National Wildlife Federation Outdoors

Bill and Aaron welcome Rue Mapp, founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro to talk all things outdoors, Rue’s recent journey back into hunting and her new book – Nature Swagger. We hear about Rue’s early life and how her father, in particular, shaped her connection with the outdoors and how that led her to found Outdoors Afro. We also talk about Black Heritage Hunts, a unique hunting opportunity Rue co-leads in Northern California.

Links:

Rue Mapp transformed her kitchen table blog into a national nature business and movement.

Today, Mapp is founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro. For more than a decade, the not-for-profit organization has continued to celebrate and inspire Black connections and leadership in nature across the United States.

Mapp also is an awarded and inspirational leader, speaker, public lands champion, and published author. Her first national book titled “Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors” releases with American publisher Chronicle Books on Nov. 1, 2022. Mapp also established for-profit enterprise Outdoor Afro, Inc., in 2021 and launched a co-branded hike collection with REI Co-op in September 2022.

Mapp became a National Geographic 2019 Fellow, Heinz Awards Honoree, and National Wildlife Federation Communication Award recipient as well. Her work has earned international media attention from Oprah Winfrey, The New York Times, Good Morning America, NPR, NBC’s TODAY, Forbes, and currently Netflix’s popular series “MeatEater” with Steven Rinella. Follow her adventures @RueMapp across social platforms!

Show notes:

4:01 – Aaron introduces Rue.

5:00 – Rue talks about her father and shares some insight into her path of helping people connect to the outdoors.

8:40 – Rue shares what she has been doing outside recently and what she is looking forward to this winter. She also shares the joy of walking her dog and being present.

9:38 – Bill and Aaron share what they have been doing outside recently.

13:16 -- Rue talks about her introduction and connection to hunting.

16:41 -- Rue explores her “Why”.

18:37 -- She is doing it all. Rue chats about being a hunter who enjoys pursuing all types of game.

23:27 -- Rue makes the connection between regarding her work and turkey hunt with MeatEater.

30:16 – Rue talks about her organization, “Outdoor Afro”.

36:00 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Be sure to subscribe to their podcast follow them on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

38:17 -- Rue reflects on diversity in the hunting community.  

40:35 -- How “Outdoor Afro” operates around the country.

46:00 – Community, support networks and making an impact through digital media and outreach.

48:29 -- Are we always going to need affinity group organizations?

50:38 -- Rue talks about “Black Heritage Hunts”.

54:55 – Who comes to these events? (Anyone is welcome to join!)

57:07 – Rue talks about her first book, Nature Swagger. It’s available now!

1:00:34 -- Aaron asks, “What was it at this moment that you said, you know I’m going to tell some of these stories, I’m going to bring these folks together, I’m going to tell these now?”

1:03:59 – “There’s no book like it that has been written before.”

1:07:36 -- Rue shares her thoughts and advice on the journey of Diversity Equity Inclusive and Environmental Justice efforts for the National Wildlife Federation. “Make new friends, nothing happens faster than the speed of relationships.”

1:12:24 – Closing statements.

Aaron and Bill sit down with Mitch and Jarred, two experts from the great Northwest, to discuss transboundary mining issues. Numerous mines, and one in particular, in British Columbia threaten people, watersheds, and wildlife in Northwest states, including years of salmon recovery and restoration. We discuss the Copper Mountain mine, the potential for a catastrophic disaster that would devastate downstream communities, wildlife, and fisheries. We also discuss the landscape, the history, and the complications of advocating for responsible development across an international boundary.

Links: 

Reports: https://www.cct-enr.com/copper-mt-mine-bcc

Breach animated simulation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgwAsdFLHmo

Recording of presentation of simulation study: https://youtu.be/B9jRMCHZwTg

Recording of Emerman presentation: https://conservationnw-my.sharepoint.com/personal/tyler_conservationnw_org/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?ga=1&id=%2Fpersonal%2Ftyler%5Fconservationnw%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FShared%20Media%2FUCUT%20Conference%20%2D%20Resource%20Guide%2FPresentation%20Slides%2F10%20Session%20%2D%20Emmermen%20BC%5FTailings%5FDam%5FCopper%5FMountain%5FRisk%5FPresentation%5FRevised%2Emp4&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Ftyler%5Fconservationnw%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FShared%20Media%2FUCUT%20Conference%20%2D%20Resource%20Guide%2FPresentation%20Slides

More resources: https://conservationnw.org/our-work/wildlands/healthy-watersheds-campaign/

Conservation Northwest homepage: https://conservationnw.org/

Colville Tribe homepage: https://www.colvilletribes.com/

Colville Tribe Salmon Reintroduction work: https://www.colvilletribes.com/fish-wildlife

Colville Tribe Environmental Trust Copper Mountain Mine BCC : https://www.colvilletribes.com/environmental-trust

Show notes:

3:34 – Aaron introduces the guests.

7:24 – Jared shares what he has been doing outside recently.

9:32 – Mitch shares what he has been doing outdoors of late.

13:03 – Jared describes the landscape we are focusing on during this episode.

16:50 – Mitch adds that we are talking about the need and the right for clear, clean, cool, productive rivers that flow across the border.

18:42 – Aaron asks for the description of the fish and wildlife who live on these transboundary rivers.

26:04 – Bill asks for some background on the mines themselves and what makes them such a problem… particularly the Copper Mountain Mine upstream of Princeton, B.C.

30:53 – What are the risks? What are we worried about? What’s going to come out of these places if the dams fail.

41:12 – Should we expect these dams to eventually fail?

43:49 – Jared shares the tribal perspective on transboundary mines.

46:35 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Also, be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter!

47:29 -- What do we want right now to safeguard the wildlife and communities downstream?

52:23 -- What can someone listening to this do to help?

58:18 -- What has the B.C. government said as a response? Are they listening? Is anything happening?

1:01:48 – Mitch shares his closing statements.

1:03:47 – Jared shares his closing statements.

1:06:05 – Bill shares his thoughts.

1:06:44 – Aaron closes the show with some wisdom and thank you’s.

After tons of travel and scheduling conflicts, Aaron and Bill are together again and joined by the world’s biggest promoter of kayak fishing! Retired Naval officer, kayak fishing pioneer, author and television show host Chad Hoover has a lot of experience and a lot to say.

From what it was like being a young naval officer on September 11 to starting a tournament organization to getting people involved in hunting and fishing, Chad has always faced uncomfortable things. In fact, getting uncomfortable is now something of a mantra for his view on life.

Conservation and growing our sports aren’t always easy, but a willingness to face the discomfort is something we all need.

https://www.kayakbassfishing.com/

https://www.heliconia.ca/portfolio/chad-hoover-fishing/

Show notes:

3:47 – Bill shares a little background on Chad Hoover.

6:15 – The team shares what they have been doing outside recently. Chad shares his passion for overlanding and shares insight into the various regions of Lousiana.

21:24 - Chad shares what it was like to be serving in the military during 9/11.

30:36 – Chad shares how 9/11 changed his civilian career and the way in which he trains and prepares for fishing.

33:53 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen!

35:26 – Chad highlights how he got into kayak bass fishing.

51:52 - Chad talks about catch-photo-release and his T.V. shows.

1:02:53 - Chad chats about embracing the hard things in life.

1:25:30 – Closing take home words.

We are excited to launch a short form story telling series on the NWF Outdoors podcast! We invite you to enjoy the premiere of our “From the Field” series with an episode recorded on board a 90’ wooden fishing vessel off the coast of Sitka, Alaska. For this episode, Aaron and Mandela joined the crew of the “North Wind” for a beautiful morning in the harbor and open water off the coast of Southeast Alaska. For this 15 minute interview, Aaron sits down with Robby Bruce, the operator of the "North Wind" -- a 90’ boat constructed in 1944. They discuss the fishing season, climate change, Alaskan fisheries, conservation and what a typical day looks like for his crew.

Curious where the boat is right now? Check out this live tracker: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:445614/mmsi:367448380/imo:7100316/vessel:NORTHWIND 

Show notes:

0:05 – Intro to the show, the boat and Robby.

1:09 – Robby chimes in regarding what he and his crew are up to today on the fishing tender called the North Wind.

3:22 – When does the season begin?

4:35 – Fisheries conservation in Alaska is unique.

5:41 -- Commercial fishing as conservation.

7:19 -- What are fishermen concerned about? Sustainability…

8:34 --  Robby reflects on climate change and his concerns regarding ocean acidification.

9:40 -- What do fishermen think about seasons when the sockeye &/or king salmon are smaller than average?

11:46 -- Robby talks about his boat, crew and operations.

12:54 -- Robby chats about his future and the future of fisheries.

14:58 -- Robby shares some closing words.

Continuing with our newfound love of "from the field" podcasts, we take this one to Florida. Podcast co-host Bill Cooksey attended ICAST (a big fishing industry tradeshow) in July and had the opportunity to sit down with Geoff Mullins from the Everglades Foundation and Captain Chris Wittman from Captains for Clean water to talk about the myriad habitat problems in the Everglades and South Florida and what hunters and anglers can do to help. The region is full of iconic hunting and fishing locations such as Lake Okeechobee and Florida Bay, and waterfowl hunters come from around the country to hunt mottled ducks, black-bellied whistling ducks and fulvous ducks. When most people think about Everglades issues, they think pythons and algae closing down beaches, but there’s a whole lot more at stake.

Episode links:

https://www.evergladesfoundation.org/

https://captainsforcleanwater.org/

https://www.vanishingparadise.org/restoration-solutions/projects?state=florida

Show Notes:

1:05-Intro to ICAST.

3:22-What have we been doing lately?

5:15-Geoff explains what Everglades restoration means.

6:47-Chris explains restoration from his point of view as a sportsman.

8:50-What is Captains for Clean Water?

11:35-Geoff, where do sportsmen fit in this puzzle?

13:50-Bill offers his take on the issues.

15:55-Chris talks duck hunting and the impact of declining habitat and restoration.

18:05-Geoff, what is the most critical component at this moment?

21:35-How is the state involved financially with restoration?

23:35-Chris discusses the changes he’s witnessed to some bucket list Florida destinations.

29:35-What do the next ten years look like?

31:35-Who are the stakeholders?

38:05-Why is this a national issue?

39:55-What should Florida sportsmen be doing?

42:55-What have we missed?

47:15-Words of wisdom from Geoff, Chris and Bill

Join us for this fun pilot episode of our new “From the Field” podcast series we are beginning to explore. For the past week, our sporting team has been traveling around Southeast Alaska recording interviews with hunters and anglers regarding the endless opportunities and abundance of the region. During this episode, Aaron and Mandela sit on the edge of the Tongas National Forest with Artemis ambassador, Jodee Dixon, and the Executive Director of the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC), Meredith Trainor. We discuss their friendship and connection through hunting, mentorship and Yoga. We learn about the important conservation work SEACC does and the Artemis outreach programs Jodee offers. We also talk about the ways in which their background in mountaineering and whitewater kayaking parallel hunting and fishing.

Enjoy this abbreviated podcast pilot episode and let us know what you think. Did you like hearing podcasts recorded in the field? Would you like them to be shorter or longer? What questions would you like to ask our guests?

Links:

www.seacc.org

www.artemis.nwf.org

www.nwf.org/gamechanger

Show notes:

0:26 – Aaron sets the scene, introduces the guests and the stand-in cohost for this episode.

3:00 – Jodee talks about her passion for seeking and sharing knowledge. How she met Meredith and the transition to teaching Meredith how to hunt.

5:10 – Jodee talks about the different species she and her husband hunt in SE Alaska including Dahl sheep, elk, black bear and Sitka blacktail deer.

7:00 – Meredith talks about how she met Jodee and grew an interest in hunting after being a vegetarian for most of her life.

10:30 – Jodee shares how she got introduced to hunting and the story behind her first big game hunt for Dahl sheep.

14:00 – Jodee is currently teaching Meredith how to hunt. They both chat about how Artemis helped strengthen their connection and the opportunity to bring women together to share wild game and embrace a curiosity of hunting.

18:49 – Jodee and Meredith share how their experiences in whitewater kayaking, Yoga and mountaineering parallel how they approach hunting and fishing. Jodee reflects on single point focus and “forced meditation”.

23:19 – Meredith shares the conservation work she and her team at the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC) focus on. One part of their work is focused on climate action, citizen science and the importance of sharing observations of a changing landscape due to climate change.

27:53 – Alaska is front and center when it comes to a warming climate. Meredith discusses how an increase in 3-6 degrees effects wildlife in Southeast Alaska.

29:40 – Jodee shares her observations and concerns regarding hunting, fishing and climate change in Southeast Alaska.

31:56 – Jodee highlights some of the Artemis outreach opportunities she offers in the region.

32:55 – Closing statements.

It’s late July, and much of the country is in the midst of a heat wave, but Aaron and Bill are back talking ducks with Dr. Mike Brasher from Ducks Unlimited. Waterfowl are both a vocation and advocation for Mike as he’s spent his career studying and his free time hunting them. For the last two years, COVID protocols in Canada have prevented the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from conducting the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (known to duck hunters as the BPOP and May Pond Count). This survey is used to set future seasons. The 2022 flights have wrapped up, and Mike is here to help us understand what the initial reports could mean to duck hunters all over the country. And for the first time in several years, there’s some positive news!

Links:

https://www.ducks.org/media/du-podcast

https://fws.gov/library/collections/2022-waterfowl-breeding-population-and-habitat-surveys-field-reports

And here’s a photo page from the folks who actually count the ducks:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pilotbiologist/albums/with/72157706996280821

Show notes:

3:40 – Bill introduces Mike and provides a little insight into his background and what we are going to cover in the show regarding ducks and how ducks are counted.

5:25 – Mike introduces himself with a little more detail.

7:19 – Mike, Bill and Aaron share what they have been doing outside recently.

13:40 – Jumping right into B-POP (Breeding Population Survey) but first, let’s clarify that we are not talking about K-POP.

14:21 – What is B-POP and why should duck hunters understand it?

19:13 – Laying out the mechanics of how big the count is, where do they fly and how are we doing with the trajectory of current population counts.

24:27 – Discussing the word “census” and why this count isn’t a census.

28:23 – What are the results?!

35:05 – Why have biologists been concerned, drought in the western U.S. and how are the numbers doing down south?

41:27 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen! Be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for even more great content.

42:20 -- Because the count hasn’t happened for a few years, what was the approach this year?

46:39 -- Discussing the scientific approach to climate issues as they relate to duck populations, trajectory, warming trends and droughts.

53:33 -- Discussing the significance of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and recently introduced North American Grasslands Act. How does this legislation relate to natural infrastructure, habitat restoration and resilience.

1:00:23 -- With fresh water and fresh habitat, what does that mean for the productivity of waterfowl? Also, a few reflections on the current count numbers and what that might mean for the upcoming duck hunting season.

1:07:33 – Mike shares some closing statements.

1:10:24 – Ducks Unlimited U.S. and Ducks Unlimited Canada are teaming up soon to do a livestream!

1:12:53 – Bill shares some closing statements.

1:13:18 – Please speak up on behalf of shutting down the Return Act, the swift passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and the North American Grasslands Act. Get engaged, stay engaged and look for folks like Mike for guidance.

Aaron and Bill sit down with David Willms and Mike Butler to discuss the recently introduced the RETURN Act and how it would dismantle the world’s most successful conservation program and begin a cascade effect that would set back America conservation in myriad ways. We walk through a refresher on the Pittman-Robertson Act – what it is, how it works, why it is so successful and why we need to protect by all means possible. Then we pivot to the RETURN Act – what it is, why it came about, how terrible it would be for American conservation and why we need to step up to stop it dead in its tracks.

Links:

https://www.nwf.org/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2022/7-13-22-Dismantling-Pittman-Robertson-Will-Harm-Wildlife

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-federal-proposal-to-gut-wildlife-funding-for-states/id1395671263?i=1000568850775

https://www.wildfowlmag.com/editorial/new-congressional-bill-threatens-pittmanrobertson-act-wildlife-restoration-act/462140?fbclid=IwAR25dzoemzvU-Vm-xJoK1J4g8t6ABZAHrMjr7fClzrzrIFw8Ou92m2czpAE

https://tnwf.org/new-bill-would-gut-conservation-funding/

Show notes:

5:08 -  Aaron shares a little background on this episodes guests.

7:56 -  The group shares what they have been doing outside recently.

13:05 – David explains the Pittman-Robertson Act. Why do we have it and what it does?

19:38 – Mike discusses the significance of this legislation in Tennessee alone.

20:36 – What would it look like from state to state if we didn’t have the Pittman-Robertson Act?

24:02 - How is it funded? Who pays it? When do they pay it?

26:01 - Mike talks about the North American model of conservation and why Pittman-Robertson is integral to it.

29:31 – David lines out how much conservation funding comes from Pittman-Robertson and how it’s growing every year.

33:39 – Highlighting the 2nd Amendment and how it relates.

35:16 – What does the Return Act do exactly?

42:27 – Where did the concept of the Return Act come from? Let’s also highlight the conflict of interest at play here…

46:43 – Mike points out some fallacies in the proposed legislation and the press release from Rep. Clyde.

52:35 – It’s incredibly rare when a member of congress goes through the active process of removing their name from the list of cosponsors for a proposed bill. This is happening right now with the Return Act. Get informed! Call your congressman.  

55:37 – What about the those who might like to see the majority of conservation funding coming from somewhere else besides the sporting community?

59:10 – Closing statements. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

“A man who doesn’t speak has no advantage over a man who can’t – so use your voice.” –Bill Cooksey

Aaron and Bill sit down with lifelong hunter and professional angler Crispin Powley. Crispin is a husband and father who spends hundreds of days afield each year and has hunted waterfowl in 30 states and three countries. He also runs an outdoors ministry at his local church.  

Show notes:

3:44 – Bill shares a little background on Crispin and how they met.

5:00 – Crispin, Bill and Aaron share what they have been doing outside recently. Also, Aaron shares a fun update on recent lead-free landscapes field work from our sporting team.

9:10 - Crispin shares a little background on his upbringing.

11:46 – Crispin talks about how he got into the outdoor industry.

16:40 - Crispin chats about his role at Stratus and what it was like to work with so many famous people.

23:47 – Crispin tells us about his transition to working with GSM. Also, what does that stand for?

33:20 – Crispin talks about expanding past bass fishing. What other species are they after?

35:45 - Crispin’s shares his top fishing spots (then and now). Can you believe it?!

47:25 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. Be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on social media for more great content!!

50:00 - Crispin talks about his conservation realm and explains how the industry is looking at current conservation challenges.

57:26 - Crispin talks about what happened on Kentucky Lake regarding bass fishing over the past decade.

1:07:38 – Crispin shares some words of wisdom regarding the future of bass fishing and conservation.

1:11:43 – Parting words. 

Aaron and Bill sit down with the 2021 Orvis Conservationists of the Year, owner of Alaska Sportsmen’s Lodge, and renowned Bristol Bay conservationist Brian Kraft. Brian has spent nearly 20 years working to stop the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay from ever becoming a reality. The EPA recently announced another comment period regarding prohibiting discharge of dredge or fill materials. If the latest effort is successful, the Pebble Mine would again be halted. We talk to Brian about how he got into the lodge operating and fishing guide service, the incredible fishing and wildlife resources of Bristol Bay including 30” rainbow trout, how he first learned of the proposed mine, and his work to keep the mine away from the area that produces nearly half of all the planet’s salmon. And last, we pivot to permanent protection and how we can end the threats of large-scale mining in Bristol Bay once and for all.

Links:

EPA link to comment portal

https://www.epa.gov/bristolbay/public-comments-and-hearings-2022-proposed-determination

EPA link describing comment process

https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-protect-bristol-bays-salmon-fishery-subsistence-fishing-alaska-natives

Video of Brain and his family talking about the values in Bristol Bay

https://www.fishasl.com/hold-the-line-bristol-bay-alaska/

Video announcing Brian as Orvis Conservationist of the Year

https://vimeo.com/538850163

Conservation Organization Resources on Bristol Bay and the Pebble Mine

https://www.savebristolbay.org/

https://stoppebbleminenow.org/

Brian’s lodge website

https://www.fishasl.com/

Show notes:

3:58 – A little background on Brian.

5:35 – Brian, Aaron and Bill share what they have been doing outside recently.

9:20 - Brian provides a brief overview of the scale and scope of Bristol Bay and the surrounding area… The “breadbasket of fisheries” the bounty there is mindboggling! 47% of the world’s salmon comes from here!

16:50 - Brian talks about how he got into running fishing lodges in Bristol Bay without any prior experience.

25:55 - Brian takes us through a day on the water with his clients in Alaska… they’re catching 22-26” rainbow trout on the fly!

30:38 - What is the average size range of the rainbow trout up there?

32:53 – Short break for a message from our partner podcast, Artemis Sportswomen. For more great content, be sure to follow NWF Outdoors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

34:45 - Brain shares a little background on how we got to where we are at now regarding the threat of the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay. This has been a team battle!

56:29 – How do we get permanent protection? Where would the relief money come from that would be used for the Federal Government to purchase land that is now part of the state of Alaska? What are other options including land swaps, etc.

59:19 - What should folks be telling the EPA right now and how can we help with the permanent solution? “This is the wrong place for this type of development. Salmon runs are irreplaceable and provide food for the world. Let’s not replace one resource with another.”

1:04:07 – Parting words from Brian, Bill and Aaron.

“I didn’t inherit this land and these fisheries from my ancestors. I’m borrowing it from my children. It’s my responsibility to make sure that it’s in better shape for them to use and enjoy. We need to do the right thing. There are right places to do things like this and wrong places – and this is definitely the wrong place.” –Brian Kraft.