81: Ethan Bonnin on Ecological Degradation at the Borderlands

Ethan graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation. Currently, he works in the advocacy world for habitat protection and restoration on public lands that face various resource extraction industries. He homesteads on a piece of desertified land In southern Arizona and is attempting to reverse desertification processes to help build food/habitat. Beyond his focus in biology, over the last 12 years he has been involved with local organic agriculture systems in the places he has lived. Ethan has worked at many different organic produce farms/apiaries and is currently working more with sustainable livestock use on different landscape levels. He is also interested in foraging, food processing/preservation, processing/use of animal fibers for clothing, wildlife tracking/trailing, erosion reversal/desertified landscape restoration, music, wildlife tracking. Ecology and ecological advocacy has been his passion and focus through his adult life and many of these hobbies have helped him to connect with his local ecological systems. He believes that healthy human communities and landscapes are integrally tied and there is no environmental protection/advocacy without supporting the communities that live in those places. Ethan works with mutual aid networks in his area and has been involved in several direct action campaigns surrounding the border wall and local ecological issues. He has a wonderful dog companion, Tuck, who keeps him company at his desert homestead and on many adventures. Working to re-wild and decolonize the world around us starts within and Ethan hopes to continue this journey with the wonderful community of folks he's met along the way. Links: Sky Island Alliance Contact Ethan on Instagram: @ dopa_surge_nature_turd Vibrant Earth Seeds : Regionally adapted to the Southwest. Use 'GROUNDSHOTS10' at checkout for 10% off seed orders (your buying seeds also supports the podcast!) Ground Shots Substack : Subscribe here Bookshop buy me a book! Bookshop : recommended books for you (buying here helps support the podcast) Amazon wishlist to support the host Kelly Venmo : @kelly-moody-6 Paypal : paypal.me/petitfawn website archive and extended show notes: http://www.ofsedgeandsalt.com