Episode 149: Rewilding The American Serengeti With Henry Pollock from Southern Plains Land Trust
May 23, 2025
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Henry Pollock, Executive Director, Southern Plains Land Trust
Henry has a background in ecology and conservation with a strong focus on quantitative, data-driven science and practice. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology and nearly 15 years’ experience as a wildlife biologist and academic researcher. He is dedicated to gaining ground for prairie wildlife and continuing to expand SPLT’s reach throughout the Southern Plains to bring back the American Serengeti.
About Southern Plains Land Trust: “The Southern Plains Land Trust purchases land for prairie wildlife. It’s that simple.
It is our mission to protect and rewild the Southern Plains by creating a network of prairie refuges to ensure a future for native wildlife.
So far, we’ve protected over 60,000 acres in our preserve network, providing urgently needed refuge to a wide variety of native grassland animals and plants. Piece by piece, we are restoring the American Serengeti.”
Show Notes
Rewilding the Southern Plains: An Interview with Henry Pollock
In this episode of the Rewilding Earth Podcast, Henry Pollock, Executive Director of the Southern Plains Land Trust, discusses efforts to protect and rewild over 60,000 acres in Southeast Colorado. Pollock elaborates on the organization’s mission to focus on keystone species such as bison, prairie dogs, and beavers, which have transformative effects on biodiversity. He highlights recent developments, including the reintroduction of black-footed ferrets and the recovery of native plant species. Pollock also touches on volunteer opportunities, community-focused projects, and the broader vision to expand protected prairies by collaborating with local and federal entities. The episode provides insights into the challenges and rewards of rewilding efforts and encourages listeners to engage with and support the Southern Plains Land Trust.
00:00 Introduction to Rewilding and Keystone Species
01:03 Southern Plains Land Trust: Mission and Achievements
01:30 Interview with Henry Pollock: Background and Updates
03:27 Rewilding Programs: Bison, Ferrets, and Beavers
10:03 Community Involvement and Volunteer Opportunities
12:36 Challenges and Strategies in Land Conservation
16:30 Public and Private Land Coordination
19:24 Personal Experiences and Rewilding Philosophy
30:53 Career Pathways in Land Trusts and Conservation
34:23 Global Rewilding Efforts and Support
40:37 How to Get Involved and Final Thoughts
Extra Credit
Learn about volunteer opportunities and keep up on all the great work SPLT is doing by visiting their website and subscribing and supporting!
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.