Rewilding Earth Podcast

Note from Randy: Hi everyone thank you for listening. On the podcast I speak about not reporting possible poachers when they talk about jaguar killings. In addition to the fact that information channels would dry up if we were to report those who talk about killing jaguars, there is also the fact that actual poachers with evidence of the crimes are not prosecuted. In the death of Corazon the jaguar and the bear killed in Cumpas there was physical evidence and no charges were brought against the perpetrators. In the case of the bear in Cumpas there was video of the killing and the boasting. In that case, the people reporting it were even threatened.  I know that a conviction would help protect jaguars. But by the same logic another killing not prosecuted damages peoples belief that jaguars are protected. We are woking hard to change peoples views and relationships with jaguars and biodiversity in general. Thank you. About Randy Young Villegas As former manager of the Northern Jaguar Reserve in Sahuaripa, Sonora, Randy witnessed the environmental destruction from current agricultural systems that leads to jaguar persecution. Randy has experience in landscape restoration, permaculture, water harvesting, and natural building, and completed a diplomado program on agaves and mesquites to regenerate semi-arid zones through the University of Guanajuato. He has been involved in different aspects of community development and is a member of the Committee for Sustainable Rural Development for the municipality of Sahuaripa and the Sembrando Vida program for the Santo Tomás, Sehuadehuachi, and Pónida ejidos (community owned lands). Topics * Working with landowners to reconnect with the land through regenerative agriculture and permaculture, natural building techniques * Recreating a bond with nature that provides more stable income for landowners while providing safe habitat for Jaguars to roam and live * Winning hearts and minds leading to a respect and even pride in helping large carnivores * Examples of working with nature, alternatives to monoculture farming, and creating a win-win for people and nature Extra Credit Visit La Tierra del Jaguar for more information and to get involved! Download the transcript for episode 122 (PDF)   Note from Randy: Hi everyone thank you for listening. On the podcast I speak about not reporting possible poachers when they talk about jaguar killings. In addition to the fact that information channels would dry up if we were to report those who talk about killing jaguars, there is also the fact that actual poachers with evidence of the crimes are not prosecuted. In the death of Corazon the jaguar and the bear killed in Cumpas there was physical evidence and no charges were brought against the perpetrators. In the case of the bear in Cumpas there was video of the killing and the boasting. In that case, the people reporting it were even threatened.  I know that a conviction would help protect jaguars. But by the same logic another killing not prosecuted damages peoples belief that jaguars are protected. We are woking hard to change peoples views and relationships with jaguars and biodiversity in general. Thank you. About Randy Young Villegas As former manager of the Northern Jaguar Reserve in Sahuaripa, Sonora, Randy witnessed the environmental destruction from current agricultural systems that leads to jaguar persecution. Randy has experience in landscape restoration, permaculture, water harvesting, and natural building, and completed a diplomado program on agaves and mesquites to regenerate semi-arid zones through the University of Guanajuato. He has been involved in different aspects of community development and is a member of the Committee for Sustainable Rural Development f...

About Before joining The Rewilding Institute, Megan “Turtle” Southern was the coordinator of the Northern Jaguar Project, where she helped to establish and grow the Northern Jaguar Reserve in Sonora, Mexico, organized scientific research projects and conservation education among youth, and worked extensively with ranchers to promote coexistence. It has been 15 years since the jaguar known as Macho B died. That is an entire lifetime for a jaguar. It has been eight years since El Jefe was last seen in Arizona, having since moved south into Sonora, Mexico. The newest U.S. jaguar, confirmed earlier this year, follows in their footsteps – a trail that leads through Arizona and New Mexico to vast areas of wild, rugged habitat and abundant prey. What this new jaguar shows us: Arizona is still wild, we still have our apex predator here, and the border is still porous enough that wild jaguars can cross it. Jaguars are telling us with their movements that they need access to both sides of the border, and that we need to keep linkages open between core areas. Large portions of Arizona and New Mexico have been identified as potential jaguar habitat, based on historical observations, vegetation type, prey availability, and proximity to water. With Arizona and New Mexico in the mix, the northern population of jaguars could double in number from the cats found in Sonora, habitat options would be expanded, genetic integrity improved, and overall, there would be a more positive outlook for the future. We know that 20 years ago, the jaguar population in Sonora was believed to be in decline. The idea of setting up what is now the Northern Jaguar Reserve was seen by some as an impractical dream. Today, this core area is protected, a priority for conservation, and essential to jaguar survival and recovery. Being in places where jaguars roam, like on the reserve, provides countless opportunities for inspiration for what the next 20 years of conservation efforts will bring for jaguars in their northern range. Jaguars belong in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, historically and still today. This is their home.  Topics Field guide to get to know the jaguar Jaguars in the United States – historically Jaguars in the United States – modern times One place northern jaguars live: Northern Jaguar Reserve Finding understanding, inspiration, and story from jaguars in the U.S. and Mexico Corridors, connectivity, threats, the border wall Hints at future plans, how carnivores prompt us to think big… stay tuned for more. Storytelling is key to advancing conservation; science alone doesn’t lead to action, and imaginative empathy is key, as discussed recently with Paula MacKay and Robert Long in Episode 120. Extra Credit * Northern Jaguar Reserve * Embattled Borderlands, Krista Schlyer / Borderlands Project StoryMap * The Border Wall in Arizona and New Mexico, Wildlands Network StoryMap * Where Jaguars Roam, Forktailed Media * Read the book “Borderland Jaguars“ * Related podcasts: – Laiken Jordahl and Lauren Strohacker’s Rewilding Earth ep...

About Paula MacKay has studied wild carnivores for the past two decades and is currently a carnivore conservation specialist with Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. Also dedicated to communications on behalf of her wild kin, Paula earned an MFA in creative writing from Pacific Lutheran University in 2015. She was managing editor for Noninvasive Survey Methods for Carnivores (Island Press, 2008), and her work has been published in numerous journals, magazines, books, and anthologies. Paula lives on an island near Seattle with her husband (Robert Long) and more-than-human dogs, in the company of elder trees. Visit her website to read Paula’s writings about rewilding and to subscribe to her blog, Wild Prose. Dr. Robert Long is a Senior Conservation Scientist at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, and director of the zoo’s Living Northwest program. His primary responsibilities include coordinating carnivore research and conservation projects in the Pacific Northwest. Robert has twenty-plus years of experience studying a variety of species, most recently wolverines, lynx, martens, and urban carnivores such as coyotes, and also bears, fishers, bobcats, foxes, deer, snowshoe hares, and owls. He holds degrees from Humboldt State University, the University of Maine, and the University of Vermont. In 2008, he co-edited the book, Noninvasive Survey Methods for Carnivores. He currently lives with his wife (Paula MacKay) and their dogs on Bainbridge Island. Topics * Working with carnivores: carnivore conservation & research in the Pacific Northwest * Non-invasive methods of studying carnivores like camera traps * Animal autonomy * How pervasive are camera traps now that anyone can use them? * How to ensure communities feel safe with cameras in urban monitoring environments * Scat in the freezer and books on poop! Extra Credit * NORTHWEST CARNIVORE SCIENCE & CONSERVATION PROGRAM * Paula MacKay’s website * Learn more about non-invasive survey methods for carnivore research Books Mentioned: Ben Goldfarb, Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of our Planet. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2023. Episode 120 Transcript (PDF) About Paula MacKay has studied wild carnivores for the past two decades and is currently a carnivore conservation specialist with Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. Also dedicated to communications on behalf of her wild kin, Paula earned an MFA in creative writing from Pacific Lutheran University in 2015. She was managing editor for Noninvasive Survey Methods for Carnivores (Island Press, 2008), and her work has been published in numerous journals, magazines, books, and anthologies. Paula lives on an island near Seattle with her husband (Ro...

About Lauren Strohacker is an eco-political artist whose work emphasizes the non-human in an increasingly human-centric world. She received a BFA (2006) from The Ohio State University and an MFA (2011) from Arizona State University. Strohacker’s co-creative and site-responsive practice routinely collaborates with both local and national wildlife conservation organizations to conceptualize animals who have been displaced by the colonial built environment, controlled by the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and erased by the anthropocentrism of capitalism. Conceptually, Strohacker’s focus on wildlife and public space reflects larger contexts of ecology, politics, and radical interspecies municipality. Topics * Art in unexpected places * Reinvigorating human connection to nature, the wild things * The border wall Jaguar project and other work * The power of art to move people, pattern interruptions * Art as a campfire Extra Credit * Check out Lauren’s amazing art here! * Episode 119: Lauren Strohacker Transcript 2023 About Lauren Strohacker is an eco-political artist whose work emphasizes the non-human in an increasingly human-centric world. She received a BFA (2006) from The Ohio State University and an MFA (2011) from Arizona State University. Strohacker’s co-creative and site-responsive practice routinely collaborates with both local and national wildlife conservation organizations to conceptualize animals who have been displaced by the colonial built environment, controlled by the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and erased by the anthropocentrism of capitalism. Conceptually, Strohacker’s focus on wildlife and public space reflects larger contexts of ecology, politics, and radical interspecies municipality. Topics * Art in unexpected places * Reinvigorating human connection to nature, the wild things * The border wall Jaguar project and other work * The power of art to move people, pattern interruptions * Art as a campfire Extra Credit * Check out Lauren’s amazing art here! * Episode 119: Lauren Strohacker Transcript 2023

About In the early 1980s, an outdoorsy, nature-loving undergrad named Keith Bowers had an epiphany. Keith had been studying landscape architecture at the University of Virginia when he met Ed Garbisch, a pioneering practitioner of marsh restoration along the Chesapeake Bay. “Wait a minute,” thought Keith. “I can apply my education to restoring the places I love?” After graduating in 1982, Keith started Biohabitats, an ecological restoration company. 36 years later, with a mission to “restore the earth and inspire ecological stewardship,” Biohabitats has become one of the most recognized names in ecological restoration and conservation. Topics * What is a BCorp? * What is a Perpetual Purpose Trust? * How does making nature the only shareholder in a company benefit conservation efforts? * What it’s like to work in such a company. * What’s ahead for forward-thinking companies who choose this model and how will it help rewild the planet? Extra Credit: * Subscribe to Leaf Litter at Biohabitats * Purpose Owned | Natalie White: “Specializing in a new legal form of ownership called the Perpetual Purpose Trusts. We help create plans that allow founders to protect their values while they step aside and new leaders to step in, deepen impact thought codifying purpose commitments, design ways to share governance and rewards with stakeholders, and bring in aligned financing to create regenerative business models. Purpose Foundation: “Purpose Foundation helps businesses and communities build equitable ownership, governance, and financing models.” Profit Reimagined: “We are on a journey to build a world where every women founder has the financial literacy to grow their own business.” Transcript: Download the transcript of Episode 118 About In the early 1980s, an outdoorsy, nature-loving undergrad named Keith Bowers had an epiphany. Keith had been studying landscape architecture at the University of Virginia when he met Ed Garbisch, a pioneering practitioner of marsh restoration along the Chesapeake Bay. “Wait a minute,” thought Keith. “I can apply my education to restoring the places I love?” After graduating in 1982, Keith started Biohabitats, an ecological restoration company. 36 years later, with a mission to “restore the earth and inspire ecological stewardship,” Biohabitats has become one of the most recognized names in ecological restoration and conservation. Topics * What is a BCorp? * What is a Perpetual Purpose Trust? * How does making nature the only shareholder in a company benefit conservation efforts? * What it’s like to work in such a company. * What’s ahead for forward-thinking companies who choose this model and how will it help rewild the planet? Extra Credit: * Subscribe to Leaf Litter at Biohabitats * Purpose Owned | Natalie White: “Specializing in a new legal form of ownership called the Perpetual Purpose Trusts. We help create plans that allow founders to protect their values while they step aside and new leaders to step in, deepen impact thought codifying purpose commitments, design ways to share governance and rewards with stakeholders, and bring in aligned financing to create regenerative business models.

About Christina Selby is a conservation photographer, filmmaker, and science writer, who uses multimedia storytelling as a powerful tool to share the beauty of the planet and motivate others to act on behalf of nature. She uses use aerial, macro, landscape, underwater, remote camera, photojournalism, and any other technique required to tell engaging stories that speak to our shared need for beauty and connection to nature. Her storytelling focuses on remembering who we are, what we can be, and our place in the world as caretakers. She’s the author of Best Wildflower Hikes of New Mexico (FalconGuides, March 2020), New Mexico Family Outdoor Adventures (UNM Press, September 2021), and producer and co-director of the feature documentary Saving Beauty: Learning to Live with the Rare Ones Among Us. In 2022, Christina became an Emerging League Member of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Christina’s full bio can be found here. Topics * The challenges of photographing and telling a visual story of springs * The wild, far-out places Christina has travelled to capture the story of endangered springs * The importance of translating the science through art to help laypeople understand the issues and encourage their involvement in the solutions Extra Credit * Visit Christina’s site to check out her photography and work * Springs of the Southwest Project * Visit the Spring Stewardship Institute * Check out Biohabitats “Leaf Litter” Newsletter to meet more people like Christina   About Christina Selby is a conservation photographer, filmmaker, and science writer, who uses multimedia storytelling as a powerful tool to share the beauty of the planet and motivate others to act on behalf of nature. She uses use aerial, macro, landscape, underwater, remote camera, photojournalism, and any other technique required to tell engaging stories that speak to our shared need for beauty and connection to nature. Her storytelling focuses on remembering who we are, what we can be, and our place in the world as caretakers. She’s the author of Best Wildflower Hikes of New Mexico (FalconGuides, March 2020), New Mexico Family Outdoor Adventures (UNM Press, September 2021), and producer and co-director of the feature documentary Saving Beauty: Learning to Live with the Rare Ones Among Us. In 2022, Christina became an Emerging League Member of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Christina’s full bio can be found here. Topics * The challenges of photographing and telling a visual story of springs * The wild, far-out places Christina has travelled to capture the story of endangered springs * The importance of translating the science through art to help laypeople understand the issues and encourage their involvement in the solutions

About A native of New Jersey, Jamie discovered his passion for Wild Nature surrounded by meadows and forests near his home and on a family outing in an old growth forest in the Quebec wilderness. In 1986 he bought a log cabin in northern New Hampshire where he still lives. In 1985 Jamie became involved with Earth First!, and his “Preserve Appalachian Wilderness Proposal” appeared in the May 1987 issue of the Earth First! Journal. The following year, working as a reporter for the local weekly, he stumbled upon news that former Diamond International timberlands were for sale. Jamie quit his job and formed first “Preserve Appalachian Wilderness” (PAW) and later “Northern Appalachian Restoration Project” (NARP) to fight the destruction of wild areas and spectacular old-growth in northern New England. Jamie continues to advocate for big wilderness and continental-scale wildlands networks. He is an author who has written “You Had a Job for Life,” and “Children of the Northern Forest: Wild New England’s History from Glaciers to Global Warming.” Jamie is also Rewilding Leadership Council member. Topics * What happens when a degraded forest plot is sold vs what should happen * How towns are coping with the loss of the single extractive industry that formerly propped them up * Learning to live within hard limits of nature Extra Credit Books * Children of the Northern Forest * You Had a Job for Life Resources * Subscribe to From the Ground Up * Wildlands in New England Report * Jamie’s articles on Rewilding.org * RESTORE The North Woods * Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmlands & Communities About A native of New Jersey, Jamie discovered his passion for Wild Nature surrounded by meadows and forests near his home and on a family outing in an old growth forest in the Quebec wilderness.

About Duncan is the Founder and Managing Director of Journeys With Purpose.  Journeys With Purpose is a member of 1% for the Planet, 

About Rachel Conn As Deputy Director of Amigos Bravos, Rachel advocates for strong and environmentally just local, state, and federal water policy. She provides hands-on support to New Mexico communities and groups working to protect their watersheds. She is a leader in the ongoing campaigns to hold Los Alamos National Lab accountable for pollution, designate more of New Mexico’s waters as Outstanding National Resource Waters, protect New Mexico’s ground and surface water from degradation caused by mining, and advocate for strong water quality standards throughout New Mexico. Topics * Re-watering headwaters in northern New Mexico and statewide * The Amigos Bravos “wetland jewels” program * Differences between New Mexico’s “bouncing” wetlands and wetlands with standing water and cattails * River Otter reintroductions in the upper Rio Grande Watershed and possibilities in the Gila watershed * Restoration work with partners like Biohabitats Extra Credit * Visit & Support Amigos Bravos! * Read: Reintroduction of River Otters to New Mexico * Subscribe to Biohabitats “Leaf Litter” newsletter to meet more wild advocates like Rachel! About Rachel Conn As Deputy Director of Amigos Bravos, Rachel advocates for strong and environmentally just local, state, and federal water policy. She provides hands-on support to New Mexico communities and groups working to protect their watersheds. She is a leader in the ongoing campaigns to hold Los Alamos National Lab accountable for pollution, designate more of New Mexico’s waters as Outstanding National Resource Waters, protect New Mexico’s ground and surface water from degradation caused by mining, and advocate for strong water quality standards throughout New Mexico. Topics * Re-watering headwaters in northern New Mexico and statewide * The Amigos Bravos “wetland jewels” program * Differences between New Mexico’s “bouncing” wetlands and wetlands with standing water and cattails * River Otter reintroductions in the upper Rio Grande Watershed and possibilities in the Gila watershed * Restoration work with partners like Biohabitats Extra Credit * Visit & Support Amigos Bravos! * Read: Reintroduction of River Otters to New Mexico * Subscribe to Biohabitats “Leaf Litter” newsletter to meet more wild advocates like Rachel!

About Peter Alagona Peter is a professor of Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He’s an environmental historian, historian of science, conservation scientist, and nature-culture geographer. His work explores what happens when humans share space and resources (their habitats) with other species: how we interact with non-human creatures, how we make sense of these interactions, why we fight so much about them, what we can learn from them, and how we might use these lessons to foster a more just, peaceful, humane, and sustainable society. Most of his research has focused on human interactions with wildlife in North America. A second area of interest involves developing creative, interdisciplinary, collaborative, and mixed methods for studying ecological change over multiple time periods and scales. Today, I talk with Peter about Grizzlies, their future reintroduction in the state of California, and some of the most fascinating grizzly facts and history I’ve ever had the pleasure of discussing. Stay tuned because, even if you fancy yourself a brown bear aficionado, there’s a good chance there’s something in this chat you didn’t know about Grizzlies! Topics * Reintroduction of Grizzlies in the state of California * European vs. American attitudes around coexisting with brown bears * Tons of Grizzly/brown bear history and facts! Extra Credit * Peter’s website * California Grizzly Research Network About Peter Alagona Peter is a professor of Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He’s an environmental historian, historian of science, conservation scientist, and nature-culture geographer. His work explores what happens when humans share space and resources (their habitats) with other species: how we interact with non-human creatures, how we make sense of these interactions, why we fight so much about them, what we can learn from them, and how we might use these lessons to foster a more just, peaceful, humane, and sustainable society. Most of his research has focused on human interactions with wildlife in North America. A second area of interest involves developing creative, interdisciplinary, collaborative, and mixed methods for studying ecological change over multiple time periods and scales. Today, I talk with Peter about Grizzlies, their future reintroduction in the state of California, and some of the most fascinating grizzly facts and history I’ve ever had the pleasure of discussing. Stay tuned because, even if you fancy yourself a brown bear aficionado, there’s a good chance there’s something in this chat you didn’t know about Grizzlies! Topics * Reintroduction of Grizzlies in the state of California * European vs. American attitudes around coexisting with brown bears * Tons of Grizzly/brown bear history and facts! Extra Credit * Peter’s website * California Grizzly Research Network

About Chris Hawkins leads the Colorado Chapter of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Cities program where he spends his time focusing on improving regional habitat connectivity and access to nature; creating a more equitable and climate resilient urban forest; and ensuring there is funding and support for helping the region achieve more sustainable outcomes at the intersection of people and nature. Prior to this role, he was a member of TNC’s Chief Conservation Office and Global Cities team since May 2014. Before joining TNC, Chris spent six years in New York City Government, including time with the New York City Department of Education Office of Charter Schools, Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, and four years at the Department of Environmental Protection, the city’s drinking water and wastewater utility. Topics * Re-thinking and rebuilding urban landscapes to protect water, habitat, and promote full-life tree growth * Rain gardens and water permeable pavers and asphalt * Changes in the kinds of people attracted to city planning, more open to working with nature, more forward-looking projects * How to get involved in this exciting work even if you’re not an engineer, biologist, or other specialist Extra Credit * Subscribe to Leaf Litter at Biohabitats * Check out TNC’s “Nature In The Urban Century“ * Also see: North American Cities Network * Visit: Metro Denver Nature Alliance (Metro DNA) About Chris Hawkins leads the Colorado Chapter of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Cities program where he spends his time focusing on improving regional habitat connectivity and access to nature; creating a more equitable and climate resilient urban forest; and ensuring there is funding and support for helping the region achieve more sustainable outcomes at the intersection of people and nature. Prior to this role, he was a member of TNC’s Chief Conservation Office and Global Cities team since May 2014. Before joining TNC, Chris spent six years in New York City Government, including time with the New York City Department of Education Office of Charter Schools, Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, and four years at the Department of Environmental Protection, the city’s drinking water and wastewater utility. Topics * Re-thinking and rebuilding urban landscapes to protect water, habitat, and promote full-life tree growth * Rain gardens and water permeable pavers and asphalt * Changes in the kinds of people attracted to city planning, more open to working with nature, more forward-looking projects * How to get involved in this exciting work even if you’re not an engineer, biologist, or other specialist Extra Credit * Subscribe to Leaf Litter at Biohabitats * Check out TNC’s “Nature In The Urban Century“ * Also see: North American Cities Network * Visit: Metro Denver Nature Alliance (Metro DNA)

About Born and raised in Massachusetts, Jon Rezendes had a lifelong obsession with wilderness and big cats interrupted by the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. Jon was a high school freshman and watched the first responder jets fly overhead from the now-defunct Otis Air Force Base en route to New York City and felt the unshakeable urge to serve. He took that deep obligation with him to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 2009 as an infantry officer. Less than a year after graduation, Jon led a platoon from the 101st Airborne Division in combat in Kandahar, Afghanistan before being reassigned to instruct at the Florida Phase of US Army Ranger School. In 2015, the “needs of the Army” ultimately stationed Jon at Ft. Bliss, just outside El Paso, TX, and changed his life forever. The wilderness of the desert Southwest called him with a different sense of duty: to live among and protect those wild mountains of the borderland. The works of Dave Foreman, Ed Abbey, and Cormac McCarthy influenced him heavily during this time. Jon left service in 2017 and, after a brief return to New England, he and his family permanently settled in the shadow of El Paso’s Franklin Mountains. By day, Jon works for a decarbonization-focused software company that addresses the climate crisis with trusted data. On nights and weekends, he has begun to ‘use his words’ and his hands to advocate for wilderness and volunteer for local non-profits. While he is just beginning to actualize his journey as a conservationist, Jon is a prolific writer, aspiring Trans-Pecos Chapter Texas Master Naturalist (with a long way and lots of learning to go!), and supportive husband to his wife, a certified associate wildlife biologist and PhD student, who studies those same big cats that first held his infatuation even as a boy thousands of miles away. Jon’s awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Airborne Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, a Bronze Star Medal, and the coveted Ranger tab. Topics A deeper dive into Jon’s article “A Conservation Star Deep in the Heart” about the rewilding victory in the Franklin Mountains of the Trans-Pecos Examples of how El Paso looks at conservation, water, and habitat protection, a radically different approach than most southwest cities The groups and individuals that are getting the job done for mountain lions and habitat protection in and around El Paso Extra Credit * Frontera Land Alliance * The Nature Conservancy “North American Cities” program About Born and raised in Massachusetts, Jon Rezendes had a lifelong obsession with wilderness and big cats interrupted by the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. Jon was a high school freshman and watched the first responder jets fly overhead from the now-defunct Otis Air Force Base en route to New York City and felt the unshakeable urge to serve. He took that deep obligation with him to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 2009 as an infantry officer. Less than a year after graduation, Jon led a platoon from the 101st Airborne Division in combat in Kandahar, Afghanistan before being reassigned to instruct at the Florida Phase of US Army Ranger School. In 2015, the “needs of the Army” ultimately stationed Jon at Ft. Bliss, just outside El Paso, TX, and changed his life forever. The wilderness of the desert Southwest called him with a different sense of duty: to live among and protect those wild mountains of the borderland. The works of Dave Foreman,

About Erin English Erin leads Biohabitats’ visionary Integrated Water Strategies planning & engineering efforts. She applies her background in chemical and environmental engineering with her passion for water and ecology to help clients advance innovation in One Water and nature-based infrastructure. She has led constructed wetlands, wastewater, rainwater, and water reuse engineering for award-winning projects that have achieved the Living Building Challenge™, Net Zero Water, and that at their core embrace the value of water, ecology and watershed thinking. Her 20+ years of experience includes landmark high-performance buildings that prioritize water reuse, five of which have been awarded AIA COTE Top 10 recognition. Erin remains committed to the power of living systems to transform our approach to water engineering and infrastructure toward a regenerative future. She is based in Santa Fe, NM. Topics * Finding inspiration, immersion: Canyon Tree Frogs in Grand Canyon * Nature-based water cleaning and recycling * Partnering with nature to keep more water in rivers and streams * Big vision for the future with a hopeful sense of urgency Extra Credit Canyon Tree Frogs at Grand Canyon National Park Grand Canyon National Park Native Waters Seep Spring Study and Native Waters Springs of the Southwest Project National Blue-Ribbon Commission for Non-Potable Water Reuse Santa Fe River Watershed Association Overview Film Treatment Wetlands. Robert H. Kadlec, Scott Wallace, 2nd Edition, 2009 * Visit Biohabitats and subscribe to the Leaf Litter newsletter! — Download Transcript About Erin English Erin leads Biohabitats’ visionary Integrated Water Strategies planning & engineering efforts. She applies her background in chemical and environmental engineering with her passion for water and ecology to help clients advance innovation in One Water and nature-based infrastructure. She has led constructed wetlands, wastewater, rainwater, and water reuse engineering for award-winning projects that have achieved the Living Building Challenge™, Net Zero Water, and that at their core embrace the value of water, ecology and watershed thinking. Her 20+ years of experience includes landmark high-performance buildings that prioritize water reuse, five of which have been awarded AIA COTE Top 10 recognition.

About Chris Chris is a practice leader with Biohabitats, leading the firm’s research and development effort called Bioworks. He is an ecological engineer with 20 years of experience in restoration and regenerative design. Combining engineering and ecological design through a biomimicry lens, he approaches every project as an opportunity to create and restore functional life support systems. Recognizing that best intentions in design and implementation are not verification of outcomes, Mr. Streb is charged with developing methods for monitoring and evaluating projects to determine whether ecological goals are being realized. Over the past decade, he has designed and developed ecological interventions to restore functional habitat along urban waterfronts. He has been awarded a patent for a floating wetland technology and was the ecological team lead on the National Aquarium Floating Wetland Prototype which earned the 2018 Honor Award for Research from the American Society of Landscape Architects. Topics * Reimagining the urban landscape to attract and include wildlife * Design ideas to protect migratory birds and offer safe respite and food sources * Taking out major highways in and around cities * A hopeful vision for what urban landscapes could become and how they affect rewilding projects everywhere Extra Credit * Learn more about Biohabitats * The Baltimore Green Network plan * Healthy Harbor Initiative * Download the transcript of this episode About Chris Chris is a practice leader with Biohabitats, leading the firm’s research and development effort called Bioworks. He is an ecological engineer with 20 years of experience in restoration and regenerative design. Combining engineering and ecological design through a biomimicry lens, he approaches every project as an opportunity to create and restore functional life support systems. Recognizing that best intentions in design and implementation are not verification of outcomes, Mr. Streb is charged with developing methods for monitoring and evaluating projects to determine whether ecological goals are being realized. Over the past decade, he has designed and developed ecological interventions to restore functional habitat along urban waterfronts. He has been awarded a patent for a floating wetland technology and was the ecological team lead on the National Aquarium Floating Wetland Prototype which earned the 2018 Honor Award for Research from the American Society of Landscape Architects. Topics * Reimagining the urban landscape to attract and include wildlife * Design ideas to protect migratory birds and offer safe respite and food sources * Taking out major highways in and around cities * A hopeful vision for what urban landscapes could become and how they affect rewilding projects everywhere Extra Credit * Learn more about Biohabitats * The Baltimore Green Network plan * Healthy Harbor Initiative * Download the transcript of this episode

About Kelly Borgmann grew up on a historic farm in rural east-central Indiana. Spending her days playing in the woods and caring for the land gave her a deep appreciation of nature. Participating in 4-H and FFA taught her how to be a productive member of rural and agricultural communities. Following her passion for wild nature, Kelly earned an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology from Ball State University. She then spent the next several years traveling and has spent time working as a field guide in South Africa, a human-manatee interactions researcher for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Florida, a National Park Service cowgirl in Montana, and a conservation educator in Ohio. And now she is part of the Rewilding Institute and Project Coyote team working on our new rewilding and carnivore coexistence program in the Mississippi River Watershed. Topics * What is the Heartland Rewilding program? * What does it take to inspire and organize people around rewilding in the Mississippi River Watershed? * How to maintain balance as a busy, high-energy conservation leader. * The unusual path Kelly traveled to arrive at Heartland Rewilding and advice for people who want to do this kind of work. * How you can get involved in the exciting and fun work in the Heartland of the United States. Extra Credit Visit Heartland Rewilding and learn more, donate, and sign up for the next event! About Kelly Borgmann grew up on a historic farm in rural east-central Indiana. Spending her days playing in the woods and caring for the land gave her a deep appreciation of nature. Participating in 4-H and FFA taught her how to be a productive member of rural and agricultural communities. Following her passion for wild nature, Kelly earned an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology from Ball State University. She then spent the next several years traveling and has spent time working as a field guide in South Africa, a human-manatee interactions researcher for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Florida, a National Park Service cowgirl in Montana, and a conservation educator in Ohio. And now she is part of the Rewilding Institute and Project Coyote team working on our new rewilding and carnivore coexistence program in the Mississippi River Watershed. Topics * What is the Heartland Rewilding program? * What does it take to inspire and organize people around rewilding in the Mississippi River Watershed? * How to maintain balance as a busy, high-energy conservation leader. * The unusual path Kelly traveled to arrive at Heartland Rewilding and advice for people who want to do this kind of work. * How you can get involved in the exciting and fun work in the Heartland of the United States. Extra Credit Visit Heartland Rewilding and learn more, donate, and sign up for the next event!