What does it take to restore a species that’s central to culture, ecology, and economy?

In episode 141, we sit down with Shannon Wheeler, Chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee, to explore their urgent efforts to restore salmon in the Columbia River Basin. From dam removal and stream restoration to public advocacy and tribal collaboration, Shannon sheds light on the complex challenges and opportunities in protecting these iconic fish.

Drawing on the Nez Perce Tribe’s 1855 treaty rights and their creation story, Shannon shares how salmon inspire resilience, cooperation, and action. Listen in as we discuss the role of legislative progress, the tribe’s work through the Salmon Orca Project to bring these issues to the public’s attention, and the staggering statistics on why many salmon die before completing their migratory journey.

Thank you to the ⁠⁠Sun Valley Forum⁠⁠ for sponsoring this season of Conservation Connection! Each interview this season was recorded live during the forum in July of 2024!

Click if you'd like to learn more about the Salmon Orca Project or watch Covenant of The Salmon People on PBS.

Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out the merch store on our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠ConservationConnection.co

What if a natural disaster could transform the way we connect with the environment—and each other?

In episode 140, we dive into Dr. Deborah Brosnan’s groundbreaking work with OceanShot, restoring coral reefs and estuaries, and how these ecosystems offer powerful lessons in cooperation and interdependence. Drawing from her experiences after the volcanic eruption on Montserrat, she shares how tragedy can inspire resilience and a deeper connection to nature.

Listen in as we discuss the value of nature—not just its economic worth but its ability to nourish the soul—and how understanding what people value can bridge divides to inspire environmental action.

Thank you to the ⁠⁠Sun Valley Forum⁠⁠ for sponsoring this season of Conservation Connection! Each interview this season was recorded live during the forum in July of 2024!

If you'd like to learn more about OceanShot, click here!

Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out the merch store on our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠ConservationConnection.co

How do we bridge political divides to protect the places that matter most? In episode 139 Roberta Swann, Director of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, shares her experience uniting diverse constituencies to safeguard Mobile Bay and Alabama's rich ecosystems—even in a traditionally conservative state.

In this episode, Roberta explains how a program originally created by Congress through the Clean Water Act has become a model of bipartisan support for environmental work. Today, Mobile Bay’s success isn’t just measured by ecological impact but by the variety of stakeholders working together, from local government funding to community and industry voices.

Tune in as we discuss how to set aside differences by finding common ground in environmental priorities, why Alabama’s biodiversity is unmatched, and how nature itself provides the blueprint for resilience in estuaries like Mobile Bay.

Thank you to the ⁠⁠Sun Valley Forum⁠⁠ for sponsoring this season of Conservation Connection! Each interview this season was recorded live during the forum in July of 2024!

If you'd like to learn more about the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, click here!

Conservation Connection would not be possible without the incredible support we receive from our listeners. If you'd like to support our podcast, you can donate or check out the merch store on our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠ConservationConnection.co