Conservation, sustainability, wild travel stories. Host Brooke Mitchell, conservation biologist and adventure traveler, chats with experts from across the globe...
#202 | Lost & Found: Species Rediscoveries & Rewildology’s Next Chapter (Nature Happy Hour #3)
Rewildology turns four! In this special Nature Happy Hour episode, Brooke and Dr. Charles van Rees, PhD, raise a glass to four years of the show, reflecting on its biggest moments—the highs, the challenges, and everything in between. They also unveil exciting updates for the future before diving into this episode’s theme: New Horizons. From newly discovered species to astonishing rediscoveries of those thought lost to time, Brooke and Charles explore the thrill of nature’s greatest surprises. Grab your favorite drink and join the celebration!
Join the new Rewildology Book Club!
Visit the website to read the full show notes.
Learn more about this episode's sponsor and how you can help save wildlife, SEE Turtles.
Recording gear provided by Mojave and Focusrite.
Donate to the show.
Timestamps00:00 Welcome to Rewildology's 4th Birthday Celebration!00:59 Reflecting on Four Years of Rewildology01:10 Exciting Updates and New Horizons02:30 Nature Happy Hour with Dr. Charles Van Rees04:16 Challenges and Triumphs of Podcasting11:35 Rose, Bud, and Thorn: Reflecting on the Journey18:33 Future Plans: Themed Seasons and More22:35 Rewildology Book Club Announcement32:05 Charles' New Role and Research at UGA45:35 Rediscovering Species: A Scientist's Perspective47:04 Integrative Conservation and New Species Discovery48:18 Western Science and Indigenous Knowledge49:16 The Joy and Reality of New Species51:03 Molecular Tools and Cryptic Species53:34 Rediscovery Missions and Lazarus Species56:18 The Clouded Tiger Cat Discovery01:02:05 Vampire Hedgehog and Other Unique Finds01:08:01 Seamount Expedition and Marine Discoveries01:13:57 Water Mouse and Pandanus Frogs01:23:41 Conservation Challenges and New Horizons
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#201 | Advancing Marine & Sea Turtle Conservation: Updates from the Field with Brad Nahill
Join Brooke as she reconnects with Brad Nahill, Co-Founder and President of SEE Turtles, to explore the latest developments in sea turtle and marine conservation. In this episode, Brad shares new challenges and successes from the field, updates on groundbreaking projects like Billion Baby Sea Turtles, and how conservation strategies differ across regions like Central America, Asia, and Africa. They also discuss the role of technology, including AI, in protecting marine biodiversity, the evolution of nonprofit funding models, and Brad’s vision for the future of SEE Turtles and global conservation. If you’re passionate about protecting our oceans and the incredible creatures that call them home, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Visit the website to read the full show notes.
Learn more about this episode's sponsor and how you can help save wildlife, SEE Turtles.
Recording gear provided by Mojave and Focusrite.
Donate to the show.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Support00:07 The Ancient Sea Turtles and Modern Threats00:46 Meet Brad Nahill of SEE Turtles01:12 Updates in Marine Conservation01:43 SEE Turtles' Mission and Sponsorship02:40 Reflecting on Past Conversations03:47 Challenges and Wins in Sea Turtle Conservation05:35 Global Efforts and Local Success Stories11:26 Innovative Conservation Strategies19:15 Billion Baby Sea Turtles Initiative26:40 Expanding Conservation Efforts27:57 Exciting Travel Plans for the Year28:13 Challenges and Opportunities in Cuba29:39 Popular Trips to Oaxaca31:12 Record-Breaking Year and Future Plans35:48 Innovative AI Solutions for Conservation47:41 The Impact of Technology on Wildlife Conservation
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#200 | Saving Monarch Butterflies: Conservation, Culture, and Hope with Rebeca Quiñonez-Piñón, PhD
Monarch butterflies are one of the most awe-inspiring species on the planet, undertaking a migration that spans thousands of miles across North America. However, their populations are rapidly declining due to habitat loss, climate change, and agricultural practices. In this episode of Rewildology, we sit down with Rebeca Quiñonez-Piñón, Program Director of Climate Resilient Habitats at the National Wildlife Federation, to explore the challenges and opportunities in monarch conservation. Rebeca shares insights into the cultural significance of monarchs in Mexico, the collaborative efforts between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and the potential impact of listing monarch butterflies under the Endangered Species Act. We also dive into community-based programs, habitat restoration projects, and actionable steps anyone can take to help pollinators and biodiversity thrive. Don’t miss this engaging conversation about saving one of nature’s most iconic species.
Visit the website to read the full show notes.
Learn more about this episode's sponsor and how you can help save wildlife, SEE Turtles.
Recording gear provided by Mojave and Focusrite.
Donate to the show.
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction and Podcast Support00:08 The Monarch Butterfly Migration00:47 Meet Rebeca Quiñonez-Piñon03:48 Rebeca's Journey into Conservation10:00 Monarch Butterfly Biology and Migration18:14 Tracking Monarch Populations27:33 Challenges Facing Monarch Butterflies39:34 Collaborative Conservation Efforts42:04 Community-Based Projects in Mexico46:00 Cultural Significance of Monarchs in Mexico56:12 The ESA Proposal and Its Implications01:05:44 Future Conservation Strategies01:08:44 Individual Actions for Monarch Conservation01:15:08 Resources and Final Thoughts
In this episode of Rewildology, Brooke sits down with Chanel Hason, Director of Outreach and Community Relations at Elakha Alliance, to explore the ambitious effort to reintroduce sea otters to Oregon’s coastline. Chanel shares her incredible journey from marine biologist to conservation advocate and how Elakha Alliance is working with tribes, scientists, and local communities to restore balance to marine ecosystems. We dive into the vital role sea otters play in controlling sea urchin populations, protecting kelp forests, and fostering resilience along the coast. You’ll learn how grassroots conservation efforts are making waves and why restoring sea otters could be key to Oregon’s coastal future.
Visit the website to read the full show notes.
Learn more about this episode's sponsor and how you can help save wildlife, SEE Turtles.
Recording gear provided by Mojave and Focusrite.
Donate to the show.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview00:07 The Absence of Sea Otters on the Oregon Coast00:46 Meet Chanel Hason: From Marine Biologist to Community Leader03:28 Chanel's Journey: From SeaWorld to Miss Scuba10:13 The Historical Context of Sea Otters in the U.S.14:09 The Founding of the Elakha Alliance16:11 The Impact of Missing Predators on Oregon's Marine Ecosystems22:31 Efforts to Reintroduce Sea Otters to Oregon28:12 Socioeconomic Considerations and Future Prospects31:03 Conservation Tourism and Sea Otters32:11 Indigenous Communities and Sea Otters35:22 The Importance of Sea Otters in Ecosystems40:07 Challenges and Strategies for Kelp Forest Restoration43:13 Future Goals and Political Advocacy49:07 Personal Journey and Career Advice53:42 Supporting Alaka and Sea Otter Conservation55:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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#198 | Saving the Yucatán's Endangered Sea Turtles with Melania López-Castro, PhD
Join Brooke for a conversation with marine biologist Melania López-Castro as she shares her journey protecting endangered sea turtles in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. From tracking mysterious hatchling movements to implementing innovative conservation strategies, Melania discusses her work with Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan to save critically endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles. Learn how local communities, scientists, and tourism operators are working together to protect these ancient mariners, and discover how you can support sea turtle conservation in one of their most important nesting grounds worldwide.
Visit the website to read the full show notes.
Learn more about this episode's sponsor and how you can help save wildlife, SEE Turtles.
Recording gear provided by Mojave and Focusrite.
Donate to the show.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to the Yucatan Peninsula and Sea Turtle Conservation
00:54 Meet Melania Lopez Castro: From Academia to Conservation
05:20 The Journey of Sea Turtles: From Birth to Maturity
10:35 Challenges and Innovations in Sea Turtle Conservation
12:43 The Role of Pronatura in Sea Turtle Conservation
22:48 Tourism and Conservation: Balancing Act in the Yucatan
29:45 Switching from Fishing to Tourism
30:46 Collaborations for Conservation
31:57 Threats from Feral Dogs and Raccoons
37:00 Challenges of Coastal Development
38:40 Environmental Policy in Mexico
45:09 Efforts in Sea Turtle Conservation
51:25 How You Can Help
56:14 Connecting with Nature
Conservation, sustainability, wild travel stories. Host Brooke Mitchell, conservation biologist and adventure traveler, chats with experts from across the globe to discuss nature’s biggest questions: How do we save and rewild our natural spaces? How can we restore wildlife populations? How do we overcome adversity and bring communities together? Where are the best places to experience nature? Pour yourself a glass of something tasty (coffee, tea, wine, whiskey?) and join the conversation. Together we’ll rewild the planet.
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