Episode 126: Borderlands Connectivity – Conservation Challenges And Victories on the U.S.-Mexico Border
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About
Myles Traphagen coordinates Wildlands Network’s borderlands program, focusing on channeling collaborative efforts to maintain and restore habitat for species like jaguar, black bear, and Sonoran pronghorn. He oversees strategic partnerships, communications, and projects to advance large-landscape conservation goals in Mexico and the United States. Learn more about Myles here.
Show Notes
In this episode of the Rewilding Earth podcast, Jack Humphrey interviews Myles Traphagen, the Borderlands Program Coordinator for Wildlands Network. They discuss the impact of the U.S.-Mexico border wall on wildlife connectivity and corridors, highlighting the challenges posed by the barrier on species such as the jaguar and the Mexican gray wolf. Myles explains the difficulty of working to protect an animal he may never see in the wild, emphasizing the altruistic motivations behind conservation efforts.
The conversation covers the historical context of border wall construction, the political aspects influencing these structures, and the ongoing efforts to create wildlife openings. The episode concludes with Myles sharing the successes obtained through fieldwork, GIS mapping, and legal actions and his optimism fueled by gradual progress in conservation initiatives.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:06 Understanding the Borderlands Program
00:41 Impact of the Border Wall on Wildlife
01:10 The Elusive Jaguar
03:10 Challenges in Conservation Biology
08:06 Political Implications of the Border Wall
11:12 Efforts to Mitigate Border Wall Impact
26:17 Success Stories and Hope for the Future
34:36 Call to Action and Final Thoughts
Extra Credit
- Learn more about borderlands connectivity issues from the Wildlands Network
Download the Transcript for this Episode
Director of Digital Outreach (D.O.D.O.) for The Rewilding Institute
Host and Producer of the Rewilding Earth Podcast
Jack started Rewilding work as Executive Director of Sky Island Alliance in the mid-1990’s, organizing the Sky Island Wildlands Network design, ripping up illegal roads on forest service lands, installing wolf acclimatization pens on Ted Turner’s Ladder Ranch & conducting howling surveys to help make way for the final stage of the Lobo reintroduction program in the Southwest.
Through the years, Jack has worked with Dave Foreman and the Rewilding Gang to further Rewilding initiatives and education.
Awesome episode! I appreciated the valuable insight that Myles shared. (listening to him so reminded me of listening to Dave P.)
Excellent episode, where can I get the script?