alright so I’m on a I’m on a mission to mobilize an army of outdoor enthusiasts
mobilize an army of outdoor enthusiasts
mobilize an army of outdoor enthusiasts to make a difference while they play and
to make a difference while they play and
to make a difference while they play and I need your help to do it so I’m going
I need your help to do it so I’m going
I need your help to do it so I’m going to start a little further back in 2004 I
to start a little further back in 2004 I
to start a little further back in 2004 I went out to hike the Appalachian Trail
went out to hike the Appalachian Trail
went out to hike the Appalachian Trail now this photo up here the one with the
now this photo up here the one with the
now this photo up here the one with the rocks is from somewhere in Pennsylvania
rocks is from somewhere in Pennsylvania
rocks is from somewhere in Pennsylvania the running joke in the Appalachian
the running joke in the Appalachian
the running joke in the Appalachian Trail is that the boy scouts come out
Trail is that the boy scouts come out
Trail is that the boy scouts come out every single night and sharpen these
every single night and sharpen these
every single night and sharpen these rocks it’s true to their really sharp
rocks it’s true to their really sharp
rocks it’s true to their really sharp and I can attest to that with my bloody
and I can attest to that with my bloody
and I can attest to that with my bloody ankles as I had fallen 13 or 14 times
ankles as I had fallen 13 or 14 times
ankles as I had fallen 13 or 14 times walking across endless rains pretty
walking across endless rains pretty
walking across endless rains pretty miserable three months into my track
miserable three months into my track
miserable three months into my track with three months more to go and I had
with three months more to go and I had
with three months more to go and I had fallen yet again and not a frustration I
fallen yet again and not a frustration I
fallen yet again and not a frustration I picked up one of these rocks and I
picked up one of these rocks and I
picked up one of these rocks and I chucked it at a tree I took a huge chunk
chucked it at a tree I took a huge chunk
chucked it at a tree I took a huge chunk out of that tree and killed it sorry
out of that tree and killed it sorry
out of that tree and killed it sorry everybody well I felt like the lowest
everybody well I felt like the lowest
everybody well I felt like the lowest person on earth for doing this it was
person on earth for doing this it was
person on earth for doing this it was really a low point for me and I kind of
really a low point for me and I kind of
really a low point for me and I kind of vowed in that moment and feeling like
vowed in that moment and feeling like
vowed in that moment and feeling like one of the most selfish people on earth
one of the most selfish people on earth
one of the most selfish people on earth like I would stand up keep walking but
like I would stand up keep walking but
like I would stand up keep walking but but always make something more of my
but always make something more of my
but always make something more of my time outside like I’d make a difference
time outside like I’d make a difference
time outside like I’d make a difference while I’m out there so I went and worked
while I’m out there so I went and worked
while I’m out there so I went and worked in wilderness therapy for a few years
in wilderness therapy for a few years
in wilderness therapy for a few years taking kids who had alcohol and drug
taking kids who had alcohol and drug
taking kids who had alcohol and drug problems up into the mountains and you
problems up into the mountains and you
problems up into the mountains and you know I had an amazing time and learned a
know I had an amazing time and learned a
know I had an amazing time and learned a ton about myself and was able to help a
ton about myself and was able to help a
ton about myself and was able to help a lot of kids that way but it’s it still
lot of kids that way but it’s it still
lot of kids that way but it’s it still didn’t speak to me it wasn’t really what
didn’t speak to me it wasn’t really what
didn’t speak to me it wasn’t really what I was looking for and at the same time I
I was looking for and at the same time I
I was looking for and at the same time I got pretty burned out pretty quickly I
got pretty burned out pretty quickly I
got pretty burned out pretty quickly I needed to go take a little walk so in
needed to go take a little walk so in
needed to go take a little walk so in 2006 I set out to Ecuador a tiny town of
2006 I set out to Ecuador a tiny town of
2006 I set out to Ecuador a tiny town of Papa Q octa which is just about point
Papa Q octa which is just about point
Papa Q octa which is just about point three degrees south of the Equator under
three degrees south of the Equator under
three degrees south of the Equator under the cotopaxi volcano and I walked south
the cotopaxi volcano and I walked south
the cotopaxi volcano and I walked south it’s close to the spine of the Andes as
it’s close to the spine of the Andes as
it’s close to the spine of the Andes as I could without relying on roads myself
I could without relying on roads myself
I could without relying on roads myself one friend and a couple backpacks and we
one friend and a couple backpacks and we
one friend and a couple backpacks and we ended at the island of Tierra del Fuego
ended at the island of Tierra del Fuego
ended at the island of Tierra del Fuego at the very very southern tip of that
at the very very southern tip of that
at the very very southern tip of that island is a little lighthouse that
island is a little lighthouse that
island is a little lighthouse that lighthouse marked the end of our journey
lighthouse marked the end of our journey
lighthouse marked the end of our journey which lasted six hundred and sixty seven
which lasted six hundred and sixty seven
which lasted six hundred and sixty seven days just under twenty two months or two
days just under twenty two months or two
days just under twenty two months or two years
years
years five countries we covered Ecuador Peru
five countries we covered Ecuador Peru
five countries we covered Ecuador Peru Bolivia Chile Argentina and we guessed
Bolivia Chile Argentina and we guessed
Bolivia Chile Argentina and we guessed the track to be about 7,800 miles it’s
the track to be about 7,800 miles it’s
the track to be about 7,800 miles it’s kind of hard to say we had a GPS with us
kind of hard to say we had a GPS with us
kind of hard to say we had a GPS with us for I don’t know maybe two-thirds of the
for I don’t know maybe two-thirds of the
for I don’t know maybe two-thirds of the time we’d turn it on two to three times
time we’d turn it on two to three times
time we’d turn it on two to three times a day so we have straight lines in
a day so we have straight lines in
a day so we have straight lines in between each of our points so we guess
between each of our points so we guess
between each of our points so we guess it to be 7,500 maybe 8,500 miles doesn’t
it to be 7,500 maybe 8,500 miles doesn’t
it to be 7,500 maybe 8,500 miles doesn’t really matter at that point we went
really matter at that point we went
really matter at that point we went through a lot of hardship on this track
through a lot of hardship on this track
through a lot of hardship on this track it was tough we went through things like
it was tough we went through things like
it was tough we went through things like this turbo field peat bog for four
this turbo field peat bog for four
this turbo field peat bog for four straight days we covered this each night
straight days we covered this each night
straight days we covered this each night we’d set up our tent water would fill
we’d set up our tent water would fill
we’d set up our tent water would fill the tent along the way we got Giardia
the tent along the way we got Giardia
the tent along the way we got Giardia diagnosed three separate times I had
diagnosed three separate times I had
diagnosed three separate times I had typhoid fever I got dysentery I got
typhoid fever I got dysentery I got
typhoid fever I got dysentery I got roundworms I got flatworms pinworms I
even had a warm bore into my heel and
even had a warm bore into my heel and lay about a thousand eggs that was a fun
lay about a thousand eggs that was a fun
lay about a thousand eggs that was a fun one well as fun and challenging or is
one well as fun and challenging or is
one well as fun and challenging or is difficult and challenging as it was it
difficult and challenging as it was it
difficult and challenging as it was it was also a pretty amazing and on this
was also a pretty amazing and on this
was also a pretty amazing and on this journey I was exposed to flora and fauna
journey I was exposed to flora and fauna
journey I was exposed to flora and fauna like I had never seen before vicuna and
like I had never seen before vicuna and
like I had never seen before vicuna and guanaco out in the pompe I fell in love
guanaco out in the pompe I fell in love
guanaco out in the pompe I fell in love with this stuff crikey we’ve just
with this stuff crikey we’ve just
with this stuff crikey we’ve just encountered here deep in the Amazon
encountered here deep in the Amazon
encountered here deep in the Amazon basin one of the rare bear walk crikey
basin one of the rare bear walk crikey
basin one of the rare bear walk crikey got to find me look at him isn’t he
got to find me look at him isn’t he
got to find me look at him isn’t he beautiful ball we got to see anaconda in
beautiful ball we got to see anaconda in
beautiful ball we got to see anaconda in the Amazon we even got to see monkeys
the Amazon we even got to see monkeys
the Amazon we even got to see monkeys flying over our heads so this was
flying over our heads so this was
flying over our heads so this was amazing to me I’ve never seen stuff like
amazing to me I’ve never seen stuff like
amazing to me I’ve never seen stuff like this before and I just fell in love with
this before and I just fell in love with
this before and I just fell in love with everything around me but I realized that
everything around me but I realized that
everything around me but I realized that I just didn’t quite know about it like I
I just didn’t quite know about it like I
I just didn’t quite know about it like I wanted to I didn’t understand it like I
wanted to I didn’t understand it like I
wanted to I didn’t understand it like I wanted to and I knew it all fit together
wanted to and I knew it all fit together
wanted to and I knew it all fit together in this beautiful puzzle so I finished
in this beautiful puzzle so I finished
in this beautiful puzzle so I finished this track i came home i got a degree
this track i came home i got a degree
this track i came home i got a degree from montana state and ecology within a
from montana state and ecology within a
from montana state and ecology within a year of returning and started working as
year of returning and started working as
year of returning and started working as a field biologist i went to california
a field biologist i went to california
a field biologist i went to california and had the pleasure of tracking owls
and had the pleasure of tracking owls
and had the pleasure of tracking owls through the California forest if you
through the California forest if you
through the California forest if you guys haven’t gone out hooting for owls
guys haven’t gone out hooting for owls
guys haven’t gone out hooting for owls in California please do it’s pretty
in California please do it’s pretty
in California please do it’s pretty amazing I got to track links and
amazing I got to track links and
amazing I got to track links and Wolverines and grizzly bears up in
Wolverines and grizzly bears up in
Wolverines and grizzly bears up in Montana I even got to go look at
Montana I even got to go look at
Montana I even got to go look at endangered pallid sturgeon out on the
endangered pallid sturgeon out on the
endangered pallid sturgeon out on the Fort Peck wet Fort Peck reservoir and
Fort Peck wet Fort Peck reservoir and
Fort Peck wet Fort Peck reservoir and what I learned from all this was that
what I learned from all this was that
what I learned from all this was that not only was I making a difference and
not only was I making a difference and
not only was I making a difference and playing like I wanted to play but that
playing like I wanted to play but that
playing like I wanted to play but that it was easy that it wasn’t just me who
it was easy that it wasn’t just me who
it was easy that it wasn’t just me who could do this stuff I didn’t have any
could do this stuff I didn’t have any
could do this stuff I didn’t have any special skills and so I realized that
special skills and so I realized that
special skills and so I realized that anybody could do this so i created an
anybody could do this so i created an
anybody could do this so i created an organization to make that possible
organization to make that possible
organization to make that possible adventurers and scientists for
adventurers and scientists for
adventurers and scientists for conservation very simply our mission is
conservation very simply our mission is
conservation very simply our mission is the combination of adventure and science
the combination of adventure and science
the combination of adventure and science the two together have coexisted for
the two together have coexisted for
the two together have coexisted for centuries but we’re doing it in a little
centuries but we’re doing it in a little
centuries but we’re doing it in a little bit of a different way the reason we
bit of a different way the reason we
bit of a different way the reason we exist is
exist is
exist is very clear as you look around our planet
very clear as you look around our planet
very clear as you look around our planet and you cross the oceans and you go over
and you cross the oceans and you go over
and you cross the oceans and you go over land no matter where it is we need to
land no matter where it is we need to
land no matter where it is we need to know more I love this quote from all the
know more I love this quote from all the
know more I love this quote from all the Leopold that only those who know the
Leopold that only those who know the
Leopold that only those who know the most about it can appreciate how little
most about it can appreciate how little
most about it can appreciate how little we know about it and it’s so true well
we know about it and it’s so true well
we know about it and it’s so true well at the same time that that is the case
at the same time that that is the case
at the same time that that is the case there are tens of thousands of people
there are tens of thousands of people
there are tens of thousands of people who go outside every day they’re the
who go outside every day they’re the
who go outside every day they’re the hikers the bikers the skiers the
hikers the bikers the skiers the
hikers the bikers the skiers the climbers the boaters people crossing
climbers the boaters people crossing
climbers the boaters people crossing oceans and they truly truly love the
oceans and they truly truly love the
oceans and they truly truly love the places that they’re playing they want to
places that they’re playing they want to
places that they’re playing they want to do more for those places they’ve had
do more for those places they’ve had
do more for those places they’ve had that same selfish feeling that I did and
that same selfish feeling that I did and
that same selfish feeling that I did and now they can through our organization so
now they can through our organization so
now they can through our organization so we have two main sides of this
we have two main sides of this
we have two main sides of this organization there’s guided outings and
organization there’s guided outings and
organization there’s guided outings and partnerships I’ll start with our
partnerships I’ll start with our
partnerships I’ll start with our partnerships today and tell you a little
partnerships today and tell you a little
partnerships today and tell you a little bit about those before moving on to
bit about those before moving on to
bit about those before moving on to those guided outings so the way it works
those guided outings so the way it works
those guided outings so the way it works is people come here to our website you
is people come here to our website you
is people come here to our website you choose where you want to go what
choose where you want to go what
choose where you want to go what continent you want to visit we’re in
continent you want to visit we’re in
continent you want to visit we’re in North America so we’ll choose that today
North America so we’ll choose that today
North America so we’ll choose that today and we give you a few suggestions up on
and we give you a few suggestions up on
and we give you a few suggestions up on our website so some examples of things
our website so some examples of things
our website so some examples of things that we’ve been doing like diatom
that we’ve been doing like diatom
that we’ve been doing like diatom collections and citation sightings so
collections and citation sightings so
collections and citation sightings so projects that people can look through
projects that people can look through
projects that people can look through and if you don’t see anything you like
and if you don’t see anything you like
and if you don’t see anything you like here you can build your own project
here you can build your own project
here you can build your own project anywhere on earth that you’re going in
anywhere on earth that you’re going in
anywhere on earth that you’re going in any spot we’ve got a scientist or we can
any spot we’ve got a scientist or we can
any spot we’ve got a scientist or we can find one that needs you to collect data
find one that needs you to collect data
find one that needs you to collect data form so once that happens we’re going to
form so once that happens we’re going to
form so once that happens we’re going to partner you with that scientist after we
partner you with that scientist after we
partner you with that scientist after we find you a project and you’re going to
find you a project and you’re going to
find you a project and you’re going to get to do a call like this where you’ll
get to do a call like this where you’ll
get to do a call like this where you’ll interact directly with your scientist
interact directly with your scientist
interact directly with your scientist we’re going to get you through protocols
we’re going to get you through protocols
we’re going to get you through protocols you’ll be able to ask questions we have
you’ll be able to ask questions we have
you’ll be able to ask questions we have opportunities for you to go into the
opportunities for you to go into the
opportunities for you to go into the field and practice before you go on your
field and practice before you go on your
field and practice before you go on your expedition or before you go out on your
expedition or before you go out on your
expedition or before you go out on your hikes a lot of times we have really long
hikes a lot of times we have really long
hikes a lot of times we have really long hikes your summer even two years where
hikes your summer even two years where
hikes your summer even two years where people can go and start collecting data
people can go and start collecting data
people can go and start collecting data so maybe the first couple days is not
so maybe the first couple days is not
so maybe the first couple days is not usable data but then once we really fine
usable data but then once we really fine
usable data but then once we really fine tune it and get it dialed we find that
tune it and get it dialed we find that
tune it and get it dialed we find that we’ve had a really high success rate
we’ve had a really high success rate
we’ve had a really high success rate with people being able to collect good
with people being able to collect good
with people being able to collect good usable data so some highlights from our
usable data so some highlights from our
usable data so some highlights from our first couple years is that we’ve sent
first couple years is that we’ve sent
first couple years is that we’ve sent more than 80 people out on the Pacific
more than 80 people out on the Pacific
more than 80 people out on the Pacific Crest Trail to collect data on
Crest Trail to collect data on
Crest Trail to collect data on an indicator species for climate change
an indicator species for climate change
an indicator species for climate change once they enter that data into a website
once they enter that data into a website
once they enter that data into a website it shows up on our website and populates
it shows up on our website and populates
it shows up on our website and populates this field you can see research-grade
this field you can see research-grade
this field you can see research-grade over there now that research grade means
over there now that research grade means
over there now that research grade means that it’s been independently verified by
that it’s been independently verified by
that it’s been independently verified by a separate scientist they’ve looked at
a separate scientist they’ve looked at
a separate scientist they’ve looked at the photo they’ve looked at the location
the photo they’ve looked at the location
the photo they’ve looked at the location they’ve confirmed it’s a pyka and now
they’ve confirmed it’s a pyka and now
they’ve confirmed it’s a pyka and now that will stand up to peer review
that will stand up to peer review
that will stand up to peer review another highlight ice worms we’ve
another highlight ice worms we’ve
another highlight ice worms we’ve collected ice worms from glaciers all
collected ice worms from glaciers all
collected ice worms from glaciers all throughout Alaska the Pacific Northwest
throughout Alaska the Pacific Northwest
throughout Alaska the Pacific Northwest these things are super cool I’ve got a
these things are super cool I’ve got a
these things are super cool I’ve got a little video to share we’ve had a great
little video to share we’ve had a great
little video to share we’ve had a great time we had a fantastic trip and it’s
time we had a fantastic trip and it’s
time we had a fantastic trip and it’s just kind of fun to be able to put some
just kind of fun to be able to put some
just kind of fun to be able to put some science in the mix and and get some of
science in the mix and and get some of
science in the mix and and get some of these ice wines collected for us for
these ice wines collected for us for
these ice wines collected for us for some studies so you should be able to
some studies so you should be able to
some studies so you should be able to see them right in the bottom there yeah
see them right in the bottom there yeah
see them right in the bottom there yeah we got him so one of our favorite
we got him so one of our favorite
we got him so one of our favorite expeditions and one of the things I’m
expeditions and one of the things I’m
expeditions and one of the things I’m most proud of is really early on Willy
most proud of is really early on Willy
most proud of is really early on Willy and Damien banegas from the north face
and Damien banegas from the north face
and Damien banegas from the north face climbing team we’re able to go out and
climbing team we’re able to go out and
climbing team we’re able to go out and collect the highest known plant life on
collect the highest known plant life on
collect the highest known plant life on Earth up at 22,000 feet on Mount Everest
Earth up at 22,000 feet on Mount Everest
Earth up at 22,000 feet on Mount Everest the shattered the previous record it was
the shattered the previous record it was
the shattered the previous record it was around 17,500 feet before this and as
around 17,500 feet before this and as
around 17,500 feet before this and as Damian here is collecting this plant
Damian here is collecting this plant
Damian here is collecting this plant life up at a little tiny granite slab
life up at a little tiny granite slab
life up at a little tiny granite slab just above camp two on Everest you can
just above camp two on Everest you can
just above camp two on Everest you can see he’s really digging for it you can
see he’s really digging for it you can
see he’s really digging for it you can hear him wheezing in the background but
hear him wheezing in the background but
hear him wheezing in the background but this moss that he pulled out of the
this moss that he pulled out of the
this moss that he pulled out of the rocks we knew was there from a previous
rocks we knew was there from a previous
rocks we knew was there from a previous expedition to the area but we had never
expedition to the area but we had never
expedition to the area but we had never had a sample of it so pretty amazing
had a sample of it so pretty amazing
had a sample of it so pretty amazing opportunity for us to be able to send
opportunity for us to be able to send
opportunity for us to be able to send him out there pick up these samples it
him out there pick up these samples it
him out there pick up these samples it wasn’t that Moss itself that we were so
wasn’t that Moss itself that we were so
wasn’t that Moss itself that we were so concerned with and so excited by or
concerned with and so excited by or
concerned with and so excited by or rather rusty Rodriguez was so excited by
rather rusty Rodriguez was so excited by
rather rusty Rodriguez was so excited by but rather a fungus that grows
but rather a fungus that grows
but rather a fungus that grows symbiotically with that moss now that
symbiotically with that moss now that
symbiotically with that moss now that fungus has been found in places like the
fungus has been found in places like the
fungus has been found in places like the Yellowstone thermals it’s been found in
Yellowstone thermals it’s been found in
Yellowstone thermals it’s been found in desert conditions it’s been found in
desert conditions it’s been found in
desert conditions it’s been found in other frost rich conditions and our hope
other frost rich conditions and our hope
other frost rich conditions and our hope is that we can grow this ma
is that we can grow this ma
is that we can grow this ma symbiotically with agricultural
symbiotically with agricultural
symbiotically with agricultural materials and not need to rely on GMO
materials and not need to rely on GMO
materials and not need to rely on GMO foods so a pretty exciting opportunity
foods so a pretty exciting opportunity
foods so a pretty exciting opportunity with that one all around the world as
with that one all around the world as
with that one all around the world as you look across all the continents more
you look across all the continents more
you look across all the continents more than 1,200 athletes have gone out
than 1,200 athletes have gone out
than 1,200 athletes have gone out collecting data for more than a
collecting data for more than a
collecting data for more than a 20 different science projects at this
20 different science projects at this
20 different science projects at this point and we’ve saved the conservation
point and we’ve saved the conservation
point and we’ve saved the conservation and research communities millions of
and research communities millions of
and research communities millions of dollars by doing that some other quick
dollars by doing that some other quick
dollars by doing that some other quick highlights we did discover for new
highlights we did discover for new
highlights we did discover for new species of diatoms this year we’ve had
species of diatoms this year we’ve had
species of diatoms this year we’ve had microbes collected up at 23,000 feet
microbes collected up at 23,000 feet
microbes collected up at 23,000 feet scat samples from coyotes we’re looking
scat samples from coyotes we’re looking
scat samples from coyotes we’re looking at hybridization between wolves and
at hybridization between wolves and
at hybridization between wolves and coyotes there’s really no limit to what
coyotes there’s really no limit to what
coyotes there’s really no limit to what these studies in these expeditions can
these studies in these expeditions can
these studies in these expeditions can achieve out there so I also get to take
achieve out there so I also get to take
achieve out there so I also get to take these journeys in addition to just
these journeys in addition to just
these journeys in addition to just sending everybody else out on them I was
sending everybody else out on them I was
sending everybody else out on them I was a grantee this year from the National
a grantee this year from the National
a grantee this year from the National Geographic expeditions Council thank you
Geographic expeditions Council thank you
Geographic expeditions Council thank you guys so much again I got to go to the
guys so much again I got to go to the
guys so much again I got to go to the northernmost part of Mongolia to the
northernmost part of Mongolia to the
northernmost part of Mongolia to the region called the DAR HOD right next to
region called the DAR HOD right next to
region called the DAR HOD right next to Lake off school and our goal was really
Lake off school and our goal was really
Lake off school and our goal was really to find signs of these guys Wolverines
to find signs of these guys Wolverines
to find signs of these guys Wolverines we have Wolverines in North America but
we have Wolverines in North America but
we have Wolverines in North America but we didn’t know anything about this
we didn’t know anything about this
we didn’t know anything about this population up in Mongolia and we’re
population up in Mongolia and we’re
population up in Mongolia and we’re looking for the signs of these things
looking for the signs of these things
looking for the signs of these things when we go out it’s pretty unlikely that
when we go out it’s pretty unlikely that
when we go out it’s pretty unlikely that you’re going to go and just find
you’re going to go and just find
you’re going to go and just find Wolverine so we look for the tracks and
Wolverine so we look for the tracks and
Wolverine so we look for the tracks and we collect scats for DNA evidence as we
we collect scats for DNA evidence as we
we collect scats for DNA evidence as we go so we expected to find one maybe two
go so we expected to find one maybe two
go so we expected to find one maybe two sets of tracks as we were out there and
sets of tracks as we were out there and
sets of tracks as we were out there and on the very first day an hour into our
on the very first day an hour into our
on the very first day an hour into our expedition we found our first Wolverine
expedition we found our first Wolverine
expedition we found our first Wolverine track well then we found Wolverine
track well then we found Wolverine
track well then we found Wolverine tracks every single day from then until
tracks every single day from then until
tracks every single day from then until the end of the expedition we skied for
the end of the expedition we skied for
the end of the expedition we skied for 23 days 230 miles or so picks up 27 sets
23 days 230 miles or so picks up 27 sets
23 days 230 miles or so picks up 27 sets of tracks collected 33 scat samples
of tracks collected 33 scat samples
of tracks collected 33 scat samples which all go now to the local director
which all go now to the local director
which all go now to the local director of the conservation area tumor siq who
of the conservation area tumor siq who
of the conservation area tumor siq who takes that information and is able to
takes that information and is able to
takes that information and is able to take his army of 32 guards and manage
take his army of 32 guards and manage
take his army of 32 guards and manage that area in a far better way so if
that area in a far better way so if
that area in a far better way so if we’re super excited about that it was a
we’re super excited about that it was a
we’re super excited about that it was a huge accomplishment who knows what this
huge accomplishment who knows what this
huge accomplishment who knows what this is shout it out if you know it that’s
is shout it out if you know it that’s
is shout it out if you know it that’s right I heard it once or twice so this
right I heard it once or twice so this
right I heard it once or twice so this is an area where snow leopards were
is an area where snow leopards were
is an area where snow leopards were listed by the iucn as probably extent so
listed by the iucn as probably extent so
listed by the iucn as probably extent so there was no confirmation that they were
there was no confirmation that they were
there was no confirmation that they were there and that’s actually right at the
there and that’s actually right at the
there and that’s actually right at the edge of that area where they were not
edge of that area where they were not
edge of that area where they were not supposed to be and where they are so we
supposed to be and where they are so we
supposed to be and where they are so we were needless to say pretty elated when
were needless to say pretty elated when
were needless to say pretty elated when we found this set of snow leopard tracks
we found this set of snow leopard tracks
we found this set of snow leopard tracks jumping up and down
jumping up and down
jumping up and down driving each other right there in the
driving each other right there in the
driving each other right there in the field it was a pretty amazing moment for
field it was a pretty amazing moment for
field it was a pretty amazing moment for us and for our expedition to
us and for our expedition to
us and for our expedition to successfully find these we were more
successfully find these we were more
successfully find these we were more than elated so I mentioned there’s two
than elated so I mentioned there’s two
than elated so I mentioned there’s two sides of the organization I do want to
sides of the organization I do want to
sides of the organization I do want to talk a little bit about our guided
talk a little bit about our guided
talk a little bit about our guided outings as well so I really like the
outings as well so I really like the
outings as well so I really like the idea of engaging everybody so an outdoor
idea of engaging everybody so an outdoor
idea of engaging everybody so an outdoor enthusiast doesn’t need to be climbing
enthusiast doesn’t need to be climbing
enthusiast doesn’t need to be climbing Everest they can be somebody who just
Everest they can be somebody who just
Everest they can be somebody who just loves the outdoors and so along those
loves the outdoors and so along those
loves the outdoors and so along those lines we work with students we take
lines we work with students we take
lines we work with students we take military veterans out we take agencies
military veterans out we take agencies
military veterans out we take agencies nonprofits businesses universities
nonprofits businesses universities
nonprofits businesses universities community groups whoever is interested
community groups whoever is interested
community groups whoever is interested in joining us in the field we’ve got
in joining us in the field we’ve got
in joining us in the field we’ve got projects that we can work with them
projects that we can work with them
projects that we can work with them students it’s one that is really dear to
students it’s one that is really dear to
students it’s one that is really dear to my heart working in wilderness therapy
my heart working in wilderness therapy
my heart working in wilderness therapy for so long I love working with kids
for so long I love working with kids
for so long I love working with kids this past year we were able to take a
this past year we were able to take a
this past year we were able to take a group of seventh graders from West
group of seventh graders from West
group of seventh graders from West Oakland middle school up above Lake
Oakland middle school up above Lake
Oakland middle school up above Lake Tahoe to the desolation wilderness where
Tahoe to the desolation wilderness where
Tahoe to the desolation wilderness where they collected the first known evidence
they collected the first known evidence
they collected the first known evidence of pyka an indicator species for climate
of pyka an indicator species for climate
of pyka an indicator species for climate change and smallest member of the rabbit
change and smallest member of the rabbit
change and smallest member of the rabbit family up in this wilderness area it was
family up in this wilderness area it was
family up in this wilderness area it was an amazing expedition so in addition to
an amazing expedition so in addition to
an amazing expedition so in addition to that five days that they got to come out
that five days that they got to come out
that five days that they got to come out backpacking with us they also got to be
backpacking with us they also got to be
backpacking with us they also got to be scientists for the day we had Joseph
scientists for the day we had Joseph
scientists for the day we had Joseph Stewart from University of nevada-reno
Stewart from University of nevada-reno
Stewart from University of nevada-reno come out and join us as well so they got
come out and join us as well so they got
come out and join us as well so they got to interact directly with the scientist
to interact directly with the scientist
to interact directly with the scientist to in the olympic national forest we set
to in the olympic national forest we set
to in the olympic national forest we set up a group of wildlife cams this is a
up a group of wildlife cams this is a
up a group of wildlife cams this is a bobcat here and he’s picking out a
bobcat here and he’s picking out a
bobcat here and he’s picking out a beaver carcass that the FWP had
beaver carcass that the FWP had
beaver carcass that the FWP had eliminated this guy was pretty
eliminated this guy was pretty
eliminated this guy was pretty persistent he spent ten hours picking at
persistent he spent ten hours picking at
persistent he spent ten hours picking at this carcass ten hours straight and this
this carcass ten hours straight and this
this carcass ten hours straight and this was the day before we came and rechecked
was the day before we came and rechecked
was the day before we came and rechecked the camera so we were able to rebate it
the camera so we were able to rebate it
the camera so we were able to rebate it the next day we see really cool things
the next day we see really cool things
the next day we see really cool things when we do these projects like mountain
when we do these projects like mountain
when we do these projects like mountain lions I mentioned this was in the
lions I mentioned this was in the
lions I mentioned this was in the olympic national forest we were up there
olympic national forest we were up there
olympic national forest we were up there basically the way it worked is people
basically the way it worked is people
basically the way it worked is people come out and they become responsible for
come out and they become responsible for
come out and they become responsible for these drainages they become responsible
these drainages they become responsible
these drainages they become responsible for an entire period of time so there’s
for an entire period of time so there’s
for an entire period of time so there’s continued engagement they keep coming
continued engagement they keep coming
continued engagement they keep coming back time and time again so they
back time and time again so they
back time and time again so they essentially learn how to set up the
essentially learn how to set up the
essentially learn how to set up the cameras they learn how to bait him they
cameras they learn how to bait him they
cameras they learn how to bait him they learn how to change the batteries and
learn how to change the batteries and
learn how to change the batteries and then they’ll spend the next four months
then they’ll spend the next four months
then they’ll spend the next four months going out and checking these learning
going out and checking these learning
going out and checking these learning how to track along the way so it was for
how to track along the way so it was for
how to track along the way so it was for pine marten was our primary species of
pine marten was our primary species of
pine marten was our primary species of interest here but in 2001 the Forest
interest here but in 2001 the Forest
interest here but in 2001 the Forest Service had reintroduced Fisher into
Service had reintroduced Fisher into
Service had reintroduced Fisher into that area and had since lost track of
that area and had since lost track of
that area and had since lost track of the Fisher because batteries died on GPS
the Fisher because batteries died on GPS
the Fisher because batteries died on GPS collars and they weren’t sure how the
collars and they weren’t sure how the
collars and they weren’t sure how the population was doing well we were again
population was doing well we were again
population was doing well we were again elated to be able to find these photos
elated to be able to find these photos
elated to be able to find these photos to be able to prove that fish are still
to be able to prove that fish are still
to be able to prove that fish are still utilizing this area an outer fringes of
utilizing this area an outer fringes of
utilizing this area an outer fringes of that ecosystem another tremendous
that ecosystem another tremendous
that ecosystem another tremendous success for us so as you go all around
success for us so as you go all around
success for us so as you go all around the world it’s the people like you it’s
the world it’s the people like you it’s
the world it’s the people like you it’s the people who love the outdoors it’s
the people who love the outdoors it’s
the people who love the outdoors it’s the people who care about the places
the people who care about the places
the people who care about the places they play that have come to us and asked
they play that have come to us and asked
they play that have come to us and asked us to help them make a difference
us to help them make a difference
us to help them make a difference there’s all kinds of different folks and
there’s all kinds of different folks and
there’s all kinds of different folks and I really want to reiterate that you can
I really want to reiterate that you can
I really want to reiterate that you can all get involved I hope you will all get
all get involved I hope you will all get
all get involved I hope you will all get involved you can help support our
involved you can help support our
involved you can help support our programs and I hope you come and visit
programs and I hope you come and visit
programs and I hope you come and visit our website check us out thanks
”
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