportsmen's Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Follow The Sportsmen's Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After more than 50 years as one of the country's landmark environmental laws, the Endangered Species Act has gone from one of the most popular measures before Congress to one fueling demands that it be revised, if not discarded. The National Parks Traveler is reviewing the Endangered Species Act's work and its record, spotlighting individual species that it's protected, those that it failed, and those that it recovered. The monthslong series comes as ESA champions worry that the push to weaken the law could consign countless animals and plants to the growing list of flora and fauna that, like the Passenger pigeon, are now found only in books and online. The National Park System seems to be the perfect background to explore these questions, as its lands are supposedly the best preserved on the federal landscape. I recently interviewed two wildlife advocates — Jake Li, a vice president with Defenders of Wildlife who spent time working in the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before joining the advocacy group, and Stephanie Adams, director of wildlife at the National Parks Conservation Association. Though the interviews were done separately, the questions were largely the same. What follows is a merging of those two conversations.
The spotted owl has been a conservation flashpoint for more than 30 years. While habitat loss has been their historic foe, their most recent threat comes from within the owl family tree: the barred owl. Barred owls have expanded into the Pacific Northwest and are now outcompeting spotted owls for food and habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has put forth a strategy that some experts say is the only way to save the spotted owl, and it could involve killing hundreds of thousands of barred owls.Ecologist and spotted owl expert Rocky Gutierrez joins Host Flora Lichtman to break down the plan, and explain how we got to this point.Guest: Dr. R.J. “Rocky” Gutierrez is an owl ecologist and professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota. He's now based in Humboldt County, California.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.
On this episode, we are joined by wildlife biologist and renowned writer Bob Humphrey. With a career spanning the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, environmental consulting, and over 40 years of hunting across the continent, he blends scientific insight with real-world experience few can match. Bob is also a prolific outdoor writer and editor, contributing to our very own Gamekeeper magazine. From deer biology to turkey strategy to life on the water, his storytelling and expertise make him a go to voice in the outdoor world. Listen, Learn and Enjoy. Send a text message to the show! Support the showStay connected with GameKeepers: Instagram: @mossyoakgamekeepers Facebook: @GameKeepers Twitter: @MOGameKeepers YouTube: @MossyOakGameKeepers Website: https://mossyoakgamekeeper.com/ Enter The Gamekeeper Giveaway: https://bit.ly/GK_Giveaway Subscribe to Gamekeepers Magazine: https://bit.ly/GK_Magazine Buy a Single Issue of Gamekeepers Magazine: https://bit.ly/GK_Single_Issue Join our Newsletters: Field Notes - https://bit.ly/GKField_Notes | The Branch - https://bit.ly/the_branch Have a question for us or a podcast idea? Email us at gamekeepers@mossyoak.com
Dave is retired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where from 1990-1999 he led the USFWS's effort to reintroduce the endangered Mexican gray wolf to the American Southwest. His interests include the ecology and conservation of large carnivores, protection and conservation of biodiversity, and wildlands conservation at scales that fully support ecological and evolutionary […] Read full article: Episode 162: Inside Dave Parsons' Battle to Bring Back El Lobo and the Decades of Carnivore Advocacy That Followed
I have the authors of Letters from the Mountain Steve Chase and Brad Meiklejohn then at 53 minutes Dr Michael Mann joins to talk COP 30 and more Subscribe and Watch Interviews LIVE : On YOUTUBE.com/StandUpWithPete ON SubstackStandUpWithPete Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. This show is Ad free and fully supported by listeners like you! Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 750 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous soul Join us Thursday's at 8EST for our Weekly Happy Hour Hangout! Subscribe and Watch Interviews LIVE On YOUTUBE.com/StandUpWithPete ON SubstackStandUpWithPete Steve Chase A native of Connecticut, Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with an Earth Science Minor from the University of Hartford, and a Master of Public Administration from the Barney School of Business and Public Administration. He was the first Presidential Management Intern from the Barney School. Steve joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1990 as a Presidential Management Intern, where he worked on National Wildlife Refuge System, Migratory Bird, and Law Enforcement issues in Headquarters. In 1993 he joined the staff of the NCTC where he was deeply involved in the design and development of the NCTC campus and its operations. He later become Division Manager of Facility and Administrative Operations, Division Manager of Education and Outreach, and Division Manager of Training Support and Heritage. Steve was instrumental in the establishment of the Fish and Wildlife Service's national history/heritage programs, including development of the NCTC museum, exhibits, and archives. He has also served as the Financial Officer and Special Assistant to the Director at the NCTC. He is a member of Cohort 1 of the FWS Advanced Leadership Development Program, and received the Service's Heritage Award in 2018. Steve has been instrumental in a number of national-scope conservation initiatives and gatherings over the past two decades. He was a lead organizer of the National Dialogue on Children and Nature in 2006, an event that kickstarted the Connecting People to Nature Movement in America. He is a co-founder of the Student Climate and Conservation Congress (SC3) and the Native Youth Community Adaption and Leadership Congress, both of these youth leadership events have fostered a new cadre of young adult leaders in Conservation. Steve also co-organized a series of important national conservation history symposia, including the 1999 Leopold Historical Symposium, Rachel Carson Symposium, The Muries Symposium, and the 50th Anniversary of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Symposium, He co-edited proceedings documents on several of these events. In the past Steve has worked as a river guide in northwest Maine, as a backcountry caretaker for the Randolph Mountain Club in the northern Presidential Range in New Hampshire; a buyer and technical representative in the ski and climbing industry; a Legislative Fellow for the Connecticut State Legislature; a teacher and coach; and a municipal public works administrator. He also worked as a media specialist at the Talcott Mountain Science Center in Connecticut. Steve is the former Board Chair of The Murie Center in Moose, WY; is the founding President of the American Conservation Film Festival in Shepherdstown; and is the past President of the Unison Preservation Society. Non-work activities include river running, fishing, writing, playing mandolin and bass, going to live music shows, and spending time with his family. Steve resides in Middleburg, Virginia. Brad Meiklejohn Brad has represented The Conservation Fund in Alaska since 1994. He has completed hundreds of conservation projects across Alaska and the Western United States, including the dramatic removal of the Eklutna River Dam. Brad is currently leading the construction of a wildlife highway crossing near his family home in northern New Hampshire. Brad previously served as President of the Patagonia Land Trust, President of the American Packrafting Association, Associate Director of the Utah Avalanche Center and a board director of the Murie Center. Brad has been recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the National Land Protection Award and the National Wetlands Conservation Award, and he received the Olaus Murie Award from the Alaska Conservation Foundation. Brad is a wilderness explorer and birder who has traveled widely across Alaska and the world. Dr. Michael Mann is Presidential Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania, with a secondary appointment in the Annenberg School for Communication. His research focuses on climate science and climate change. He was selected by Scientific American as one of the fifty leading visionaries in science and technology in 2002, was awarded the Hans Oeschger Medal of the European Geophysical Union in 2012. He made Bloomberg News' list of fifty most influential people in 2013. He has received the Friend of the Planet Award from the National Center for Science Education, the Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication from Climate, the Award for Public Engagement with Science from the AAAS, the Climate Communication Prize from the American Geophysical Union and the Leo Szilard Award of the American Physical Society. He received the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement 2019 and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2020. He is a Fellow of the AGU, AMS, GSA, AAAS and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He is co-founder of RealClimate.org, author of more than 200 peer-reviewed and edited publications, numerous op-eds and commentaries, and five books including Dire Predictions, The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars, The Madhouse Effect, The Tantrum that Saved the World, and The New Climate War. Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on YouTube Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page