Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson

This is the first of two live episodes that were recorded at the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society’s 2023 annual meeting in Houston, Texas. The topic of this panel discussion was Equitable Access to the Outdoors, a subject that is timely and important in all areas of the West, but especially important in Texas, where 93% of the state’s land is privately owned. Whether your interest is outdoor recreation, public health, climate change, or public-private conservation partnerships, the ability for people to have access to parks, trails, open spaces, and wild places is becoming more and more important with each passing year. - For this conversation, I was joined on stage by five Texas conservation innovators– folks who are working hard to ensure that Texans of all stripes have ample opportunities to spend time outside– whether in the cities or in the state’s more rural areas. In order of their appearance in this conversation, we had Jaime González, Healthy Communities Director for the Nature Conservancy; Sarah Coles, Executive Director of the Texas Children in Nature Network; Immanuel Salas, Texas Parks and Wildlife’s R3 Coordinator for Hunting and Shooting Sports; Neal Wilkins, President and CEO of the East Foundation; and Joseph Fitzsimons, conservationist and owner of the San Pedro Ranch. You can check out the episode notes for more information on each of the panelists and links to their respective bios and organizations. - I could’ve spent hours talking to each of the panelists individually, but as a group, we had a very informative and educational conversation– one that provided a different perspective from some of my past episodes that focused on equitable access. we covered a lot in this hour-long discussion, including: the importance of building thriving cities with ample parks, trails, and outdoor space; how these organizations are working to reverse some of the disheartening trends around children’s health and their access to the outdoors; the importance of collaborative partnerships, the R3 program in Texas– what it is, why it’s important, and how it is evolving; the role of private landowners in providing access opportunities; the importance of youth education; the role of government; public land in Texas; the need to engage with elected officials; favorite books; and much more. - I learned a lot from this conversation and was honored to share a stage with such an impressive group of people who are working so hard on this all-important issue. Click the link in your podcast player to access all of the notes and links from this episode– we’ve listed tons of excellent resources from this episode. - Thanks to John Kinsey and the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society for inviting me to host this event, and thank you for listening. Hope you enjoy! --- Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society The Wildlife Society Panelists Bios Full episode note and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/equitable-access/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED 3:04 - An introduction, and then Jaime discusses his work with TNC in Houston 9:25 - The quantitative way that Jaime and TNC evaluate success in connecting youth with the outdoors 11:25 - Sarah introduces Texas Children in Nature Network 15:55 - Sarah explains TCINN’s partnership model 19:10 - Immanuel discusses the R3 program and its importance 26:40 - Neil introduces the East Foundation 30:55 - How the East Foundation’s educational programs have shifted over time 32:10 - How Joe became involved in public lands conservation work through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission 38:55 - The panelists' experience in dealing with politics and elected officials 46:40 - The panelists discuss the importance of storytelling 58:40 - Panelists’ suggestions for books, podcasts, resources to access, etc --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Taylor Hawes is the Director of the Colorado River Program for the Nature Conservancy. As the leader of the program, she guides TNC’s efforts to conserve the freshwater biodiversity of the Colorado River Basin while also meeting human demands for water– challenging objectives given the wide-ranging stresses facing the river today. But despite the challenges brought about by climate change, overallocation, and increasing demand, Taylor and her team are making great strides toward finding long-term solutions to create a sustainable future for the Colorado River and the people, plants, and animals that depend on it. - Taylor grew up on the east coast, and, from a young age, she felt a deep connection to land, water, and natural resources. She fell in love with wide-open spaces while on a course with the National Outdoor Leadership School, and she’s devoted her career to protecting land and water in the West. Prior to joining the team at TNC, she served as Associate Counsel to the Colorado River Water Conservation District on Colorado’s Western Slope, working on water quality, water policy, environmental permitting, and water rights litigation. - If you pay attention to the news, then you’ll know that the Colorado River has been receiving tons of media attention for the dire conditions and projections facing the entire region. Reservoirs are at historic lows, temperatures are rising, and the need for more water is increasing. In the first part of this conversation, I ask Taylor to decipher many of the surface-level sound bytes that I’ve heard in the news, and she provides some much-needed context and background regarding the river basin’s current challenges. We then talk about how TNC is working to solve these problems, by building community support, working collaboratively with Tribal nations, and helping agricultural producers become more efficient. And we spend the last part of the conversation talking about Taylor’s professional journey– why she chooses to do this work, what gives her hope, and her goals for her work on the Colorado River. - This was a timely conversation, and I hope it sheds some light on the challenges facing the Colorado River today– and provides some optimism about the river’s future. Thanks to Taylor for taking the time to chat, and thank you for listening. --- Taylor Hawes TNC's Colorado River work Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/taylor-hawes/ --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive. On the fourth Tuesday of every month throughout 2023, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy’s leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s impactful work in Colorado and around the world, visit www.nature.org/colorado TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:15 - An overview of the situation regarding Colorado River water 8:00 - Discussing the “bandaid” solutions for the overallocated Colorado River implemented over the years 10:45 - Who is making the water allocation decisions for the Colorado River 12:00 - The breakdown of water use in the West 16:45 - Why has this situation has become an emergency right now, meriting the involvement of the federal government 19:30 - The timeline of Colorado river use reduction mandates 21:30 - The potential impacts of shrinking Colorado River on the Grand Canyon 23:00 - What will happen if the Colorado River Basin states do not agree on a plan to reduce water use in accordance with federal mandates 24:45 - How Taylor focuses on solutions regarding such a complex, difficult-to-model problem 28:30 - Some strategies TNC is employing to support and work with producers in reducing their water use  35:00 - Discussing the difficulties and importance of relationship building in this work 40:15 - TNC’s work supporting Tribal water challenges 44:45 - What drives Taylor’s work and what are her goals 47:00 - How Taylor ended up doing this work 53:45 - How law school helped Taylor 55:45 - What keeps Taylor energized about her work and TNC 58:15 - How anybody can get involved in this work 1:02:00 - Taylor’s book recommendations --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Beau Alexander is the owner and operator of Maxwell Alexander Gallery, a world-renowned art gallery that curates and celebrates “a new breed of fine art” here in the American West and beyond. Beau and his brother, the famed western artist Logan Maxwell Hagege, officially opened the gallery back in 2012, and their goals were simple: Represent one-of-a-kind artists, put the artists’ interests first, and serve as a trusted resource for a wide range of collectors around the globe. After many years of scrappy hard work and outside-the-box thinking, Maxwell Alexander Gallery has become a cornerstone of the Western art world. - Beau was born and raised in Los Angles, and from an early age, he showed a talent for entrepreneurship and marketing. He and his brother Logan started a number of businesses together, combining their proclivity for creativity with the tireless work ethic they learned from their immigrant father. As Logan’s art career exploded, they both saw an opportunity to create an art gallery that takes care of its artists and clients– one that plays the long game and is deeply invested in the people behind the art… not solely focused on making a sale. So, in 2012 they opened Maxwell Alexander Gallery and have steadily risen to the top of the western contemporary art world. And just a few weeks ago, Beau was awarded the Autry Museum’s John J. Geraghty Award, which recognizes an individual for his or her Advancement of Contemporary Western art. - Beau and I met last fall in L.A. at Maxwell Alexander Gallery’s 10 Year Anniversary Exhibition, so I was thrilled to have him join me for a more in-depth conversation about his journey in western art. We started by discussing his upbringing in LA and how entrepreneurship has always been a part of his life. We discuss some of the good and bad aspects of the old-school art gallery world that sparked the idea to start Maxwell Alexander Gallery. We discussed the early days of the business, and how he had to grind and be extremely creative in order to gain a foothold in the art world. We also discuss his irreverent, often times hilarious, approach to using social media as a marketing tool and the importance of introducing new collectors to western art. We discuss art valuation, the importance of treating people fairly, his other artistic influences, and his brother Logan’s evolution as an artist. - We talk a lot about Logan and the 10 Year Anniversary exhibition– you can listen to those podcasts by following the links in the episode notes. But for now, I hope you enjoy this inspiring conversation with Beau Alexander. --- Maxwell Alexander Gallery Maxwell Alexander Gallery on Instagram Live podcast from the 10th Anniversary Exhibition M&P podcast with Logan Maxwell Hagege Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/beau-alexander/ --- SUPPORT Mountain & Prairie via PATREON --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:45 – Setting the scene in Beau’s year leading up to starting the Maxwell Alexander Gallery 10:00 – Discussing Beau’s time studying business, before which he had actually started his own business 14:00 – How Beau prioritizes relationships in his business 17:30 – Beau’s process of evaluating artwork 21:30 – How the Maxwell Alexander Gallery is different from other art galleries 24:00 – When Beau figured out that the Maxwell Alexander Gallery was a unique idea to run with in the art world, and the early process of establishing the gallery 29:45 – Discussing Beau’s unconventional ways of advertising the gallery 31:15 – How long it took for the established art community to recognize and embrace the Maxwell Alexander Gallery model 36:45 – Discussing the 10 Year Anniversary of the gallery 39:30 – Talking about the finances and value of art 49:30 – Advice for young art collectors 52:30 – Beau’s favorite art 59:30 – Beau’s other influences outside of painting and sculpture, as well as the impact Logan Maxwell has had on the art world --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

I met Chandra Brown through the podcast more than four years ago, and with each passing year, I’ve been more and more inspired by her life and work. You may remember that she’s the founder of Freeflow Institute, a Montana-based organization that curates immersive outdoor learning experiences in Earth’s wildest classrooms. What started with combining summer river trips with writing workshops taught by some of the West’s greatest authors has turned into a year-round, immersive curriculum that incorporates many forms of art and storytelling. - If you’ve listened to a lot of Mountain & Prairie episodes, then you will recognize many past and present Freeflow Instructors– Hal Herring, Bill deBuys, Chris La Tray, Heather Hansman, Anna Brones, Brendan Leonard, Alexis Bonogofsky, and Elliott Woods. And you’ll also recognize the Freeflow classrooms, which include the Salmon River, Green River, Big Blackfoot River, San Juan Islands, and the canyon country of Southwest Colorado. The overlap between what Chandra has built at Freeflow and what we’re all doing here in Mountain & Prairie is significant, so I was excited to have Chandra join me for another conversation. - If you want to hear more about Chandra’s upbringing in Alaska and her fascinating life trajectory, I’d encourage you to go back and listen to our first episode. But also feel free to dive right into this conversation, as we had a wonderful chat about everything from cold water plunges to Freeflow’s growth and evolution to the challenges of running a small business during the pandemic years. We discuss some of the upcoming courses for this calendar year, Freeflow’s scholarship program, the importance of pursuing one’s own creative endeavors, and how Chandra and grown as a person over the past four years. - I’d also be crazy not to mention that I’m leading a Freeflow course late this summer, down the Green River in Utah, through Gates of Ladore and Dinosaur National Monument. We’ll be focused on the power of optimistic storytelling, and how storytelling can be used to effect change here in the West and beyond. You can check out the link in the episode notes to learn more, but my course is limited to 12 people, and it’s already filling up. But even if you’re not interested in spending a week with me, I’d encourage you to check out all the courses and the scholarship opportunities. I wish I could go on all the courses! - Thanks for listening. Hope you enjoy! --- Freeflow Institute Ed's Summer 2023 Freeflow Course All Freeflow Courses Chandra's first M&P episode Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/chandra-brown-2/ --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with my friends at Stonefly Nets - Handcrafted Fishing Nets Made in Arkansas --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:00 - Chandra’s most recent trip with Anna Brones 6:15 - How cold water became a part of Chandra’s life and practice 9:44 - An overview of Freeflow Institute and how it came to be 12:00 - How Freeflow has evolved 14:45 - Whether Freeflow’s evolution was more due to Chandra’s planning or her flexibility 16:30 - Chandra’s advice for someone thinking of quitting their steady job to build something new 19:45 - The business owners and creatives Chandra admires 22:45 - How the Freeflow Foundation came to be 25:15 - Some available scholarships through the Freeflow Foundation 27:45 - Running through some of the currently available Freeflow courses, with a brief tangent into dishwashing habits 30:45 - What makes a Freeflow Institute course successful for participants 34:00 - Success stories from past courses 41:30 - How Freeflow has changed Chandra 46:45 - Freeflow’s podcast and creative services 50:00 - Chandra’s book recommendations --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

If you’ve listened to Mountain & Prairie since the early days, then I’m sure you remember Cate Havstad-Casad. She first joined me on the podcast in early 2018 for a conversation about her life and career as a hatmaker and farmer. In late 2019, she was one of the four amazing women who joined me on stage for a live podcast at the Bozeman’s Ellen Theatre. And today, more than 5 years after that first conversation, she joins me once again to talk about her continued personal and professional evolution. - Over the past few years, Cate has been working at a dizzying pace, focusing on creating and building several purpose-driven businesses. She’s the founder and CEO of Range Revolution, the world’s first regenerative leather luggage company, as well as the co-founder of Agricultural Connections Co-Op, a regional food distribution business based in Bend, Oregon. Additionally, she and her husband, Chris, have continued to grow their organic farming business, and her hatmaking business, Havstad Hat Co., continues to grow and evolve in unexpected ways. And to top it all off, in 2021, Cate and Chris welcomed their first child into the world. - So, we had a lot to discuss! We started by talking about how Cate thinks about her work today versus five years ago, and why she feels it is important to continue to take business risks even after taking on the new responsibilities that come with parenthood. We talk a lot about Range Revolution and the Agricultural Connections Co-op, and Cate shares a ton of lessons learned from the process of founding these vastly different businesses. We discuss leadership and management, and Cate offers up some excellent books and resources that have helped her to become a better leader. We talk about fundraising, the importance of self-awareness, thinking versus doing, mentors, Wendell Berry, and our mutual love of hard work. - Cate obviously has a full schedule, so I appreciate her carving out time to chat with me. Check out the episode notes for links to her businesses and all of the resources we discuss. Thanks for listening, hope you enjoy. --- Havstad Hat Co Range Revolution Casad Family Farms Agricultural Connections Co-op Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/cate-havstad-2/ --- SUPPORT Mountain & Prairie via PATREON for as little as $2/month! --- TOPICS DISCUSSED 4:00 - Comparing 2017 Cate Havstad to Cate Havstad now 8:00 - Talking about starting businesses and incurring risk later in one’s career 11:15 - Discussing Range Revolution  15:00 - Where the business of Range Revolution stands 18:00 - Cate’s work ethic and how she got potential business partners to take her seriously  20:45 - Cate’s relationships with hard work and rest 23:45 - How Cate learned to build and manage teams in her work 27:15 - Cate’s business book recommendations 30:30 - Cate’s red flags in a teammate  32:00 - Discussing Agricultural Connections Co-op 34:30 - Defining a “cooperative entity” or “co-op” 36:15 - How Cate raised the money to start her co-op 38:00 - Why Cate is so good at fundraising and how she networks to that end 43:30 - Mistakes Cate made that taught valuable lessons 49:15 - Where Cate finds balance between action and reflective self-awareness 51:15 - Cate’s mentors 53:45 - Cate’s suggestions for Wendell Berry reads 58:00 - Other book and podcast recommendations from Cate --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Dr. Katharine Hayhoe is a world-renowned climate scientist, professor, and Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy, where she leads and coordinates the organization's scientific efforts. She is also the author of "Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World," an excellent book you've likely heard me reference on the podcast. Whether you are interested in learning more about the facts, data, or projections regarding climate change, or if you are seeking guidance on how best to approach challenging conversations about climate, I highly recommend "Saving Us." It's an optimistic, solutions-oriented guidebook for finding common ground and having productive conversations. - Katharine was born and raised in Canada and has been obsessed with science, the natural world, and the universe for as long as she can remember. Her undergraduate studies focused on physics and astronomy, but as she was finishing up her degree, she happened to take a climate science course, which captured her imagination and changed the focus of her education and career. Today, Katharine is a distinguished professor at Texas Tech, a highly respected researcher, and a sought-after speaker with a TED Talk that's been viewed more than 4 million times. And to top it all off, in 2021, she joined The Nature Conservancy as its Chief Scientist. - Katharine and I met up in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where she was the keynote speaker at a community event focused on climate and climate change in the Yampa Valley and beyond. Katharine and I chatted for an hour before her event, and we managed to cover a lot of ground. We discussed her book "Saving Us," her TED talk, and a concept known as "The Six Americas of Global Warming." We discuss how and why her Christian faith plays such an important role in her work to solve climate change, and she offers some common-sense, optimistic approaches to having challenging conversations with smart people who do not think that climate change is a threat. She also talks about her role at The Nature Conservancy, specific climate opportunities and challenges facing the American West, and she offers a ton of excellent book recommendations. - Thank you to Dr. Hayhoe for taking the time out of her busy schedule to chat with me, and thank you for listening. Hope you enjoy. --- Dr. Katharine Hayhoe "Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World" Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/katharine-hayhoe/ --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive. On the fourth Tuesday of every month throughout 2023, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy’s leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s impactful work in Colorado and around the world, visit www.nature.org/colorado --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:30 - Why Dr. Hayhoe wrote "Saving Us" 5:45 - Regarding Dr. Hayhoe’s TED Talk 8:15 - Discussing The Six Americas of Global Warming 12:00 - The relationship between Dr. Hayhoe’s faith and climate work 17:45 - When religion and climate change dismissal historically became tied together 21:30 - Discussing the balance between fear and guilt as motivating and stagnating forces 28:00 - What surprised Dr. Hayhoe in writing the book 33:45 - Role playing how to interact with intelligent people who doubt climate science 37:30 - Applying lessons learned from COVID-19 to climate change 41:30 - Dr. Hayhoe’s time as 9-year-old abroad in Columbia and how it influenced her thinking and career 46:15 - Why Dr. Hayhoe decided to work with The Nature Conservancy, and the impacts she hopes to make 50:15 - The stats Dr. Hayhoe would want to see to feel she has had an impact in five years 54:45 - The challenges and opportunities facing the arid West amidst climate change 57:00 - Dr. Hayhoe’s reading habits and some books she has loved --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Megan Torgerson is a podcaster and the creator of Reframing Rural, a narrative podcast whose mission is to “share stories of people and places in rural America in an effort to celebrate culture, preserve history and cultivate curiosity and conversation across geographic, class and cultural divides.” In just three seasons, Megan has grown Reframing Rural from a spark of an idea into a highly regarded podcast, one that has been recognized by institutions such as the Headwaters Foundation, Montana Farmers Union, Humanities Montana, and more. Personally, I have learned a ton from Megan’s work, so it was an honor to have her join me on the podcast. - Megan was born and raised on the Great Plains of eastern Montana, primarily in the small town of Dagmar. She attended the University of Montana in Missoula and eventually made her way to graduate school in Seattle, where she earned her MFA.  As you’ll hear in this conversation, during her time in grad school, Megan began exploring the idea of a podcast that focused on rural America. Rather than getting bogged down in endless planning and idea generation, she took action, produced Season 1, and put it out into the world in spring 2020. Fast forward to today, and Megan has a team that works with her, she continues to receive wide-ranging recognition, and the show is being broadcast on several Montana radio stations. - I’ve known Megan for a year or so, but this was the first time I had a chance to ask her detailed questions about her journey as a storyteller. We started out talking about her upbringing in Dagmar, as well as her educational background and early career. We discuss why she decided to create a narrative podcast, and she explains the very involved process of creating a single episode. We discuss some of the issues she explores in Reframing Rural, including rural gentrification, which was the topic of one of her most recent episodes. We discuss her generosity in the podcast space, whether or not she considers herself a journalist, why she is optimistic about the future of rural America, some advice for aspiring podcasters, and she has lots of amazing book recommendations. - If you haven’t already, I’d encourage you to subscribe to Reframing Rural on your favorite podcast app. Megan is committed and she’s a pro, and I know that Mountain & Prairie listeners will appreciate the amazing work she’s putting into the world. Enjoy! --- Reframing Rural Reframing Rural: S3 E4: Rural Gentrification in North Idaho Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/megan-torgerson/ Green River Course with the Ed & Freeflow Institute --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:30 - Megan’s childhood 12:30 - What Megan hoped to do once she went to college in Missoula 15:00 - How Megan’s passions inspired hard work 17:15 - Why Megan started Reframing Rural 22:00 - Why Megan produces a narrative style podcast 26:00 - When did Megan plan for podcasting to become a job 28:30 - Megan’s experience with why podcasts generate such compelling stories and interviews 31:30 - Whether podcasting is a journalistic or creative endeavor for Megan, and whether she is concerned or not with “taking sides” 35:30 - An example of Megan’s podcast topics 39:30 - If Megan worries about negative feedback to her show, and how she handles it 44:30 - Where Megan’s generosity comes from 47:30 - What Megan is optimistic about regarding rural America 51:30 - How Megan measures success as a storyteller 53:30 - Other storytellers that Megan admires 55:15 - How to start a podcast, according to Megan 57:30 - How long the Dover episode took Megan to make  59:15 - Megan’s accolades 1:02:30 - Megan’s book recommendations 1:06:15 - Megan’s parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Bryce Andrews is a Montana-based rancher and writer, and he's the author of the brand new book “Holding Fire: A Reckoning with the American West.” Longtime Mountain & Prairie listeners will remember my first conversation with Bryce back in 2019 when we discussed his writing, conservation work, ranching experience, and his first two books. I thoroughly enjoyed that first conversation and was so impressed with Bryce’s thoughtfulness, curiosity, and humility, so I was thrilled to have him back on the podcast to discuss "Holding Fire." - "Holding Fire" is a thought-provoking memoir that explores Bryce’s complicated and evolving relationship with the landscape, culture, and history of the American West. Much of the story focuses on his grandfather’s Smith and Wesson revolver– a gun that he inherited and owned for many years while living and working in Montana. But despite being a committed big game hunter and owner of many guns, Bryce’s feelings toward the revolver began to change. As you’ll hear him explain, he eventually befriends a master blacksmith, learns to forge steel, and transforms the revolver from a gun into a tool that he now uses to plant trees on his property. - I loved the book, and it forced me to reexamine many of my baked-in notions about everything from the history of the West to my ideas about hunting for food, mental health, and the culture of the modern-day American West. We talked about why Bryce chose this particular topic for the subject of a book, his long-standing love of hunting, and why he decided to repurpose the revolver into a ranch tool. We discuss what he learned about craftsmanship from the blacksmith, the importance of converting guilt into action, and how fatherhood has changed his approach to life and work. We also talk about this summer’s Old Salt Festival, he and his wife’s stewardship of their ranch, and he offers up lots of excellent book recommendations. - And if you want to read and discuss a chapter of Bryce’s book for free, then download the new social reading app called Threadable. I have recently partnered with Threadable to highlight and discuss a number of readings about the history of the American West, including chapters from Sara Dant’s "Losing Eden," and Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz’s "An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States." Threadable allows users to read portions of great books, then discuss them in a fun and interactive way. As of this recording, Threadable is only for iOS, but if you want to read a sample of Holding Fire and discuss it with the Mountain & Prairie community, follow the link in the episode notes to download the app. I’ve really been enjoying it. - Thanks to Bryce for another wonderful conversation, and thank you for listening. Hope you enjoy. --- "Holding Fire" by Bryce Andrews Bryce's first M&P episode Read & discuss Holding Fire, Chapter 6 on THREADABLE Episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/bryce-andrews-2/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:00 - Bryce’s process for choosing the topic of Holding Fire 6:15 - Bryce’s father’s choices of nonviolence during the Vietnam War  11:30 - How guns became a part of Bryce’s life 13:45 - Bryce’s background in hunting  18:45 - Bryce’s scariest interaction with people and guns 21:45 - The problem with “tough guys with guns” 24:00 - A winter’s impact on Bryce’s thoughts regarding guns  29:45 - Exploring the concept of guilt 30:30 - Exploring the cultural significance of fire and firearms with women of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes 34:30 - What Bryce has done on his property since purchase 38:00 - How writing fits into Bryce’s busy life 44:45 - How having a daughter has changed Bryce’s work, writing, and life 48:30 - How Bryce became involved in the Old Salt Festival 51:30 - What Bryce learned about creativity from a metalsmith 54:30 - Discussing action as the antidote to despair 55:45 - Bryce’s book recommendations --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Cole Mannix is the President and Founder of the Old Salt Co-op, a new, purpose-driven company that “provides meat raised with integrity from Montana landscapes its customers know and care about.” Cole and his team partner with a growing number of Montana ranches, butchers, chefs, and businesses to connect customers and producers, while simultaneously encouraging and promoting a deeper understanding of land stewardship, community, and the interconnectedness of Montana landscapes. - Cole was born and raised in Montana, and he is a member of the fifth generation of the Mannix Family who has been stewarding their family ranch in Montana’s Blackfoot Valley since the late 1800s. Cole has followed a fascinating educational and career path, mixing his degrees in biology, philosophy, and theology with wide-ranging work in both entrepreneurial ventures and non-proifit conservation work. And as you’ll hear in this conversation, the common thread that connects all of Cole’s experiences is a deep love and respect for the land and all that it can provide. - One of the most exciting projects that Cole is currently working on is the Old Salt Festival, a three-day festival taking place this June on the Mannix Ranch, just outside of Helmville, Montana. It’s much more than a music festival– it’s a celebration of land and land stewardship, and it will feature an eclectic mix of artists, authors, poets, storytellers, chefs and more. I’ll be at the event hosting some live podcast conversations, and there will be appearances by a number of past M&P guests, including singer-songwriter Riddy Arman, author-poet Chris Dombrowski, author-rancher Bryce Andrews, and more. Novelist David James Duncan will be reading and chef Eduardo Garcia will be cooking. So we spend a lot of time discussing this event, its purpose, and how the whole idea came together. - This is a wonderful conversation about following your interests, working hard, and doing purpose-driven work that is connected to land and community. Check out the episode notes for a full list of all the topics we discussed, as well as links to the Co-op and this summer’s Festival. Thanks so much to Cole for joining me, and thanks to you for listening. --- Old Salt Co-op Old Salt Festival Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/cole-mannix/ M&P Live Event: Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society Support M&P via Patreon --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:45 -  Cole explains the Mannix family tree 5:45 - Cole discusses his family history   7:45 - Overview of the Old Salt Co-op  13:00 -  Cole explains what motivated him to begin the Old Salt Co-op, and describes what it was like to leave a steady job to start something uncertain 17:45 - The value proposition that sets the Old Salt Co-op apart 20:45 - The biggest obstacle/most important factor is for the business model of Old Salt Coop  27:00 - The biggest surprises in the building of Old Salt Co-op 31:00 - How he stays focused and keeps track of real progress 33:45- The Old Salt Festival in more detail, including the musical, culinary, and land stewardship talent that will be featured 40:30 - Cole dives more into his career and backstory, including his interest and study in philosophy 45:45 - His career shift from teaching to entrepreneurship  53:45 - Lessons he learned from past business difficulties and how they inform his current enterprises 57:00 - Cole discusses what he does when he isn’t working 58:00 - Book recommendations 1:01:00 - Parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Carlos Fernández is the Colorado State Director of The Nature Conservancy, one of the most effective conservation organizations in the American West and around the globe. You probably remember Carlos from our first conversation back in August of 2020, in which we discussed his inspiring career trajectory, the importance of collaborative conservation partnerships, and several of TNC’s cutting-edge initiatives throughout the West. - When we recorded that first episode, we were in the very early stages of the pandemic– a time marked by unprecedented uncertainty in almost every aspect of life. When we recorded today’s episode– nearly two-and-a-half years after that first conversation– the worst of the pandemic is now behind us. Carlos was able to look back on that trying period with some perspective, discussing the many challenges and opportunities that arose from such a difficult few years. This conversation is a case study of how critical work can be produced during challenging times, and how optimism, focus, and old-fashioned teamwork can lead to lasting outcomes. - Carlos and I met up at his office in Boulder and had an in-depth conversation about TNC’s conservation initiatives and collaborations over the past few years. I asked Carlos about his leadership strategies and tactics during the most intense days of the pandemic and what he and TNC  learned from those challenges. We talk about Carlos’s recent 2022 year-end letter and TNC Colorado’s 2022 Year In Review, and we dig into several inspiring conservation victories from the past 12 months. We also revisit the Southern High Plains Initiative and the Yampa River Fund, and we discuss TNC’s future plans around climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion. We also talk about this year-long partnership between TNC and Mountain & Prairie, which we are both very excited about. --- The Colorado chapter of Nature Conservancy TNC Colorado's 2022 Year in Review Full Episode Notes & Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/carlos-fernandez-2/ Carlos's First M&P episode --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive. On the fourth Tuesday of every month throughout 2023, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy’s leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s impactful work in Colorado and around the world, visit www.nature.org/colorado --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:00 -  Carlos discusses the evolution of TNC Colorado during COVID 10:00 - Why the eastern plains and grasslands of Colorado are important and such a focus area of TNC Colorado’s work 12:00 - The power of partnerships in conservation work 14:45 - Why TNC Colorado feels it is important to focus on underserved and underrepresented groups in any work concerning climate change and conservation 19:30 - The importance of storytelling in conservation work 23:00 - How he and TNC prioritizes the focal points of their work, including who he seeks council from 30:45 - What he is excited about for TNC Colorado moving forward 33:30 - How he evaluates difficult choices and newest trends in conservation to ensure action is intentional and not controlled by external trends (not chasing every shiny object) 36:30 - What he thinks TNC Colorado’s role is in the state’s overall conservation sector, returning again to the importance of partnership and collaboration in this field  44:00 - The Yampa River Fund and updates us on its progress 49:45 - TNC’s relationships with businesses  53:00 - Advice for folks looking to work in conservation 56:00 - Carlos and Ed talk about the upcoming podcast series that Mountain & Prairie will be conducting with TNC Colorado 59:45 - Book recommendations 1:01:45 - Parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts