Raincoast Radio

For the finale of this season “More than a fish”, we’re switching it up! The roles are reversed – host Auston Chhor is interviewed by our podcast producer, Sofia Osborne, and is put in the hot seat to ponder some of the complex questions he’s thrown at guests throughout the previous episodes.  Auston is a Salmon Habitat Biologist for Raincoast’s wild salmon program , and a Registered Professional...

We’ve heard from experienced professionals with years of experience, but what about the next generation of those wading the rivers and asking the research questions?  In the previous episode of “More than a fish”, we dove into early career exploration in biology and conservation, and Jason Hwang provided some enlightening insight into what those flipping through resumes may look for . But we want...

Are you a student or someone wanting to break into the environmental career sector? A 20- or 30-something grappling with the question of getting your master’s? This is the episode for you! In this installment of “More than a fish”, host Auston Chhor sits down with Jason Hwang, Chief Program Officer and Vice President Salmon with Pacific Salmon Foundation . He is also joining the selection committe...

You’ve heard the saying before: “let nature do its thing.” But if someone kicked the crap out of your friend, would you step back to let them heal? Or rush them to a hospital? And if they were bleeding, would a bandage suffice? Or would you want to find the source? This may seem like a far cry from the subject of salmon, but it’s not — this is exactly what process restoration is, and a big part of...

In this episode, host Auston Chhor sits down with Tom Rutherford, Executive Director of the Cowichan Watershed Board. Tom has been involved in building partnerships to support community empowerment for salmon and watershed sustainability over nearly 40 years. Over the course of a long career with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and working with Living Rivers / British Columbia Conservation Foundation,...

In this episode of More than a fish , host Auston Chhor returns to the roots of seeing salmon as sustenance, culture, and identity through speaking with guest Murray Ned, a member of the Sumas First Nation located in the Fraser Valley. He also formerly served as Councillor for Sumas First Nation and as the Fisheries Manager for the Sto:lo Tribal Council. Murray is the Executive Director of the Low...

A salmon habitat biologist and a recreational angler sit down to record a podcast… Some say that scientists may butt heads with those who love fishing, but the two groups have more in common than one may think. This week, Auston Chhor chats with Rodney Hsu, founder and host of the popular YouTube channel Fishing with Rod , whose videos have amassed over 23 million views. Auston himself learned how...

In this episode, host Auston Chhor is joined by fellow Raincoast team members Dr. Allison Dennert, Quantitative Salmon Ecologist, and Dave Scott, Research and Restoration Coordinator for the Lower Fraser Salmon Program, who provide some fundamental background information on all things salmon.  Discussing their focus areas, Allison and Dave talk about different species, life cycles, and the challen...

We’re back with a brand new season of Raincoast Radio ! In the upcoming episodes, we’ll focus on the icon of the west coast, an essential life force that has spawned entire cultures and reminds us just how interconnected everything is: pacific salmon. Hosted by Raincoast salmon habitat biologist Auston Chhor, More than a fish plunges into questions surrounding this complex species, speaking with p...

We’re back with a brand new season of Raincoast Radio! In the upcoming episodes, we’ll focus on the icon of the west coast, an essential life force that has spawned entire cultures and reminds us just how interconnected everything is: pacific salmon. Hosted by Raincoast salmon habitat biologist Auston Chhor, More than a fish plunges into questions surrounding this complex species, speaking with pe...

In this episode, large carnivore expert and Raincoast Senior Scientist Dr. Paul Paquet recounts some of his most impactful and memorable experiences from over 50 years of studying wolves around the world. From Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and the Carpathian mountains in Europe to Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and the Canadian Rockies, Paul was drawn to wherever wolves roamed. This included his time...

In this episode, Wolf Conservation Program Director and podcast host Chelsea Greer reflects on her early fascination with the human-animal bond and how her post-secondary education transformed her perspective on what truly benefits wildlife. She discusses how exploring alternative paradigms to traditional conservation and animal welfare science sparked her curiosity about applying animal welfare p...

In this episode, conservation biologist and genetics researcher Dr. Astrid Vik Stronen discusses her journey into wildlife research and conservation, beginning with her early passion for ecology and evolving into a focus on wildlife genetics and genomics.  From tracking wolves through the dense forests and rolling hills of Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba to analysing hundreds of wolf scats...

In this episode, wildlife scientist and canid specialist Dr. Shelley Alexander shares captivating stories and insights from the early days of her wildlife career. From tracking the return of wolves in Banff National Park to raising coyote pups and working with livestock owners, Shelley reflects on how these formative experiences have influenced the trajectory of her work 25 years later.  Challengi...

In this episode, international lawyer and natural resource ecologist Susan Bragdon discusses her early work as a young girl studying wolves in captivity. She shares the groundbreaking discovery her observations led to about the role of female wolves, challenging the biases that had shaped previous understandings. We also explore the dynamic nature of wolf interactions and the importance of conside...

In this episode, behavioural ecologist Dr. Jane Packard highlights the connection between behaviour, ecology, and physiology as she recounts captivating tales from her time as a wolf researcher across Canada and the US. From captive wolves in Minnesota to the wild packs of Ellesmere Island and Yellowstone National Park, we also explore the complex interplay of social and environmental factors that...

In this episode, wolf researcher and author of A Woman Among Wolves Dr. Diane Boyd shares captivating stories and insights from her forty year journey through wolf recovery in the western U.S. We discuss her early experiences working with Dr. David Mech in northern Minnesota and the consuming passion that led her to wolves and field biology, ultimately shaping both her career and who she is today....

This fascinating new series will bring you into the lives of wolves, the women who study them, and the challenges these animals face as wide-ranging, top predators in a landscape often dominated by fear and misunderstanding. Of wolves and women showcases the inspiring journeys of women who have made significant contributions to wolf science. Through captivating conversations, this series explores...

From the epic journeys of individual wolves to legendary exploits of pack leaders, the stories of mother wolves have not only captured the hearts and minds of conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts, but also sparked important conversations about coexistence, ecology, and the delicate balance between wilderness and humanity. Equally captivating and impactful are the stories of the women who stud...