Rewilding Earth Podcast – Episode 168 American Prairie’s Sean Gerrity on the Art of Thinking Bigger to Rewild the Planet
Date: February 20, 2026 | Host: Jack Humphrey | Guest: Sean Gerrity (Founding CEO, American Prairie)
Episode Overview
In this inspiring conversation, host Jack Humphrey speaks with Sean Gerrity, former CEO of American Prairie and author of Wild on Purpose: The American Prairie Story and the Art of Thinking Bigger. They discuss the evolution of American Prairie, the crucial role of wildlands philanthropy, the mindset required for rewilding at scale, and why thinking boldly and innovatively is essential for planetary restoration. The episode is rich with practical wisdom, personal anecdotes, and encouragement for aspiring conservationists.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Origins and Big Ideas Behind American Prairie
-
Sean’s Entry into American Prairie ([02:30]-[06:28])
- The concept of a massive prairie reserve in Montana dates back to artist George Catlin in the 1830s, later carried forward by conservationists such as Bob Scott in the 1980s.
- The project gained traction after scientific studies identified the Northern Great Plains as prime for ecosystem restoration.
- Sean was recruited for his business acumen, initially as an interim CEO, but quickly became committed to the project.
-
Building an Independent Organization
- Chose to operate as a freestanding entity, not tied to major conservation NGOs, ensuring continuity beyond shifting organizational priorities.
- Focus on institutional resilience: “How do you set things up so it keeps cooking for decades, long after my working lifetime?” ([06:30])
2. Mindsets for Success: Business Acumen, Persistence, and Social Change
-
Business vs. Social Change Skills ([06:30]-[10:18])
- Emphasizes building a resilient culture: shared vision, core values, innovation, and planning for leadership transition.
- Importance not just of business skills, but understanding social psychology—“moving people to a new idea…to consider the possibility of a different kind of relationship with nature.” ([07:30])
- Handling relentless criticism: “We’re just, we’re experts at stopping things, not so great at starting things. So how do you be persistent and stick with it…?” ([09:30])
-
The 20-60-20 Rule of Societal Change ([10:18]-[16:50])
- Adapted from Michael Hammer’s work:
- 20% of people support bold ideas right away.
- 20% strongly oppose them.
- 60% are open-minded but cautious, moved by demonstrated trustworthiness and delivered promises.
- Focus efforts on winning the trust of that 60% through consistent delivery: “It’s not through salesmanship, it’s through doing what you say you’re going to do.” ([15:55])
- Adapted from Michael Hammer’s work:
-
Community Engagement & Wild Sky Rancher Program
- Developed programs to benefit local ranchers and communities, inspired by similar efforts in Botswana, Namibia, and Mexico.
- Now, 21 ranching families participate, being paid to adopt wildlife- and biodiversity-friendly practices.
3. Putting Conservation Costs in Perspective
-
Reframing Budget Anxiety ([16:50]-[22:04])
- Fundraising for large land projects is daunting, but compared to societal expenditures (e.g., $2B for a football stadium or $650M for a hospital wing), costs are reasonable.
- Key quote: “We’re going to build the largest wildlife…refuge ever assembled in the north 48 states…for far less than the price of one new football stadium…” ([19:10])
- Main challenge: convincing stakeholders of the project’s importance, not the availability of money.
-
Building Lasting Fundraising Capacity
- Organizational resilience requires developing strong internal fundraising capabilities to survive leadership transitions.
-
Innovation vs. Creativity in Conservation
- “Creativity is thinking of the original idea...Innovation is taking an idea and making it work. That’s mostly what this whole nature saving thing is.” ([24:40])
4. Staying Inspired and Processing News
- Curating a Positive Perspective ([26:29]-[29:59])
- Sean emphasizes the importance of intentionally seeking positive stories and role models, using tools like curated social media and AI.
- “You can quickly become overwhelmed with good news...” ([28:50])
5. Personal and Profound Moments in Rewilding
- Reconnecting with the Land ([30:07]-[33:55])
- Sean’s most profound moments come from simply sitting on the land after each property acquisition, visualizing its future and its restoration for generations to come.
- “What an amazing thing to do that in preparation for leaving it for future generations. So they can sit in this spot...and enjoy wildlife abundance and what it used to be like for thousands of years.” ([31:30])
- The joy of witnessing progress, seeing wildlife return, and future Indigenous partners witnessing ecosystem recovery.
6. A Roadmap for Future Generations
-
Big Movements: From Half-Earth to 30x30 and Beyond ([34:50]-[39:10])
- Sean references E.O. Wilson’s Half-Earth and the global commitment to 30% protected areas by 2030.
- Four key strategies for planetary health:
- Accelerate rewilding (terrestrial & marine)
- Stabilize human population
- Transition rapidly to green energy
- Adopt ultra-high yield, low-land-use agriculture
-
The Montana Triangle: A Model of Connectivity
- “If you imagine this, if you get my book, you’ll see this visually…Like pictures you saw in science in 8th grade of the human brain. This whole beautiful network is connected because information needs to flow…” ([41:00])
- Corridors are critical: grizzly bears returning on their own after 130 years.
-
Opportunities for Young People
- Whether interested in core ecosystem restoration, surrounding communities, or wildlife corridors, there’s groundbreaking work globally.
- Encourages global thinking, mobility, and engagement: “It’s just layers and layers and layers of opportunity…to say, where do I want to play?” ([43:18])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Taking the Long View in Change:
“The key thing…is a lot about moving people to a new idea. In this case, to consider…the possibility of a different kind of relationship with nature than we have now.” — Sean Gerrity ([07:30])
-
On Costs and Perspective:
“To me, man, that’s cheap. We just got to find the right people who get enthused about this kind of vision and create a path of least resistance from their financial resources to our need, and we should be good.” — Sean Gerrity ([19:38])
-
On Staying Resilient:
“Your challenge doesn’t matter what you’re doing in this arena…is up to you. Stop complaining and figure out how do you help people understand how incredibly important your thing is.” — Sean Gerrity ([23:20])
-
On Innovation vs. Creativity:
“Creativity is thinking of the original idea in the first place…Innovation is taking an idea and making it work. That’s mostly what this whole nature saving thing is.” — Sean Gerrity ([24:30])
-
On Profound Rewilding Moments:
“Sit there with the maps in my lap…and just listen to the breeze, watch…a fringe hawk fly by…And realize, now we get to start to move this property in the direction of what it looks like in our vision...” — Sean Gerrity ([31:25])
-
On the Big Picture and Opportunity:
“It’s just layers and layers and layers of opportunity for young people to go, say, where do I want to play? Where would I like to fit? That would be most satisfying and rewarding to me. It’s a hell of a time.” — Sean Gerrity ([43:18])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:30] – Origins of the American Prairie concept; early visionaries
- [05:54] – The value of business skills and organizational culture
- [10:45] – The 20-60-20 rule and community trust-building
- [16:50] – Fundraising challenges and putting costs in perspective
- [22:04] – Importance of strong fundraising infrastructure
- [24:30] – Distinguishing innovation from creativity
- [28:50] – The value of seeking out positive inspiration
- [31:25] – Most profound moments: field reflections and future vision
- [34:50] – Rewilding as part of a global framework (Half-Earth, 30x30)
- [41:00] – The Montana Triangle and wildlife corridors as a living network
- [43:18] – Opportunities and encouragement for the next generation
Tone & Style
The episode is candid, optimistic, and practical, woven through with Sean Gerrity’s matter-of-fact storytelling, grounded hope, and a call to bold action. Both Jack and Sean are focused on empowering listeners—especially rising conservationists—to think at scale, see themselves as part of a global movement, and persist in the face of daunting challenges.
Closing Thoughts
Sean Gerrity’s journey with American Prairie epitomizes the power of thinking big, staying persistent, and combining vision with innovation. For anyone passionate about rewilding or searching for ways to make a meaningful impact on the planet, this episode provides a roadmap—both philosophical and practical—toward a wilder, more resilient future.