In this episode, I interview Bill Cunningham, a longtime Montana wilderness advocate with a deep and rich history from the 1970s to the present. Bill discusses the intricate legislative battles that framed the preservation of Montana's wilderness, including the Montana Wilderness Study Area Act, protecting the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Complex, the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Bill and his work with influential figures such as Lee Metcalf. We discuss the controversial issues around collaboration in conservation efforts, explaining the nuances of the Gallatin Range controversy as one example, and the need for unwavering advocacy. Moving to his personal adventures, Bill shares stories of expeditions in Alaska’s remote wilderness. Our discussion concludes with a poignant reflection on the spiritual and ecological necessity of preserving public wildlands for future generations.

https://mtconservationelders.org/

02:46 Exploring the Oregon Coast

05:39 Challenges and Opportunities in Wilderness Conservation

09:37 Personal Wilderness Experiences

14:43 The Magruder Corridor Controversy

19:47 The Wilderness Act and Its Legacy

22:16 Wilderness Guiding and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex

24:02 Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Bill

30:46 Challenges in Modern Wilderness Conservation

34:30 Historical Wilderness Legislation and Collaboration

52:12 Montana's Political Landscape and Wilderness Legislation

53:36 The Legacy of Lee Metcalf

55:54 Challenges in Wilderness Advocacy

56:41 The Rise of Motorized Recreation

01:01:20 Compromises in Conservation Efforts

01:02:55 The Role of Conservation Organizations

01:06:00 The Importance of Grassroots Advocacy

01:19:56 Collaboration and Its Pitfalls

01:38:52 The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Campaign

01:47:15 Adventures in Alaska

01:52:16 Reflections on a Life Dedicated to Wilderness

01:54:34 The Importance of Public Lands

02:01:33 Bob Marshall's Legacy

In this episode, I speak with Matt Rinella, an avid hunter and public lands advocate with the group Hunt Quietly. Our conversation is wide-ranging and touches on a variety of subjects including; livestock grazing, hunter access, social media impacts on the hunter experience, the commercialization of the pastime, trophy hunting, hunting organization shortcomings and misgivings, and much more.

Hunt Quietly Podcast with Matt Rinella

https://www.huntquietly.org/

02:51 Livestock Grazing and Wildlife Impact

07:57 Grasslands and Grazing Effects

28:59 Hunter Recruitment and Conservation Challenges

41:56 Political Clout and Hunting Community

42:59 Trophy Hunting and Public Perception

48:59 Social Media's Impact on Hunting

55:22 Challenges in Conservation Efforts

01:13:55 Public Lands and Political Motivations

In this episode, I welcome Wes Siler back to the program to discuss the ongoing legislative challenges surrounding public lands in Washington D.C. We discuss the implications of potential land sell-offs which could total more than 1/2 million acres in Utah and Nevada, the motives behind political actions by figures like Ryan Zinke, and the efficiency of public land management agencies. We highlight and critique key components of the House Natural Resources reconciliation bill text, touching on issues from oil and gas development to timber harvesting, Alaska, and weakening of the National Environmental Policy Act.

https://www.outsideonline.com/byline/wes-siler/

00:16 Public Lands Sell-Off Concerns

00:37 Ryan Zinke and the 'Public Lands in Public Hands Act'

02:05 Economic Impact of Public Lands

04:46 Legislative Processes and Reconciliation

07:37 Environmental and Economic Implications

15:26 Boundary Waters

16:43 Alaska Extraction Issues

19:22 The Challenges of Arctic Oil Drilling

19:41 Impact on Wildlife and Environment

20:18 Renewable Energy and Public Lands

21:09 Timber Harvest and Forest Management

28:56 Legislative Actions and Budget Implications