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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The global transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy, including battery storage, is vital for environmental protection. However, this shift requires "transition minerals," whose extraction frequently causes new displacements and dispossession of Indigenous Peoples' territories.

This series aims to inform and educate Indigenous Peoples about their right to free, prior, and informed consent regarding minerals found on their lands.

Acknowledgements include music by The Halluci Nation and Ziibiwan, an image of mining in Bolivia, and voices from Cultural Survival: Diana Pastor, Galina Angarova, Mariana Kiimi, Shaldon Ferris, and Jess Cherofsky.

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Jessica talks about the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans and what you can do in your own life to help. After giving statistics to back up her argument, she gives lifestyle change

Jessica talks about the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans and what you can do in your own life to help. After giving statistics to back up her argument, she gives lifestyle change suggestions to lessen your impact on the ocean environment. Jessica Elliott is a senior at Davenport Central. She has been enthralled with the ocean since her first visit and plans to pursue a degree in marine biology. Jess spends her free time mentoring youth philanthropy group Teens for Tomorrow and participating in mock trial, the thespian troupe, and swim team. She enjoys skiing, sailing, hiking, and reading. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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Volunteers significantly impact the Energy Innovation Act's momentum by securing support from local community leaders. Join CCL's Action Coordinator Todd Elvins and leader Jess Wilber for a webinar on effective "grasstops" outreach.

This session provides strategies for identifying and prioritizing leaders, determining actions, and leveraging endorsements to build support in your community and beyond.

Access presentation slides: cclusa.org/cvt-grasstops. Further training is available on the CCL Community Training Page: community.citizensclimate.org/topics/grasstops-engagement/engaging-community-leaders.

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Wondering what climate policies other countries are implementing and what that means for the global society? Join CCL International Outreach Manager Cathy Orlando and CCL International Outreach

Wondering what climate policies other countries are implementing and what that means for the global society? Join CCL International Outreach Manager Cathy Orlando and CCL International Outreach Intern Jess Wilber to learn what Canada is doing, then gear up for a mini climate policy negotiation with the United States and the UN. Slide Deck & More #CCL2020 Presentations: https://cclusa.org/presentations Join CCL: https://cclusa.org/join

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Driven by witnessing the connection between injustice and environmental degradation, Jess Grady-Benson co-founded the Claremont Colleges Fossil Fuel Divestment Campaign in 2012. She led the campaign to a victory at Pitzer College in 2014, securing fossil fuel divestment.

Post-graduation, Grady-Benson continues building the youth climate justice movement through the national Fossil Fuel Divestment Student Network. As a coordinating committee member and Director of Training, she plans strategic direction, designs leadership programs, and trains young organizers nationwide to advance divestment and a just transition.

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Jess received a prestigious Brower Youth Award for her impactful contributions.

Her work centered on fostering fossil fuel divestment campaigns across college campuses, primarily achieved

Jess received a prestigious Brower Youth Award for her impactful contributions.

Her work centered on fostering fossil fuel divestment campaigns across college campuses, primarily achieved through comprehensive student training initiatives.

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