Future of Conservation

The Future of Conservation podcast is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a special 2026 series highlighting the past, present, and future of conservation through the voices of those who have shaped it. This year’s episodes will feature leaders from across the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tribal partners, historians, refuge and hatchery experts, and community stewards reflecting on 250 years of resilience, innovation, and service. Together, we’ll explore how Indigenous knowledge, early sportsmen, and generations of conservationists helped build today’s stewardship of wildlife, lands, and waters. We will also examine how this legacy continues through modern conservation work happening across refuges, hatcheries, and public lands. Thanks to Josh Corsey, Senior Advisor to the Director of USFWS; DJ Monette, Associate Native American Liaison Advisor; Stewart Jacks, Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region; Cynthia Martinez, Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System; Martha Balis Larsen, Acting Assistant Director, Fish and Aquatic Conservation; Mark Madison, Historian; and Doug Canfield, Audiovisual Production Specialist for being voices to illuminate the way. I hope you can feel the excitement for what’s to come.

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 1970s, bald eagles were on the brink of extinction—victims of hunting, habitat loss, and deadly pesticides like DDT. Then a bold experiment began: reintroducing eaglets into the wild. Graduate student Tina Morris stepped in to raise the first seven chicks by hand, launching what would become a turning point in American conservation.As the 50th anniversary of eagle reintroduction approaches in 2026, Tina reflects on her pivotal role in one of the greatest wildlife comebacks of our time. Her story is a powerful reminder that with courage, resolve, and sound science, we can be good stewards of the world we share. Episode recorded on 7/10/2025.

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 that inhabit them. Hitt emphasizes the importance of community engagement and effective science communication in fostering a deeper connection between people and their natural environments, while highlighting new projects that empower local citizens to join in the process of science to protect waterways. Episode recorded on 6/03/2025.

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 wildlife. Tim's work centers on building sustainable communities and exploring creative strategies for reducing urban ecological footprints while making cities more livable, beautiful, and biodiverse. Episode recorded on 5/15/2025.

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 or observing the elusive American eel, Stuart approaches his research with curiosity and awe. His book, Hornyheads, Madtoms, and Darters: Narratives of Central Appalachian Fishes, combines science with storytelling to celebrate the unique and charismatic fishes of central Appalachia. Through engaging narratives, he highlights their fascinating behaviors and underscores the importance of conservation, inviting readers to appreciate the hidden world beneath the water’s surface. Episode recorded on 2/27/2025.