For this episode we sit down with Todd Waldron. Todd is a forester, conservationist, podcaster, and the Northeast Forest Conservation Director for Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society. He is a great guy with lots of passion for conservation. We cover some forestry, why grouse and woodcock are “species of conservation need”, overall trends in conservation, climate change impacts on grouse and beyond, and our hopes and dreams for the future.

Checkout these useful links:

www.ruffedgrousesociety.org

www.modcarn.com

www.nwf.org/leadfreelandscapes

Show notes:

2:55 - What has Todd been up to outdoors recently?

6:00 - What are the big things that are standing out in the sporting conservation world right now?

8:30 - The contrast and transitions between the private forestry consultation, podcasting and the nonprofit world. 

11:56 - What does Todd's role entail with the Ruffed Grouse Society? Background and context.

15:37 - Does Ruffed Grouse Society do actual forestry? What do they do on the ground? 

17:47 - Species of Greatest Conservation Concern in multiple states... What's going on, how did they get to this state and what are some of the problems?

23:45 - Forest Conservation 101. Getting outdoor enthusiasts more engaged in ecology and forest conservation.

29:15 - How can a regular Joe/Jane who wants to get engaged with forest conservation across the country get the big picture with limited time?

32:45 - Message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. 

34:50 - Climate change regarding forestry mitigation, grouse and personal experience. 

43:08 - What can our hunting and angling communities be doing to move the needle regarding climate change?

47:49 - What is the next step for conservation and shaping our future?

55:11 - Partnerships and collaboratives with land owners to find common values in order to move forward.

57:30 - Learn more about Todd's awesome podcast.

1:00:00 - Parting words of wisdom from Todd Waldron... checkout the cool work that is going on with habitat restoration from the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society. 

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Aaron sits down with Abby Tinsley, the Associate Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs for the National Wildlife Federation. They discuss the process of “reconciliation” how it works, what it will do, and what it means for hunting, angling, and conservation. They cover the bipartisan infrastructure package, why we need it, how it will help hunters and anglers, and how the infrastructure package relates to the reconciliation process. These are tough processes to digest but have huge implications for the lands and waters that support hunting and angling. The idea behind this podcast is to help the average person gain a basic understanding of the various developments and what will happen over the coming weeks and months.  For a quick and inciteful look at your government in action, you won’t want to miss this one!

For more information on infrastructure investments and opportunities see this link: https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Press-Releases/2021/02-24-21_Jobs-Restoration-and-Resilience-for-the-21st-Century

Testimony to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by President and CEO of NWF, Collin O’Mara: https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/9D69DE42-63C7-40CE-8E7F-722A64498265

More on the bipartisan infrastructure package: https://nwf.org/Home/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2021/7-28-21-Bipartisan-Infrastructure-Framework

Nature based infrastructure and climate solutions: https://nwf.org/Home/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2021/7-29-21-Nature-Based-Solutions

Infrastructure Bill aiding the Great Lakes: https://nwf.org/Home/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2021/8-2-21-Bipartisan_Infrastructure_Adds_$1_Billion_for_Great_Lakes_Restoration

Show Notes:

2:25 - Background on podcast guest, Abby Tinsley.

3:10 - What have Aaron and Abby been doing outside recently? Beaches, kayaking, gearing up for hunting season, canning veggies and backpacking.

5:30 - "Reconciliation 101" 

9:00 - What happened with the recent fire drill/oversight in the reconciliation bill? People wanted this bill to be 10 trillion, then 6 trillion and now 3.5 trillion dollars... People forgot that lands and water and rural areas need funding.

11:45 - What exactly was that "Pre-Money Scramble" when there wasn't any funding in there for the BLM? The sausage making!

13:47 - Congress is going to return after congressional recess & then what happens?

17:23 - How do you prepare and package the bills? What gets to be a part of the pie?

19:15 - A deeper look at the 3.5 trillion dollars. How is it paid for and when is this funding spread out? 

21:00 - A message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!

23:00 - How does infrastructure and reconciliation interface and a few examples on what natural infrastructure entails.

25:35 - Wildlife crossings are an example of the types of projects that could receive funding. Why are these real life projects important?

28:13 - How does infrastructure and reconciliation have to do with one another?  

31:10 - What's next on the Hill?

33:00 - When do we expect all of this to start being implemented?

34:18 - What is the procedure for the next steps in terms of the funding getting to each state and programs? 

38:54 - Unpacking the use of the funding (old bridges, old schools).

42:24 - Cool infrastructure opportunities and the hunting and fishing connection.

44:10 - Closing statements on infrastructure and reconciliation from Abby Tinsley. There is still time to make it look the way you want it to look so TELL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS how important you think it is to balance the needs across states. It's time to go to bat and communicate with your member of congress!

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Aaron heads to Georgia for a chat with Mike Worley, Executive Director of the Georgia Wildlife Federation (GWF). They explore GWF’s groundbreaking work to bring the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of hunters into an innovative, adaptive, and effective space that better adapts to changing demographics and the needs of younger and more diverse potential hunters. Topics include GWF and partner’s “Field to Fork” program, GWF’s “Academics Afield” program and their efforts to serve historically black colleges and universities. They also provide a little background into the history of Georgia Wildlife Federation and the big conservation issues in GA.

Be sure to visit Georgia Wildlife Federation's official website: https://gwf.org

Show notes:

3:33 - What has Mike Worley been doing outside lately?

4:25 - When does duck season get rolling?

6:20 - 13' long alligators that weigh 900 lbs...

8:17 - The Georgia Wildlife Federation is a conservation powerhouse.

10:57 - What is Mike dealing with that has the most immediate need?

14:34 - Georgia Wildlife Federation upcoming events and opportunities to learn.

17:00 - Break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen.

19:52 - Why Georgia Wildlife Federation puts outreach and advocacy first. 

33:51 - How does GWF mechanically put outreach and advocacy opportunities together. 

40:50 - Do the participants show up in other spaces?

50:04 - What is one of the coolest things you've seen when talking to the newer hunting community? Different reasons people choose to hunt.

54:55 - Georgia Wildlife Federation likes to try new things and succeed! You have to be willing to try things differently, especially with R3. 

57:08 - Closing statement... "Takes somebody hunting and enjoy it!"

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Aaron sits down with Cliff Cadet of UrbanArcheryNYC. They cover getting into hunting as an adult while living in the middle of New York City. Cliff shares his personal history, the journey that brought him to hunting, and the passion he now has for archery and hunting. Cliff also shares what it’s like to use trains and busses to get to his hunting spots and how he has immersed in the hunting culture and become a sporting ambassador and communicator.

1:00 - Intro and background on Cliff Cadet.

2:00 - Getting outdoors in the New York City metropolitan area recently during the pandemic.

4:20 - Born and raised in Brooklyn. Cliff’s story behind how he got into hunting as a first generation.

11:36 - What was Cliff’s biggest epiphany and reason behind going all the way in with hunting.

18:03 - Hunting is the great equalizer. Cliff reflects on this perspective.

21:48 - How do you make it happen as an urban hunter/anger? Public transportation and Public land!

27:47 - Using public transportation and helping fellow travelers understand the difference between hunting camo and military camo.

29:05 - Message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswoman.

30:00 - Cliff’s favorite species and strategies to hunt.

33:33 - Collaboration with Outdoor Life and trajectory in media and conservation. 

39:07 - Cliff’s children’s response to hunting. Getting outside is always a good idea!

42:47 - Future plans and projects in conservation. 

46:00 - What Cliff would like to tell the non-hunting public.

49:37 - Cliff’s parting words. There’s no excuse get outside, even if you are in an urban environment.

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Aaron sits down with Thor Tingey co-founder and owner of Alpacka Rafts. Thor has traveled extensively in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and in Alaska using his company’s specialized rafts that he developed to do traverses across Alaska. We cover the uniqueness of the refuge and why it should be protected, how he got into these big traverses, his experiences in Alaska including his recent trip through the refuge, and how he and his mother developed Alpacka Rafts. We also talk about camping and outdoor travel with children, a caribou hunt, and fishing for Arctic char.

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After a break to refresh, Aaron sits down with Andrew McKean, one of the most respected outdoors journalists and the current hunting and conservation editor of Outdoor Life magazine. We talk the history of Outdoor Life and sporting journalism, the latest sporting issues and how they can either connect or divide our community, and the “conservation obligation”. We also discuss the public lands owner movement and how it could be more inclusive for all conservationists and overall trends in the sporting conservation arena.

Check out Outdoor Life here:

https://www.outdoorlife.com/

Check out Andrew’s podcast, “On Gravel”:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-gravel/id1429069645

Show notes:

1:35 - Heat wave across the west.

2:36 - Meet Andrew McKean, learn about his background in hunter and angler information and education.  

3:30 - What has Andrew been doing outside recently... conservation and his recent involvement with nocturnal posse of Texas hog hunters. 

7:08 - How Andrew got to Montana as a journalist, the public value of conservation and growing up on a farm as a squirrel hunter with "The Missouri Promise".

10:07 - The infrastructure built around conservation is intact and thorough in Missouri but the care and maintenance required. 

11:23 - The current infrastructure projects and policy that NWF Outdoors is working on.

12:43 - Message from our partner podcast, Artemis! Listen to the Artemis podcast wherever you gather podcasts.

14:07 - The history and structure of outdoor journalism with a deeper look at Outdoor Life magazine. Why Andrew thinks it is a happy time for outdoor journalism. 

22:20 - Exploring multiple avenues as a journalist and covering important issues such as guns and wildlife conservation. The second amendment. 

25:35 - Wildlife is a public resource. "Just like our air and our water, it requires constant attention."

28:48 - Hunting and fishing access. Working with private land owners with a closer look at what has been unfolding in Montana. "We can't be single issue voters, no matter what the issue is."

35:30 - Public land owners & public land hunters. Andrew presents a different way of looking at this broad issue.

40:08 - States that may not have public land or accessible private land or waterways but have a strong cultural connection with conservation and their public trust doctrine. The flame of the blue collar conservationist is still being carried in upper midwest - otherwise known as the "Rust Belt".

42:24 - Looking forward instead of looking back when it comes to the outcome or consequences of some of the conservation issues we are dealing with at this time.

What is habitat for the hunting community and where is the funding coming from.

47:46 - Speaking in an authentic and respectful way and our obligation as hunters in general. 

55:20 - Andrew encourages every listener to become a hunter education instructor. 

59:48 - "The Conservation Obligation" and getting people more engaged in conservation. 

1:03:00 - Going back in time to go forward in time. Looking back at the history of the National Wildlife Federation and a big shout out to Aaron Kindle for his work and engagement on this podcast.

1:04:00 - A note on the creation of the NWF in 1936.

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This week we are excited to feature a podcast from our partner, Artemis, and will head afield this week to talk with NWF Outdoor's newest member, storyteller and adventurer Mandela van Eeden. This episode was recorded on the edge of the forest near a meadow in Montana. Mandela's upbringing was split between South Africa, where her family harvested from the sea, and Montana - where they gratefully accepted the river's bounty. Mandela talks to us about connecting to place, pursuing your dreams, and how we can care for what sustains us. Plus, a black bear walks in on Marcia and Mandela mid-way through the episode. (No jokes, folks!)

4:00 All the 'boks' in Africa, which is Afrikaans for 'deer' (springbok, bontebok, gemsbok)

5:00 A childhood split between the African bush and Montana, leaving your heart in both

11:00 Three Gorges Dam & the Yangtze River

12:00 Storytelling with sound and music AND raft guiding both hemispheres

16:00 What's the core value that makes us do what we do?

18:00 The Oily River Rendezvous and seeing an oil spill from the river's view

19:00 "If you think you're too little to make a difference, you've obviously not spent the night with a mosquito."

22:00 "Grand Canyon pink" - a rattlesnake endemic to that space

24:00 Getting Primitive program gets kids into bushcrafting

27:00 Fish in one hand, shark in the other

30:00 Fly-fishing as a family affair

32:00 Podcast interrupted by a black bear... yep, bonafide bear strolling through!

37:00 The myriad of ways in which people gather from the sea

38:00 NWF Outdoors podcast, Vanishing Seasons

41:00 If you want to connect with a place... BE there. Fully present. Cease the wandering mind.

42:00 Yoga sutras written by Pantanjali

49:00 Connection to the outdoors through harvest + patience and mindfulness

50:00 The value of a mentor

54:00 Riverboarding the Grand Canyon for 15 days... the dream started with a flip.

56:00 Thalweg: the fastest current in the river

59:00 "Go into your dream closet and dust off some of those ones you've filed away."

1:03 Introducing family to game - antelope and bear... and recruiting a nephew into the ranks

1:06 Listen to what your body tells you to eat (plus, spearfishing)

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It's been a long time coming but we finally had the opportunity to connect with Dr. Mamie Parker, an avid angler and former Assistant Director of Fisheries and Habitat Conservation for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mamie is highly regarded as a pioneer in the field for women of color and has won numerous prestigious awards for her work in conservation including the highest award given to government employees for her leadership in the creation of the National Fish Habitat Action Partnership. Mamie was inspired by her mother who was an avid angler and outdoorswoman (before that was a coined term). Mamie continues to promote diversity in fisheries education and careers. She may be retired but she continues to work hard as an inspirational speaker and conservationist on the board of directors for numerous organizations including the National Wildlife Federation.

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In the sixth episode of Vanishing Seasons we head to Florida to visit with Travis Thompson, a fifth generation Floridian and hunting and fishing guide. Travis takes us on a multigeneration journey through a life in Florida hunting and fishing hundreds of days a year. He speaks of changes in waterfowl seasons and the difference in what ducks he hunts now compared to a decade ago. He explains how he's had to adapt to different species and different behaviors in his guiding business, and also shares anecdotes of odd things he's seeing and how he thinks hunters and anglers should engage in conservation. 

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In this special episode Aaron sits down with three Westerners with extensive experience working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the nominee to lead the agency, Tracy Stone-Manning. We discuss the ins and outs of the BLM's mandates and mission, and how it affects hunters and anglers. We also cover Tracy's leadership style and some of our collective experiences working with her and witnessing her leadership capabilities. 

Info about the Bureau of Land Management: https://www.blm.gov/

NWF press release on Tracy's nomination: https://www.nwf.org/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2021/04-22-21-Stone-Manning-BLM-Nomination

Press release from NWF and affiliates supporting Tracy's nomination: https://www.nwf.org/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2021/06-04-21-NWF-Affiliates-Urge-Senate-to-Confirm-Tracy-Stone-Manning

Butte, MT's MT Standard newspaper editorial board letter in support of Tracy's nomination: https://mtstandard.com/opinion/editorial/standard-view-stone-manning-merits-daines-support-to-lead-blm/article_55bd1eae-e547-51ab-a47e-548a490a223a.html

Show notes:

2:30 – intro to guests

4:50 – a good hunting story from BLM lands

10:15 – the BLM mission and multiple use mandate and what is means for hunters and anglers

14:12 – the main things sportsmen and women should be paying attention to with respect to BLM lands

17:45 - how having the right leader makes a huge difference

21:25 – what the BLM’s multiple use mandate means for a grazing permitee

23:45 – what happens when conflict arises between user groups on BLM lands

27:15 – more overlap of public lands users and the necessity of a new way of thinking

29:45 – results of not having a BLM director for the past four plus years

32:30 – the honor and pride of being a career agency person back in the 80’s

33:30 – how Resource Management Plans (RMPs) suffered without a BLM director

37:15 – how a career stop for Tracy Stone-Manning that involved superfund cleanup and dam removal points to her abilities to effectively lead the BLM

45:55 – Jess’s experience with Tracy when she was Chief of Staff for then MT Governor, Steve Bullock

48:55 – what Tracy did to win over ranchers when she was working with Jess on sage-grouse conservation

51:40 – Gaspar’s experiences working with Tracy on an energy development proposal near the Great Sand Dunes National Park

57:45 – how Tracy can act as a public servant for the land, water, wildlife, and people

59:00 – the diverse people and experiences that led us to this podcast

1:01:00 – the concept of collective ownership of public lands and how it brings us together

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