Conservation Unfiltered

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Natalie Cypher about urban pheasants living in Detroit. Natalie is an educator with the Michigan DNR working as a Park Interpreter at the Outdoor Adventure Center. In her position, she teaches about Michigan's natural resources, including the Detroit River, Great Lakes science, and birding. Listen in as Natalie explains the Outdoor Adventure Center's role, mission, and educational opportunities. She also recaps how a local population of pheasants became heroes in Detroit, why the birds are able to thrive in an urban environment, and the importance of having grassland habitat in an urban setting.

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In this week's episode, Jason talks with Thomas Keller of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Tom is a Furbearer Biologist for the PGC and joins us to discuss the proposal to reintroduce the American Marten to Pennsylvania. During the discussion, Tom details how wildlife has historically been lost in Pennsylvania, how certain species are selected to be reintroduced, and how a feasibility study helps determine eligible species. In regards to the American Marten, Tom provides details on how the reintroduction proposal will work, why the PGC feels this reintroduction will be a success, and the impact American Martens will have on other wildlife. An in-depth discussion takes place on the diet of the American Marten, dispelling some common misinformation being spread on social media, and how the proposal will move forward-including how the public can get involved and learn more.

Questions about the plan can be emailed to [email protected]

Reintroduction Plan | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

In today's episode, Jason talks with Kevin Singleton of Yearning Wild. Kevin grew up hunting and fishing in Southern New York State,  worked as a teenager in boat yard on the Hudson River, and is now the owner of a 2% certified business that focuses on healthy dog treats and chews. During the conversation, Kevin dishes on what it was like to work in a boat yard, his thoughts on mentored youth hunting, and why he focuses an outdoor lifestyle for his family. He also fills us in on his business, why he's giving back to conservation, and what it means to be 2% certified.

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In this week's episode, Jason talks with returning guest Bryan Burhans. Bryan is the Executive Director the Pennsylvania Game Commission and he brings news for the new year. Topics include why RAWA is such an important bill for state agencies, how Ruffed Grouse are doing in the state, how the PGC made a weather issue right, and updates on CWD. Bryan also provides updates on the Antlerless license change, insight into the revamped bear seasons, and why PA is in dire need of more Hunter-Trapper Education instructors. Stay tuned until the end for a special announcement on a new PGC program!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PGC Podcast | CWD Info

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Paula Piatt. Paula is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, a position she has held since 2018. She is also a freelance writer with over 40 years of journalism experience and an avid outdoors enthusiast  who enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and conservation. During the discussion, Paula shares how she got into Journalism, the mission of POWA, and who is eligible to become a member. She also fills us in on why it's important to focus on non-consumptive users and the general public as well as how POWA is adjusting to new media.

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In today's episode, Jason talks with Greg Traynor, owner of Accessible Hunter on Facebook and Instagram. Greg is a 55 year old lifelong PA resident and hunter who had a diving accident in 1999. This accident left Greg paralyzed as a c4/c5 quadriplegic. During the conversation, Greg details his life before his accident, how the accident happened, and how it changed his life. He also fills us in on how he was able to get back into hunting, challenges of hunting as a quadriplegic, and why he started the Accessible Hunter social media presence.

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On this week's episode, Jason is joined by Gary Maerz. Gary grew up in a scouting family and has been fishing since he was 3 years old with his dad. After a respite from the outdoor lifestyle to play high school footfall, attend college, and start a career, he restarted his outdoor lifestyle 6 years ago. During this time, fishing, hunting, and conservation have become a staple of his life. During the conversation, Gary shares his conservation journey, why conservation is such a passion for him, and how being exposed to the outdoors early in life shaped his conservation mindset. He will also fill us in on why he loves volunteering with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and what his journey has been like for a "fashionably late hunter."

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Bowen Blair about the legacy of Nancy Russell. Bowen is an attorney who has made a career helping various conservation movements. He is also the former Director of the Friends of the Columbia Gorge, former 21 year Senior VP of a public land trust (which ran a National Land Acquisition conservation program, and a friend of Nancy Russell. During the conversation, Bowen tells the history of the Columbia Gorge, it's importance to the region's ecosystem, and why it was so important to protect it. He will also share how he is using his new book to tell the world about his dear friend Nancy; a tenacious, motivating force, who went from house wife to conservation hero during her fight to save the Columbia Gorge.

To purchase Bowen's book "A Force for Nature: Nancy Russell's Fight to Save the Columbia Gorge", visit:

BowenBlair.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

In this week's episode, Jason is joined by Richard Joyce to talk fireflies. Richard grew up in the mountains of Costa Rica, went to college in Maine, and then worked for various conservation agencies and organizations before landing at his current position at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. He has inventoried species of native bees in the dry forests of Nicaragua, collected data on aquatic habitat connectivity for brook trout and other freshwater species in Maine, and participated in lots of community science projects dedicated to understanding and tracking biodiversity. During the conversation, Richard fills us in on what makes fireflies so special, why they are a canary in a coal mine, and just how many species of fireflies there are in the U.S. He also details the behavior display, suitable habitat, and how YOU can help fireflies with some easy to do work.

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