Episode 129: Advancing Wildlife Connectivity with Erin Sito of Wildlands Network
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Erin Sito, J.D. U.S. Public Policy Director, Wildlands Network
About
As the United States Policy Director for Wildlands Network, Erin Sito researches, develops and promotes laws and policies geared towards supporting habitat connectivity and biodiversity at the local, state, and federal level. Erin’s work also focuses on state agency reform and funding, and outreach to promote Wildlands Network’s policy initiatives nationwide.
Episode 129 Rewilding Earth Podcast: Advancing Wildlife Connectivity with Erin Sito of Wildlands Network
In this episode of the Rewilding Earth podcast, Erin Sito, the U.S. Public Policy Director for Wildlands Network, discusses her role and efforts in rewilding North America. She shares progress in state and federal policies supporting connected habitats, noting advancements in wildlife crossings and the significant support these initiatives have received across different presidential administrations.
Erin highlights the creation of the federal grant program for wildlife crossing infrastructure and discusses the increase in public involvement through innovative technologies like the ROADS app. She addresses challenges, such as funding needs and the cultural shift within transportation agencies to consider wildlife in planning. Erin emphasizes the importance of state-level actions, praising states like New York, which recently passed wildlife crossing legislation, and outlines her vision for creating more interconnected, climate-resilient landscapes.
00:00 Introduction
00:13 Erin’s Role and Background
01:31 Progress in Connectivity and Crossings Policy
02:24 Legislative Efforts and Success Stories
04:21 Federal Funding and State Legislation
07:31 Challenges and Future Goals
17:41 Public Involvement and Innovative Technologies
28:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Extra Credit
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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.