A UNESCO World Heritage site in the Indian Ocean and home to over 400 endemic species, the Aldabra Atoll, is on the brink of destruction. A proposed luxury development has threatened its fragile ecosystem, and despite scientific arguments and official interventions, nothing has stopped the Seychelloix government from proceeding with this project. Nothing seemed to get their attention. In the end, it wasn’t data or diplomacy that began turning the tide for Aldabra, it was storytelling. Today’s guests, Celina Chien, conservationist, journalist, and founder of Overstories (https://overstories.org/), and Victoria Duthil, a Seyhelloix scientist-turned-advocate dedicated to protecting her home’s biodiversity have both been instrumental in the Friends of Aldabra (https://www.friendsofaldabra.org/) movement, which has harnessed the power of narratives to inspire action. In this new podcast episode, we’re exploring the intersection of storytelling, culture, and conservation. How often have cold facts failed to move you, yet a story changed everything? Why does that happen? How can you use storytelling as a force for change? And how can young, powerful voices shape the future of conservation? Before listening to the episode, please consider supporting our work at WILD.org (http://WILD.org), which allows us to dedicate time to creating these conversations for you. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Global conservation policy can feel complex: What are these big events, and why do they matter? COPs, Conventions of Parties, and member-only congresses—these spaces can seem intimidating, filled with jargon, fancy terms, and big players.  You can often find yourself lost, not only in understanding what they mean, but in grasping how they work and, more importantly, what is your place in them is as an individual who cares about the planet.  And sometimes, they can feel so slow, right? The urgency of what’s happening is clear, but the slow-moving wheels of decision-making often don’t seem to match the pressing need for action. Despite this, these events remain crucial in shaping environmental policy on a global scale. With the climate and biodiversity crises at the forefront, these gatherings bring together not just scientists and policymakers, but also Indigenous and local communities—groups often overlooked, yet whose voices are key in driving meaningful change. Today, with WILD.org (http://WILD.org) friends Yen Parico (https://www.linkedin.com/in/yenparico/), Program Director of CoalitionWILD (https://wild.org/coalitionwild/) at WILD.org (http://WILD.org), and Aiita Joshua Apamaku (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aiita-joshua-apamaku-5a6a3a134/), Wildlife Biologist and NatGeo Explorer, we’re diving into the importance of these conventions, how they shape the global conservation agenda, and how we, as individuals, can engage with the outcomes. Before listening to the episode, please consider supporting our work at WILD.org (http://WILD.org), which allows us to dedicate time to creating these conversations for you. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Wilderness seems like an innate, normal, natural concept. ‘Wilderness is the story of the planet.’ That’s what Chad Dawson, today’s guest, says at least. Wilderness is also the story of humanity. Yet, here we are, forgetting our roots and how to live in conjunction with the land. So, how did we get here? In this episode, we dive into wilderness management with Chad Dawson, retired professor and key figure behind the Wilderness Management (5th edition that is) textbook—a comprehensive guide that’s shaped how we understand and preserve our wildest lands. With decades of experience in natural resource management, Chad unpacks the complexities of wilderness—not just as protected spaces, but as interconnected ecosystems with stories that span time. How do we preserve these landscapes for future generations? What does it mean to "manage" wilderness without interfering with its natural processes? And how can we learn from ancestral and traditional knowledge to do so? Join us as Chad guides us through the evolution of wilderness management, balancing human development with ecological preservation, and the vital role of education and research. What began in 1978 as an effort to define wilderness preservation has blossomed into global conversation—and today, we’re continuing that journey. Before listening to the episode, please consider supporting our work at WILD.org (http://WILD.org), which allows us to dedicate time to creating these conversations for you. Order the 5th Edition of Wilderness Management from Waveland Press: https://www.waveland.com/browse.php?t=802 Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The world is hurting. People are hurting. We see it every day, all around us. It’s almost inescapable in the news. Ancestral knowledge is fading because of modern ways of life. But within these wounds, there is healing—ancient wisdom, strength, really a way back to wholeness. “The medicine is in the wound.” Ariel’s words that have stuck with Jackie since her conversation with her. A reminder that healing doesn’t come from ignoring pain but instead comes from facing it and tending to what is broken. To find our humanity again, we must first look at what has been lost. This is not an easy path. It requires us to listen. It’s about remembering the wisdom we were told to leave behind. It is about imagining a world where stewarding nature isn’t about control. The wound is open. The medicine is readily available but the real question is, are we ready to heal? This is just the very tip of the iceberg of Jackie's conversation with Ariel Clark, an enrolled tribal citizen of the Grand Traverse Band of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Through her mother’s family, she also carries Northern European, Scandinavian, French, Irish, and Scottish ancestry—an experience that has helped her understand what it means to live between two worlds. Through her journey, Ariel has learned what connects us as humans and where we need to look to find our shared humanity—for the good of our future. Before listening to the episode, please consider supporting our work at WILD.org (http://WILD.org), which allows us to dedicate time to creating these conversations for you. Connect with Ariel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-clark-97366a3/  Ariel's sources: The Psychedelic Bar Association: Law & Ethics Series, The Psychedelics Industry & Indigenous Peoples (https://thepsychedelicbar.org/law-ethics-the-psychedelics-industry-indigenous-peoples-a-pba-four-part-series/) Roots To Sky Sanctuary https://www.rootstosky.net/ Life Comes From It https://www.lifecomesfromit.org/ Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center https://nokomis.org/ Water Song https://youtu.be/ks5IIzYX3t8?list=PLWSo5XdPnV6wN9UcvokmhWFDDInlErONf Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Einstein stated, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." This idea came to Jackie's mind during her conversation with the ever awesome Dan Wildcat at WILD12. He talks about "the age of the Anthropocene"—a time when humans see themselves as the center of everything. And here we are, facing human-caused environmental crises, thinking once again that it’s our role to fix things in the same manner we’ve done in the past. Dan’s got something to say about that mindset. He says this isn’t about fixing—it’s about healing. If we can step away from this self-centered way of thinking, we might begin to rebuild a connection with nature—a relationship rooted in kinship and respect, where we understand that we’re part of a much larger family. In today’s episode, we’re diving into these ideas and so much more with Dan. For those who don’t know him, Dan Wildcat is a Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma and a passionate advocate for bringing Indigenous wisdom to the fight against climate change. Before listening to the episode, please consider supporting our work at WILD.org (http://WILD.org), which allows us to dedicate time to creating these conversations for you. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How can Indigenous communities be better supported in addressing wildlife diseases? This question has inspired Avery’s work. Avery, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, is working to bring together veterinary science and Indigenous knowledge by partnering with tribal nations on wildlife health research that’s collaborative and community-driven. Having grown up in his tribal community, Avery saw that while many tribes in the U.S. have natural resource departments focused on wildlife protection, they often lack the veterinary expertise needed to tackle wildlife diseases. His goal is to become one of the first tribal wildlife veterinarians, combining these two fields to help tribes protect their ecosystems. Before listening to the episode, please consider supporting our work at WILD.org (http://WILD.org), which allows us to dedicate time to creating these conversations for you. Connect with Avery: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avery-tilley-5a2095197/ Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Hinano was born on the atoll of Vairaatea located in the central-eastern part of the Tuamotu islands of Tahiti. She is the President of the Association Te Pu Atitia and the Cultural Director of Tetiaroa Society. Growing up, her language and traditions were a huge part of her life. They inspired her to teach and fight for the environment and her people’s culture. In this episode, Hinano shares memories of her grandmother’s stories and the lessons she learned from fishing with her father. These moments shaped her life and the mission she carries forward. Before listening to the episode, please consider supporting our work at WILD.org (http://WILD.org), which allows us to dedicate time to creating these conversations for you. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Today, we’re diving into the power of artificial intelligence, AI, and environmental stewardship. Because, let’s face it, it’s all the rage and we need to address this topic. It’s no secret that AI is growing quickly. While it has been around for decades, it is now playing a bigger role in our lives. What does this mean for conservation? What does wilderness mean to AI, and how is AI affecting it? These are the questions Robert Dvorak explores in his article ‘Missing the Forest for the Algorithm’ in the latest issue of the International Journal of Wilderness, the IJW. Wilderness is so much more than just biodiversity–it’s a safe place for wildlife, a space for us to recharge and reconnect to our roots, and a source of well-being. As AI becomes more involved in conservation, it can offer valuable insights and increase awareness. But could it end up simplifying nature’s story too much? What if it unintentionally supports and disseminates incorrect ideas or theories, changing how we perceive wilderness and the policies that protect it? Can it capture the wilderness experience that is truly human? Before listening to the episode, please consider supporting our work at WILD.org (http://WILD.org), which allows us to dedicate time to creating these conversations for you. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome to the special Voices of Wilderness episodes covering WILD12. Jackie, your host, takes you behind the scenes at WILD12, where she met remarkable people dedicated to protecting nature every day. One of these inspiring individuals is Laura Yawanawá. Laura and her husband, Tashka Yawanawá, lead the Yawanawá people in Acre, Brazil, where they developed a Life Plan to sustain their culture, protect their forest, and counter illegal logging, mining, and ranching. It was incredible to meet them, especially as WILD.org (http://WILD.org) has now been working closely with them for years now. In this episode, we are excited to explore Laura's journey as an Indigenous woman and leader, the concept of 'conservation' from an Indigenous perspective, and the essential role of Indigenous women in caring for the land. Before listening to the episode, please consider supporting our work at WILD.org (http://WILD.org), which allows us to dedicate time to creating these conversations for you. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome to the special Voices of Wilderness episodes covering WILD12. Today we’re going behind the scenes at WILD12, where we met remarkable people dedicated to protecting nature every day. One of these amazing individuals is Jaime Rojo. You might remember him from a previous episode a few months ago, but here he is again–as I met him in person for the first time during the congress! Jaime is a photographer and National Geographic Explorer. His most recent project, Monarchs on the Brink, is a captivating visual exploration of monarch butterflies, highlighting the challenges they face and introducing the people committed to their protection. We didn’t post this episode at random; Jaime is a friend of WILD.org (http://WILD.org), and today is World Wildlife Conservation Day. Who better than him to share his passion for wildlife and represent the work being done in its protection? Enjoy this episode, where we prepared some games to get to know him better and in which he will talk about storytelling, science communication, protecting Half, 30by30, and many other topics! Connect with Jaime: https://www.instagram.com/jaimerojo/ Learn more about WILD: www.wild.org (http://www.wild.org)  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.