Have you ever heard what sounds like a prehistoric call on the air? It’s one of my favorite sounds that signals spring’s arrival in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

One of my favorite questions to ask friends, or just people I meet in general, is "What’s your favorite bird?" I’m usually met with a long groan at the impossible nature of the question. Many times, the answer I receive is a Sandhill crane.

Sandhill cranes are seasonal visitors to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. So, what is it about these lanky birds that draws us in? Is it their strange call that can be heard up to 2 ½ miles away? Is it their graceful nature as they wander wetlands and marshes? Maybe it's their fancy dance moves when they hope someone is watching.

Famed writer and father of wildlife ecology and modern conservation Aldo Leopold once said, “When we hear his call, we hear no mere bird. We hear the trumpet in the orchestra of evolution.”

Joining us on the episode today are Courtney Rudd and Rene Schell from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Courtney is the Migratory Game Bird and Wetland Biologist, where her position affords abundant opportunities to collaborate with a diverse set of partners to conserve migratory game birds and their habitats, domestically and internationally. While based out of the Lander Regional Office, her responsibilities take her to all reaches of Wyoming for data collection, monitoring, project reconnaissance and implementation, and engaging with the public.

Rene is the Information and Education Supervisor, where she has been a dedicated voice for conservation since 2005. Rene leads a statewide team of specialists committed to the Department’s mission of "Conserving Wildlife, Serving People." As a specialist in wildlife education and public participation, Rene is passionate about creating "gateway moments" for the public—using ambassadors like the Great Horned Owl to foster a lifelong appreciation for Wyoming’s wildlife.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.

Voices of Greater Yellowstone was created by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a conservation nonprofit dedicated to working with people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, now and for future generations.

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Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

Music > Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

Banner Photo > Tom Koerner/USFWS

Sandhill Crane Call Audio > NPS

Photo Tom Koerner/USFWS

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The vast public and private lands that make up Greater Yellowstone are crisscrossed with miles upon miles of fences. While fences aren’t inherently bad—and are often necessary in certain areas to keep wildlife off roads, livestock contained, and property boundaries visible—they create barriers that fragment wildlife habitat.

What happens when wildlife can’t reach seasonal habitats—and how can we make wildlife migration and movement easier for these iconic Greater Yellowstone species?

Virtual fencing is an exciting new technology that’s making waves across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond. It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like—a nonphysical barrier that utilizes GPS and other wireless signals to keep collared livestock contained.

We’ll learn much more about the details of virtual fencing during the conversation, but what’s really cool about virtual fencing is that it’s an absolute win-win solution for both wildlife and ranchers.

Joining us on the podcast is Erin Welty, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s senior Wyoming conservation associate. Based in Cody, Wyoming, Erin focuses on connecting wildlife habitat and ensuring wildlife are able to migrate and move more easily across the ecosystem. She’s leading our virtual fence work and helping ranchers learn more about how they can utilize this program on their land.

Alright, let’s start conversation—no jumping fences required!

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.

Voices of Greater Yellowstone was created by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a conservation nonprofit dedicated to working with people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, now and for future generations.

> Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.

> Join our Online Community and Receive Two FREE Stickers

> Virtual Fence Resource Guide

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> Donate to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition

Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

Music > Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

Photo > GYC/Erin Welty

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I want you to think of your very favorite spot on public lands.

Is it a local backcountry camping site? A trail you love to hike with your friends and family? A secret location in Yellowstone National Park where you find solitude? Now, could you imagine that special spot sold off to the highest bidder and no longer accessible?

Today, this is a very real threat. Our public lands are under attack.

2025 was full of assaults on our public lands. From proposed selloffs and protection rollbacks to the nomination of anti-conservation people to lead public land agencies, we’re seeing constant threats on public lands the likes of which we haven’t seen in decades.

Still, it most certainly isn’t hopeless. Joining us on the podcast today are the Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s Executive Director Scott Christensen and Director of Conservation Kathy Rinaldi, who have been leading the charge on defending these beloved public lands. Also, we have a guest host today with GYC’s Director of Communications and Marketing Emilie Ritter.

The team covers what exactly public lands are and why they’re so special, what issues we’re seeing when it comes to protecting public lands, and what the Greater Yellowstone Coalition is doing to ensure public lands remain in public hands.

New threats emerge often, and current ones are always evolving. So while this episode was recorded in late January 2026, please check out our show notes or just head over to our website at greateryellowstone.org to learn about the most recent public lands defense news.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.

Voices of Greater Yellowstone was created by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a conservation nonprofit dedicated to working with people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, now and for future generations.

> Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.

> Join our Online Community and Receive Two FREE Stickers

> Take Action for Public Lands!

> Sign Up for Emails

> Follow GYC on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn

> Donate to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition

Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

Music > Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

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Support the show