The MeatEater Podcast – Episode 664: The State of the Conservation Union

Hosts: Steve Rinella, Joel Peterson, Randall, and Cal

Release Date: February 17, 2025

1. Introduction and Welcome

The episode begins with host Steve Rinella introducing Joel Peterson, the new CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP). This marks a significant transition as Peterson takes the helm of an organization pivotal in shaping conservation policies in the United States.

2. Overview of Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP)

Joel Peterson provides an in-depth overview of TRCP, highlighting its mission to "guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish" ([11:47]). He emphasizes TRCP's role in unifying the sportsman's voice, collaborating with 63 partner organizations, ranging from well-known entities like Ducks Unlimited to specialized groups like the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust.

3. Joel Peterson's Background

Peterson shares his extensive background in wildlife conservation, detailing his journey from a wildlife biologist in Florida to his long tenure at the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Mule Deer Foundation. His academic pursuits include a degree in wildlife conservation from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and graduate studies at the University of Tennessee, where he focused on black bear research ([15:02]).

4. Conservation Policies Under the Trump Administration

The discussion shifts to conservation under the Trump administration, where Peterson highlights significant achievements:

• Public Lands Access: Collaboration with Secretary Ryan Zinke led to the opening of millions of acres on wildlife refuges for hunting and fishing ([22:04]).
• Migration Corridors: Implementation of Secretarial Order 3362 facilitated research and funding for mapping and preserving migration corridors, enhancing habitat conservation ([24:37]).

Peterson notes, "Access was one of them. Migration corridors were another," underscoring the administration's focus on balancing conservation with recreational access ([22:04]).

5. Transition to the Biden Administration: Continuities and Changes

Under the Biden administration, while some Trump-era policies continued, there was a notable shift in focus:

• Renewable Energy Initiatives: Significant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act directed towards renewable energy projects, though Peterson expresses concerns about their environmental footprints ([36:30]).
• Public Lands Regulations: Continued, albeit reduced, emphasis on opening public lands, with additional restrictions such as banning lead ammunition ([36:30]).

Peterson observes, "They kept it around because they heard about it from the sportsman community... but it didn't get the same level of funding" ([25:13]).

6. Energy Development and Conservation Impacts

A substantial portion of the conversation delves into the impact of energy policies on conservation:

• Fossil Fuels vs. Renewables: Peterson discusses the differing environmental footprints, noting that wind energy has a larger acre footprint per kilowatt-hour compared to solar ([40:46]). He also raises concerns about the psychological impact of wind turbines on wildlife ([40:46]).
• Technological Advances: While oil and gas development has become more efficient with technologies like directional drilling, renewable projects often require extensive land alterations, such as fencing and road construction ([38:11]).

7. Public Lands and Hunting/Fishing Access

The hosts explore the complexities of managing public lands, balancing conservation efforts with hunting and fishing access:

• Shell Restrictions: Aligning refuge regulations with state laws to simplify hunting practices, such as matching shotgun shell limits ([23:30]).
• Policy Consistency: Ensuring that regulations are consistent across different land management agencies to facilitate easier access for hunters and anglers ([22:04]).

8. Endangered Species Act and Wolf Delisting

A critical topic is the Endangered Species Act, focusing on the contentious issue of wolf delisting:

• Legislative Efforts: Introduction of the Pet and Livestock Protection Act in the House aims to delist wolves, but Peterson doubts its passage due to Senate filibuster requirements ([66:19]).
• Administrative Influence: While administrations can influence delisting through the Department of Interior, Peterson predicts ongoing legal battles and political maneuvering ([74:35]).

Peterson states, "It's designed to let states manage game species, but the political ping pong continues to complicate matters" ([69:49]).

9. The Farm Bill and Conservation Funding

The Farm Bill remains a cornerstone of conservation funding, encompassing programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP):

• CRP Importance: Allocates 20-30 million acres annually to set aside marginal lands for wildlife habitat ([60:00]).
• Funding Challenges: The integration of conservation funds with broader agricultural subsidies and food programs complicates passage, as partisan conflicts overshadow conservation priorities ([61:30]).

Peterson emphasizes, "CRP is an anchor of the Farm Bill program. We need to pass one instead of continuing extensions" ([61:27]).

10. Challenges in Bipartisan Conservation Efforts

Maintaining bipartisan support is crucial yet challenging:

• Strategic Partnerships: TRCP honors leaders from both political parties to foster collaboration, recognizing that conservation wins often align with political cover ([110:27]).
• Political Polarization: Peterson acknowledges the difficulty in navigating conservation advocacy amidst increasing political divides, stressing the need for selective and strategic engagement ([106:48]).

Randall adds, "It's easy to just applaud conservation wins where they align with political priorities," highlighting the pragmatic approach necessary for effective advocacy ([105:37]).

11. Upcoming Events and Initiatives

The episode concludes with announcements of upcoming TRCP events:

• Capital Conservation Awards Dinner: A bipartisan event celebrating conservation achievements, honoring both Democrats and Republicans who have advanced conservation efforts ([112:03]).
• Turkey Hunt Sweepstakes: An all-expenses-paid hunt raffle aimed at increasing engagement and support for conservation initiatives ([116:43]).

12. Conclusion

Steve Rinella wraps up the episode by acknowledging the complexities of the current political landscape and the imperative for continuous, strategic conservation efforts. He commends TRCP's ability to navigate bipartisan waters and adapt to changing administrations to uphold conservation priorities.

Notable Quotes:

• Joel Peterson on TRCP’s mission: “Our mission is guaranteeing all Americans quality places to hunt and fish” ([11:47]).
• Peterson on the impact of migration corridors: “Secretarial Order 3362... has led to a lot of the funding for research that we've had over the years” ([24:37]).
• On the Biden administration’s approach: “They kept it around because they heard about it from the sportsman community... but it didn't get the same level of funding” ([25:13]).
• Discussing renewable energy footprint: “Wind had a bigger footprint even than solar when it came to the number of acres per kilowatt hour that were being generated on that” ([40:46]).
• On the politicization of conservation: “Everything is politicized now in Congress and conservation and everything else…” ([51:56]).
• Reflecting on bipartisan efforts: “We need to be ready to pick your battles strategically” ([110:27]).
• Emphasizing nonpartisan work: “We're nonpartisan. We're in there all the time, every year, working on both sides of the aisle to get done what's important to the sportsmen” ([122:41]).

Final Thoughts: Episode 664 of The MeatEater Podcast offers a comprehensive examination of the current state of conservation in the United States, navigating through the impacts of recent administrations, legislative challenges, and the ongoing efforts of organizations like TRCP to sustain and advance conservation goals amidst a tumultuous political environment.