Future of Conservation

Your National Wildlife Refuge System

As part of our limited series honoring America s 250th anniversary, The Future of Conservation Podcast is highlighting the people and innovations shaping the next chapter

From Fish Cars to Freezers: The Future of Fisheries

From ice-packed milk cans shipped by train to modern hatcheries and high-tech freezers storing fish genetics, America’s fisheries have always adapted to meet new challeng

Conservation at 250: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

The Future of Conservation podcast is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a special 2026 series highlighting the past, present, and future of conservation throug

The Bald Eagle's Return to the Sky with Tina Morris

Return to the Sky is the little-known and remarkable story of how one woman’s dedication to seven young eagles helped spark the recovery of an entire species. In the 1970

Freshwater Ecology and Open Science with Than Hitt

In this episode, we sit down with Than Hitt, Senior Scientist with the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, to talk all things water- rivers, streams, creeks, the creatures th

Building Bird-Friendly Cities with Tim Beatley

In this episode, Tim Beatley—urban planner, author, and lifelong bird enthusiast—shares how he has spent his career advocating for cities that welcome and sustain wildlif

Exploring Appalachia’s Fascinating Fish with Stuart Welsh: Hornyheads, Madtoms, and Darters

Stuart Welsh is not just a scientist but a passionate naturalist who delights in the subtle wonders of aquatic life. Whether studying rare species like the Candy Darter o

The Last Heath Hen: A Conversation with Christie Palmer Lowrance

In this episode, we sit down with Christie Palmer Lowrance, author of The Last Heath Hen, to explore the extinction story of Booming Ben, the final known heath hen. Chris

Building a Bird-Friendly Future with Joelle Gehring

In this episode of Future of Conservation, we’ll hear from biologist Joelle Gehring about a major challenge birds face: collisions with buildings and glass. Every year in

Sustainable Solutions for the Spotted Lanternfly: Expert Insights from Tracy Leskey

In this episode, we’ll hear from Dr. Tracy Leskey, a renowned entomologist and expert on pest management. Dr. Leskey will share her extensive research on the spotted lant

The Land We Share: Stories of Hunting, Spirit, and Connection

In this episode of The Future of Conservation, we’re joined by authors Steve Meyer and Christine Cunningham, to discuss their book, The Land We Share, a captivating colle

Exploring the Wild: Jon Waterman’s Adventures in National Geographic Atlas of Wild America

In today’s episode, we sit down with Jon Waterman, an esteemed author and National Geographic Explorer, to discuss his captivating book, National Geographic Atlas of Wild

Python Huntress: Donna Kalil's Mission to Save the Everglades, One Snake at a Time

In today’s episode, we dive into the critical mission to protect the Florida Everglades from the invasive Burmese Python, a species threatening to collapse this unique ec