Future of Conservation

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 challenges. In this episode, we dive into the evolution of fisheries conservation, where it began, how it’s changing, and the innovations shaping a future where both fish and people can thrive. Travel with us back to the origins of fisheries conservation to learn about Livingston Stone, who pioneered fish conservation with the technology available in his time. Hear stories from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fisheries professionals working on the front lines, including Daniel Gallegos of Mora National Fish Hatchery, who is dedicated to protecting and recovering the Gila trout, a treasured species of the Southwest. Learn about the cutting-edge work of Valerie Kearney of Warm Springs Fish Technology Center, whose work in cryopreservation is helping secure the future of fish species by preserving genetic material indefinitely to support long-term recovery efforts. Today, innovation continues to drive conservation forward, helping species, ecosystems, and communities thrive together. Join us as we explore how we can steward our waters and protect fish for generations to come. Learn more about how you can join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in celebrating America's 250th Anniversary and the conservation legacy that continues today:https://www.fws.gov/america-250.

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.