My Life, Wildlife

Randall Friendly grew up in the village of Tuntutuliak along the Kuskokwim River. He is a graduate student studying the threatened spectacled eider in Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge.

Bill Leacock knew even as a young child that he was interested in bears and being outside. Follow his career from southeast Asia to Siberia to Alaska, where he has worked as a bear biologist at Kodiak Refuge and is now the mammal biologist at Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

This week Christy Cincotta talks about her path to becoming a Coastal Program Biologist for the Alaska Region. Learn about the various factors that impact Alaska's coast and the ways the Coastal Program protects and restores them. 

Federal Wildlife Officer Kelly Modla shares what she loves about her job in Alaska, from bear sightings to teaching kids about safety and wildlife forensics.

Allyssa Morris, tells us about how her childhood curiosity for camping and backpacking has lead her to a career as an Environmental Education Specialist for Arctic, Kanuti, and Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuges. 

Dan Saxton tells us about what it takes to manage the public use cabins on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Learn about the two dozen cabins that are available for use by anyone looking for a cozy shelter to spend on the refuge. 

Born in a log cabin next to the woodstove in western Alaska, Jim Akaran grew up learning about respect for wildlife from his Yup'ik family and elders. He has worked for the Fish and Wildlife Service for 38 years, and served as one of the first Native Liaison Specialists. Listen to his story about working for Yukon Delta and Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuges as a biologist, armorer, and bridge to local communities.

Listen as Invasive Species Outreach Coordinator Deborah Kornblut tells us about her experience with the Directorate Fellowship Program that started her career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Listen as Wildlife Biologist Robin Corcoran tells us how her passion for the outdoors has lead her from studying art in New York to a career studying the birds of Kodiak, Alaska.