Episode Summary: Rewilding The American Serengeti With Henry Pollock

Podcast: Rewilding Earth Podcast
Host: The Rewilding Institute
Episode: 149
Guest: Henry Pollack, Executive Director of Southern Plains Land Trust
Release Date: May 23, 2025

1. Introduction

In Episode 149 of the Rewilding Earth Podcast, host Jack Humphrey engages in an insightful conversation with Henry Pollack, the Executive Director of the Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLIT). With a robust background in ecology and conservation biology, Henry brings over 15 years of experience as a wildlife biologist and academic researcher to the discussion. The episode delves deep into SPLIT's mission to protect and rewild the Southern Plains, aiming to restore the landscape to its former glory as America's Serengeti.

2. Southern Plains Land Trust: Growth and Achievements

Henry Pollack provides an overview of the significant strides SPLIT has made since 2019. Under the visionary leadership of Nicole Rosemarino, SPLIT has expanded its preserve network from approximately 25,000 acres in 2019 to over 60,000 acres today, with 50,000 acres owned outright (Pollack, 02:32). This growth is attributed to innovative carbon programs that have facilitated land acquisitions, ensuring the protection of vital grassland ecosystems.

Notable Quote:
"Nicole's innovation in the carbon space has really helped SPLIT to bridge the gaps on a lot of land acquisitions." – Henry Pollack [02:32]

3. Focus on Keystone Species

A central theme of the episode is SPLIT's emphasis on rewilding keystone species—organisms that have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystems. Henry explains that by focusing on these species, SPLIT aims to create cascading positive effects on biodiversity.

Key Keystone Species Discussed:

• Bison: Reintroduced on Heartland Ranch with a growing herd of approximately 130 individuals (03:34). Bison play a crucial role as ecosystem engineers, maintaining grassland health.

• Black-Footed Ferrets: SPLIT has become a reintroduction site for this endangered mammal, releasing over 100 ferrets on Heartland Ranch since 2022 (03:34).

• Beavers: Remarkable recolonization efforts in Raven's Nest and Heartland reserves have led to natural water management improvements (06:17).

• Prairie Dogs: Significant expansion from a few hundred acres in 2015 to 3,500 acres today, supporting species like the Mountain Plover (22:50).

Notable Quote:
"If you have to distill our approach down in terms of like wildlife into, into one concept, I would say it's, it's focusing on rewilding the Keystones." – Henry Pollack [00:08]

4. Rewilding Strategies: Active vs. Passive

Henry elucidates the balance SPLIT maintains between active and passive rewilding. Given the Great Plains' history of human-induced alterations, active restoration—such as species reintroductions and habitat management—is essential.

Active Rewilding Efforts:

• Species Reintroductions: Bison and black-footed ferrets.
• Habitat Restoration: Reversing stream erosion and reestablishing native riparian vegetation.

Passive Rewilding Observations:

• Rapid cottonwood seedling growth following cattle removal, demonstrating nature's resilience when given a chance (26:57).

Notable Quote:
"You have to think about the ecosystem in which you're trying to rewild. Right. So if you want to restore grasslands, I think a lot of it is going to have to be active restoration." – Henry Pollack [26:57]

5. Community and Volunteer Involvement

SPLIT thrives on a robust network of volunteers, donors, and community members. Henry emphasizes the importance of community-centered conservation, which includes:

• Volunteer Programs: Hosting 5 to 10 volunteer weekends annually, engaging 20-30 participants in activities like riparian restoration and fence removal (10:15).

• Educational Initiatives: Collaborating with local K-12 institutions to foster a connection between young people and the natural heritage of Southeast Colorado.

• Community Projects: Acquisition of a 500-acre property near Los Animas to create a community recreation hub around the Boggsville National Historic Site (10:15).

Notable Quote:
"We're trying to make inroads with a lot of local K12 institutions, schools, and trying to get more kids out to the preserves to just see this incredible natural heritage." – Henry Pollack [10:15]

6. Challenges and Pressures

Despite its successes, SPLIT faces several challenges:

• Political Climate: Navigating potential opposition similar to what larger organizations like American Prairie have encountered. Henry stresses the importance of maintaining good relationships with neighbors to mitigate such pressures (15:01).

• Federal Funding Issues: The recent federal funding freeze has strained partnerships with agencies like Colorado Parks and Wildlife, limiting collaborative conservation efforts (15:01).

Notable Quote:
"We're a landowner and when we're, when we're, when we go out looking for properties, the things that we're looking at are properties that are on the market and properties that people are trying to sell." – Henry Pollack [15:01]

7. Future Plans and Expansion

Looking ahead, SPLIT aims to:

• Expand Land Acquisitions: Continue acquiring and protecting private lands to bolster the network of prairie refuges.

• Enhance Landscape Connectivity: Develop corridors and networks that link protected areas, facilitating wildlife movement and genetic diversity.

• Strengthen Partnerships: Collaborate with regional and national conservation organizations to unify efforts and share resources.

Notable Quote:
"Continuing to expand the, our, our currently protected areas is of strategic importance. I think trying to move towards creating connectivity eventually with, with the public lands that there are, such as the Comanche National Grassland, would be important." – Henry Pollack [13:02]

8. Henry Pollack’s Career Insights

Henry shares his personal journey from academia to land conservation. Initially on the tenure track, he transitioned to SPLIT seeking the tangible impact that academic research often lacks. His role at SPLIT allows him to directly contribute to conservation efforts and witness the immediate results of his work.

Notable Quote:
"It's a really empowering feeling to be going out there and saying, hey, I'm going to pursue this thousand or several thousand acre property and I'm going to try to create a refuge for this particular threatened species." – Henry Pollack [31:29]

9. Ways to Support SPLIT

Listeners interested in contributing to SPLIT's mission can:

• Volunteer: Participate in annual volunteer weekends or engage in regular stewardship activities. Contact SPLIT via info@southernplanes.org (41:20).

• Ecotourism: Partner with Reefs to Rockies for guided tours and immersive experiences on SPLIT’s preserves.

• Fundraising Events: Attend SPLIT’s biannual galas—Toast of the Prairie in summer and Celebration of the Prairie in winter.

• Donations: Support SPLIT financially to aid in land acquisitions and conservation projects.

Notable Quote:
"We're always looking to expand our audience, expand our volunteer base, expand in all of these different directions." – Henry Pollack [41:20]

Conclusion

Episode 149 of the Rewilding Earth Podcast offers a comprehensive look into the impactful work of the Southern Plains Land Trust under Henry Pollack’s leadership. From protecting vast expanses of prairie to reintroducing keystone species, SPLIT exemplifies effective land conservation and rewilding efforts. The episode not only highlights the successes and challenges faced by SPLIT but also serves as an inspiring call to action for listeners to engage and support the mission of rewilding America’s heartlands.

Connect with Southern Plains Land Trust:
Visit southernplanes.org to learn more about their projects, volunteer opportunities, and how to contribute to the conservation of the Southern Plains.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Henry Pollack [00:08]:
  "I think when you're rewilding, you want to be working with the species that are going to give you the biggest bang for your buck... focusing on rewilding the Keystones."

• Henry Pollack [02:32]:
  "Nicole's innovation in the carbon space has really helped SPLIT to bridge the gaps on a lot of land acquisitions."

• Henry Pollack [26:57]:
  "You have to think about the ecosystem in which you're trying to rewild. Right... a lot of it is going to have to be active restoration."

• Henry Pollack [31:29]:
  "It's a really empowering feeling to be going out there and saying, hey, I'm going to pursue this thousand or several thousand acre property and I'm going to try to create a refuge for this particular threatened species."

• Henry Pollack [41:20]:
  "We're always looking to expand our audience, expand our volunteer base, expand in all of these different directions."

This summary captures the essence of Episode 149, providing listeners with a detailed overview of SPLIT's initiatives, challenges, and opportunities in the realm of rewilding the American Serengeti.