The National Wildlife Federation has worked with hunters and anglers since 1936 to tackle the biggest natural resource challenges. The NWF Outdoors Podcast explores the most important conservation issues and the people who do the hard work to safeguard our fish, wildlife, lands, and waters. Hosted by Aaron Kindle, director of sporting advocacy at NWF.
Episodes
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
NWF Outdoors sends you off into 2023 with some help from our friends, listeners, and colleagues. They share their favorite outdoor memories from 2022 and some even share their favorite NWF Outdoors podcast episode. Enjoy these fun short stories from around the country and we’ll see you in 2023!
Show notes:
Show Notes:
1:30 - Leanne Chadwick shares her favorite turkey hunting experience of 2022.
3:35 – Jesse Deubel of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.
4:15 – Jodee Dixon, Artemis ambassador based in Southeast Alaska.
7:12 – Andrew Black, NWF’s public lands field director.
8:56 – Morgan Harrell, Artemis ambassador based in South Carolina.
9:44 – Jason Baldes, NWF’s tribal buffalo program manager.
11:24 – Ashlee Smith, sportswomen based in Mississippi.
12:45 - Lew Carpenter, NWF director of conservation partnerships in the intermountain west.
16:19 – Alyssa Bowen, Artemis ambassador based in Oklahoma.
17:10 – Todd Waldron of the Rough Grouse Society and the American Woodcock Society.
20:21 – David Willms, NWF’s senior director of western wildlife.
21:10 – Mike McTee of MPG Ranch based in Missoula, Montana.
23:00 – Matthew Waguespack, Sportsmen Outreach Coordinator for Vanishing Paradise.
25:18 – Alec Underwood, senior policy and development director for the Montana Wildlife Federation.
25:25 - Gary Marz, lifelong angler, BHA board member and podcast listener based in Long Island New York.
28:42 - Dan Ritz of the Idaho Wildlife Federation.
29:33 – Jason Dinsmore, Director of Conservation Partnerships for NWF’s Great Lakes Region.
32:33 – Mary Lynn of Light Em Up Kennels based in Eastern Tennessee.
33:19 – Closing statements.
Thanks for listening in 2022! We look forward to seeing you in 2023!!
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Friday Dec 02, 2022
Friday Dec 02, 2022
Show notes (and links):
0:52 – “We’ve learned so much! It’s been a journey!”
1:52 – Stories from recent outdoor pursuits.
4:33 – Gratitude for hosts, cohosts, and great guests in 2023.
6:00 – We tried a lot of new concepts including the CWD Chronicles and podcast recordings.
9:45 – Feedback, upcoming podcast survey and something to look forward to in 2023.
10:48 – Aaron takes it back to the first episode with both hosts… Greg Fitz from the Wild Steelhead Coalition. Discussing the plight of steelhead, salmon runs, issues regarding the Pacific Northwest and the abundance of fish historically. It’s up to anglers for so much of this stuff!
13:07 – Gary Mason! Gary announces live on the show that Bill Cooksey was going to be inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. Bill shares how heartfelt this honor was and how special it was for this announcement to be present while recording the podcast.
15:22 – Warren Coco! Ducks, overalls, and stories with this special person and conservationist.
18:01 -- Ron Rohrbaugh! Author, traditional bow craftsman and someone worth following on social media.
20:15 – Bob Budd! Executive Director of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust and a favorite show for both hosts.
21:15 – Alex Harvey! A wonderful human who is involved in everything.
21:43 – Casey Stemler! U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Senior Advisor for Western States.
23:25 – The CWD Chronicles! This special series really unpacked this issue and it’s a must listen if you haven’t tuned in already.
24:33 - Aaron Kindle and Ashley Chance share an update on the current CWD situation and pending legislation.
29:03 - Bill Cooksey adds his perspective on CWD after listening to the series. https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Our-Work/CWD-Chronicles
30:40 - Where’s Ronquest? Jimbo finally made it on the show and didn’t disappoint.
32:09 - Jake Latendresse may be the most well-known sportsmen you’ve never heard of.
34:58 – Senator Martin Heinrich came on the show and spoke about the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. https://www.nwfoutdoors.org/e/the-recovering-america-s-wildlife-act-with-lead-sponsor-senator-martin-heinrich/
36:50 – Salmon experts came on the show to cover topics from Bristol Bay to the Snake River and everywhere in-between threatened by transboundary mining.
39:53 – Duck podcasts! Bill chats about his waterfowl expert podcast guests Chris Nicolai and Dr. Mike Brasher.
41:46 - From podcasts recorded on location in a fishing boat off the coast of Sitka or touching base with our affiliate in Alaska to conservations with Steve Bowen, Crispin Powley, Chad Hoover, and Rue Mapp.
43:03 - The Return Act discussion with David Willms and Mike Butler.
45:17 – What’s coming next? Make sure to take our short survey between Dec 14-Jan 9 for a chance to win a Roll-Top Cylinder Soft Sided Cooler. We are really excited to share our new short-form series, “Afield”.
We are unplugging until February so please be sure to catch up on podcasts you have yet to enjoy.
We would be incredibly grateful if you could gift us with a rating and written review on whatever podcast platform you listen to.
Thanks for listening!!!
Thursday Jun 09, 2022
Thursday Jun 09, 2022
Aaron and Bill sit down with the 2021 Orvis Conservationists of the Year, owner of Alaska Sportsmen’s Lodge, and renowned Bristol Bay conservationist Brian Kraft. Brian has spent nearly 20 years working to stop the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay from ever becoming a reality. The EPA recently announced another comment period regarding prohibiting discharge of dredge or fill materials. If the latest effort is successful, the Pebble Mine would again be halted. We talk to Brian about how he got into the lodge operating and fishing guide service, the incredible fishing and wildlife resources of Bristol Bay including 30” rainbow trout, how he first learned of the proposed mine, and his work to keep the mine away from the area that produces nearly half of all the planet’s salmon. And last, we pivot to permanent protection and how we can end the threats of large-scale mining in Bristol Bay once and for all.
Links:
EPA link to comment portal
https://www.epa.gov/bristolbay/public-comments-and-hearings-2022-proposed-determination
EPA link describing comment process
Video of Brain and his family talking about the values in Bristol Bay
https://www.fishasl.com/hold-the-line-bristol-bay-alaska/
Video announcing Brian as Orvis Conservationist of the Year
Conservation Organization Resources on Bristol Bay and the Pebble Mine
https://www.savebristolbay.org/
https://stoppebbleminenow.org/
Brian’s lodge website
Show notes:
3:58 – A little background on Brian.
5:35 – Brian, Aaron and Bill share what they have been doing outside recently.
9:20 - Brian provides a brief overview of the scale and scope of Bristol Bay and the surrounding area… The “breadbasket of fisheries” the bounty there is mindboggling! 47% of the world’s salmon comes from here!
16:50 - Brian talks about how he got into running fishing lodges in Bristol Bay without any prior experience.
25:55 - Brian takes us through a day on the water with his clients in Alaska… they’re catching 22-26” rainbow trout on the fly!
30:38 - What is the average size range of the rainbow trout up there?
32:53 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. For more great content, be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
34:45 - Brain shares a little background on how we got to where we are at now regarding the threat of the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay. This has been a team battle!
56:29 – How do we get permanent protection? Where would the relief money come from that would be used for the Federal Government to purchase land that is now part of the state of Alaska? What are other options including land swaps, etc.
59:19 - What should folks be telling the EPA right now and how can we help with the permanent solution? “This is the wrong place for this type of development. Salmon runs are irreplaceable and provide food for the world. Let’s not replace one resource with another.”
1:04:07 – Parting words from Brian, Bill and Aaron.
“I didn’t inherit this land and these fisheries from my ancestors. I’m borrowing it from my children. It’s my responsibility to make sure that it’s in better shape for them to use and enjoy. We need to do the right thing. There are right places to do things like this and wrong places – and this is definitely the wrong place.” –Brian Kraft.
Friday May 13, 2022
Friday May 13, 2022
Aaron and Bill revisit salmon conservation in the northwest in advance of nationwide day of action asking for immediate action and the removal of the four Snake River dams. We sit down with Brian Brooks, the executive director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation, Aaron Lieberman, the executive director of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association. We talk salmon conservation broadly, the history of salmon issues in the Northwest and how we got to this point, the recent processes to address the issues surrounding dam removal and salmon recovery, how the Snake River system dams are different from dams in places like Tennessee, and how the sporting community can engage to save this iconic species from extinction.
Links:
- General Links
- Congressman Simpson’s leading page on the CBI: https://simpson.house.gov/salmon/
- Inslee Murray Study site (including comment links): https://www.lsrdoptions.org
- White House Press release (3/18/22) re: Dams/Fish/Tribes: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/news-updates/2022/03/28/columbia-river-basin-fisheries-working-together-to-develop-a-path-forward/
- Idaho Wildlife Federation links:
- https://idahowildlife.org/
- https://idahowildlife.org/news/salmonsteelhead-campaign-enters-new-stage-of-momentum
- https://idahowildlife.org/news/nw-energy-coalition-lower-snake-river-dams-can-be-removed
- https://idahowildlife.org/news/bpa-funded-study-states-salmonsteelhead-recovery-only-likely-if-dams-breached
- Donate to IWF: https://secure.everyaction.com/7bVn-yO2r0SFdf7WGFzk6A2
- IOGA Links:
- IOGA’s Action Page: https://ioga.org/the-columbia-basin-initiative/
- Alternatively, here’s a link directly to the Out of Idaho action form: https://actnow.io/EdVJdCS
- Link to Donate in Support of IOGA’s advocacy for Idaho Salmon & Steelhead: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SY9ZJ352VZMYE
- Link to sign up for IOGA’s newsletter to stay in the loop on the work: Subscribe
- IOGA’s Action Page: https://ioga.org/the-columbia-basin-initiative/
Show notes:
3:55 – A little background on both guests.
5:14 – What have these gentlemen been doing outdoors recently? Gobble gobble…
10:54 – Jumping into why we are here – SALMON!!
11:33 – Brian Brooks shares a salmon adventure story.
14:03 – Aaron shares a salmon story that he enjoys sharing with his clients on the river.
15:46 – After a long intro, we get down to the big questions:
WHY ARE WE HERE? HOW BAD IS IT? WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT?
19:28 - What these dams do. Where they are at. How they constrict fish movements. An overview of the multiple factors which are affecting these fish runs.
25:35 - The journey back to Idaho… salmon become tanks!
27:27 – Well, why the Snake River dams?
30:15 – Aaron shares how the low salmon returns affect his lifestyle as a fly fishing and rafting guide.
36:01 – Brian highlights the importance of the Chinook Salmon season for the small town of Riggins, Idaho.
37:51 – Aaron H. brings up somethings to consider regarding outdoor recreation and the connection between the economy in Idaho and the U.S.
41:25 - Picking apart what removing the dams would entail.
42:47 – What is the difference between removing dams in places like Tennessee versus removing the four lower Snake River dams?
47:34 – “This should be a no brainer…”
49:30 – “Both the heartening thing and also the deeply frustrating thing about this particular issue is we can do at least the primary thing we need to do in order to restore salmon and steelhead; and we can do so without negatively impacting the people who are most dependent on the current system.”
51:12 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. Please be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more great content!
53:07 – Unpacking the details regarding the Simpson plan, the solution and five things the sporting community and others can do to work together and get this done.
56:22 – The three realities in Simpson’s plan.
57:47 - The investments and assurances that are necessary in order to seed all three components of the plan.
1:01:37 – Top level components that still need to be addressed.
1:03:15 – How would they remove the dams? $1.5 billion to breach all four dams.
1:04:45 - What can people do to help? If you’re in the northwest, REACH OUT TO YOUR SENATORS.
“At the end of the day, it’s a taxpayer issue…”
This process
1:09:46 - Figuring out how to replace the benefits of the dams.
1:12:24 - At the end of the day we are going to have to deal with this issue as a nation. It will have to be an act of Congress. We are at the first few steps of leaving part A in this plan.
1:17:45 - We want legislation, right?
1:19:19 - We should dream big. “This could be the biggest restoration project in human history, we can forestall the extinction of a key stone species.”
1:21:23 - Getting these dams down is just the start, we will still have more work to do. This is an ongoing project.
1:23:10 - Closing statements.
“This could be the biggest restoration project in human history, we can forestall the extinction of a key stone species.”