On today’s Wild For Change podcast, we speak with Nicole Schmitt, Executive Director of the Alaska Wildlife Alliance.
Alaska Wildlife Alliance was founded in 1978 to be a voice for Alaska’s wildlife, which includes marine mammals and endangered species. The mission of Alaska Wildlife Alliance (AWA) is to safeguard wildlife biodiversity knowing the wildlife have not only an intrinsic value to ecosystems but to the Alaskan people as well.
In recent years, AWA has expanded its reach and partners with other environmental organizations to litigate over exploiting public lands and waters in Alaska by extraction industries.
In this episode, we discover;
- How Nicole got her start with AWA and how her work to support wildlife, is best served by forging relationships with people and helping people restore their relationship with nature.
- The types of wildlife and their habitats that AWA works to protect.
- How AWA looks at best serving the entire ecosystem as a whole.
- What the “No Voice” model means for supporting wildlife, habitats, and future generations and how integrating this model can open up our perspective and compassion for the wildlife.
- What is the Alaska’s Board of Game does and what is AWA’s role in promoting fair representation for the wildlife.
- How ecosystems, wildlife, and people are being affected by climate change in Alaska and how AWA is creating climate change adaption plans for wildlife.
- Why the Cook Inlet beluga whales are experiencing a massive population decline and how AWA is helping to support this special population of beluga whales.
- The importance of beavers in the Alaskan ecosystem but with their population decline, how the ecosystem is being affected negatively.
- How AWA support’s wildlife by encouraging public participation and how much positive impact this has on nature and wildlife.
- The two big wins for the Kenai brown bears and other wildlife that just happened recently and how AWA worked to advance protections for the wildlife in this area.
- How you can get involved in supporting AWA’s work even if you do not live in the area.
Website: http://www.wildforchange.com
Twitter: @WildForChange
Facebook: /wildforchange
Instagram: wildforchange
