Jason Wise is a Certified California Naturalist, environmental educator, conservationist, trail guide, and LBGTQ activist with a Master's Degree in Environmental Policy.

His passion is fostering a deeper connection between people and nature, and belief that access to and education about the natural world are essential for cultivating strong environmental advocates.

Jason and I discussed how people can connect with nature in urban settings, the impact of environmental storytelling, what nature can teach us about coming together as a society, and the effects of big conservation efforts like the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.

Jason Journey Man

@jasonjourneyman

@thewolfconnectionpod

The Languages of Life

At WildEarth Guardians, Lizzy Pennock works as the Carnivore Coexistence Attorney alongside Joanna Zhang, the Endangered Species Advocate.

In this episode Lizzy and Joanna came on to discuss three major issues: rollbacks affecting the Endangered Species Act, the state of Montana admitting its tracking models severely overestimated the actual wolf population, and The Department of the Interior introducing a revised proposal altering ESA Rule 4(d) guidelines for grizzly bears.

WildEarth Guardians

Rally For the Grizzly Webinar

U.S. Department of Interior Rescinds 'Harm' Definition

@wildearthguardians

@thewolfconnectionpod

The Languages of Life

Cassi Camara is a Conservation Communications Consultant who recently completed her PhD in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources.

She is also an Environmental Education Specialist for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Collectively, her work integrates research and practice across governance, policy, education, and communication, with the aim of cultivating environmentally literate citizens, across the globe.

Cassi spoke about her experience at Wolf Connection, some of the barriers in achieving environmental policy, and the positive impacts environmental education can have not only for students, but facilitators and teachers as well.

Cassiopeia Consulting

Cassiopeiacamara.com

@thewolfconnectionpod

Rick LoBello is one of the founders and Treasurer of the Texas Lobo Coalition, while Phillip Sozansky serves as the organization's Secretary. The Texas Lobo Coalition is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the natural restoration of the Mexican wolf to its native and historic habitats in Texas.

In this conversation, Rick and Phillip explore Texas's ecological and cultural history, the mission of the Texas Lobo Coalition, and the science, challenges, and opportunities surrounding the return of Mexican wolves. They also share why they believe the time is right for this iconic species to reclaim its historic place in the Texas landscape.

Texas Lobo Coalition (Website)

@texaslobocoalition

@thewolfconnectionpod

A Handful of Dirt - Watch on YouTube

Carolyn Johnson is the Founder/CEO/Mechanical Engineer of GuardUs Innovations. Their mission is to save animals, both domestic and wild. GuardUs Innovations strives to create a world where livestock are protected and our natural predators thrive. We plan to achieve this through novel and effective non-lethal predator deterrent innovations.

Carolyn spoke about her background as a mechanical engineer, the livestock collar which aims to protect cattle & sheep in a non-lethal way, and promoting coexistence with wild predators.

GuardUs Innovations Website

@thewolfconnectionpod

A Handful of Dirt - Watch on YouTube

Sami Godlove is the is the Central Oregon Field Coordinator at Oregon Wild, which works to protect and restore Oregon’s wild lands, wildlife, and waters as an enduring legacy for future generations.

Sami spoke about his early influential moments in nature, the importance of the Roadless Rule, potential large environmental rollbacks, and the effects these policies have on large ecosystems, old growth forests and other natural places that they protect.

Oregon Wild

@oregonwild

@thewolfconnectionpod

A Handful of Dirt - Watch on YouTube

Marc Bekoff is a professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Marc has published over 30 books and has won many awards for his research on animal behavior, animal emotions (cognitive ethology), compassionate conservation, and animal protection. He worked closely with Jane Goodall as co-chair of the ethics committee of the Jane Goodall Institute, and is a former Guggenheim Fellow.

Marc discussed his book Rewinding Our Hearts: Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence, describing ways to bring compassion back into conservation work, understanding the human impacts on rewilding, how we can shape future generations to become passionate, compassionate conservationists, and his admiration for the late Jane Goodall.

Marc Bekoff Website

Rewilding Our Hearts

Love In Their Hearts (Pre-Order)

A Handful of Dirt - Watch on YouTube

Naïma has been a professional artist for over 6 years, after her work as a graphic designer for a decade. She describes her connection through art in this way: "Each work is conceived as an intimate space, where anyone can project their own story, emotions, and memories. Over time, I’ve come to understand that this silent connection between a painting and the viewer lies at the heart of my work. It is in this resonance, often hard to explain, that the artwork truly finds its place."

Naïma reflects on how her connection with wolves has shaped her path into art, sharing insight into her creative process and the deeper themes woven through her work. She explores the presence of the feminine, the wild, and the natural world in her paintings, and the lasting impact she hopes they leave with those who experience them.

Naïma Fine Art

@naimanamaste

@thewolfconnectionpod