Don't Forget Your Boots

Will Harlan of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine

In this episode, Will explains the difference between National Parks and National Forests, why environmental conservation shouldn't be a partisan issue, and some surprising conservation wins in the Trump administration. We also talk about the state of Red Wolves, one of the most endangered animals in the world, trail running, and his bestseller Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and The Fight For Cumberland Island. 

Enrique Ortiz of the Andes Amazon Fund

This week I speak with Enrique Ortiz of the Andes Amazon Fund. Enrique talks about the forest fires, the current state of the Amazon and addresses some common misconceptions about the Amazon. 

 I met Enrique because the digital agency I work with, Yoko Co, redid his website, AndesAmazondfund.org. If you are or an association, non-profit, or any organization with a passion beyond pure profit, and need a new site or ongoing marketing efforts, drop us a line, we’d be happy to help!

 

Nancy Fahey of the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project

In this episode, I speak with Nancy Fahey of the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project. We talk the life span, gestational period, and migratory patterns of Loggerhead sea turtles, why North Carolina and Virginia, in particular, are imperative for the preservation of sea turtles, and why we might be seeing some really good trends for the populations of these majestic creatures.

 

In our conversation, Nancy mentions a few resources for people local to the North Carolina area to call if they come across a sea turtle or a sea turtle nest, which I have dropped in below. Hope you enjoy the podcast!

 

Local to Wrightsville beach:      1 833 4 Turtle

North Carolina Hotline:              252 241 7367

David Stein of the Prairie Rivers of Iowa

In this episode, I talk with David Stein of the Prairie Rivers of Iowa. While some of his work is specific to Iowa, there are a lot of national takeaways and we talk about overall watershed health and what plants farmers and local landowners can grow that will actually benefit the soil and pollinators. 

Stefanie Brendl of Shark Allies

In our interview, Stefanie and I speak about her up-close experiences of diving with sharks, the unfair depiction of sharks in the media, and shark finning trends and potential solutions. You can follow Stefanie and SharkAllies on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, the links are below— 

 

• https://www.facebook.com/SharkAllies/

• https://www.instagram.com/sharkallies/

• https://twitter.com/SharkAllies

Chris Duke of the Madagascar Project

In this podcast, I speak with Chris Duke of the Phoenix Conservancy Project, who is heading up the newly formed Madagascar Project. 

 

We speak about Madagascar, a country that a lot of people, including conservation groups kinda write off as a lost cause. In particular, Chris is working to protect something called the Lost Forest of Ivohboro that wasn’t discovered until 2016. 

 

Chris also explains that while Madagascar is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, it is still one of the most undervalued ecosystems, even to other conservation groups. 

 

Below are the links for the spices that would directly help the rainforest: 

  

 

Voatsiperifery
• https://spicetrekkers.com/products/spices/wild-voatsiperifery-pepper-madagascar
• https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Wild+Voatsiperifery+Pepper+-+Madagascar&ref=nb_sb_noss
Vanilla
• https://www.kerry.com/about/sustainability/sustainable-vanilla
Also, here is the link for the Crystal Jewelry Fundraiser which proceeds goe directly to the local Madagascar people.
• https://www.gofundme.com/f/crystal-jewelry-fundraiser?fbclid=IwAR3hwrW4MiQYvMPuRJ9r3oHwJN9db3Fk3Zj4O4vtDMmlilhnF_X6BghMwTM

 

 

 

 

Interview with Research Assistant Sara Marriott

In this podcast, I speak with Sara Marriott, a research assistant and Ph.D. student in Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason University. Sara blows my mind about the state worldwide fisheries, why most fish sold in America is imported (even if caught in US waters) and once and for all explains how to know if your seafood is fresh, safe, and sustainable. 

Amelia Mason of Skywatch Bird Rescue

In this podcast, I chat with Amelia Mason, the founder of Skywatch Bird Rescue, about her organization, what to do when you think you see an injured bird, and how she saved thousands of birds from Hurricane Florence.

Fair warning, this is a bit of a louder episode, with Mille and other birds chiming in periodically throughout the recording. With that in mind, I tried to edit as best as I could.

Dr Paul O'Donoghue of the Scottish Wildcat Haven

In this podcast, I sit down with Dr. Paul O'Donoghue, a wildlife biologist and the Chief Scientific Advisor of the Scottish Wildcat Haven. The Scottish Wildcat is the most endangered mammal in Britain and one of the rarest animals in the world. These Wildcats, which used to inhabit all of Great Britain, now can only be found in the Scottish Highlands, and are facing genetic extinction largely due to inbreeding with domestic cats.

Paul explains how Wildcats went from being deeply embedded and revered in Scottish culture, even appearing on clans emblems, to now going virtually extinct.

Mike Flynn of the North Carolina Coastal Federation

In this podcast, I sit down with Mike Flynn, the Coastal Advocate for the northeast regional office of the North Carolina Coastal Federation. Mike is a wealth of knowledge about environmental policy and action, particularly in the North Carolina area. During the discussion, we chat about offshore drilling, advancing oyster restoration, and implementation of a new plan called "living shoreline".