About

Myles Traphagen coordinates Wildlands Network’s borderlands program, focusing on channeling collaborative efforts to maintain and restore habitat for species like jaguar, black bear, and Sonoran pronghorn. He oversees strategic partnerships, communications, and projects to advance large-landscape conservation goals in Mexico and the United States. Learn more about Myles here.

Show Notes

In this episode of the Rewilding Earth podcast, Jack Humphrey interviews Myles Traphagen, the Borderlands Program Coordinator for Wildlands Network. They discuss the impact of the U.S.-Mexico border wall on wildlife connectivity and corridors, highlighting the challenges posed by the barrier on species such as the jaguar and the Mexican gray wolf. Myles explains the difficulty of working to protect an animal he may never see in the wild, emphasizing the altruistic motivations behind conservation efforts.

The conversation covers the historical context of border wall construction, the political aspects influencing these structures, and the ongoing efforts to create wildlife openings. The episode concludes with Myles sharing the successes obtained through fieldwork, GIS mapping, and legal actions and his optimism fueled by gradual progress in conservation initiatives.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:06 Understanding the Borderlands Program

00:41 Impact of the Border Wall on Wildlife

01:10 The Elusive Jaguar

03:10 Challenges in Conservation Biology

08:06 Political Implications of the Border Wall

11:12 Efforts to Mitigate Border Wall Impact

26:17 Success Stories and Hope for the Future

34:36 Call to Action and Final Thoughts

Extra Credit



* Learn more about borderlands connectivity issues from the Wildlands Network



Download the Transcript for this Episode

About

Myles Traphagen coordinates Wildlands Network’s borderlands program, focusing on channeling collaborative efforts to maintain and restore habitat for species like jaguar, black bear, and Sonoran pronghorn. He oversees strategic partnerships, communications, and projects to advance large-landscape conservation goals in Mexico and the United States. Learn more about Myles here.

Show Notes

In this episode of the Rewilding Earth podcast, Jack Humphrey interviews Myles Traphagen, the Borderlands Program Coordinator for Wildlands Network. They discuss the impact of the U.S.-Mexico border wall on wildlife connectivity and corridors, highlighting the challenges posed by the barrier on species such as the jaguar and the Mexican gray wolf. Myles explains the difficulty of working to protect an animal he may never see in the wild, emphasizing the altruistic motivations behind conservation efforts.

The conversation covers the historical context of border wall construction, the political aspects influencing these structures, and the ongoing efforts to create wildlife openings. The episode concludes with Myles sharing the successes obtained through fieldwork, GIS mapping, and legal actions and his optimism fueled by gradual progress in conservation initiatives.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:06 Understanding the Borderlands Program

00:41 Impact of the Border Wall on Wildlife

01:10 The Elusive Jaguar

03:10 Challenges in Conservation Biology

08:06 Political Implications of the Border Wall