Wilder Insights with Mike Bryden

In this episode, I sit down with Tina Watters, the Ominica Regional Program Coordinator for the BC Community Bat Program. We talk about which bat species call BC their home, a little about their biology, and what threatens their populations. We also touch on volunteering for bat conservation in BC and what you can do to get involved in protecting the bats of your backyard. If you want to learn mor...

In this episode, I sit down with Skye Irwin, an undergraduate student at the University of Northern British Columbia, partnered with the Ruffed Grouse Society. We talk about her undergraduate thesis, how she got started with this project, what grouse are eating in Northern BC, and what her data means for habitat management. We touch on hunting, conservation, a love for nature, and the overlap betw...

In this episode, I sit down with North West Invasive Plant Council board members Michelle Miller and Katie Cunningham to talk about invasive species in the North West. We touch on what defines a species as invasive, the impacts of these invaders, and what it means in terms of biodiversity loss. Are some of your favorite wild species actually invasive? Tune in to find out.   Links:  NWIPC Website:...

Welcome to the Environmental Encyclopedia. This series aims to bridge the gap between scientific jargon and everyday language, so that we can all be part of the conservation conversation. In this episode, we cover Biodiversity

In this episode, I sit down with author Katie Stacey to talk about her new book, No Paradise with Wolves. We touch on the public's opinion of Iberian wolves in Northern Spain, letting nature manage itself, and the rewilding of their little farmland known as Wild Finca. What challenges come with letting the land take the reins? Tune in to find out. Book Bio: In 2018, Katie and Luke, moved to As...

Welcome to the Environmental Encyclopedia. This series aims to bridge the gap between scientific jargon and everyday language, so that we can all be part of the conservation conversation. In this episode, we cover Symbiosis

In this episode, I sit down with FLAP Co-founder and Executive Director Michael Mesure. We discuss bird collisions caused by invisible windows and light in the night, the value of birds in our economy, and why you should care about birds dying. The vast number of bird deaths caused by human architecture will shock you. What can we do to change this? Tune in to find out. FLAP Canada website: https:...

Welcome to the first episode of my new mini-series, Environmental Encyclopedia. This series aims to bridge the gap between scientific jargon and everyday language, so that we can all be part of the conservation conversation. In this episode, we cover Animal Activity Patterns

In this episode, I sit down with Biologist Doug Heard, to discuss a population of Woodland Caribou found in North-Central BC. We touch on supplemental feeding, predation by wolves, and how it's possible to track the growth of the Kennedy Siding Caribou herd. With all this covered, there is only one question left to ask. Does he give them silly names? Tune in to find out. Kennedy Siding Supplim...

This marks the end of season 01 of Wilder Insights with me, Mike Bryden. Stay tuned for season 02! Coming soon to a podcast platform near you. Want to be a guest in season 2? Do you know somebody you think SHOULD be a guest in season 2? Or do you have a conservation story of your own you'd like to share? DM me @wilderinsightspod on Instagram or shoot me an email at wilderinsightspodcast@gmail.com.

In this episode, I sit down with anthropologist and UNBC professor, Dr. Lauren Harding. We discuss culture, its effects on perspective, and how that influences how people see the natural world. How does one's culture change how they feel about wildlife conservation? Tune in to find out. Angry Inuk Film: https://www.nfb.ca/film/angry_inuk/ Want to become a guest on the show? Do you know somebody wh...

Welcome to part 2. In this episode, we learn what it means for a community to be bear smart. I continue my conversation with Nicole Botten, and we learn about ways you can volunteer with the Northern Bear Awareness Society if you're a local to the Prince George, BC area. I also sit down with Vanessa Uschenko, a researcher from the College of New Caledonia, to discuss a research project that an...

In this episode, I dive into the dramatic rise in black bear encounters in Prince George, BC, during the summer of 2023—a season that saw over 2,000 sightings and the destruction of dozens of bears. I speak with Kayla Wiens from the BC Conservation Foundation/WildSafeBC about staying safe in bear country, and with Nicole Botten, President of the Northern Bear Awareness Society, about what's at...

In this episode, I sit down with forester Hengda Liu and James Steidle of Stop The Spray BC to discuss the effects of glyphosate spraying in BC's forestry. We touch on its effects on wildlife, vegetation, and, more specifically, Aspen trees. Tune in to discover why we may benefit from letting Aspen grow, and the results of natural regrowth in cut blocks.   Want to become aguest on the show? Know s...

Sometimes, saving a species doesn’t start in the forest, but with one bird, its connection to people, and the story it shares. In today's episode, I recount a story shared with us by Korinne Bengert of Regina, Saskatchewan. Through her experience at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Korinne shares the moving story of a great horned owl in recovery.   Do you want to be a guest on the show? Do y...

In this episode, Ashley Sutherland and I talk about the project she's created to help protect Western toads around Shane Lake in Prince George, BC. We discuss how she's gotten to where she is now and what it takes to make the change you want to see in the world.   Read up on the Western Toad: https://bcreptilesandamphibians.ca/western-toad/   Check out Ashley's iNaturalist project: iNaturalist - S...

In this episode,Sean Simmons and I discuss Anglers Atlas and the role anglers play inconservation.   Check out theAnglers Atlas Website: https://www.anglersatlas.com/   Want to participatein citizen science while fishing? Upload your catches to the MyCatch app: https://mycatch.ca/   Want to become a guest on the show? Maybe you know somebody you think should be a guest, orwant to share a conservat...

Welcome to Wilder Insights! Thanks for stopping by. Song: Sea - Funeral Culture