Talk on the Wild Side

Conservation and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) go hand-in-hand. For the past five years, Brent Setchell has been a District Design Engineer with the FDOT. However, he has been with the organization for more than 12 years. In this episode, Setchell explains how the agency is working to preserve the environment and protect animals with artificial intelligence (AI) and wildlife crossings. 

Learn more at www.swflroads.com.

As the son of Zoo Founders Jungle Larry® and Safari Jane®, Tim Tetzlaff has built a life on sharing the wonders of the natural world we all depend on. He coordinates Naples Zoo’s portfolio of field conservation efforts from giraffes to giant anteaters. In this episode, Tetzlaff shares a personal story about helping rescue a snared giraffe in Uganda. 

"In the long run, what’s best for wildlife and people is the same. We are called to be both good stewards of nature and to love each other. When we seek short-term solutions that neglect one over the other, both will suffer. Ultimately, conservation is not just about wildlife, it’s about all life,” said Tim Tetzlaff, Naples Zoo Director of Conservation.

Learn more at NaplesZoo.com. 

In 2020, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) rescued and rehabilitated more than 5,600 animals in Southwest Florida. Rachel Taylor is the education outreach director for CROW, but animal rehabilitation wasn't Taylor's first career choice. Following a marketing internship with CROW that was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Taylor found herself working directly with the animals in the rehab hospital. She loves helping the animals and educating the community about their efforts. 

Learn more at www.CROWClinic.org.

People often assume that park rangers spend most of their time dealing with plants and animals. However, Matthew Kruse explains that most of his job involves working with the people that are visiting the parks. By educating them about the environment, Kruse recognizes that park rangers are protecting both people and animals. And, while the job doesn't require a specific college degree, additional education can help an aspiring ranger stand out in an extremely competitive field. 

For more information visit www.FloridaDEP.gov.

Before attending college, Savannah Nease dreamed of working in the rain forest. Her family encouraged her to dream big and pursue her passion. During her time at the University of Florida, she gained valuable experience working in the beekeeping laboratory. In this episode, Nease explains what a day-in-the-life of an Ecologist at Johnson Engineering includes. She is proud to be a part of protecting Southwest Florida's robust environment. 

Learn more at www.JohnsonEngineering.com.

Jeremy Sterk has been an Environmental Consultant in Southwest Florida since 1994. His varied experience spans marine, upland, and estuarine habitats and includes extensive work with a wide variety of listed species. He is a Florida Wildlife Conservation (FWC) authorized gopher tortoise agent, FWC authorized burrowing owl Agent, FWC approved shorebird monitor, a US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approved bald eagle monitor, and a Certified Environmental Professional. In this episode, Sterk shares insights into how consulting firms work with builders and local governments to protect the environment. 

Learn more online at www.eteflorida.com.

You can also see Jeremy Sterk's photography @jsterkphoto.

Derrick Wyle is a District Conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). In his career, he works with agricultural producers to manage soils to produce higher quantities of food in the most sustainable way. With advancing technologies, precision agriculture, and newer varieties of ground covers, farmers and ranchers can contribute to protecting our environment. While learning about environmental sciences is important, Wyle says it is also important to learn about real-life farm management to support agricultural partners. 

For more information, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.

How does a kid get excited about soil science? Will Elliott used to work summers on his uncle's farm, growing peaches, prunes, and rice. He decided that if he knew how the soil worked, he could grow anything he wanted. So, he pursued a degree in soil sciences. As the general manager of Collier Environmental Services, he has been working to restore wetlands in Eastern Collier County. The company has restored more than 14,000 acres to date. Elliott invites potential conservationists to reach out and learn more. 

For more information, visit www.collierenviro.com. 

Katie Laakkonen, Environmental Specialist with the City of Naples, always knew that she wanted to work in marine sciences. Her love of the ocean grew during annual family vacations to Delaware. In this episode, Laakkonen shares how her department is working to monitor water quality levels and rebuild oyster reefs off of Naples' shoreline. She also advises future conservationists to take advantage of internships and unique learning opportunities. Skills such as knowing how to drive a boat can be a real asset. 

Learn more at www.NaplesGov.com.

Molly Duval is a Senior Environmental Specialist with the Collier County Conservation Collier Program. She is one of three land managers and oversees 21 nature preserves in the community. She developed her passion for the wild after spending a year in South Africa, where she lived inside a nature preserve during her graduate studies. She says that the best part of her job is creating a project idea and seeing it through implementation. 

Learn more at https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/your-government/divisions-a-e/conservation-collier.