In today's episode, Jason talks with Rachel Niemiec. Rachel 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 social science is and how it impacts conservation decisions. Rachel will also help determine why agencies should include social science in conservation decision making, why stakeholder engagement important and why anyone should care about public perspectives. To read the article mentioned in the episode, check out Integrating social science into conservation planning To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

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 foraging. Check out PNWBUSHCRAFT on Instagram and Facebook. Visit pnwbushcraft.com to check out their line of products. To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

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 with 2%, can use this tool to find jobs with companies that also have a strong conservation ethic. Go check out the 2% Job Board! To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

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 Lake, northern Michigan, near Lake Michigan, Torch Lake, and the Chain of Lakes. He graduated from Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a BA in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy and earned his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law. Drew serves on the board of the Northern Michigan Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, 2% for Conservation, the Pigeon River Country State Forest Advisory Council, and is a member of multiple conservation and environmental organizations. He is also an outdoor writer, published in National Wildlife magazine and multiple regional outdoor magazines, earning several awards in craft for writing, video production, and podcasting from the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, the Outdoor Writers Association of America, and 2% for Conservation. When he is not doing all that, Drew lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his wife Michele and son Noah, and spends his time fishing, paddling, camping, surfing, cross-country skiing, trail running, hiking, hunting, skateboarding, and training in his garage gym. To watch the fil, Against the Current, visit: youtu.be/5pWd-9mYs3A Check out NWF Great Lakes Regional Center on Facebook, Twitter, and at nwf.org/greatlakes Connect with Drew on Instagram To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

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 HER Upland Grouse Camp, how Xanterra supports tourism at various National Parks, why she loves living in the west, her conservation passions, and her Bella's Bones side hustle. To learn more about Xanterra Travel Collection, visit: xanterra.com To learn more about Bella's Bones, visit: bellas-bones.com To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/ConserveTheWild

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 is working to restore prairie & create habitat for wildlife with his family on his southern Wisconsin farm. The conversation starts with stories from Lance's time as a guide and then dives into the mission of the Sand County Foundation and the Leopold Conservation Award. They talk about past winners, what winners receive, and this year's nominees in Pennsylvania. To learn more about the Sand County Foundation, head to: sandcountyfoundation.org To learn more about the Leopold Conservation Award, check out: sandcountyfoundation.org/our-work/leopold-conservation-award-program To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/ConserveTheWild

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 the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, visit: www.fws.gov To better understand the role of hunting in conservation, visit: www.rmef.org To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/ConserveTheWild

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 behind some of those recent changes Concurrent deer seasons New marketing and communication strategies CWD information To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/ConserveTheWild

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 Association: patrappers.com National Trappers Association: nationaltrappers.com Fur Takers of America: furtakersofamerica.com Check out Dan on previous episodes: Ep: 91 and Ep: 93 To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/ConserveTheWild

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, and how ducks and migratory birds benefit from the work their members contribute. To learn more about Delta Waterfowl and become a member, visit: deltawaterfowl.org To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/ConserveTheWild