Shepherds of the Wild Podcast

In the final chapter of this 3-episode series, filmmaker Tom Opre talks to Allan about putting it all together, all the lessons of his life and research, and where this planet is headed. They talk about Allan's memoir, his life's work, and the big thing that everyone, from scientists to world leaders, keeps missing.

In this episode of the Shepherds of the Wild Podcast, Tom goes in-depth with Roland Norton of Makasa Safaris. As documented in Tom's film "Killing the Shepherd", over a decade ago, at the behest of the area's chieftainess, Roland and Makasa Safaris moved into the lower Luano Valley in Zambia to help restore wildlife numbers. After a decade spent fighting poaching, and engaged in community projects, the people of the lower Luano, and the wildlife are starting to rebound in a big way. But a few vital, endemic species have not returned. So the next step is Project Return of the Wild. Tom and Roland discuss the problems, the solutions, and the best way to get involved.

In this episode of Shepherds of the Wild, filmmaker Tom Opre sits down with Garrett Budds, Chief Conservation Officer of American Prairie, for a direct and wide-ranging conversation about one of the most ambitious conservation projects in North America. Budds explains American Prairie's vision to assemble a large, functioning prairie ecosystem in north-central Montana and addresses hard questions around land acquisition, grazing allotments, bison reintroduction, predator expansion, water rights, public access, and hunting. This episode explores what "rewilding" really means on the ground—and how conservation, agriculture, wildlife management, and rural communities collide in the modern American West.

In this episode of Shepherds of the Wild, filmmaker Tom Opre sits down with Montana rancher and outfitter Matt Wickens to talk about the hard truths facing rural America. From razor-thin ranching margins to the rise of the American Prairie Reserve and the loss of working lands, Wickens lays bare the challenges of keeping family operations alive in a changing landscape. The two discuss the economics of local beef, the value of outfitting to small towns like Winifred, and what "rewilding" really means for those who live on the land.

Filmmaker Tom Opre sits down with rancher and co-owner Eric Wickens to talk straight about running cattle in today's West—land stewardship, herd health, tight markets, and the constant push-pull between policy and common sense. Eric lays out what it takes to keep a family operation alive while improving grass, water, and wildlife habitat for the long haul.

In this episode, filmmaker Tom Opre talks with Donna McDonald, a rancher and outfitter who holds the distinction of being the first licensed female outfitter in the state of Montana. They discuss the brutal weather at 6000 feet of elevation, and what it takes to survive and thrive in the modern world of the outfitter and rancher.

In this episode, Filmmaker Tom Opre has a candid conversation with Matt Skoglund. Matt, a former environmental Policy lawyer from Chicago, moved his family from the big city to Montana to chase a dream, and started North Bridger Bison. Tom and Matt discuss regenerative ranching, biodiversity, and the disconnect between urban consumers and their food sources.

In this wide-ranging interview, Tom Opre engages Bill Hilf in a candid and often challenging discussion about American Prairie's mission, strategies, and impacts on the rural communities and ecosystems of the American West. Hilf articulates the organization's vision to build a massive, continuous nature reserve in Montana, modeled on African-style wildlife preserves. He emphasizes goals around biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and public land access. Tom presses on contentious issues, including accusations of private land buyouts, impacts on generational ranching families, and concerns over non-local governance and funding. Hilf responds with measured clarity, acknowledging past mistakes while advocating for coexistence and scientific land management. The interview highlights the ideological and cultural fault lines between conservation-driven rewilding efforts and traditional land stewardship rooted in ranching heritage. Hilf speaks to American Prairie's future plans, including predator reintroduction and grassland restoration, while Tom underscores the human consequences of such sweeping ecological change.

Filmmaker Tom Opre sits down with well-known retired gamekeeper Peter Fraser to discuss the issues facing keepers and their families in the Highlands of Scotland.

Filmmaker Tom Opre follows up with his initial interview with John Muir Trust CEO David Balharry. Hold on as the conversation gets interesting.

Filmmaker Tom Opre sits down with noted author and ecologist Dr. James Fenton to discuss the ecology and history of the land in Scotland.

Filmmaker Tom Opre talk to Scotland: The Big Picture executive director Peter Cairns about rewilding concepts, sporting estates, the rewilding economy, and how various stakeholders can find common ground.

Listen to filmmaker Tom Opre and photographer Tony Bynum discuss land use issues and deer management with headkeeper at Fearann Eilean larmain Estate on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.