In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond, beavers are experiencing a bit of a renaissance. These large aquatic rodents are critical ecosystem engineers and play a role in mitigating the effects of climate change and strengthening wildlife habitat. However, decades of rampant trapping and views of beavers as a nuisance have decreased their numbers across the country.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem needs healthy beaver populations doing their job to help keep this place remarkable. Luckily, beavers are making a comeback. Their star power is soaring as climate resiliency heroes and efforts to bring back beavers are becoming a top priority.

In this episode, Part 2, we’ll cover some beaver reintroduction success stories, dive into a variety of listener questions from our podcast insiders, dispel some beaver myths, and gain some writing advice for aspiring environmental journalists. Ben also shares how his face ended up in the British tabloids after an apparently scandalous comment about the Chronicles of Narnia.

Without further ado, let’s jump back into Beaver-Mania.

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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> Join our Online Community and Receive Two FREE Stickers!

> Donate to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition

> Eager by Ben Goldfarb

> Beaverland by Leila Philip

> Once They Were Hats by Frances Backhouse

> The Beaver Manifesto by Glynnis Hood

> In Beaver World by Enos A. Mills

> The Beaver Believers (Film)

Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

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Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond, beavers are experiencing a bit of a renaissance. These large aquatic rodents are critical ecosystem engineers and play a role in mitigating the effects of climate change and strengthening wildlife habitats. However, decades of rampant trapping and views of beavers as a nuisance have decreased their numbers across the country.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem needs healthy beaver populations doing their job to help keep this place remarkable. Luckily, beavers are making a comeback. Their star power is soaring as climate resiliency heroes and efforts to bring back beavers are becoming a top priority.

Joining us on the podcast today is renowned conservation journalist and beaver believer Ben Goldfarb, author of Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter. Eager has won a slew of literary awards, including the 2019 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award, Washington Post’s “50 Notable Works of Nonfiction,” Science News’ “Favorite Science Books of 2018,” and many more. It’s a fantastic book that should jump to the top of your reading list if you haven’t already checked it out.

We had a lot of ground to cover, so we’ve split the conversation into two episodes. This episode, Part 1, will cover the history of beavers in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the fascinating relationship between beavers and wolves, how beavers combat the effects of climate change, and some surprising pushback when it comes to beaver restoration. Ben also informs us that vodka laced with beaver secretion is definitely a thing, so now we both unfortunately know that it exists.

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!

> 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/...)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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What makes Yellowstone bison special? Sure, they’re the largest herd of bison found in the United States, but why are they the best bet for restoring bison across the country? Is it the fluffiest fur, the pointiest horns, or something else? In this episode, we’ll dive into why Yellowstone bison matter.

Joining us again on the podcast is the Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s wildlife program manager Shana Drimal. Shana provides strategic leadership to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s policies and programs to conserve, manage, and protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s iconic wildlife. Her main focus is on the ecological and cultural restoration of bison. She has an extensive background in wildlife ecology and research and knows just about everything there is to know about Yellowstone bison!

We’ll chat about why the Greater Yellowstone Coalition focuses on restoring Yellowstone bison, how bison are ecosystem engineers, and one of the biggest barriers we face in bison conservation.

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!

> Donate to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition

> Stay Informed on GYC's Defense of Yellowstone's Bison Plan

> Follow GYC on Facebook and Instagram

Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

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

Thumbnail Photo > NPS/Neal Herbert

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What happens beneath Yellowstone is vast and varied. One of the most interesting geological phenomena found here is hydrothermal explosions. While they may not have a timetable like some of the iconic geysers, or the breathtaking colors of some pools, 2024’s sky-high event at Biscuit Basin put hydrothermal explosions on the map.

Reading about this unpredictable encounter got me thinking: what are the underlying forces behind hydrothermal explosions? Is the caldera waking up? How are they studied? Luckily, our guest will explain all that and more!

Joining us is Dr. Mike Poland, a research geophysicist and the current Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory with the United States Geological Survey. His area of expertise is volcano geodesy, which emphasizes the surface deformation and gravity fields associated with volcanic activity, but he also knows a heck of a lot about hydrothermal explosions and other exciting geological activities in Yellowstone.

He’ll also share a few of his favorite spots in the park to check out rock formations, thermal features, and beyond.

Let’s dive in and learn more about why Yellowstone is a blast!

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!

> Donate to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition

> Caldera Chronicles

> Black Diamond Pool Explosion Video

Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

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

Thumbnail Photo > USGS/Joshua Sells

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What would Greater Yellowstone be like without the grizzly bear? Once upon a time, we were close to answering that question. Today, these grizzly bears represent one of the greatest conservation success stories. Going forward, we want to make sure that grizzlies can continue to thrive on the landscape long into the future.

In Greater Yellowstone, figuring out the next steps in grizzly bear conservation and management is a complex issue. There isn’t consensus on how best to manage grizzlies, and in this conversation you’ll have a better understanding of why it’s so complicated. On this podcast episode, we’ll dive in the history of grizzly bear conservation in Greater Yellowstone and chat about what’s happening in the grizzly bear space today.

Joining us on the podcast is GYC's wildlife program manager Brooke Shifrin, who you may recognize from episode 2 on grizzly bears. Brooke focuses her work on grizzly bear policy and conservation strategies to ensure grizzlies are successful in the ecosystem while also keeping people safe and livelihoods intact.

As of January 8, 2025 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces Northern Rockies grizzly bears to remain protected by Endangered Species Act

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!

> Donate to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition

> The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson

Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

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

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Bats elicit many emotions from us – fear, intrigue, aversion, adoration. These pint-sized flyers often go unnoticed, yet they play a vital role in maintaining the balance of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

From their incredibly unique adaptations to their contributions to pest control, bats are truly nature’s unsung heroes.

In Part 2, we’re joined again by Dr. Riley Bernard, an applied wildlife ecologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Bernard’s research focuses on the ecology and behavior of cryptic species, including bats, on topics such as foraging, competition, invasive species interactions, the effects of disease on community structure, species susceptibility, and survival.

We’ll talk about the threats like white-nose syndrome and wind farms that spell out trouble for our beloved bats, some myths Dr. Bernard dispels for us, where to view bats in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and what people can do to support bat populations.

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!

> Donate to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition

> Dr. Bernard's Lab

> Bat Houses

Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

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

Thumbnail Photo > Dr. Riley Bernard

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Bats elicit many emotions from us – fear, intrigue, aversion, adoration. These pint-sized flyers often go unnoticed, yet they play a vital role in maintaining the balance of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

From their incredibly unique adaptations to their contributions to pest control, bats are truly nature’s unsung heroes.

We’re joined by Dr. Riley Bernard, an applied wildlife ecologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming.

Dr. Bernard’s research focuses on the ecology and behavior of cryptic species, including bats, on topics such as foraging, competition, invasive species interactions, the effects of disease on community structure, species susceptibility, and survival. When it comes to Greater Yellowstone bat ecology, she’s definitely an expert.

This episode, Part 1, will explore what bat species are found in Greater Yellowstone, how their flying abilities stack up next to birds, their use of echolocation and how their prey adapts to combat it, and how bats are literally mini super moms. Also, prepare to be surprised by how fast some bats can fly!

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.

> Become a Podcast Insider

> 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/...)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Thumbnail Photo > Bat Conservation International and Minden Pictures

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Yellowstone National Park holds the distinction of being the United States' first national park. What does it mean to be the first? What was a national park in the 19th century, and does it hold the same definition today? We’ll answer those questions and more as we dive into how Yellowstone became the park we know and love today.

This episode is the second part of our History of Yellowstone National Park series, so we recommend listening to Part 1 first. If you’ve already tuned in to Part 1, thanks for joining us again!

In Part 1, we learned about Yellowstone’s early history and establishment as a national park. This episode will dive more into what early tourism looked like, the romanticization of Teddy Roosevelt and Yellowstone National Park, and how Yellowstone National Park influenced conservation in the West and beyond. We’re joined again by Alicia Murphy, Yellowstone National Park historian.

The 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.

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.

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

> Learn more about the Greater Yellowstone Coalition

> Become a Podcast Insider

> Empire of Shadows: The Epic Story of Yellowstone National Park

> Yellowstone: A Wilderness Besieged

> Do (Not) Feed the Bears: The Fitful History of Wildlife and Tourists in Yellowstone National Park

Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

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

Photo > William H. Jackson

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