The Ground Between Us

Rooted in tradition, The Ground Between Us explores the ideas of conservation and stewardship, tempered by a deep reverence for nature and an appreciation of the communities it creates at all levels. We will cover a wide variety of topics, from science to fieldcraft to policy to ethics and philosophy, to help us understand, protect, and care for wild places and things.Whether you’re a hunter, angler, hiker, skier, birder, or someone just curious about the natural world, The Ground Between Us is for you. We hope you enjoy!

The Ground Between Us is a science podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 25 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts The Ground Between Us, a science show with 25 episodes published.

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  The Ground Between Us

  TGBTU 24 | Why Public Lands Matter More Than Ever | Land Tawney, American Hunters & Anglers

  Sep 24, 20261h 23m

  What do public lands mean to you? Land Tawney joins The Ground Between Us for a conversation about public lands, conservation, hunting, fishing, and the experiences that connect people to the outdoors. We talk about Land's conservation background, the importance of public lands, the role of grassroots engagement, and the policies that shape how these places are managed. Land also shares personal stories about how time outdoors can build character and discusses some of the challenges facing public lands, including the future of the Roadless Rule, climate change, wildfire, and forest health. Subjects covered include: • The importance of public lands for conservation and outdoor recreation • Hunting, fishing, and character development • Land's conservation background and work in conservation • Grassroots activism and public engagement • The "three D's": defund, dismantle, and divest • Public-land policy and legislation • The history and significance of the Roadless Rule • Climate change, wildfire, and forest health • Conservation funding and innovative funding mechanisms • The future of America's public lands The USDA is proposing to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which established broad restrictions on road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting in inventoried roadless areas on National Forest System lands. The public comment period has been extended through October 6, 2026 . You can review the proposal and submit a public comment through the Federal Register: Roadless Area Conservation proposal and public comment page Follow The Ground Between Us: Instagram TikTok Facebook Email: thegroundbetweenus@gmail.com Remember y'all, we're all standing on the same ground. Roadless Rule Public Comment

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  The Ground Between Us

  TGBTU 21 | The Secret THREAT To America's Public Lands | John Leshy, On Common Ground

  Sep 12, 202659 min

  Public lands don't have to be sold to become effectively privatized. In this episode, John Leshy explains how changes in law, leasing, resource extraction, and land management can reshape who controls America's public lands, even when the land itself remains publicly owned. John Leshy joins The Ground Between Us to unpack how America's public lands were created, why they matter, and how the fight over them has evolved. Leshy is an emeritus law professor at UC Law San Francisco and former Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior, bringing decades of experience in public-land law, federal policy, conservation, and land management. The conversation looks at the 2025 effort to sell millions of acres of federal land, why that proposal ultimately failed, and why Leshy believes the larger story goes beyond a traditional land sale. We explore "functional privatization," where long-term leases, statutory mandates, and changes to land-management policy can create increasingly durable private interests in publicly owned resources. Subjects covered include: The history of America's public-land system Why public lands represent shared ownership and access John Leshy's career in public-land law and federal service The Colorado Plateau, Southern Utah, Northern Arizona, and Grand Canyon The history and legacy of the Mining Act of 1872 The 2025 proposal to sell millions of acres of federal land Why the proposed land sale generated broad political opposition The concept of "functional privatization" How long-term leases can create property-like interests The role of federal agencies in managing public lands Logging, mining, leasing, and other forms of resource development Tribal stewardship and the history of America's public lands Why understanding public-land history matters when evaluating current policy How people can stay informed and participate in the public process The following issues were not discussed in this episode. I'm including them because they are current public-land policy developments that I want listeners to be aware of and active on. Roadless Areas: The Forest Service has proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which provides protections for inventoried roadless areas on National Forest System lands. The public comment period closes September 21, 2026 . If you care about roadless public lands, take the time to read the proposal and submit a public comment . Your voice can become part of the official rulemaking process. Read the Roadless Area Conservation proposal and submit a comment National Forest Travel Management: The Forest Service has also proposed changes to its travel-management regulations for National Forest System lands. These rules can affect how roads, trails, motorized access, recreation, and other uses are managed on national forests. If these issues matter to you, read the proposal and consider submitting a public comment . Read the Travel Management proposal and submit a comment These proposals are separate from John's conversation, but they are part of the larger question of how America's public lands are managed. If you care about these places, stay informed, participate in the public process, and make your voice heard. Connect with The Ground Between Us thegroundbetweenus@gmail.com Instagram Facebook TikTok Remember y'all, we're all standing on the same ground. Current Public Land Issues

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  The Ground Between Us

  TGBTU 21 | The Hidden World of West Virginia's Native Fish | Cameron Layne, Native Fish Coalition

  Sep 3, 202639 min

  What makes a fish native to one place but introduced somewhere else? And how can moving a few fish in a bait bucket have consequences that spread throughout an entire watershed? In this episode, I sit down with Cam Layne, a West Virginia fish biologist and Midwest Vice Chair of the Native Fish Coalition, to explore the incredible diversity of Appalachian fish and the complicated relationship between species, landscapes, and conservation. Cam shares how his interest in fish began in Northeast Ohio and eventually led him into a career studying and protecting native fish. We talk about why Appalachia is such an important freshwater biodiversity hotspot and how elevation, geology, and drainage divides create distinct fish communities across West Virginia. The conversation also explores what it actually means for a fish to be native. A species can be native to one watershed while being introduced in another, making geography and historical range much more important than simply looking at state boundaries. Subjects covered include: Why Appalachia and Northeast Ohio are freshwater biodiversity hotspots How geology, elevation, and watersheds shape fish communities The difference between native, introduced, wild, and stocked fish Why drainage divides matter when determining a species' native range West Virginia's unique fish species and aquatic biodiversity The history of brook trout in West Virginia How logging, canopy loss, and sedimentation changed trout habitat The importance of riparian forests, hemlocks, and red spruce Climate change and the future of brook trout How bait bucket introductions can alter entire watersheds Hybridization and the threat to rare species like the candy darter The diamond darter and other Appalachian endemic fish How waterfalls can isolate fish populations and drive speciation Using museum specimens and historical records to reconstruct lost fish ranges How genetics can help scientists distinguish closely related species The complicated role of stocked sport fish in conservation Why anglers can play an important role in protecting native fish The work of the Native Fish Coalition How learning to identify fish and other species can deepen our connection to the places around us Throughout the conversation, Cam makes a compelling case that understanding the fish in our streams means understanding the places those fish evolved in. Conservation isn't just about protecting individual species. It's about protecting the relationships between species, watersheds, and the landscapes that support them. The episode closes with a reminder that learning the natural world around us is itself a form of stewardship. The more we understand the fish, birds, plants, and ecosystems in the places we call home, the more meaningful those places become and the more invested we become in protecting them. Connect with Cam and the Native Fish Coalition Native Fish Coalition: https://nativefishcoalition.org/ Connect with The Ground Between Us thegroundbetweenus@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegroundbetweenus/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585112773537 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegroundbetweenus TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegroundbetweenus Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ECMVUU9K35XVZRPU

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  The Ground Between Us

  TGBTU 20 | How Hunters Become Public Land Advocates | Matt Kearns, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

  Aug 19, 202653 min

  Public lands are more than places to hunt, fish, hike, and explore. They are shared resources that depend on people being willing to advocate for them. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Kearns, a board member of the West Virginia chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, to talk about the importance of public land, public water, habitat, and access. Matt shares how his own connection to hunting and the outdoors led him to become involved with BHA and explains the organization's work to bring outdoor communities together around conservation. We discuss the pressures facing public lands in West Virginia, the relationship between access and habitat protection, the Roadless Rule, wildlife management, and the role that state and federal policy plays in determining how these places are managed. But this conversation is also about community. From volunteer projects and local events to building coalitions among hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, Matt explains why protecting public lands requires more than simply enjoying them. It requires people who are willing to show up and advocate for the places they care about. If you value public lands and waters, this episode is an invitation to learn more, get involved, and become part of the community working to protect them. Learn more about Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Website: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/ West Virginia Chapter: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/west_virginia Connect with The Ground Between Us Guest inquiries: thegroundbetweenus@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegroundbetweenus/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585112773537 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegroundbetweenus TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegroundbetweenus Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ECMVUU9K35XVZRPU

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  The Ground Between Us

  TGBTU 19 | How Conservation Easements Protect Land | Turner Provost, Captina Conservancy

  Aug 6, 202645 min

  Some of the most important conservation work in America isn't happening in famous national parks. It's happening quietly, one property at a time. In this episode, I sit down with Turner Provost, Executive Director of Captina Conservancy, to discuss the organization's mission to protect the forests, streams, and wildlife of eastern Ohio. We explore how conservation easements help landowners preserve their property forever, why the Captina Creek watershed is such an ecological treasure, and the remarkable history found within Belmont County's old-growth forests. Turner also shares stories about ancient tulip poplars, the unique biodiversity of Captina Creek, the challenges posed by increasing development, and how local communities can play an active role in protecting the landscapes that make their region unique. If you've ever wondered how conservation happens beyond public lands, this episode offers an inspiring look at the people and partnerships working to ensure these places remain wild for future generations. Connect with Captina Conservancy Website https://captinaconservancy.org Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CaptinaConservancy Instagram https://www.instagram.com/captinaconservancy Connect with The Ground Between Us Guest inquiries: thegroundbetweenus@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegroundbetweenus/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585112773537 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegroundbetweenus TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegroundbetweenus Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ECMVUU9K35XVZRPU

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