Conservation Unfiltered

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Leif Cocks of the International Elephant Project. Leif has worked for 30 years managing a wide range of animals as a small population biologist and is the author of 3 books on Orangutans. He is the founder of IEP as well as VP of the Orang Utan Rebulik Foundation, lead of The Orangutan Project & International Tiger Project, and on the Advisory Board for...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Marissa McMahan and Meggie Harvey of the Intertidal Crab Citizen Science Project. Marissa is the Director of Fisheries at Manomet, a Massachusetts based nonprofit. The Fisheries focuses their work on strengthening and diversifying fisheries resources, habitat restoration, and ecological monitoring. Meggie is a science curriculum specialist for the Gulf of M...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Stan Temple. Stan is a Senior Fellow at the Aldo Leopold Foundation and once held the same academic position as Aldo himself. In this episode, Stan fills us in on how Leopold's life experiences lead to him becoming such an important figure in the history of conservation. Form his formative years to his time working in the Southwest to his eventual career sh...

In this week's episode, Jason talks turkey with National Wild Turkey Federation's CEO, Becky Humphries. Prior to becoming CEO of NWTF, Becky was a biologist for Michigan DCNR and became the Director of the NDR and DEQ. She also worked for Ducks Unlimited before making taking a job as the Chief Conservation Officer for NWTF 8 years ago. Listen in as Becky fills us in on the history of turkeys, NWTF...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Rebecca Kiernan. Rebecca has been the Principle Resilience Planner for the City of Pittsburgh for 61/2 years and has helped facilitate many conservation projects. During the conversation, she fills us in on Pittsburgh's newest park-Hays Woods. Rebecca also details the history of this 660 acre area, the meaning behind the conservation designation, and what k...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Joel Strimling about his role as a hunter education instructor and hunting mentor. Joel is an adult onset hunter, Hunter Education Instructor for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildgame, and Communication Director for the Oregon chapter of BHA. During the episode, Jason and Joel discuss the importance of in person hunter education, the value of finding a...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Paul Rhoades. Paul is the founder of Sizzlin' Arrow Outdoors and host of a podcast by the same name. He is also a former chef. During the episode, Jason and Paul discussed procuring venison, processing and storing the meat, and some dos and don'ts when cooking. They also share their favorite recipes toward the end, so make sure you listen until the end. Che...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Greg Dayley about recycling. Greg is man behind the SeaBar brand of shampoos. He is also passionate about the ocean and how plastics have had a negative impact. During the episode, you will hear Greg recite the stats of how much recycling actually happens, where those items are sent to be recycled, and how our consumerism has a negative effect on our l...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Joel Jaeger about Green Energy. Joel studied Political Science at St. Olaf College and received a masters in Energy, Resources, and Environment from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is currently a Research Associate in the World Resource Institute's Climate Program where he leads their global research on green and inclusive rec...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Cody and Ethan, hosts of the Backcountry PA Podcast. Cody and Ethan are Pennsylvania natives who have a deep love for the outdoors. That love started with hunting and fishing, which has turned toward mindfulness in conservation. During the episode, you will hear us talk about the ethics of hunting, etiquette while hunting on public land, and their transitio...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Mark Holyoak. Mark has spent 9+ years at RMEF where he currently serve as senior director of communications & content. He oversees all internal & external communication efforts and the Bugle magazine staff He enjoys hunting, fishing, his family, sports and just about anything outdoors. During the conversation, Mark fills us in on the history of RMEF...

In today's episode, Jason talks with Rebecca Niemiec. Rebecca is an interdisciplinary social scientist and an Assistant professor in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Department at Colorado State University. She works with conservation practitioners to help design and evaluate community outreach and engagement approaches for conservation. During the conversation, they will define what soci...

In today's episode, Jason talks with Heather Saulsbury. Heather is the owner and co-founder of PNWBUSHCRAFT, a company that makes handcrafted outdoor gear out of waxed canvas and encourage more people to get outside. Heather and her husband host events near their home in Washington State to help people share tips and feel comfortable participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and...

In today's BONUS episode, Jason talks with Jared Frasier of 2% for Conservation. A returning guest, Jared is the Executive Director of 2% for Conservation and he lets us in on some details of a new program: the Job Board. This job board is a way for 2% certified companies and partner non-profits to advertise job openings. Conservation focused individuals, like those who are members and volunteers...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Drew YoungeDyke. Drew is the Director of Conservation Partnerships for the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center, strengthening the federation’s partnerships with independent affiliate conservation organizations in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, as well as managing media outreach and communications for the region. Drew grew up in Central La...

This week, Jason talks with Wendy Dodd. Wendy has been working in Yellowstone National park for 12 years as the Talent Partnership Manager for Xanterra Travel Collection and is the owner of Bella’s Bones. She also participated in the Project Upland, Her Upland Grouse Camp and is an active member in BHA and RMEF. She is also a regional rep for the Goat Alliance. They discuss her experience at the H...

In this week's episode, Jason is joined by Lance Irving. Lance is the Leopold Conservation Award Program Director for the Sand County Foundation. This foundation's sole focus is supporting voluntary conservation on working lands through ethics, science, and incentives. Lance is a former hunting and fishing guide and also spent 15 years working in outdoor sporting goods industry. Currently, he...

In this week's episode, Jason provides an introduction to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. He dives into the root theories that helped guide the development of the model as well as provide a detailed look into the 7 pillars. Listen in as he speaks to the history, successes, and holistic approach that has become the conservation based envy of the world. To learn more about th...

Welcome to the 100th episode! In this week's episode, Jason talks with Bryan Burhans . Bryan is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, a job title he has held since 2017. Bryan has been the Executive Director since 2017 and obtained that position after years of amazing work outside of the organization. He lets us in on: How rules and regulations are determined The reasoning be...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Dan Lynch. His third time on the podcast, this time, Dan brings us step by step information on how to get started trapping in Pennsylvania. He also provides tips including trap prep, set locations, and releasing non-target animals. This is a great episode for anyone who wants to learn the basics about trapping for knowledge or to get started! PA Trappers As...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Joel Brice of Delta Waterfowl. Joel is the Chief Conservation Officer and holds a bachelor of science in wildlife management from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and a Master of Science in biology from the University of North Dakota. During the conversation, Joel fills us in on how DW got started in 1911, the main mission of the organization, an...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Sean Ferbrache about his work with the Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation. Sean is the Chief Operating Officer of American Hunting Lease Association and founding Board Member of Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation. He is an avid hunter a retired Indianapolis fireman. During the conversation, Sean fills us in on how the TSSAF was started, why everyone...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Mark Damian Duda about hunting related surveys. Mark is a certified wildlife biologist who received his masters degree, with an emphasis on natural resource policy, from Yale. He is also the Executive Director of Responsive Management, an internationally recognized survey research firm specializing in attitudes toward natural resource and outdoor recreation...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Marcus Ewing. Marcus is a Michigan native, host of the Average Conservationist podcast and founder of the Average Conservationist apparel brand-a 2% certified business. During the conversation, Marcus let's us in on his upbringing, how and why he started the apparel brand, and how he became the host of his podcast. They also talk about conservation and why...

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Jacqueline Staab about bees and her GSP, Darwin. Jacqueline studied Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology at Appalachian State and she is currently working on a Masters in Evolutionary Ecology. She has studied bees for 6 years and recently trained her GSP, Darwin, to help her locate bumble bee nests. Topics covered in the episode include how she tra...