Join Jeff Corwin as he explores climate change impacts, from California's drought-stricken Sierra Nevada and the Caldor Fire's aftermath, where he meets firefighters, to Washington State. There, he highlights conservation efforts for the resourceful American beaver and the endangered Pygmy rabbit.

In Washington, Corwin joins the Tulalip Beaver Project, which humanely relocates beavers from conflict areas. Beavers are vital ecosystem engineers, building dams that increase water storage, filter pollutants, promote biodiversity, and create crucial salmon habitat. Nearly hunted to extinction, these resilient animals are now recovering, with the Tulalip Tribal Community leading successful wildlife management and research efforts.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure across the Great Plains of the United States on a mission to understand the connection between the incredible species that call it home. First, Jeff travels

Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure across the Great Plains of the United States on a mission to understand the connection between the incredible species that call it home. First, Jeff travels to the Canadian border to help Native American tribes re-establish bison across tribal lands. Jeff learns how ancient bison herds once shaped the Great Plains and how modern conservationists are fighting to bring those herds back. Later, Jeff works with biologists to manage a delicate population of black-footed ferrets, a species once believed to be extinct. Jeff discovers how wild bison play a vital role in ferret survival and the survival of the Great Plains themselves. Video transcript: Jeff Corwin: The black-footed ferret was once believed to be extinct, but thanks to critical conservation work, and a little bit of luck, this incredible species has been rescued from the brink. Unfortunately, there are only about 400 left in the wild. In order to protect this fragile population, scientists first need to find them. Jeff Corwin: We're back in Montana, this time visiting the Fort Belknap Indian Community, home of the A'aninin and Nakoda tribes. I'm with canine field specialist Melissa Steen and Tule, one of the best black-footed ferret finders in the business. Jeff Corwin: So she's basically going from whole to whole sniffing for the presence of a black-footed ferret. Melissa Steen: There she goes. Jeff Corwin: So what's that behavior mean? Melissa Steen: So when she sits she's telling me she's found something. Jeff Corwin: So these are actually the borrows of prairie dogs from two to 10 feet into the earth, all snaking and twisting and rooting together. And there's potentially a black-footed ferret here taking advantage of the presence of prairie dogs, because they depend on prairie dogs. Jeff Corwin: Prairie dogs are a keystone species. Approximately 150 other species benefit or depend upon prairie dogs for survival, especially the black-footed ferret. Tragically in the 1900s widespread habitat destruction and the arrival of a disease called Sylvatic plague reduced the population by more than 95%. Without prairie dogs, the black-footed ferret almost completely disappeared. The few that remain here at Fort Belknap are some of the last on earth. Melissa Steen: So what we do now is we are going to flag this hole. Tule. Good girl. Then I'm going to take my GPS and mark this spot. And that will help inform where they send people out tonight to help look for the ferret. Jeff Corwin: So the next layer of this incredible conservation project with black-footed ferrets takes us to the spotlight team. Jeff Corwin: Darkness falls quickly over the prairie and I'm teaming up with Chamois Andersen from Defenders of Wildlife. Jeff Corwin: Chamois, just kind of going over the horizon with this spotlight. And what are you looking for? Chamois Anderssen: Yeah, I'm scanning the prairie for what are green eyes, the sheen of the ferret's eyes are green. They look like emeralds. And they're close to the ground, dipping in and out of the prairie dog burrows. It's sort of like playing tag. Jeff Corwin: Finally we find a black-footed ferret. Jeff Corwin: All right. So this is where proof is in the pudding. Jeff Corwin: The black-footed ferret only survives in this subterranean community of prairie dogs. Now do you just put it in the front? Chamois Anderssen: Just straight out like that. Yeah. Correct. And then you want to kind of cover it with the blanket and then we'll take a GPS reading. Jeff Corwin: Okay. So way point is saved. The trap is set. Jeff Corwin: This creature, for all intents and purposes, it was extinct. What happened? Chamois Anderssen: A dog named Shep on a ranch in Meeteetse, Wyoming found a dead black-footed ferret on the property and brought it home to its owners. That's how we realized it was no longer extinct. Jeff Corwin: But as irony would have it, soon after discovery, disease came and wiped out most of those surviving ferrets, didn't it? Chamois Anderssen: Yeah. Jeff Corwin: What caused this collapse, Chamois? Chamois Anderssen: It's Sylvatic plague. When we see these prairie dog towns start to decline because of plague, ferrets quickly blink out. So if we can keep plague at bay, ferrets are healthy again. Jeff Corwin: All right. My friends, an hour has passed. I'm going to check our trap. Look, furry, little body. The hatch is closed. We've got a ferret. All right. To the camper. Jeff Corwin: We take this precious ferret to our field station where biologist Jessica Alexander will collect vital data and administer a life saving vaccine. Jeff Corwin: All right. What's the plan, Jess? Jessica Alexander: So we're going to move this ferret into the induction chamber. Jeff Corwin: Okay. Jessica Alexander: So set it down right here so it's lined up with the front, the end of the trap. We've hit our character limit. Leave us a comment for the rest of the transcript.

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Join Jeff Corwin on an Alaskan adventure to conserve North America's birds. He explores the Tongass National Forest, a vast old-growth temperate rainforest critical for species like the goshawk and vital for carbon sequestration. This unique ecosystem supports diverse wildlife, despite past logging impacts.

Corwin also visits the Alaska Raptor Center, where he helps rehabilitate and release a young bald eagle named Diesel. Rescued after being hit by a car, Diesel's recovery highlights the center's work in returning iconic raptors, including bald eagles and goshawks, to their natural habitat.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure as he explores the conservation success stories of the American crocodile and uncovers how a nuclear power station makes for an ideal crocodile nesting area. To

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure as he explores the conservation success stories of the American crocodile and uncovers how a nuclear power station makes for an ideal crocodile nesting area. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: I'm in the beautiful state of Florida, seeing how conservation efforts are working to bring back the American crocodile from the brink of extinction. We are on our way to the Turkey Point nuclear power plant. It's the sixth largest power plant in the United States, and it provides power to the entire southern half of Florida. But it also plays an even more powerful role in the survival of the American crocodile. Jeff Corwin: This is Mike Lloret and he's a wildlife biologist, and he works with Florida Power & Light. And of course, this is Elizabeth from Defenders of Wildlife. And this is all about these most extraordinary creatures, American crocodiles. Elizabeth, they have quite a powerful story, don't they, in North America? Elizabeth Fleming: Yes, they do. They've really had a terrific success story through many decades of conservation effort. Jeff Corwin: And of course, Florida Power & Light and Turkey Point has been a big part of this nuclear headstart program. And I mean that in the best sense of the description, because it's almost like you guys have been able to launch the re-survival of this species, the re-wilding of this species. What made this such a success? Mike Lloret: We have 6,000 acres here. It ended up being fantastic habitat for the American crocodile. The crocodiles come here. We collect the babies. We monitor the adults and we release everybody back into the wild. Jeff Corwin: The power plant is cooled by a massive network of canals that cover 10 square miles and borders a large wildlife reserve. Conservationists have discovered that these canals make the ideal habitat for crocodile nests. Jeff Corwin: So because this is a secure facility providing energy for millions of people in Florida, it's protected. So you have security which protects the crocodiles. Jeff Corwin: American crocodiles almost were extinct due to hunting and habitat loss. At one point, unfortunately,  there were only 100 adult crocodiles left. But thanks to the Endangered Species Act  and organizations, like our sponsor Defenders of Wildlife, they have made an important comeback. There are now over 2,000 American crocodiles surviving in Southern Florida.  Jeff Corwin: Elizabeth, why is it important that we protect crocodiles? Elizabeth Fleming: Because they're part of the natural system in Florida. We have some of the greatest biological diversity in the entire country, and it's because we have so many species like this. Every single one is important. Everyone has a role in the ecosystem and with their loss, it's a loss to us. Mike Lloret: The crocodiles are one of our apex predators down here in south Florida. So we know if there're more crocodiles, that the rest of the ecosystem is doing well. Jeff Corwin: If they're protected, the birds, the fish, the turtles, the plants, all of that gets protected as well. Mike, so what do we need to accomplish today? Mike Lloret: So today we are tagging these baby hatchlings. We are collecting biometric data, which is important to understand the population health of these little guys. And then we're releasing them back into the wild. Jeff Corwin: First off, we measure the crocodile hatchlings. Jeff Corwin: Snout 12.8 centimeters.   Jeff Corwin: Then we get their weight. Jeff Corwin: 58.7 grams there. Jeff Corwin: In order to identify each crocodile in the future, we insert a small microchip called a PIT tag, just under the skin. When it is scanned, it will reveal the identification number of this particular crocodile. Mike Lloret: Now we're going to cut a unique SKU clip number into his tail. Jeff Corwin: My buddy Mike also makes a small incision in the crocodile's scales, according to a specific number pattern. This way, along with the PIT tag, they can be identified for the rest of their lives. But don't worry, it doesn't hurt. Jeff Corwin: Okay there my friends, so we have ourselves a bucket of amazing American crocodiles. And if you thought this was cool, now they're going back home. Elizabeth Fleming: Absolutely. Jeff Corwin: All right, let's do it. Jeff Corwin: We head to the wildlife sanctuary in Turkey Point to return them back to the wild. Jeff Corwin: All right, here we go. This is what it's all about. You ready, Elizabeth? Elizabeth Fleming: Yes, I am. Jeff Corwin: All right. Mike Lloret: Just going to guide them out that way. Jeff Corwin: They're so cute. Elizabeth Fleming: They really are... We've run out of characters. Leave us a comment for the rest of the transcript.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure across central Florida to connect with the giant manatee! This weekend Jeff uncovers the harsh realities manatees face in the wild and works with

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure across central Florida to connect with the giant manatee! This weekend Jeff uncovers the harsh realities manatees face in the wild and works with conservationists who are racing to save this iconic species. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today's conservation mission begins in central Florida, home to the stunningly beautiful Silver River. Jeff Corwin: Just look how clean the water is here. We can see in some cases, right to the bottom 20 plus feet deep. We can see the various fish species milling about, big river turtles and large mouth bass. All of them sharing this vital habitat. Jeff Corwin: I'm here with Liz Neville from Defenders of Wildlife. Their mission is to help protect and restore Florida's wetland wilderness. Jeff Corwin: This is old wild Florida, isn't it? Liz Neville: It is, Jeff. This to me is the reason to come to Florida. It's beautiful. The peace that I feel from being out here is unlike anything else. Jeff Corwin: The Silver River flows into the mighty Ocklawaha River at the heart of the great Florida riverway. This vast 217 mile system of rivers and springs flows north from central Florida to the Atlantic Ocean. It is critical habitat to countless species, including manatees. Manatees are big, typically 10 feet long and weighing around a thousand pounds. They're curious, slow moving, and spend most of the day grazing on seagrass. Jeff Corwin: They're also constantly migrating through Florida's rivers and coastal habitats to survive. The greatest long term threat to manatees is a loss of warm water habitat and restoring more areas of natural warm water habitat will ensure the manatee's future. The beauty about Silver River is that it has a relatively constant temperature. So when we get those very dangerous cold snaps, which happen here in Florida in winter, manatees can come here and survive. Jeff Corwin: Unfortunately, many manatees are cut off from places like Silver River due to manmade barriers. The Kirkpatrick Dam is a good example. It was built in the 1960s and has obstructed the large scale migration of manatees ever since. Restoring a free flowing Ocklawaha River will not only give manatees better access to Silver River and Silver Springs, but will also provide them with essential, warm water winter habitat and many of Ocklawaha's 20 freshwater Springs, which are currently not accessible due to high water levels from the dam. Jeff Corwin: The reality is there are decisions that happened decades ago that are impacting the environmental integrity of Florida today. Liz Neville: Jeff, it's really about coexistence at the end of the day. So much of the appeal of living in Florida is the beautiful natural environment and the wildlife that we have. So the key to continuing a survival of species and also ensuring a good human quality of life is to work with nature and not against her. Jeff Corwin: In recent years, Florida waterways have seen a dramatic increase in harmful algae blooms. These algae blooms are killing other native vegetation that provide food to manatees and other species. Tragically today, more manatees are dying than any other time in Florida's recorded history. Conservationists are racing to save this keystone species before it's too late.

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Host Jeff Corwin celebrates the Endangered Species Act (ESA), landmark 1973 legislation protecting vulnerable wildlife and ecosystems. The bald eagle, once near extinction, exemplifies the ESA's success, having recovered and now thriving across the U.S.

The ESA also protects sea turtles, with Florida's beaches being globally vital nesting sites. Conservation efforts, like Boca Raton's beachfront parks, are crucial. While only 1 in 10,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood, protecting their habitat allows these keystone species to flourish. All six sea turtle species nesting in America are protected by the ESA. Learn more at www.defenders.org/wildlifenation.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure through central Florida as he helps save threatened gopher tortoises from a new real estate development. Later, Jeff uncovers how gopher tortoises contribute to

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure through central Florida as he helps save threatened gopher tortoises from a new real estate development. Later, Jeff uncovers how gopher tortoises contribute to Florida’s entire ecosystem by providing important habitat for many other species. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Our adventure begins in Central Florida, where an amazing species of reptile has lived for  millions of years. Jeff Corwin: So friends, right now, we're working with an incredible project, and it's all about rescuing these amazing creatures. This is the incredible, the iconic, gopher tortoise. Kent, I can't think of a more amazing symbol of old wild Florida than this, but today they're in serious trouble. Why are these tortoises disappearing? Kent Wimmer: Because of development pressures and land uses that don't protect their habitat. Jeff Corwin: In Florida, neighborhoods are popping up left and right. How many people move here every day? Kent Wimmer: 1,000 people a day. Jeff Corwin: To make room for people, means we lose habitat, and a species like this depends on a very specific type of habitat. Jeff Corwin: Gopher tortoises are expert diggers. Every year, they dig out several long tunnels deep underground, where they are protected from weather, fires, and predators.  And these master excavators play a critical role in Florida's entire ecosystem. Kent Wimmer: Gopher tortoises are one of nature's engineers. Over 360 species live in gopher tortoise burrows. They're one of the most important species we have in Florida. Jeff Corwin: We've got Kent from Defenders, and we have Carissa who is from Saving Florida's Gopher Tortoises. Carissa, these tunnels can go how many feet? Carissa Kent: In the center of the State, they'll go down to 25, 35 feet. They dig to the water table. Jeff Corwin: You're talking about 25 feet down. Carissa Kent: Correct. Jeff Corwin: I'm not talking length- Carissa Kent: Length. Jeff Corwin: ... just down. Carissa Kent: Just down. Jeff Corwin: This sandy type soil you find in Florida is ideal for tortoises. But, it's also ideal for homesteading,  real estate, and construction, isn't it? Carissa Kent: Correct. So the same places that tortoises want to live, humans want to live. So, there has to be a balance there somewhere. So we work on projects, unfortunately, that had an old permit system, where the developers are able to purchase a permit to bury them alive. Jeff Corwin: Under Florida regulations, many older gopher tortoise permits still allow developers to destroy their burrows and seal them underground beneath layers of concrete. And many other species that live in their burrows, can be routinely killed.   Jeff Corwin: This lot, which is home to gopher tortoises, is now going to be ripped up, torn down, and made room for a development, a neighborhood. That's where Carissa's group with partners like Defenders come in. We've come to this place, to get whatever tortoises are living here out of harm's way. Because if we don't, they'll be forever buried under a neighborhood of concrete. Carissa Kent: Correct. Jeff Corwin: All right. Shall we go save some tortoises? Carissa Kent: I'm ready. Kent Wimmer: Let's go. Jeff Corwin: Let's do it. Carissa Kent: Let's go. Carissa Kent: All right, found one guys. Kent Wimmer: Hey. Carissa Kent: All right. It's right here. Jeff Corwin: All right. Yep, I can see that. Kent Wimmer: Good job. Carissa Kent: Yeah, I see tracks and some nice little trails right there. So, we're hoping this is definitely  a gopher tortoise that's physically in here. Jeff Corwin: There could be dozen of critters down there, but there's only one way to find out, and we've  got some technology to do that, don't we Carissa? Carissa Kent: We sure do. Jeff Corwin: Carissa carefully feeds a small camera deep into the hole, to see if anyone is at home. Carissa: All right. It's curving to the left a little bit. And- Jeff Corwin: Look at that. A tortoise. Carissa Kent: There is our tortoise. Kent Wimmer: All right. Jeff Corwin: So, we've confirmed tortoise, what do we do? Carissa Kent: It's time to excavate. Jeff Corwin: All right, let's do it. Carissa Kent: All right, let's go. Kent Wimmer: All right. Jeff Corwin: In order to safely excavate the gopher tortoise, we rely on some heavy-duty industrial earth moving equipment to help clear away the top soil. Jeff Corwin: This is about being very, very gentle and approaching this hole as gingerly as possible, isn't it? Carissa Kent: Absolutely. Obviously, we're digging with very, very large machinery here, so our number one goal is not to hurt this tortoise. But we need this machine to get this tortoise out of the ground. So how we do that, is delicately. We've hit our character limit. Leave us a comment for the rest of the transcript.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure to the great state of Alaska as he explores a few of the incredible animals that call it home. Jeff begins on the shores of the icy Cook Inlet helping

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure to the great state of Alaska as he explores a few of the incredible animals that call it home. Jeff begins on the shores of the icy Cook Inlet helping conservationists monitor a population of endangered beluga whales. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: For today's adventure, I'm traveling to America's last great frontier, the mighty state of Alaska. Alaska is a place of extremes. It is home to some of the most stunning landscapes on earth and a collection of North America's most iconic species. This morning we're exploring the massive Cook Inlet watershed located south of Anchorage. I'm joining Nicole Whittington-Evans from Defenders of Wildlife and Suzanne Steinert to help the ongoing conservation of the great white canaries of the sea. Jeff Corwin: Incredible. So we've got one beluga there and another one right here.  Nicole, when they come up, it's a flash, isn't it? Nicole Whittington-Evans: Yeah. It's just like a marshmallow surfacing on the water and then going back down. Jeff Corwin: What is bringing them here? Nicole Whittington-Evans: They're coming in to the inlet because they are following salmon. They're feeding on salmon and other fish. Jeff Corwin: The beluga whale is uniquely adapted to life in the Arctic. The absence of a dorsal fin allows them to swim under ice with ease. Their highly developed sense of hearing allows them to use echolocation to communicate with each other and navigate through the icy water that often has low visibility. Jeff Corwin: Suzanne, typically, how many belugas would we see here? Suzanne Steinert: This time of year, Jeff, we could see dozens on one tide cycle. Jeff Corwin: Nicole and Suzanne carefully count and photograph every beluga they find to monitor the health of this critically endangered population.   Jeff Corwin: In the late '80s and early '90s, Cook's Inlet was home to well over a thousand beluga whales, but today the population has plummeted by nearly 80%. What has happened to beluga whales? Nicole Whittington-Evans: In Cook Inlet, we're directly adjacent to the largest population center in Alaska. And through that, there's been a lot of habitat degradation for Cook Inlet belugas. Suzanne Steinert: There are a number of threats that are likely contributing cumulatively to preventing this population from recovering. Jeff Corwin: What is one step do you think that we could do today that would ensure their survival into tomorrow? Nicole Whittington-Evans: We really need to be thinking about how we can reduce our impacts to the climate. Suzanne Steinert: And if they're going to have any chance of survival, we've got to figure out how to better balance human and beluga needs. Jeff Corwin:  Our goal is to ensure that every generation has a chance to perch upon this rock and witness these amazing whales. Thank you guys so much. This was awesome. Nicole Whittington-Evans: Yeah, this was fantastic. There's one right there. Jeff Corwin: There is one right there.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on "Wildlife Nation" as he journeys across California to connect with North America's magnificent marine mammals and the heroes saving them. He works alongside conservationists rescuing sea lion pups that ingested plastic debris and explores sea otter habitats in Monterey Bay, learning about their group behavior and past near-extinction.

Jeff also collaborates with a research team studying giant elephant seals, collecting vital migration data and discovering the powerful connection between mothers and babies. This adventure, in partnership with Defenders of Wildlife, celebrates these incredible creatures and the dedicated efforts to protect them.

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