26. From Conflict to Coexistence: Protecting North America’s Carnivores

26. From Conflict to Coexistence: Protecting North America’s Carnivores

Author: Jenn Galler January 23, 2026 Duration: 29:39

Today we’re joined by Nadia Steinzor, Carnivore Conservation Director with Project Coyote, a national nonprofit working to promote coexistence between people and North America’s native carnivores. Nadia’s work sits at the intersection of science, policy, and community engagement, addressing a complex conservation challenge of how to live alongside predators in a rapidly changing landscape.

When we talk about wild carnivores, we’re referring to species like coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, bobcats, foxes, and other native predators. These animals play a critical role as keystone species as they regulate prey populations, shape ecosystem structure, and even influence biodiversity and landscape health.

Although, despite their ecological value, carnivores are often viewed as competitors or threats, particularly to livestock, game species, or human safety. Much of this is rooted in historical narratives, cultural fear, and political pressure rather than evidence.


Contact and connect: https://projectcoyote.org/


Hosted by Jenn Galler, In Our Backyard Podcast is the voice of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, bringing urgent local stories to the forefront. This isn't about abstract global debates; it's a grounded conversation focused on the very real industrial pressures facing specific towns and neighborhoods. Each episode examines a particular threat, from active coal plants and fracking operations to the routing of new pipelines, unpacking the complex realities behind the headlines. You'll hear directly from the residents and organizers who are living these fights, sharing their personal struggles and strategies for safeguarding both community health and the local environment. The discussions are detailed and thoughtful, prioritizing the experiences of those on the ground. Tuning into this podcast means connecting with the persistent, often overlooked work of environmental justice, understanding that the most critical battles for planetary protection frequently begin just outside our own doors.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

In Our Backyard Podcast
Podcast Episodes
43. Charleston’s Waterways: Threats, Trends & Solutions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:40
Today, we’re diving into the health of Charleston’s waterways and the work being done to protect them.I talked with Riley Egger, the Advocacy and Policy Director at Charleston Waterkeeper. Charleston is a community deepl…
42. Eyes in the Sky: Conservation From Above [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:10
Our guest is Laura Early, Communications and Development Director at SouthWings, a nonprofit that connects volunteer pilots with conservation groups and journalists to document environmental issues from the air. We’ll ta…
41. Keeping the Gulf of Mexico Healthy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:26
In this episode, we’re talking about the Gulf of Mexico, its incredible ecosystems, the communities that depend on it, and the environmental challenges it has faced for generations.I talk with Alex Horn, Communications D…
40. The Continued Fight Against the Mountain Valley Pipeline [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:03
Today we're talking about a project that has sparked years of debate over energy, environmental protection, and the future of rural communities. Our guest is Bruce Coffey with BREDL's Preserve Bent Mountain Chapter, an o…
39. Restoring the Buffalo Niagara Watershed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:12
On today's episode, we're joined by Jennifer Fee, Director of Communications & Marketing at Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper. Water is at the heart of Western New York, and protecting it is more important than ever. We talk a…
37. Protecting One of North America’s Most Biodiverse River Systems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:24
Today’s guest is Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman, Executive Director and Riverkeeper for the Coosa River Basin Initiative, an organization dedicated to protecting one of the most biologically diverse river systems in North Amer…
36. Holding Ground: Climate Resilience in Lowland Communities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:41
Today’s guest is Kristina Peterson, a facilitator with the Lowlander Center, an organization supporting lowland and coastal communities facing climate change, land loss, displacement, and environmental injustice. A lowla…
35. Building a Sustainable South [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:23
Welcome back to the show. Today we’re joined by Laura Iyer, founder of the Southern Sustainability Institute.Laura works with communities, businesses, and local leaders across the South to advance practical sustainabilit…
34. Understanding Energy Policy and Power Costs in Louisiana [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:38
Today we’re joined by Jackson Voss, Senior Government Affairs & Policy Advisor at the Alliance for Affordable Energy. He breaks down how energy systems are shaped, regulated, and experienced by everyday people.In this ep…