Megan tells the amazing 9 hour survival story of Norman Ollestad and his trek down Ontario Peak in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Organization to Support: https://www.calfund.org/wildfire-relief-fund/

The California Community Foundation’s wildfire recovery fund supports intermediate and long-term recovery efforts for major California wildfires, as well as preparedness efforts. Since 2003, the fund has granted more than $24 million to support relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of devastating California wildfires.

This week has a plethora of info on Cattle and some history of the Heck Cows and the breeding back program that created them.

Organization to support: US Holocaust Memorial Museum; https://www.ushmm.org/

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity.

Jen covers us in bee info this week- horrific stories, sting pain indexes, and much more. Hold on to your balaclavas and dive in!

Organization to support: https://thebeeconservancy.org/

The Bee Conservancy, formerly The Honeybee Conservancy, is a nonprofit organization established in 2009 in response to the bee crisis. (Based in NY)

Megan takes us through Matt Dyer's story of surviving a Polar Bear attack. 

Organization to support: Polar Bears International, polarbearsinternational.org

We head back to the colder parts of the world as Jen tells us a variety pack of stories from people in snow-bound cars. Learn more about how to make it through a snowed in situation. We also learn more about Swedish wildlife and the murder slug.

Organization to support: The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation

https://www.naturskyddsforeningen.se/in-english

Listen to this week's story from Megan telling us about Mauro Prosperi's journey across the Sahara after getting blown off course from the Marathon Des Sables. Jen also gives us some cool science news about bats that weirdly connects to this week's story! #weird

Organization to support: Marathon Des Sables Solidarity

https://www.marathondessables.com/en/marathon-des-sables/mds-solidarity

Hey Nature Nerds! Here's our episode 19- a story of survival, cause we like those. Megan recounts the 7 days Angela Hernandez spent in the Big Sur that she wasn't planning on!

Organization to support: Big Sur Fire

https://www.bigsurfire.org/

This week, Jen takes us on a lost at sea adventure! Listen as she dabbles in true crime and covers the story of Terry Jo Duperrault (now Tere Fassbender) and her amazing survival-at-sea!

Organization to support: Porpoise Conservation Society a non-profit society registered in British Columbia, Canada

https://porpoise.org/

Adopt a Porpoise for $25!

IT’S THE ELEPHANT EPISODE! Finally, what you’ve all been waiting for- Megan is going to talk Elephants, the Ivory Trade, and Tyke the Elephant.

Where to donate to support Elephants: https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/African-Elephant

Jen recounts the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916, how it influenced people’s views of sharks, and how it is the possible basis for JAWS. She’ll also highlight the sad state of sharks around the world and what you can do to help!

Organization to Support: https://sharkstewards.org/

Shark Steward’s mission is to restore ocean health by saving sharks from overfishing and the shark fin trade, and protecting critical marine habitat through the establishment of marine protected areas and shark sanctuaries.

A fluffy episode this week- Megan gets really enthusiastic about domestic cats, Japanese Cat Islands, and the 2016 documentary Cat Heaven Island. Get cozy and enjoy!

Donations: Guam Animals in Need (where we get all our cats!) https://guamanimals.org/

Be sure to check out your local adoption and Trap/Neuter/Release (TNR) centers and donate whatever you can spare to help the over 480 Million stray cats in the world! You’ll be doing a favor to the cats and local wildlife!

Jen recounts the harrowing tale of allied spy, Jan Baalsrud, from WWII, German occupied Norway to neutral Sweden and his interaction with resistance fighters and the Sámi people.

To learn more about and support the Sámi people and the native reindeer: http://adoptareindeer.org/

Megan tells us about Timothy Treadwell and the tragic tale of his obsession with Alaskan Grizzly Bears.

Donate to this organization to support Katmai Grizzlies and be sure to check out the Fat Bear Winners!: https://www.katmaiconservancy.org/

NOTE: This episode is updated as of 3/17/21

This is the story that started our podcast journey! Jen will recount the tragic life of Travis the Chimp and what led to his death and the maiming of Charla/Charlie Nash. TW: 911 call

Donate to: https://www.janegoodall.org.uk/

The third installment of our Peace Corps stories to commemorate Peace Corps Week- which might have been more like 2 weeks in our world! Enjoy more stories and a great ending from our repeat, awesome story teller, Tom Juring- who passed along his Belize ID photo from back when he was fighting snakes, ants, and bats!

It’s finally here, the second installment of Peace Corps stories! Grab a cold one and enjoy!

This week’s story centers around Jennifer Hayes’ experience with Harp Seals in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Canada. Listen to the challenges facing these wonderful creatures as climate change causes detrimental effects to their habitat.

Our Jen also shares about International Women’s Week (and Day) so if you identify as a woman or support women, check out https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Happy 60th Anniversary, Peace Corps! As tribute, we’re reading some stories sent to us by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and telling a couple of ours, too. Enjoy! Another short episode will come out at the end of this PC Week, so be on the lookout!