On a new Wild For Change podcast, we will learn about the importance of outdoor nature-based learning with our guest, Teresa Weed, who is the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator from Illinois Early Childhood Outdoors. We can learn so much from spending time in nature. Being in nature encourages exploration and inspiration, sparks a sense of wonder and connection, and provides a space for reflection and a broader perspective on life. As we grow into adults, however, it seems that sense of wo...

WasteNot Composting On this Wild For Change’s podcast, we’re speaking with Liam Donnelly, CEO of WasteNot, a zero-emissions composting collection service in the Chicagoland area. Composting is a crucial means of reducing food waste in our landfills, yet only 4.1% of food waste in the U.S. is composted annually. In this podcast, we will learn about WasteNot’s mission and how their service works. We will also investigate the fate of food in landfills versus compost bins,...

On a new Wild For Change podcast, we spoke with Kay McKeen, the Executive Director of SCARCE, an acronym which stands for School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education. It is an award-winning environmental education non-profit that supports teachers, children, and the community in creating a brighter future for our planet and ourselves through engaging and accessible initiatives, workshops, events, in-person classes, e-learning, and volunteer opportunities. T...

For those of you who are wondering what you can do right now to help nature, the answer lies in your own backyard, literally. Our guest today is Dr. Doug Tallamy. He is an entomologist, ecologist, conservationist, and co-founder of Homegrown National Park. We’ll be discussing his book, Nature’s Best Hope, A New Approach to Conservation That Starts In Your Yard. I consider Nature’s Best Hope to be the way shower of how we collectively have the power to bring about a healthie...

On a new Wild For Change podcast, our guests are three remarkable women from the Hinsdale Humane Society in Illinois: Lauren Osborne; Director of Operations Erin Palumbo; Director of Development Carla Wudi; Foster Program Manager Hinsdale Humane Society is a private, nonprofit organization providing care and adoption services for displaced animals. It is a lifeline in the heart of the community for countless animals who need homes. In 2023, 6.5 million an...

The Wild For Change podcast welcomes back Nicole Schmitt, Executive Director of the Alaska Wildlife Alliance to discuss Alaska’s Wildlife Management. In January, the Alaska Board of Game deliberated on a proposal, named Proposal 75, given by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, suggesting aerial gunning of black and brown bears and wolves via helicopters in central and southwest Alaska. In this podcast, we will discuss why this type of predator management is chosen, its effect...

Wild For Change is thrilled to announce our 50th podcast episode! It's been an incredible three-year journey, during which I've had the honor of engaging with a diverse range of inspiring individuals committed to creating a positive impact on our planet. In this special episode, I'm excited to showcase all the wonderful guests who have played a part in this amazing adventure.As I reflect on each of our guests, I can see their profound love for animals and nature shining through. Love encompas...

Wild For Change is excited to celebrate its 50th podcast! Over the past three years, I've had the privilege of speaking with numerous inspiring individuals who are dedicated to making a positive impact on life on earth. In this special podcast, I'll be highlighting all of the amazing guests who have contributed to this incredible journey.Website: http://www.wildforchange.com Twitter: @WildForChange Facebook: /wildforchange Instagram: wildforchange

In a recent episode of the Wild For Change podcast, I had a conversation with Ellie Laks, the founder of the Gentle Barn, about her new book, "Cow Hug Therapy." The book is a touching account of how the animals at the Gentle Barn have taught her valuable lessons about life and death and everything in between. I have always found solace in the company of animals. Being around them brings me a deep sense of peace and a feeling of unconditional love. I also believe that animals possess grea...

On a new Wild For Change podcast, we speak with Brooks Bonner, Program Director of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. E.O. Wilson, was an American biologist, naturalist, ecologist, entomologist, and the author of many books, including Half-Earth. The premise of Half-Earth proposes that to save the planet, half of the Earth’s lands and seas need to be preserved and protected. In this podcast, Brooks discusses the significance of preserving half of the Earth's lands and seas, ...

On a new Wild For Change podcast, we welcome back Damien Mander, environmentalist and founder of Akashinga, the first all-women, anti-poaching organization formerly known as the International Anti-Poaching Foundation. We also welcome Nyaradzo Hoto, a Biodiversity Officer of Akashinga who focuses on research and data analysis collected by the Akashinga rangers. The Akashinga rangers are not only working to protect precious wildlife from poachers, but they are also supporting ...

Today on the Wild For Change podcast, we will be speaking with Sara Newton, Head of Content and Creative Strategist for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Sara is also one of the main cinematographers for the organization. For over forty years, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has been patrolling the seas to help coastal and island governments from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. With marine life facing a multitude of threats, Sea Shepherd is a formidable force on the open seas...

On a new Wild For Change podcast, we speak with Kayah George. Kayah George is from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, part of the Coast Salish peoples of Victoria, Canada. Despite Kayah’s young age, she has spoken for half her life about indigenous and environmental issues like the transmountain pipeline and chemicals leaking into the Burrard Inlet. She recently wrote and directed a documentary titled ‘Our Grandmother The Inlet’ that looks at the lives of Kayah and her grandmother T...

We welcome back to the Wild For Change podcast Grand Chief Judy Wilson, a member of the Secwepemc Nation to discuss the importance of our interconnection with nature.Nothing is separate. For example, more than 70 of the 100 crops responsible for providing 90% of the world’s food are pollinated by bees. But the bee population is crashing from the use of pesticides. Understanding the interdependence between us and nature is essential for our future. If we look at the wild space...

Today on the Wild For Change podcast, we are speaking with Teresa Becher and Mandy Migura from Alaska Wildlife Alliance (AWA) about the special population of endangered beluga whales who live in the Cook Inlet in the central Gulf of Alaska. Teresa is the Beluga Whale Monitoring Coordinator who coordinates monitoring sessions of a whole team of volunteer community scientists and is the go-to expert on the beluga whales' behaviors in the Kenai and Kasilof rivers. Mandy is the Deputy...

Today, we are speaking with Ron Sutherland, Chief Scientist of Wildlands Network who is their in-house animal and rewilding expert. The mission of Wildlands Network is to reconnect, restore and rewild North America so that life in all its diversity can thrive. Ron has over 25 years of experience in wildlife research. His extensive knowledge of wildlife and natural spaces provides us with a formidable fact-based approach towards conservation. Rewilding is giving back to...

On today’s Wild For Change podcast, we will be discussing freshwater availability with Lis Mullin Bernhardt, a United Nations Programme Officer for Water. Her previous work for the UN includes Coordinator for the Global Adaptation Network, an initiative that helps the world build resilience to climate change. Water is essential in order for us to survive but as climate change disrupts freshwater availability, water scarcity has become more prevalent around the globe. Accordin...

On today’s Wild For Change podcast, we speak with John Jurko II, creative director of Global Conservation Corps and lead producer and director of the film RHINO MAN. Global Conservation Corps is a non-profit organization that is bridging the gap between communities and wildlife. The film RHINO MAN was the first project of Global Conservation Corps and was created to support the rangers protecting the rhino and to share their stories. Rangers are the front line, the boots on t...

On a new Wild For Change podcast, we speak with Hannah Matthews, a Water Programs Manager of charity: water.Water is the foundation for all life, without water, we couldn’t survive. Lack of fresh water largely influences a person’s physical and mental health, time, education, and livelihood. And as we are seeing the effects of climate change, chronic water scarcity has become more prevalent around the globe.703 million people lack access to clean and safe drinking water. Thi...

Growing up April and her husband Tyler dreamed of having a pet pig. After watching a video of a mother pig living in a horrific gestation crate, April knew in her heart she wanted to dedicate her life to rescuing and saving pigs and finding them their forever home. This was the impetus of Chicagoland Pig Rescue. But April and Tyler aren’t stopping at rescuing pigs and finding them sanctuary placement. They are documenting the intricacies and rich inner worlds of pigs’ l...