District of Conservation
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© Gabriella Hoffman
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District of Conservation is a podcast highlighting the incredible conservationists who thrive and survive deep in or around "The Swamp." These are the policymakers, storytellers, trailblazers, and hardworking folks who go unnoticed but shape this region—whether they live or work here. In addition to guests, the podcast will also cover difficult and even controversial conservation public policy matters and news.
547 Episodes
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In Episode 547 of District of Conservation, Gabriella interviews Aurelia S. Giacometto - the 17th U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director during the first Trump administration. Presently, Aurelia is a partner at the Washington, D.C.-based Earth & Water Law.Prior to joining Earth & Law, she served as secretary of Louisiana's Department of Environmental Quality and held various positions in the private sector. Tune in to learn more about Aurelia and her 20+ year career in energy, conservation, and agriculture. SHOW NOTESE&W Law: Aurelia S. Giacometto BiographySteamboat InstituteRamaco Compliments Aurelia S. Giacometto on Joining E&W LawUSFWS Director Page
In Episode 546 of District of Conservation, Gabriella went to USDA HQ in Washington D.C., to interview Aubrey Bettencourt- the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief. Aubrey is a third-generation California farmer, sportswoman, and passionate conservationist. Chief Bettencourt discusses her background, USDA's priorities, what the NRCS does, changes to the food pyramid, how agriculture isn't at odds with conservation, how Secretary Brooke Rollins is making her department more functional and efficient, the value of hobby farms and agribusinesses, if USDA needs a Farm Bill to survive going forward, and more. SHOW NOTESUSDANRCS: Chief Aubrey J.D. BettencourtNRCS WebsiteKennedy, Rollins Unveil Historic Reset of U.S. Nutrition Policy, Put Real Food Back at Center of Health
In Episode 545 of District of Conservation, Gabriella recaps her trip to Arizona and discusses the impact of US-Israel strikes on Iran and domestic energy prices. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESUniversity of Arizona PicturesA Grand Arizona Time Out WestRefill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve now, before it’s too lateStrategic Petroleum ReserveUnder Biden, U.S. oil reserves to drop by 40 percentBiden sold off nearly half the U.S. oil reserve. Is it ready for a crisis?Starmer’s answer to Iran energy shock: Go green fasterAmerica’s Natural-Gas Bounty Is Cushioning U.S. Markets From Global Shocks
In Episode 544 of District of Conservation, Gabriella welcomes Maria Davidson, Safari Club International Foundation's Conservation Program Manager, onto the program to talk about all things bears, large carnivores, and more from SCI 2026 Convention. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESSCI FoundationSCI Foundation ProgramsLearn more about Maria DavidsonBear Conservation Strategy Includes Reducing Bear Conflicts
In Episode 543 of District of Conservation, Gabriella catches up with Kenia Link from International Order of T. Roosevelt at the 2026 Safari Club International Convention in Nashville, TN. Tune in to learn what IOTR is up to this year, their 10 target states for right to hunt and fish amendments, how to get more young people in support of hunting and fishing, SCI membership, and much more. SHOW NOTESJoin Safari Club InternationalInternational Order of T. RooseveltAttend IOTR SummitRight to Hunt and Fish AmendmentsListen to Hunt. Fish. Freedom. Podcast
In Episode 542 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses two trending news stories: the repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding and the Trump administration stepping in to resolve the Potomac River sewage crisis that began on January 19th, 2026. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESTrump Administration to Repeal Endangerment Finding and Advance Historic DeregulationPresident Trump Delivers Biggest Regulatory Relief in HistoryRyan Maue on Endangerment Finding Being AdministrativeWhat is the Potomac Interceptor?Poo-thetic: Networks Refuse to Cover Largest Sewage Spill in U.S. HistoryKatie Pavlich News Nation Coverage of Potomac Sewage DisasterTrump directs federal authorities to protect PotomacDC Water CEO writes open letter on Potomac sewage spillGovernment agencies less likely than private firms to comply with environmental regulations
In Episode 541 of District of Conservation, Gabriella welcomes Fred Bird - Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation's Eastern States manager. Fred discusses his role with the organization, New Hampshire right to hunt and fish moving through the legislature, rigs to reef, MAP Waters Act, EXPLORE Act, and how the outdoors still brings Americans together. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESConnect with Fred and on InstagramCongressional Sportsmen's FoundationNH CACR15: Right to Hunt and Fish AmendmentGranite Staters’ Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity: Get Right to Hunt and Fish to the BallotState Constitutional Right to Hunt and FishNew Hampshire - R3 MandatesSteel to Sanctuary Rigs to Reef: A Conservation Program Environmentalists Shouldn't Oppose
In Episode 540 of District of Conservation, Gabriella welcomes back Charles Whitwam, cofounder of HOWL for Wildlife, to the show. Charles discusses HOWL's 2026 priorities, the impact of their new documentary Killing Catalina, and federal and states policies they're watching. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESWatch Killing Catalina on YouTubeSupport HOWL for WildlifeSupport Origins Foundation
In Episode 539 of District of Conservation, Gabriella welcomes ClimateDepot editor Marc Morano to recap his trip to the recent World Economic Forum conference in Davos, Switzerland. The mood was different this year, as climate alarmism takes a backseat at the annual confab. The Trump administration took center stage at the event, and climate activists like Al Gore were afterthoughts. Tune in to learn more.SHOW NOTESClimate DepotCFACTFollow Marc on XRead Marc's Reports from DavosTrump Withdraws from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
In Episode 538 of District of Conservation, Gabriella welcomes back Cam Edwards, editor of Bearing Arms, to discuss Virginia Democrats targeting gun owners and hunters with a slew of bad legislation in Richmond. Cam discusses the bills already heard in the General Assembly, what bills could be introduced, if a Second Amendment Sanctuary movement will return to Virginia, if lawsuits will stop bad legislation from going into effect, and how to get involved to protect gun rights and more in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Tune in!SHOW NOTESConnect with Cam on Twitter/XBearing ArmsTrack all gun control legislation hereCNU Wason Center Poll on Gun Rights
In Episode 537 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses how renewables have gone dark in many of the areas impacted by Winter Storm Fern, how state policymaking invites unstable grids, the need for new pipelines in the Northeast, and why energy abundance policies will catch on in the states. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESPresident Trump Endorses Consumer Regulated Electricity (CRE)Javier Blas Tweet on Five ISOs/RTOSISO New England Realtime StatusCoal Power in Winter Storm FernLiz Bowman PipelinesISO New England: Electrocute EverythingNYISOPJMERCOTElectricity Maps
In Episode 536 of District of Conservation, Gabriella interviews Lucy Biggers, head of social media at The Free Press. Lucy has used social media to discuss her journey from AOC supporter, NowThis contributor, and climate alarmist to realist. Lucy discusses her day-to-day at The Free Press, her evolution, debunking climate talking points, how society treats climate skepticism as heresy, why the world is souring on net-zero climate politics, why environmentalism isn't at odds with human progress, how to fight climate anxiety, and much more. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESRead and follow The Free PressFollow Lucy on Instagram and Twitter/XI Helped Make Standing Rock Go Viral. Now I Regret It.I Helped AOC Win. I Understand the Fantasy Zohran Is Selling.Bill Gates Has Finally Admitted That Climate Doomerism Is a Mistake
In Episode 535 of District of Conservation, Gabriella has a roundup of the biggest energy and conservation news stories of the week: Interior Secretarial Order 3447, President Trump endorsing consumer regulated electricity, and today's meeting between the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESSO 3447 - Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, Removing Unnecessary Barriers, and Ensuring Consistency Across the Department of the Interior Lands and WatersIG Reel on SO 3447Trump Truth Post on AI Data Centers and ElectricityPresident Trump Endorses Consumer Regulated Electricity (CRE)EP 525: Consumer-Regulated Electricity (ft. Travis Fisher of Cato Institute)Advocates for Consumer Regulated ElectricityFree Markets for ElectricityCotton Introduces Bill to Lower Energy Costs for ArkansansEP 526: The Greenland Mystique (ft. Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan)Don't Dismiss President-Elect Trump's Greenland MovesDenmark seeks 'common way forward' on Greenland after meeting with Trump officials
In Episode 534 of District of Conservation, Gabriella interviews Stephanie Hickey - a longtime communications professional in the outdoor industry. Stephanie was recently promoted to executive director of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA). She shares her background, vision for POMA going forward, the importance of outdoor storytelling, the value of POMA membership, why it's important to print in endemic and non-endemic media outlets, her most memorable hunting trips, and how she hopes to instill hunting in her three children. Tune in to learn more! SHOW NOTESJoin POMA and Attend 2026 Summit in MinnesotaFollow Stephanie on Facebook and Instagram
In Episode 533 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses some breaking energy and conservation news: the untimely death of Congressional Western Caucus Chair and Congressman Doug LaMalfa, the future of energy production and conservation efforts in Venezuela, and America250 celebrations on public lands -- including the recent Illumination of America display on the Washington Monument. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESSpeaker Johnson Statement on Life and Legacy of Rep. Doug LaMalfaLummis' Statement on the Sudden Death of Congressional Western Caucus Chair Doug LaMalfaRep. LaMalfa Supports Measure to Protect Hunting and Fishing on Public LandsVenezuela's fall echoes Berlin Wall collapse, says expert whose parents fled Soviet UnionWhy Maduro's ouster will have 'limited' impact on gas prices as they sink to near 5-year lowTrump administration launches new bid to pressure US oil companies on VenezuelaUS sets new LNG export records in banner year marked by new capacityVenezuela’s hungry hunt wildlife, zoo animals, as economic crisis growsVenezuela crisis: Zoo animals stolen and eaten amid food shortagesVenezuela BiodiversityAs Venezuela’s crisis rolls on, its wildlife is increasingly at riskFreedom250 & National EventsAmerica250Thousands show up for light show to commemorate America’s 250th birthday at Washington Monument
In Episode 532 of District of Conservation, Gabriella kicks off 2026 with Travis Thompson of All Florida. Travis discusses the success of Florida's recently completed bear hunt, why outrage over the hunt is unwarranted, the importance of balanced used, the importance of right to hunt and fish amendments, why black bears aren't endangered, how animal rights groups and rewilders are targeting conservatives, how to disagree better with fellow conservationists, and 2026 resolutions. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESAll FloridaFollow Travis on InstagramInternational Order of T.RooseveltFlorida bear hunt: 52 black bears killed, FWC saysJapan deploys troops in bid to stem surge in deadly bear attacksIUCN: American Black Bear - Least Concern
In Episode 531 of District of Conservation, Gabriella interviews Jessica Byers - brand relations manager at Montana Knife Company. Jessica discusses her journey from outdoor content creator to representing one of the most unique knife companies in the outdoor industry. Jessica discusses building her FollowerHerArrow brand, working with outdoor companies, creating content, if she worries about AI, why she paused her storytelling work to take a job at Montana Knife Company, why MKC is an industry leader in knives, how MKC promotes conservation, and more. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESFollow Jessica online and Facebook, Instagram, YouTubeMontana Knife Company & Facebook, InstagramMKC Conservation Efforts
In Episode 530 of District of Conservation, Gabriella plays her new CFACT Conservation Country investigation into a Biden-Harris administration action to make Okefenokee Swamp a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESConservation Country EP 21: Save Okefenokee Swamp From UNESCO ControlSubstack: Save Okefenokee Swamp From UNESCO ControlClimate Depot: Watch: Americans try to stop UN land grab in Georgia
In Episode 529 of District of Conservation, Gabriella welcomes on New Jersey Assemblyman Mike Inganamort to discuss NJ AB 6055 - a proposal to mandate three animal rights activists to serve on the state Fish and Game Council. This is a death by a thousand cuts move to reimagine state wildlife agencies. Learn how the state lawmaker plans to fight back and more on today's episode. SHOW NOTESNJ A6055: Revises Fish and Game Council membership.Follow Assemblyman Inganamort on Facebook, Instagram, and XNJ Sportsmen's Caucus
In Episode 528 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses new Department of Interior changes to National Parks access--including America-First fees. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESDepartment of the Interior Announces Modernized, More Affordable National Park Access NPS: Visitor Use DataUpdated: America the Beautiful Entrance PassesNational Parks to Charge International Visitors More to Pay Down Maintenance BacklogESTABLISHING THE PRESIDENT’S MAKE AMERICA BEAUTIFUL AGAIN COMMISSIONPERC: Happy to PayPERC: The Economics of AwePERC: How Overseas Visitors Can Help Steward Our National ParksU.S. Travel Association: HIGHLIGHTS OF U.S. NATIONAL PARK VISITS BY OVERSEAS TRAVELERS
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