Episode 153: Preparing For A Catamount Homecoming in the Northeast
August 22, 2025
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Renee Seacor, Rewilding Director for Mighty Earth
Renee Seacor is Mighty Earth’s Northeast Rewilding Director, where she oversees the campaign to reintroduce catamounts to the forests of the Northeast.
Renee previously served as the Carnivore Conservation Director for Project Coyote, overseeing campaigns aimed at promoting coexistence with North America’s wild carnivore species. She has built a career in environmental advocacy, using litigation and policymaking to champion a wide range of conservation issues that protect wildlife and wild nature.
When man meets mother mountain lion on the trail, there’s more to the drama than meets the eye © Michael Duva
Show Notes
Bringing Catamounts Back Home: Rewilding the Northeast with Renee Seacor
In this engaging episode, Jack reunites with Renee Seacor, the Northeast Rewilding Director at Mighty Earth, to discuss her work on the Eastern Rewilding Project. They delve into the goals and strategies of reintroducing Catamounts (Cougars, Mountain Lions) to the Northeast, exploring the historical, ecological, and cultural significance of this ambitious endeavor. Renee shares insights into the public’s role, community engagement, and the steps needed to make this dream a reality. The conversation highlights the critical importance of coexistence, habitat suitability, and the collaborative efforts required from state agencies and the public to bring these majestic carnivores back to their rightful home.
- Introduction and Welcome Back, Renee
- Renee’s Role at Mighty Earth
- The Eastern Rewilding Project
- Focus on the Northeast
- Challenges and Opportunities for Carnivore Recovery
- Habitat and Public Perception
- The Importance of Public Support for the Catamount
- Coexistence and Conflict Management
- Cultural and Ecological Significance of Rewilding
- Future Steps and Public Involvement
- Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Extra Credit
- Check out Mighty Earth to get updates on their northeast rewilding program and the Catamount reintroduction campaign!
- Learn more about Mighty Earth’s campaign to bring the Catamount home to the Northeast.
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.