#193 | Restoring the American West: Wild Horses, Public Lands, and Rewilding with Manda Kalimian and Ross MacPhee, PhD
Description
In this Thanksgiving Special, Brooke sits down with Manda Kalimian and Dr. Ross McPhee from Rewilding America Now to explore their bold mission of restoring the American West by reintroducing wild horses to public lands. Together, they discuss the evolutionary history of horses, their role as keystone species in grassland ecosystems, and the systemic challenges facing conservation on public lands. The conversation also delves into the controversial topics of lithium mining, electric cars, and the broader implications of balancing green initiatives with land restoration. Packed with hope, science, and groundbreaking ideas, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about rewilding and reimagining the future of our landscapes.
00:00 Introduction to the American West
02:15 Conversation with Manda and Ross
02:48 Manda's Journey to Rewilding
05:41 Ross's Academic Perspective
10:14 The Ecological Role of Horses
10:53 Historical Context of Wild Horses
15:10 Rewilding America Now: Vision and Challenges
26:28 The Importance of Grasslands
32:39 Cows vs. Horses: Ecological Impact
39:15 Public Rangelands and Management
40:35 Public Land Management and the Bureau of Land Management
41:28 The American Wild Horse and Burro Act
42:24 Multi-Use of Public Lands
43:57 The Impact of Industrial Lobbying
45:36 Changes in Cattle and Land Use
47:12 Challenges Faced by Small Ranchers
51:09 The Process of Acquiring Grazing Permits
01:00:09 Environmental Impact of Mining
01:10:41 Rewilding America's Rangelands
01:18:31 Future Goals and Community Involvement
Visit the website to read the full show notes.
Recording gear provided by Mojave and Focusrite.
Support the Show
Donate
Rewildology Swag Store
Subscribe to the Show
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Podchaser
PodBean
Castbox
Amazon/Audible
iHeartRadio
United States
