When Lewis and Clark traveled the Missouri River in the early 1800s, they encountered bison herds stretching to the horizon, grizzly bears roaming the plains, and wildlife in numbers that seemed endless—but just 100 years later, it was nearly all gone. In this episode, Brooke sits down with Dr. Danny Kinka, Director of Rewilding at American Prairie, to explore the science behind the largest landscape rewilding project in the continental United States. American Prairie is working to restore 5,000 square miles of Montana's Great Plains by restoring keystone species like bison and creating the conditions for wildlife like beaver, prairie dogs, and eventually large carnivores to naturally return and thrive. They discuss why bison grazing is essential to grassland diversity, how prairie dogs are the unsung heroes of the plains, why American Prairie isn't ready for wolves yet but grizzly bears are a different story, the complexities of conservation in working ranch landscapes, community relations, and what you can do to support wildlife restoration wherever you live in the world. This is the science of rewilding, Montana's Great Plains comeback, and the tangible hope happening on the ground right now.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 The Return of Wildness in Central Montana
00:22 Introduction to Rewildology and today’s guest
01:51 Meet Dr. Daniel Kinka: From Psychology to Rewilding
03:17 The Historical Transformation of the Great Plains
07:27 The Ecological Impact of Wildlife Loss
12:12 American Prairie: Mission and Goals
16:53 Rewilding Strategies and Challenges
26:57 The Role of Large Carnivores in Rewilding
33:15 Current Status and Future of American Prairie
35:57 Functional Recovery of the Ecosystem
36:08 Rewilding Progress and Challenges
37:37 Wildlife Restoration and Management
38:07 Community and Economic Impact
40:40 Public Support and Skepticism
50:54 Global Significance of Rewilding
57:08 Personal Reflections and Hope
01:00:38 How to Support Rewilding Efforts
01:07:28 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

SUPPORT AMERICAN PRAIRIE
https://americanprairie.org/

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIA
https://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/

REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONS
Where The Wild Calls: Patagonia Puma Expedition & Torres Del Paine Adventure, March 31 - April 7, 2026: https://rewildology.com/patagoniaexpedition/

JOIN THE REWILDOLOGY BOOK CLUB. IT’S FREE!
https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/

SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER
Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/

SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY
https://rewildology.com/support-the-show/

LISTEN TO THE REWILDOLOGY PODCAST
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YXWSsF
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oW6artLcvxX0QoW1TCcrq?si=ff3b5e2ec90542a2

FOLLOW REWILDOLOGY
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rewildology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildology/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewildology/
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Join Brooke and Charles for their end-of-year Nature Coffee Hour as they reflect on 2025's biggest conservation moments! They swap their usual evening beers for morning caffeine and dive into the stories that shaped this year: green sea turtles downlisted from endangered to least concern, Florida's record-breaking leatherback nesting season, the troubling rollback of U.S. wetland protections, Ecuadorian fishing communities protecting mangroves from industrial shrimp farms, and the historic High Seas Treaty protecting two-thirds of our oceans. They also share personal updates—Rewildology's Project Patagonia series becoming a Jackson Wild finalist, Charles's health recovery and new PhD students, and some unexpected philosophical realizations about humanity and our shared planet. This conversation covers the conservation wins, losses, and everything in between as we close out 2025 and look ahead to what's next.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:34 Morning Beverage Chat
06:49 Project Patagonia Success
20:05 Charles' Health and Lab Updates
30:43 Top Headlines of 2025
40:49 State Policies and Their Impact on Wildlife
41:40 Ecological Consequences of Removing Protections
43:21 Private Land and Wetland Conservation
43:54 The Importance of Wetlands and Potential Risks
44:33 State-Level Actions and Public Responsibility
46:57 Positive News: Green Sea Turtles' Recovery
47:48 Sea Turtle Conservation Success Stories
55:10 Community-Led Conservation in Ecuador
01:02:42 Global Conservation Efforts and Personal Reflections
01:12:55 High Seas Treaty and Ocean Conservation
01:21:31 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIA
https://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/

REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONS
Where The Wild Calls: Patagonia Puma Expedition & Torres Del Paine Adventure, March 31 - April 7, 2026: https://rewildology.com/patagoniaexpedition/

JOIN THE REWILDOLOGY BOOK CLUB. IT’S FREE!
https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/

SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER
Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/

SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY
https://rewildology.com/support-the-show/

LISTEN TO THE REWILDOLOGY PODCAST
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YXWSsF
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oW6artLcvxX0QoW1TCcrq?si=ff3b5e2ec90542a2

FOLLOW REWILDOLOGY
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rewildology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildology/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewildology/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rewildology
X: https://x.com/rewildology

CONTACTS
Brooke Mitchell, hello@rewildolgy.com

SPONSORSHIPS & BRAND PARTNERSHIPS
Send your ideas to Brooke at hello@rewildolgy.com

In this inbetweenersode, Brooke sits down with Natalie Cibel and Coral Carson from Planet People Podcast to explore the Mojave Desert—part of California's overlooked "desert heart". Discover the surprising Raven-Tortoise-Human conflict threatening desert wildlife, the complex relationship between renewable energy development and habitat conservation, and innovative solutions like laser technology and captive breeding programs saving desert tortoises. Learn about pressing challenges including off-roading impacts, solar farm expansion, and illegal poaching, plus inspiring conservation wins like the Chuckwalla National Monument, Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, and the "Kill Your Lawn" rewilding movement. This episode reveals why the Mojave Desert is a critical conservation hotspot and how small actions—like closing dumpster lids—create cascading positive effects for desert ecosystems.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction and Special Episode Announcement
01:03 Meet the Hosts: Natalie and Coral
04:11 Exploring the Mojave Desert
06:02 Desert Biodiversity and Conservation
09:05 Challenges Facing the Mojave Desert
11:37 Raven and Desert Tortoise Conflict
14:29 Human Impact and Conservation Efforts
21:06 Renewable Energy and Land Use
26:24 Balancing Renewable Energy and Recreation
28:01 Off-Roading and Its Impact on the Mojave
31:21 Kill Your Lawn Movement
34:30 Conservation Success Stories
38:19 The Joshua Tree Conservation Act
41:43 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIA
https://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/

REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONS
Where The Wild Calls: Patagonia Puma Expedition & Torres Del Paine Adventure, March 31 - April 7, 2026: https://rewildology.com/patagoniaexpedition/

JOIN THE REWILDOLOGY BOOK CLUB. IT’S FREE!
https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/

SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER
Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/

SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY
https://rewildology.com/support-the-show/

FOLLOW REWILDOLOGY
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rewildology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildology/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewildology/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rewildology
X: https://x.com/rewildology

Join host Brooke Mitchell as she speaks with puma researcher Nicolas Lagos and conservation technologist Javiera de la Fuente about revolutionizing human-wildlife coexistence with Blink+A, an innovative deterrent device combining flashing lights, sounds, and IoT connectivity to protect livestock and carnivores. From selling a wildlife photography book to fund their idea to testing weatherproof devices across ranches from the US to Saudi Arabia, this unlikely collaboration between a Patagonian field biologist and Santiago digital designer shows how conservation technology can address predator-livestock conflict. Named after a one-eyed puma from Torres del Paine, Blink+A demonstrates open-source innovation in wildlife management, promoting peaceful coexistence between ranching communities and endangered carnivores like pumas, jaguars, and bears.

Support the $25,000 fundraiser to expand Blink+A testing globally at givebutter.com/projectpatagonia.

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction & Project Overview
1:45 Meet Nico & Javi
2:25 Nico's Background - From Santiago to Patagonia Pumas
4:40 Javi's Story - From Nintendo to Conservation Tech
7:35 The Problem: Century-Old Human-Wildlife Conflict
12:45 Designing Blink+A: Deterrent 2.0
16:25 15 Prototypes and Counting
19:30 Learning to Prototype on a Budget
22:55 Funding Through Puma Photography Book
26:15 Why This Device Works: Predator Biology
30:50 The Human Element: Working with Ranchers
36:35 Rancher Feedback: Virtual Fences Concept
38:25 Technical Details: Lights, Sounds & Sensors
42:10 PIR Sensors & Customizable Components
45:10 Current Status & Next Phase
47:50 What Success Means to Each of Them
51:30 How Blink+A Got Its Name
53:25 The One-Eyed Puma: Blinka's Story
54:35 Final Thoughts & Advice
57:10 Call to Action & Fundraiser
58:25 Outro & Expedition Information

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIA
https://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/

REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONS
Where The Wild Calls: Patagonia Puma Expedition & Torres Del Paine Adventure, March 31 - April 6, 2026: https://rewildology.com/patagoniaexpedition/

JOIN THE REWILDOLOGY BOOK CLUB. IT’S FREE!
September/October Book - Crossings by Ben Goldfarb https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/

SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER
Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/

SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY
https://rewildology.com/support-the-show/

FOLLOW REWILDOLOGY
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rewildology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildology/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewildology/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rewildology
X: https://x.com/rewildology

SPONSORSHIPS & BRAND PARTNERSHIPS
Send your ideas to Brooke at hello@rewildolgy.com

Join host Brooke Mitchell for an incredible conversation with Dr. Rosa Espinoza, PhD scientist and author of "The Spirit of the Rainforest: How Indigenous Wisdom and Scientific Curiosity Reconnects Us to the Natural World." Rosa shares her groundbreaking Amazon rainforest research, including her discovery of stingless bees as Earth's oldest pollinators (80 million years old) and their medicinal honey properties used in COVID-19 treatment by indigenous communities. Learn how traditional indigenous knowledge bridges with modern conservation science, from animal self-medication research inspired by ayahuasca experiences to new Peruvian legislation protecting native bee species. Rosa explains why everyone on Earth is connected to the Amazon ecosystem through weather patterns, food systems, and natural medicines, while exploring zoopharmacognosy (animal self-medication), ethnobotany, and the beautiful indigenous concept of "living beautifully" as environmental stewardship. This episode reveals how traditional ecological knowledge from Amazonian communities guides cutting-edge scientific discoveries in biodiversity conservation, pollinator research, and sustainable environmental practices. Perfect for listeners interested in conservation biology, indigenous rights, traditional medicine, Amazon biodiversity, climate science, and innovative approaches to environmental research and cultural preservation.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction and Warm Welcome
00:55 Rosa's Unique Upbringing in the Amazon
03:27 Journey to Pursuing Science
06:33 Cultural Shock and Adaptation
10:22 The Spirit of the Rainforest: Book Discussion
14:22 Global Connection to the Amazon
19:27 Indigenous Wisdom and Modern Science
27:26 The Importance of Preserving Indigenous Knowledge
42:24 Cultural Pride and Social Media Influence
43:40 Indigenous Voices in Science
46:17 Introduction to Stingless Bees
48:08 The Medicinal Power of Stingless Bee Honey
54:55 Biodiversity and Conservation Efforts
01:00:21 Writing and Storytelling Process
01:05:21 Reconnecting with Nature and Self
01:18:57 Book Release and Final Thoughts

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIA
https://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/

REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONS
Where The Wild Calls: Patagonia Puma Expedition & Torres Del Paine Adventure, March 31 - April 6, 2026: https://rewildology.com/patagoniaexpedition/

JOIN THE REWILDOLOGY BOOK CLUB. IT’S FREE!
July / August Book - The Spirit of the Rainforest by Dr. Rosa Espinoza https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/

SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER
Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/

SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY
https://rewildology.com/support-the-show/

FOLLOW REWILDOLOGY
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rewildology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildology/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewildology/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rewildology
X: https://x.com/rewildology

SPONSORSHIPS & BRAND PARTNERSHIPS
Send your ideas to Brooke at hello@rewildolgy.com

Join me, Brooke Mitchell, for an exciting conservation update from Chile's Route of Parks of Patagonia with Rewilding Chile's Wildlife Director Cristian Saucedo. Discover the dramatic helicopter discovery of 10 endangered huemul deer at Cape Froward, southern river otter (huillín) sightings in coastal areas, the first international Darwin's rhea translocation between Argentina and Chile, Andean condor rehabilitation successes, and groundbreaking puma coexistence research. This Inbetweenersode provides exclusive access to conservation breakthroughs across 1,700 miles of protected Patagonian wilderness, showcasing cutting-edge rewilding efforts, endangered species recovery, and sustainable wildlife tourism initiatives. Perfect for nature enthusiasts, adventure travelers, and anyone passionate about wildlife conservation success stories from one of the world's most ambitious conservation projects.

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome to Rewildology: Exciting Updates from Patagonia
00:44 Conservation Stories from Patagonia's Route of Parks
01:11 Meet Cristian Saucedo: Wildlife Director for Rewilding Chile
02:48 The Journey of Rewilding Chile
08:54 Breakthrough Discoveries in Cape Forward
28:40 The Importance of Baseline Data for Conservation
34:43 Translocation Success: Moving Darwin's Rhea from Argentina to Chile
37:08 Monitoring and Releasing Darwin's Rhea in Patagonia
38:23 Challenges and Successes in Rhea Conservation
42:29 Andean Condor Rehabilitation and Release Program
50:18 Puma Conservation Efforts in Patagonia
57:56 Wildlife Conservation in Pumalin National Park
01:04:02 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIA
https://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/

REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONS
Where The Wild Calls: Patagonia Puma Expedition & Torres Del Paine Adventure, March 31 - April 6, 2026: https://rewildology.com/patagoniaexpedition/

JOIN THE REWILDOLOGY BOOK CLUB. IT’S FREE!
July / August Book - The Spirit of the Rainforest by Dr. Rosa Espinoza
https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/

SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER
Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/

SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY
https://rewildology.com/support-the-show/

FOLLOW REWILDOLOGY
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rewildology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildology/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewildology/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rewildology
X: https://x.com/rewildology

CONTACTS
Brooke Mitchell, hello@rewildolgy.com

SPONSORSHIPS & BRAND PARTNERSHIPS
Send your ideas to Brooke at hello@rewildolgy.com

In this powerful finale, I reveal the five revolutionary conservation principles that make Chile's Route of Parks a global blueprint for planetary healing. From tracking pumas with scientist Nicolás Lagos in Torres del Paine to discovering endangered huemul deer in a Patagonian snowstorm, this 1,700-mile conservation corridor spanning 17 national parks is transforming wildlife conservation and climate action. Learn why temperate rainforests store three times more carbon than the Amazon, explore groundbreaking puma coexistence research, and discover Darwin's rhea restoration programs across 28 million acres of protected wilderness. I announce Project Patagonia's three pillars: Listen (this podcast), Protect (supporting $20,000 for puma research), and Experience (my exclusive April 2026 Torres del Paine expedition). From ancient Alerce trees to innovative wetland protection, discover how corridor connectivity, indigenous co-management, and ecosystem restoration offer hope for addressing climate change and biodiversity loss worldwide. This conservation revolution proves that landscape-scale thinking, community partnerships, and sustainable tourism can heal damaged ecosystems while supporting local livelihoods. What conservation lesson resonated most with you? Drop me a note in the comments! Thanks for listening!

SERIES TITLE
Where the Wild Calls: A Journey through Patagonia's Route of Parks

EPISODE TITLE
Episode 8: Where Hope Flourishes: The Promise of Patagonia's Route of Parks

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 A Snowy Encounter in Patagonia
01:21 Introduction to the Journey
02:02 Close Encounters with Pumas
03:48 Darwin's Rhea Breeding Program
05:08 The Melting Glaciers
07:05 Interconnected Ecosystems
08:19 Conservation in Working Landscapes
09:05 A Blueprint for Planetary Healing
12:26 The Five Pillars of Conservation
16:21 Project Patagonia: How You Can Help
19:19 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIA
https://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/

REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONS

Where The Wild Calls: Patagonia Puma Expedition & Torres Del Paine Adventure, March 31 - April 6, 2026: https://rewildology.com/patagoniaexpedition/

JOIN THE REWILDOLOGY BOOK CLUB. IT’S FREE!
May / June Path of the Puma by Jim Williams: https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/

SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER
Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/

SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY

Experience the stunning yet sobering reality of Patagonia's vanishing glaciers as I soar over Chile's massive ice fields and uncover groundbreaking climate research with Chilean glaciologist Dr. Ines Dussaillant. In this urgent episode, I explore the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Fields - covering over 16,500 square kilometers and representing the largest temperate ice masses in the Southern Hemisphere. Discover the alarming reality that five of the last six years have broken records for glacial mass loss, with some Patagonian glaciers retreating over 15 kilometers in just one century. Learn why these ancient ice formations serve as "sentinels of climate change," functioning as crucial water towers that sustain river systems across Chile and Argentina while storing massive amounts of fresh water. I was amazed to discover that Patagonia contains both the world's fastest-retreating glacier and fastest-growing glacier within the same ice field. From understanding why glacial ice appears that stunning blue color to exploring how satellite technology tracks ice loss across decades, this episode reveals the critical role glaciers play in global sea level rise and local water security. Dr. Dussaillant's recent Nature publication documents the accelerating pace of glacial retreat, while offering hope through Chile's emerging glacier protection laws and the Route of Parks conservation corridor. What spoke to you the most? Drop me a note in the comments! Thanks for listening!

SERIES TITLE
Where the Wild Calls: A Journey through Patagonia's Route of Parks

EPISODE TITLE
Episode 7: Where Ice Meets Sky: Patagonia's Vanishing Glaciers

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Awe-Inspiring Aerial Views of Patagonia
01:49 Introduction to Patagonia's Glaciers
02:54 Meeting Dr. Ines Dussaillant: A Glaciologist's Journey
05:59 Understanding Glaciers: Formation and Function
09:13 The Crucial Roles of Glaciers
11:18 Fieldwork and Satellite Observations
13:07 The Unique Glaciers of Patagonia
19:31 The Impact of Climate Change on Glaciers
23:08 Hope and Conservation Efforts
29:54 Join Project Patagonia

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT PATAGONIA
https://rewildology.com/projectpatagonia/

REWILDOLOGY FIELD EXPEDITIONS
Where The Wild Calls: Patagonia Puma Expedition & Torres Del Paine Adventure, March 31 - April 6, 2026: https://rewildology.com/patagoniaexpedition/

JOIN THE REWILDOLOGY BOOK CLUB. IT’S FREE!
May / June Path of the Puma by Jim Williams: https://rewildology.com/rewildology-book-club/

SHOW NOTES & NEWSLETTER
Show notes & subscribe to newsletter, https://rewildology.com/

SUPPORT REWILDOLOGY
https://rewildology.com/support-the-show/

LISTEN TO THE REWILDOLOGY PODCAST
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YXWSsF
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oW6artLcvxX0QoW1TCcrq?si=ff3b5e2ec90542a2

FOLLOW REWILDOLOGY
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rewildology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewildology/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewildology/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rewildology
X: https://x.com/rewildology

CONTACTS
Brooke Mitchell, hello@rewildolgy.co...