The Cutbanks Conversations

The Cutbanks Conversations Episode 35: Floods, Fires, and Funding The State of Fish Wildlife and Habitat in BC

Hosts: Don Willimont and Steve Hamilton

Guests: Jesse Zeman

Produced: Matthew Wakeham

The crew is joined by Jesse Zeman of The BC Wildlife Federation talking the past, present and future of BC Wildlife

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The Cutbanks Conversations Episode 34: Disease, Deception and Decisions of Salmon Farming in BC - A Conversation with Alexandra Morton

Hosts: Don Willimont and Steve Hamilton

Guests: Alexandra Morton

Produced: Matthew Wakeham

Alexandra’s earliest interest in studying wildlife and the influence of Jane Goodall in her decision to pursue the life of a biologist. From American University to USC to Marineland, her early research focusing on bottle-nose dolphins transitions to studying captive Orcas. Witnessing the first captive birth of a killer whale and its death and the desire to transition to field work.

Echo Bay, Broughton Archipelago and the early days of sampling whale communication. The fork in the road and the pivotal role of her friend and fisherman Billy Proctor.

Understanding the salmon farm industry from its early days with IBEC and its transition to the global mega-companies like Cermaq, Grieg and Mowi. Salmon farms as “pathogen culture facilities” and their history of conflict and conservation concern in Europe and around the world.

Furunculosis, Sea lice, PRV, ISAV and other infections that have multiplied in effect and expanded into wild salmon.

DFO and the role of political and bureaucratic obfuscation of the impacts of salmon farming and a willful ignorance of their role in visiting pathogenic consequence on wild salmon.

The Cohen Commission and its long term recommendations. The role of activism in lifting visibility on the salmon farms.

First Nations engagement and 280 days of occupation on salmon farms. The key to success was ensuring Canadas first citizens were leading the discussion and the debate with the salmon farming industry.

The road ahead and the hope that salmon have turned a corner into recovery instead of extinction.

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The Cutbanks Conversations Episode 33: The Role of Science in 21st Century Wildlife Management - A Conversation with Jim Heffelfinger

Hosts: Don Willimont and Steve Hamilton

Guests: Jim Heffelfinger Wildlife Science Coordinator for Arizona Game and Fish

Produced: Matthew Wakeham

A personal and professional history of Jim Heffelfinger and the development of the role of wildlife science coordinator.

How do you assess what the best science is? The changes in wildlife management and the evolution of wildlife science.

The Mexican Wolf Recovery team, The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Mule Deer Working Group.

What are some of the biggest challenges for wildlife managers in executing their roles and responsibilities?

A look at some of well-known work in wildlife science and it’s propagation and distortion by popular media.

The role of wolves on the landscape, making room for their existence and planning for their management.

Working with recovery goals, the ESA in the US versus the SARA act in Canada. How recovery objectives can or should be determined.

CWD how real is the risk? Why does it require such severe population treatments to mitigate? How effective are those treatments?

Trophic Cascades, the impacts of trophy selection and how wolves prevent car accidents and save lives. A look at the role of subjectivity and interpretation of data and how it informs both opinion and policy.

Valerius Geist and his contributions to the wildlife science.

Find Jim Heffelfinger on Instagram at @Jim.deere or click this link https://www.instagram.com/jim.deere/?hl=en

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The Cutbanks Conversations Episode 32: A Beginner's Guide to Extinction - A Look at BC's Steelhead Crisis

Hosts: Don Willimont and Steve Hamilton

Guests: Dan Orser of The Steelhead Society of BC

Produced: Matthew Wakeham

What is a steelhead? Life cycle of a steelhead and defining an anadromous fish. Historical benchmarks and the precipitous decline of BC Steelhead.

The creation of the Steelhead Society of BC a response to a conservation crisis. Steelhead as an indicator for watershed health.

The economic and social cost of declining steelhead numbers. What are some of the contributing factors in Steelhead decline.

How or can we recover Steelhead in BC? A look at some of the mechanisms that are being applied to enhance and re-populate steelhead in BC's watersheds.

If you would like more information on how to help or become a member please visit Spruce City Wildlife Association on Facebook or Online (https://scwa.bc.ca/) to learn more

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The Cutbanks Conversations Episode 31: Investing in Change - A Conversation with The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation

Hosts: Don Willimont and Steve Hamilton

Guests: Board Chair Greg Anderson, Chief Executive Officer Dan Buffet and Communications Director Craig Doucette

Produced: Matthew Wakeham

The impetus to create the trust. Understanding the scope of the foundation, board selection, funding formula and the project selection process. What are the criteria for project selection, timelines and cut-offs for applications submission. What are the Priority Guiding Principles for developing projects for funding, the weight of scientific or conservation outcomes in getting a project funded. The emerging role of citizen science and local knowledge in projects. First Nations partnerships and the force multiplying benefit of working together. Some conservation wins under the program and what the road ahead looks like. An overview of the new mission statement for HCTF and what that means for BC’s conservation efforts

If you would like more information on how to help or become a member please visit Spruce City Wildlife Association on Facebook or Online (https://scwa.bc.ca/) to learn more

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Episode 30 – What’s Your Plan When Things Go Wrong? A Conversation with Dave Merritt from PG Search and Rescue

Guest: Dave Merritt Senior Director of PG SARS

Chris Beckley, Steve Hamilton, Don Willimont, Matt Wakeham

The Role and History of BC Search and Rescue. A look at the selection and training process for BC Search and Rescue organizations. Defining the operational mandate for SARS teams in BC and why they aren’t willing to bring you 5 litres of fuel for your snowmobile. The 3 T’s, Knowing Before You Go and Adventure Smart, some guiding principles for backcountry preparedness. Chris Beckley with a couple of campfire stories of when things go off the rails, why Don isn’t a safe bet for driving the new SARS Command Vehicle and what to do when you are lost.

If you would like more information on how to help or become a member please visit Spruce City Wildlife Association on Facebook or Online (https://scwa.bc.ca/) to learn more

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The Cutbanks Conversations Episode 29: The Hunt in Common - The Value of Mentorship in Hunting

Hosts: Don Willimont and Steve Hamilton

Guests: Luke Reeves and Dave Campbell

Produced: Matthew Wakeham

Luke Reeves – Vice President The Hunt In Common(HIC), Dave Campbell – Director Canadian Chapter, Timothy Reimer, Steve and Don.

In the beginning there was The Hunting Collective. The impact of Ben O’Brien the formation of the THC Cult and the impetus for a movement. A discussion on mentorship, some personal experiences with mentors or the lack of in our respective hunting evolutions.

The goals and intention of HIC Chapters around the world and a look at how to grow the movement through social media and fostering a resource for hunters regardless of their experience level. The role of trains and highways on sound quality in podcasting, the luxury of Dave’s freedom summer and the call of Elk, Luke’s killer 2021 Gardening adventure, Tim’s hopes for a better hunting community and why Don likes to talk so much….and why Steve??

If you would like more information on how to help or become a member please visit Spruce City Wildlife Association on Facebook or Online (https://scwa.bc.ca/) to learn more

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The Cutbanks Conversations Episode 28: A Campfire Conversation with Dana and Darcy White from Fatal Impact Outdoors

Hosts: Don Willimont and Steve Hamilton

Guests: Dana and Darcy White and Daniel Martichuk

Produced: Matthew Wakeham

A look at 2020 and filming season 8 in a global pandemic. Changes and challenges in hunting television in an post-COVID world. A discussion of inches and the role of selection in hunting. Hunting with an outfitter vs a DYI hunt and a recap our week of hunting bears in northern BC.

If you would like more information on how to help or become a member please visit Spruce City Wildlife Association on Facebook or Online (https://scwa.bc.ca/) to learn more

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The Cutbanks Conversations Episode 27: The Hunt in Common and Other Tales - A Special Edition of The Cutbanks Conversations with Ben O'Brien

Hosts: Don Willimont and Steve Hamilton

Guest: Ben O'Brien

Produced by: Matthew Wakeham

Ben Obrien’s podcast The Hunting Collective was the principal influence for our own program. A hunting podcast that focused it’s not on how or where we hunt but why. Ben Obrien shone his light into some of the darker, un-swept corners of our considerations, intention and understanding about the world of hunting. We take a look at Ben’s journey from journalism student to his current role as Director of Hunting Content for the MeatEater brand. A rare chance afforded us to spend some time with the person who compelled us to ask better questions about the wild world and the traditions we use to engage it.

If you would like more information on how to help or become a member please visit Spruce City Wildlife Association on Facebook or Online (https://scwa.bc.ca/) to learn more

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The Cutbanks Conversations Episode 26: Fish Talk with Keep Fish Wet, Clear Your Gear and Go Fish BC

Hosts: Don Willimont and Steve Hamilton

Guests: Steve Loney, Sascha Clark Danylchuk and Stacy Webb.

Produced by: Matthew Wakeham

Topics Discussed – Best practices for fish handling and mitigating catch and release mortality. Keeping our shorelines and landfills clean of fish line and embracing recycling opportunities for used line. BC’s comprehensive Freshwater stocking program and support for our recreational fishery. Some key components for anglers to promote a better BC fishery for everyone.

If you would like more information on how to help or become a member please visit Spruce City Wildlife Association on Facebook or Online (https://scwa.bc.ca/) to learn more

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