Conservation Unfiltered

In this week's episode, Emily Burns returns to give us an update on the Border Wall. Emily is the Program Director for the Sky Island Alliance and has over 15 years experience helping wildlife. During Jason's conversation with Emily, she fills us in on the current state of construction on the border wall, the impact to wildlife they have documented, and a new wall being started in Texas. Emily also fills us in on how the newly built wall sections have held up over the past 2 years and why EVERYONE needs to watch the new documentary short, American Scar. To hear Emily talking about the Border Wall on this podcast before, check out Episode 45 and Episode 56. Check out the documentary, "American Scar": The Environmental Tragedy of the Border Wall on YouTube

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Dr. Krysten Schuler about the impact of lead toxicity in eagles and other scavenging birds. Dr. Schuler is the Co-Director of the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab and former Pennsylvania native. During the conversation, we will learn how scavenging birds are exposed to lead, side effects of lead poisoning, and if lead toxicity is causing a population wide impact. Dr. Schuler will also detail ways to reduce our contribution to lead poisoning and why hunting with lead has been banned before. Follow Dr. Schuler on Twitter Check out the North American Non-lead Partnership for tips and mission statements

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Tommy Serafinski about managing human/wildlife interactions. This discussion is based on the differences between the process in the United States with the process in Ireland. Tommy is outdoorsman, podcaster, blogger and YouTube creator. During the talk, Tommy helps us to understand our current relationship with nature, the process of managing wildlife in Ireland & how it differs from the US, and the ethics of hunting/angling. Check out all Tommy has to offer over at TommysOutdoors.com

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Mark Haslam about managing habitat for whitetails in the Southeast. Mark is the host of the Southeast Whitetails podcast, QDMA's (now NDA) 2019 Deer Managers of the Year award winner, and new writer for MeatEater. During the conversation, Mark fills us in on his hunting upbringing, why conservation work is so important, and what he hopes to accomplish with his podcast. Give the Southeast Whitetails podcast a listen!

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Tamar Haspel about her new experiences in trying to live eco-friendly. Tamar is a columnist for the Washington Post and author of a new book, To Boldly Grow: Finding Joy, Adventure, and Dinner in Your Own Backyard. During the conversation, she will detail her experiences in trying to live and eat a more eco-friendly lifestyle. This includes trying to grow a garden, hunting, and the joys and frustrations each provide. Follow Tamar on Twitter Purchase To Boldly Grow: Finding Joy, Adventure, and Dinner in Your Own Backyard from Penguin Random House or Amazon

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Phil Shellhammer about cultivating businesses in the outdoor industry. Phil is currently the Director of Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP). Previously, he was a mechanical engineer with an MBA and had a  20 year corporate career that focused mainly in Merchandising and Strategy roles within retail. During the conversation, Phil tells us what GORP is, why an outdoor focused incubator is necessary, what Bentonville, Arkansas has to offer the outdoor industry, and what the future of GORP looks like. Learn more about the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Dennis Patton in an Arbor Day special! Dennis is a horticulturist with Kansas State University's Research and Extension program. He has a degree in horticulture and masters in education and focuses his extension work on home horticulture. Part of his current extension outreach includes writing for the Kansas City Star. During the conversation, Dennis shares his knowledge on a common ornamental tree, the Bradford Pear. Unfortunately, this tree has become an invasive tree throughout much of the United States. Dennis recounts the history of the tree, how it became invasive, why it's an issue for native vegetation, and gives some advice for those looking to plant an ornamental tree in their yard. You will also hear Jason's disdain for the Bradford Pear tree throughout the show!

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Jesse Bjorkman and Dylan Hooper about a unique classroom experience for their students. Jesse and Dylan are Teachers in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Alaska. They are both Hunter Information and Training (HIT) Program volunteer instructors and have found a creative way to combine their careers and volunteer opportunities. Started in 2013, an extended learning opportunity-Alaska Outdoor Explorations-provides students a way to experience a long tradition in their home state, HUNTING. During the episode, Jesse and Dylan explain how the idea to provide a science experience through hunting to their students, what type of information is taught to the students, student reactions, and community support for the experience. To find a Hunting Training course, or become an instructor, check out the International Hunter Education Association-USA To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Margaret Young about the ancient practice of Falconry. Margaret was born and raised southeastern PA and currently lives in Berks County. She has been a licensed falconer for 7 years and has experience working with birds of prey since 2013-formerly a volunteer at her local Audubon chapter. She has owned her team of ambassador raptors since 2019 and presents educational workshops for children and adults. During the conversation, Margaret defines Falconry and provides a brief history of the practice. She will also fill us in on how to become a Falconer-how to get a bird of your own, training, and Falconry seasons in Pennsylvania. For more information about Falconry, visit the North American Falconers Association Follow along on Margaret's adventures on Facebook To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

In this week's episode, Susan Edwards returns for the conversation with Jason. Susan is a member of United Blood Trackers, an organization dedicated to helping hunters find their lost game with the use of dogs and originally appear on Ep 59: The Benefits of Blood Tracking Dogs. In that episode, they talked about Susan's 2 accomplished beagles that she uses to help hunters in Pennsylvania find deer and bear after they have been shot. They talked about how the dogs work, why this is an important tool for hunters, and the do's and don'ts of tracking game before calling in the dogs. This week, the focus is on training dogs. Susan gives us the general step by step process she uses to train her dogs to track. Some of the steps make perfect sense, others make sense once she explains her reasoning. If you have ever trained a dog, you'll understand that aspect! If you have thought about training your dog to track deer and bear when there is not a blood trail present, you'll want to listen to this one. To find Susan or

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Leif Cocks of the International Elephant Project. Leif has worked for 30 years managing a wide range of animals as a small population biologist and is the author of 3 books on Orangutans. He is the founder of IEP as well as VP of the Orang Utan Rebulik Foundation, lead of The Orangutan Project & International Tiger Project, and on the Advisory Board for Forest, Nature, and Environment of Aceh. During the conversation, Leif covers IEP's mission, how the organization is funded, and projects that money pays for. He also fills us in on why Sumatran Elephants are in trouble, what is impacting their numbers, and how they are an indicator of ecological success. Learn more about the International Elephant Project Check out Leif's site to purchase his books To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Marissa McMahan and Meggie Harvey of the Intertidal Crab Citizen Science Project. Marissa is the Director of Fisheries at Manomet, a Massachusetts based nonprofit. The Fisheries focuses their work on strengthening and diversifying fisheries resources, habitat restoration, and ecological monitoring. Meggie is a science curriculum specialist for the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI). These 2 have paired up to run the Intertidal Crab Citizen Science Project which provides members in the community, such as teachers, students, and volunteers the ability to work with scientists to monitor invasive crab species.  Listen along as Marissa and Meggie fill us in on what species of crab are invasive, how they arrived, why they are causing an issue, and how this project benefits students, teachers, the community, and commercial fishermen. Learn more about the Intertidal Crab Citizen Science Project Connect with Manomet on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and their website.

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Stan Temple. Stan is a Senior Fellow at the Aldo Leopold Foundation and once held the same academic position as Aldo himself. In this episode, Stan fills us in on how Leopold's life experiences lead to him becoming such an important figure in the history of conservation. Form his formative years to his time working in the Southwest to his eventual career shift to the Midwest, each left a mark and lead to the Land Ethic he formed when writing A Sand County Almanac. To learn more about Aldo Leopold, check out the Aldo Leopold Foundation. To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

In this week's episode, Jason talks turkey with National Wild Turkey Federation's CEO, Becky Humphries. Prior to becoming CEO of NWTF, Becky was a biologist for Michigan DCNR and became the Director of the NDR and DEQ. She also worked for Ducks Unlimited before making taking a job as the Chief Conservation Officer for NWTF 8 years ago. Listen in as Becky fills us in on the history of turkeys, NWTF's role in turkey and habitat restoration, R3 initiatives, and projects throughout the country. Give NWTF a follow in Instagram and Facebook To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Rebecca Kiernan. Rebecca has been the Principle Resilience Planner for the City of Pittsburgh for 61/2 years and has helped facilitate many conservation projects. During the conversation, she fills us in on the Pittsburgh's newest park-Hays Woods. Rebecca also details the history of this 660 acre area, the meaning behind the conservation designation, and what kind of activities might be allowed. Also discussed are how deer and invasive worms are increasing landslide probabilities, the city's Greenway areas, and a new project that has been recently funded for 2022. Check out the EngagePGH portal to have your voice heard To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Joel Strimling about his role as a hunter education instructor and hunting mentor. Joel is an adult onset hunter, Hunter Education Instructor for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildgame, and Communication Director for the Oregon chapter of BHA. During the episode, Jason and Joel discuss the importance of in person hunter education, the value of finding a hunting mentor, and why BHA has stepped in to help new hunters. They also touch why he started hunting, other's perception of him hunting, and on some of the barriers new hunters face. Click here to find a Hunter Education class near you! To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Paul Rhoades. Paul is the founder of Sizzlin' Arrow Outdoors and host of a podcast by the same name. He is also a former chef. During the episode, Jason and Paul discussed procuring venison, processing and storing the meat, and some dos and don'ts when cooking. They also share their favorite recipes toward the end, so make sure you listen until the end. Check out Sizzlin' Arrow Outdoors Give the Sizzlin' Arrow Outdoors podcast a listen To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Greg Dayley about recycling. Greg is man behind the SeaBar brand of shampoos. He is also passionate about the ocean and how plastics have had a negative impact. During the episode, you will hear Greg recite the stats of how much recycling actually happens, where those items are sent to be recycled, and how our consumerism has a negative effect on our landscape. He will also touch on ways to reduce the amount of plastic waste you produce and how SeaBar is doing its part as a company. Learn more about the SeaBar brand Follow SeaBar on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Watch the "Crying Indian" ad Greg mentioned

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Joel Jaeger about Green Energy. Joel studied Political Science at St. Olaf College and received a masters in Energy, Resources, and Environment from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is currently a Research Associate in the World Resource Institute's Climate Program where he leads their global research on green and inclusive recovery from COVID-19, including tracking green stimulus, evaluating job creation opportunities, and analyzing the lessons learned from green stimulus in 2008-2009. Listen in as Joel explains what green energy is, how it can be beneficial (regarding climate change and financially), and what how innovation can bring us closer to a perfect energy source.

In this week's episode, Jason talks with Cody and Ethan, hosts of the Backcountry PA Podcast. Cody and Ethan are Pennsylvania natives who have a deep love for the outdoors. That love started with hunting and fishing, which has turned toward mindfulness in conservation. During the episode, you will hear us talk about the ethics of hunting, etiquette while hunting on public land, and their transition to thinking about conservation. Of course, they also discuss how their podcast came to be and why they feel their episodes serve a greater purpose. You can find the Backcountry PA Podcast on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the Backcountry PA Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Pandora, and iHeartRadio Podcast.  Don't forget to check out their YouTube channel too! To shop Backcountry PA Podcast gear, visit their Online Shop. To support this podcast, visit our Patreon page!