Conservation Connection

Heavy metal music seems to attract sharks, but do you know why?

On the final episode of Season 10 we sit down with the world's only Heavy Metal Marine Biologist! Tom "The Blowfish" Hird tells us all about his his wild stories from the field, including how he performed heavy metal music at sea to get a closer look at the ocean's coolest predators!

Enjoy this episode and stay tuned for Season 11 of Conservation Connection, coming October 1st 2024.

This episode was recorded at EarthX2024 in Dallas Texas!

New tools allow us to collect more data than ever before, but is that always a good thing?

When it comes time for policymakers to make decisions, a complex system of stakeholders, limited resources, and unclear goals can make it hard to figure out the best way forward. That's where decision scientists like Dr. Jennifer McGowan swoop in to save the day!

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This episode was recorded at EarthX2024 in Dallas Texas

Rainforest sounds recorded by by AdrienPola, accessed on FreeSound dot org

More than 50% of the world's turtle and tortoise species are threatened with extinction, but Shannon DiRuzzo of Turtle Island is working to make sure that they all live to see tomorrow.

Turtle Island's mission is simple: save turtles & tortoises from extinction through acute rescue, care, research, breeding, and rewilding.

Want to buy stickers, shirts, cups, or cool conservation art to support the show? Check out our new online store!

This episode was recorded at EarthX 2024 in Dallas Texas!

Marsh sounds at the beginning of the episode were recorded by KevinSonger and were accessed on FreeSound dot org.

Support black footed ferret conservation by following this link! 50% of proceeds will be donated directly to the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation for ferret conservation projects!

This week we get to learn from Dr. Julie Thorstenson at EarthX 2024 in Dallas Texas. Julie is a wildlife biologist, member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation, Lakota, and executive director of the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society. Her work as executive director assists Native American and Alaska Native Tribes with the conservation, protection, and enhancement of their fish and wildlife resources.

Nature sounds recorded by Microsoft Sam on FreeSound.org

Hunting as a conservation tool can be a divisive topic. How can the death of an animal increase the health of the herd?

This week we sit down with Ivan Carter, a safari guide, conservationist, and TV host to answer these big questions. He encourages us to set our emotions aside and listen to the science when it comes to making conservation decisions!

We're so grateful to have had the opportunity to record this episode with Ivan at EarthX 2024 in Dallas Texas!

Protecting the ocean can seem like a whale of a task! Luckily we have the solutions to turn the tides.

We sat down with George Cummings at EarthX to learn about his work as an ocean ambassador. From the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to protecting island nations, and learning how we can help reduce carbon entering our atmosphere, we cover it all!

Protecting the ocean can seem like a whale of a task! Luckily we have the solutions to turn the tides.

We sat down with George Cummings at EarthX to learn about his work as an ocean ambassador. From the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to protecting island nations, and learning how we can help reduce carbon entering our atmosphere, we cover it all!

Wind turbines are an incredible source of renewable, carbon-neutral energy that can be deadly to bats. This week we talk to a scientist who's trying to fix that.

We sit down at EarthX with Dr. Sarah Fritts, an associate professor of wildlife ecology at Texas State University, to learn how she's working to keep bats away from critical renewable energy infrastructure.

Sound Credit: The bat sounds included at the beginning of the show were found on Montana State University's Acoustic Atlas, and are the copyright of Jeff Rice and Montana State University; Use of this audio file is allowed in accordance with the Creative Commons.

When you're standing in the Pitcairn islands, the closest another human gets is the astronauts on the International Space Station. You're also standing on the most plastic polluted beach in the world. This week we learn how Brett Howell, of Howell Conservation Fund, and his team removed ocean plastics from one of the most remote islands on the planet!

This episode was recorded in collaboration with EarthX at the EarthX conference in Dallas, Texas.

Having spent more than 7000 hours underwater, Dr. Sylvia Earle has some incredible stories to tell about life under the sea!

In the final episode of season 9 we sit down at EarthX2024 with one of the biggest names in ocean conservation EVER, Dr. Sylvia Earle! Listen in to hear how she fell in love with the ocean, what it's like to follow the same eel everyday for weeks, and what you can do to protect life on our planet.

If you want to check out Mission Blue, click HERE