The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 773: Congressman Zinke on Conservation Policy and Turning Down the Heat
Oct 6, 2025
Ryan Zinke, a former Navy SEAL and current U.S. Representative from Montana, dives into pressing conservation issues, emphasizing the importance of preserving public lands. He discusses the balance between local needs and tribal rights, as well as the bipartisan efforts in his Public Lands Caucus to mitigate political tensions. Zinke advocates for better management of forests to prevent wildfires and calls for the delisting of grizzly bears based on recovery metrics. The conversation also touches on wildlife corridors and the need for pragmatic approaches in managing wilderness areas.
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Public Lands Are A National Asset
- Ryan Zinke emphasizes public lands are a national asset and must be managed, not simply sold off in a fire sale.
- He urges using process, public comment, and highest-and-best-use analysis before any divestment.
Manage Forests Proactively To Reduce Fire
- Do active forest management: remove dead timber, create fire breaks, and use prescribed burns in shoulder seasons.
- Apply best science and long-term planning to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk.
From Whitefish To SEAL Team 6 And Politics
- Zinke recounts growing up in Whitefish, playing football at Oregon, and serving 23 years as a Navy SEAL and commander at SEAL Team 6.
- He retired, served as a Montana state senator, then as U.S. Secretary of the Interior before returning to Congress.