How does a voter mandate become a wolf reintroduction program? In this episode, Katie and Ed sat down with Brenna Cassidy and Eric Odell of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to unpack the Colorado gray wolf (Canis lupus) reintroduction program. The conversation explores ecological and behavioral questions surrounding gray wolf reintroduction. Can wolves trigger trophic cascades and change rivers? How are ungulate populations, such as elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), altering their behavior? Are predator dynamics shifting as wolves reestablish their range? Odell and Cassidy share their tips for navigating contentious topics with stakeholders, and they reveal what CPW is doing to mitigate wolf conflict. The conversation also gives wisdom for aspiring biologists: say yes to varied work, build long‑term relationships, and listen first. Learn more: Colorado Parks and Wildlife: https://cpw.state.co.us/Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan: https://cpw.widencollective.com/assets/share/asset/wixcpz0wezShare your thoughts on the Our Wild Lives Podcast by sending us a text here!Become a member of The Wildlife Society: https://wildlife.org/join/ Support Wildlife, Invest in Wildlife Professionals: https://wildlife.org/donate/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewildlifesociety/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildlifesociety LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-wildlife-society/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Wildlife_Society
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Navigating the Human Side of a Science Career with Anna Chalfoun
You signed up for wildlife science to work with animals—then discovered most of the job is working with people...In this episode, Katie sits down with Dr. Anna Chalfoun in Pinedale, Wyoming, to unpack the soft skills that drive great science: building a healthy lab culture, mentoring with intention, and navigating conflict without burning bridges. Anna shares candid lessons you can use whether you’re a new professor, a grad student searching for the right advisor, or a professional trying to make your team work better.Conflict is inevitable, so we share tools that work. Anna’s favorite: pause, breathe, get curious. It’s a simple reset that replaces knee-jerk fixes with better questions.. By the end, you’ll have a playbook for aligning your lab with your values, supporting students as they grow from learners to colleagues, and sustaining your own energy for the long haul. If you care about wildlife, mentorship, and doing science that lasts, this conversation will sharpen the way you lead and learn.Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a review to help more folks find the show.Learn more: The Wildlife Society - https://wildlife.org/About Anna - https://wyocoopunit.org/chalfoun-lab/don-jones-2/Wyoming Co-op Unit - https://wyocoopunit.org/Tara Kuipers workshops - https://www.tarakuipersconsulting.com/copy-of-servicesShare your thoughts on the Our Wild Lives Podcast by sending us a text here!Become a member of The Wildlife Society: https://wildlife.org/join/ Support Wildlife, Invest in Wildlife Professionals: https://wildlife.org/donate/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewildlifesociety/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildlifesociety LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-wildlife-society/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Wildlife_Society
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Discovering Urban Wildlife with Sam Kieschnick
What if the wildest place you visit this week is the tiny park down your street? Urban wildlife biologist Sam Kieschnick of Texas Parks and Wildlife joins us to show how Dallas–Fort Worth’s “mosaic of green and gray” holds more life than most people imagine—over 12,000 documented species and counting. Sam walks us through the people-centered work of urban ecology: helping residents share space with coyotes, guiding park managers to support pollinators and birds, and translating observations into decisions that make cities cooler and healthier. We dig into iNaturalist as a gateway for wonder and a serious tool for community, learning, and policy. Naming what you see changes your relationship with it, and those names stack into patterns scientists can study—distribution, phenology, even climate signals. Equally important, participation data reveals where people are engaging with nature, giving city officials a clear case for investing in habitats that voters value.Subscribe, share this story with a friend, and tell us the most surprising species you’ve seen in your backyard!More informationThe Wildlife Society - https://wildlife.org/TPWD Urban Wildlife Program - https://tpwd.texas.gov/wildlife/wildlife-diversity/urban-wildlife-program/iNaturalist (@sambiology) - https://www.inaturalist.org/The Future of Life by E. O. Wilson - https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Future_of_Life.html?id=5rbG839DFw0CUrban Heat Island - https://www.epa.gov/heatislandsTexas Master Naturalists - https://txmn.tamu.edu/Share your thoughts on the Our Wild Lives Podcast by sending us a text here!Become a member of The Wildlife Society: https://wildlife.org/join/ Support Wildlife, Invest in Wildlife Professionals: https://wildlife.org/donate/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewildlifesociety/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildlifesociety LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-wildlife-society/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Wildlife_Society
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Navigating the Human Side of a Career in Wildlife Conservation with Anna Chalfoun
You signed up for wildlife science to work with animals—then discovered most of the job is working with people. In this episode, Katie sits down with Dr. Anna Chalfoun in Pinedale, Wyoming, to unpack the soft skills that quietly drive great science: building a healthy lab culture, mentoring with intention, and navigating conflict without burning bridges. From her unexpected pivot into conservation biology to her current role as a co-op unit scientist, Anna shares candid lessons you can use whether you’re a new professor, a grad student searching for the right advisor, or a professional trying to make your team work better.Conflict is inevitable, so we share tools that work. Anna’s favorite: pause, breathe, get curious. It’s a simple reset that replaces knee-jerk fixes with better questions and clearer agreements. By the end, you’ll have a playbook for aligning your lab with your values, supporting students as they grow from learners to colleagues, and sustaining your own energy for the long haul. If you care about wildlife, mentorship, and doing science that lasts, this conversation will sharpen the way you lead and learn.Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a review to help more folks find the show.
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Our Wild Lives Trailer
Share your thoughts on the Our Wild Lives Podcast by sending us a text here!Become a member of The Wildlife Society: https://wildlife.org/join/ Support Wildlife, Invest in Wildlife Professionals: https://wildlife.org/donate/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewildlifesociety/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildlifesociety LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-wildlife-society/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Wildlife_Society
Our Wild Lives takes listeners into the heart of wildlife conservation, sharing compelling stories from wildlife professionals doing critical work around the world. Your hosts Katie Perkins and Ed Arnett, of The Wildlife Society, bring you thought-provoking conversations with leading experts and emerging voices. Each episode dives into the wild lives of diverse species, explores complex ecosystems, and unpacks the urgent issues facing wildlife conservation.
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