Introduction:

“My name is Erin Edge, and I am a senior representative for Defenders of Wildlife. My primary work is centered around grizzly bear coexistence, conservation and policy. I have worked for Defenders for 20 years first doing outreach around bear awareness, and slowly my position developed into what it is today.”

How did you get your start in conservation?

“I have always felt a pull to nature and animals. My journey was definitely not linear, and it took me a while to get to college, but I ended up being very curious about the field of wildlife biology. I had worked as a server and bartender in Yellowstone for two summers and realized I knew so little about the natural world, how it operates and the role humans play in that big picture. I decided to go to school in Montana and get my bachelor’s in wildlife biology.”

What would you say to someone looking to volunteer or pursue a conservation career?

“I went to school with dreams of seeing animals up close and working in nature. While I have done that, most of my job is working with people. It is very important to know how to listen to those impacted by conservation decisions, whether in a positive or negative way. Often in those honest discussions there is more common ground than one might think. Developing solutions for conservation challenges with a diverse group of partners is very rewarding and important to long term success. So yes, you may work with the wildlife itself, but you also meet, work with and develop relationships with potentially unexpected people.”

What's one wildlife issue you wish people knew more about?

“Some of our once-wild places are developing quickly. This means the urban-wildland interface continues to grow. You may see videos online of bears in backyards, a mountain lion outside a screen door or raccoon on a porch. While you may find the video cute, the reality is that wildlife often get in trouble when they spend too much time in urban environments.

We can take steps to discourage animals from staying near homes and moving along for more natural foods. For instance, do not put up bird feeders if you live in bear country, when bears are active. It is generally a good idea to not feed wildlife. Whether it is the chipmunk at your picnic stop in a national park or a deer out in your backyard, this can encourage behavior that leads to their demise. Simple steps can lead to big conservation outcomes and make the landscape safer for both wildlife and people.”

Click here to learn more about Erin and her work at Defenders!

Click here to see our last Meet Defenders profile!