Ahi Va

Senate Bill 5 [SB5], The Wildlife Heritage Act recently passed the NM State Legislature and was signed into law. SB5 provides a wholistic approach to updating the systems in place for wildlife management in New Mexico. This bill was supported by one of the largest and most diverse conservation coalitions ever to be assembled in the state. Each organization who worked tirelessly to help this necessary bill become law approached the goal from a unique perspective. The values, priorities and mission statements represented by the more than twenty groups who formed this united team are often quite different. One core belief shared universally by the coalition is that future generations of New Mexicans deserve to enjoy robust wildlife populations in the fourth most biodiverse state in the Nation. United by this truth, conservation leaders across New Mexico agreed to push our differences aside and focus on this common goal. The result was success. Jesse Deubel joins Judy Calman of Audubon Southwest, Matthew Monjaras of Impact Outdoors and John Rutter of The New Mexico Houndsmen Association in this discussion about the monumental improvements provided through SB5. While each of these organizations were motivated by different reasons, all supported SB5 and all were instrumental in the bill's success. In his book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," author Stephen Covey writes "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." By heeding that advice, a large conglomeration of interest groups in New Mexico has effectively transformed the future of wildlife management in the Land of Enchantment. This is a win for all people and a win for all wildlife. Enjoy the listen! For more info: NMWF Website

Hunting is conservation. That phrase was popularized by David Allen while he was the CEO at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. David is a marketing genius. That phrase went viral and hunters continue to use it at every opportunity. There is a lot of truth to those words. For about the last 100 years hunters have been the primary source of conservation funding. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is an enterprise agency. The roughly $50 million dollars per year they operate with is not provided by tax dollars or other general fund appropriations. Instead, their budget is a result of dollars spent on hunting and fishing licenses and federally matched dollars generated by an excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and some other fishing and hunting gear. This model has worked historically, but it's not sustainable into the future. Conservation funding must be broadened. The Public Trust Doctrine makes clear that wildlife exists in trust and shall be managed for the benefit of all the residents of the state. Because wildlife belongs equally to all the residents, all the residents should contribute to the financial investment needed to effectively manage that wildlife. Through a variety of strategies, New Mexico's conservation funding is both increasing and becoming more diverse. It's more critical than ever that hunters welcome to the table those co-owners of our wildlife who choose not to hunt. This is happening in a huge way in New Mexico. In this episode, Jesse Deubel facilitates a conversation with members of the New Mexico Conservation Coalition to discuss how they are working together to reform the NM State Game Commission, and support our state wildlife agency by ensuring they have the tools, authority and funding necessary to carry out their mission. By working together we can sustain our hunting and fishing traditions. Enjoy the listen! For more info: NMWF Website

URGENT: The very existence of public lands in the United States of America is under the greatest threat conceivable. What would the loss of public lands mean for you, your family and the activities you enjoy? What if the road leading to your favorite trailhead or camping spot was gated and locked? What if you were blocked from your favorite hiking or fishing spot by "PRIVATE-NO TRESPASSING" signs. Whether you enjoy visiting National Parks, wildlife refuges, lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management or the United States Forest Service, all of these places are currently at risk of becoming private property. The elimination of federally managed public lands in the United States would have drastic and far-reaching consequences for the quality of life for all Americans. If you hunt and fish on public land you should be hyper aware of the current efforts spawned by the state of Utah. If you make a living grazing cattle on public lands the ramifications of Utah succeeding in this heist will severely impact your livelihood. In this very important conversation, Aaron Kindle, Director of Sporting Advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation sits down with Jesse Deubel to discuss the latest updates in the case, how we got here and what you can do to get involved. If you love public lands and all the opportunities they provide this is not an episode you will necessarily enjoy listening to. This one isn't for entertainment. Please listen to this emergency 45 minute episode to become informed so you can join the fight. In this episode Aaron Kindle refers to this issue as "the fight of our life." HELP NOW! HALT THE HEIST! CLICK HERE!

Anyone who has driven through New Mexico recently has seen the large installations of wind turbines popping up across the landscape. If you've been next to a semi-truck carrying a single blade for use on one of those turbines you can appreciate the massive size of these windmills. These modern structures are drastically different from the old, rickety, wooden stands that might stretch 40' into the air and support a metal bladed pinwheel designed to pump water from the ground. These modern, power-producing, engineering marvels have caused concern for wildlife enthusiasts since their introduction. Pattern Energy is one of the largest developers, owners, and operators of high-quality wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage projects in all of North America. During this episode of the Ahi Va podcast Jesse Deubel sits down with Adam Cernea Clark who's the Director of Permitting & Policy Strategy, as well as Quentin Hays who is a Senior Wildlife Ecologist and the Wildlife and Renewables Program Director for GeoSystems Analysis, Inc. The trio does a deep dive into how Pattern Energy continues to address the concerns of wildlife advocates in New Mexico as they work to power our future. The conversation drifts from the dangers of lead ammunition to the importance of wildlife crossings to reduce wildlife/vehicle collisions. There is plenty of discussion about bats and the agave plants they pollinate. This episode is full of valuable information and it just might change the way you look at wind turbines? Enjoy the listen!

Mandela Leola van Eeden sits down with Jesse Deubel to discuss "The Trail Less Traveled" and a wide array of global conservation topics. "The Trail Less Traveled," hosted by Mandela, is dedicated to documenting humanity & planet earth by gathering stories & sounds from the most remote locations around the world. Growing up, Mandela spent a season in South Africa, a season in Montana & various seasons traveling the world with her flight attendant mother & vagabond father. At an early age Mandela fell in love with juxtapositions between cultures, music, food & weather of the northern & southern hemispheres. Mandela was raised on a nature reserve at the most southern point of South Africa. Growing up in the bush cultivated a passion for wildlife conservation & human rights which is a consistent theme in her broadcasts & outreach programs. For the past decade Mandela has worked on a series focused on the genocide of African elephants & rhinos, the slaughter of protected species of sharks in Australia, the use of 1080 by the New Zealand government to control invasive predators & heritage theft/illegal wildlife trade across Asia.Mandela's captivating stories thrill and engage audiences by taking them to places they would never go, sharing the stories of people they could never meet & learning about our mysterious, sometimes dangerous, world filled with wildness, diverse cultures, hardship, courage & alternative ways of living and surviving. Enjoy the listen! For more info: Trail Less Traveled WebsiteTrail Less Traveled PodcastGame Rangers InternationalNew Mexico Wildlife Federation

On this special episode, Jesse Deubel talks with Brandon Butler about all things conservation including Brandon's newest film, "SHIRAS: A Nonresident Montana Moose Hunt."Brandon Butler is a syndicated outdoor newspaper columnist and freelance magazine writer. His column, Driftwood Outdoors, has appeared in over 50 different newspapers and magazines, and currently runs in over 30 publications. He has won many awards for his outdoor communication work.Butler has established himself as a conservation and outdoor media leader of his generation. He is currently the chief executive officer of Retrieving Freedom, Inc. Retrieving Freedom, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization passionately committed to enhancing the lives of Veterans and children with autism through their specialized Service Dog training program. Brandon also spent five years as the executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. He created and taught Conservation Communications at the University of Missouri.Butler is actively involved in conservation organizations. He is a life member of CFM, NRA, Boone & Crockett Club, Trout Unlimited, Fly Fishers International and Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation. He holds a B.S. in Organizational Leadership from Purdue University, a M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and is currently completing an Executive M.B.A. at the University of Missouri.Jesse and Brandon talk about the new film and the ongoing challenge of separating politics from conservation. Brandon also provides a very exciting sneak peak into his next project, "In District Outdoors." Enjoy the listen! Watch SHIRAS: A Nonresident Montana Moose Hunt HERE!For more info:Driftwood OutdoorsDriftwood Outdoors FacebookDriftwood Outdoors InstagramNMWF

The Arizona State Game Commission recently passed a rule to eliminate the practice of auctioning off select tags for big game species as a tool to raise money for conservation. Many people are concerned the reduction in conservation dollars will have a negative impact on wildlife in the state. Some advocates commend the commission in Arizona for their ongoing commitment to adhering to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and respecting wildlife as a public trust resource. In this episode, Jesse Deubel talks with Michael Cravens of the Arizona Wildlife Federation to discuss the nuances surrounding this recent rule change. They also talk about ongoing efforts in the Arizona state legislature to take public lands from public hands. Jesse and Michael compare and contrast the conservation issues in their respective, neighboring states. This is a great conversation between two friends and colleagues who work tirelessly to overcome the challenges that threaten the future of hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation on public lands. Enjoy the listen! For more info:Arizona Wildlife FederationNMWF