Where the wild things matter

What does it take to protect some of Canada's most iconic—and at risk—animals? In this episode, Carol and Jeevan sit down with Mateen Hessami (MSc’22), wildlife biologist and UBC Okanagan master's graduate, to find out. From collaring moose out of helicopters to rediscovering a caribou herd believed to be extinct since 2014, Mateen's work is as thrilling as it is meaningful. He breaks down why caribou are disappearing, why hunters might be conservation's greatest allies, and why the most important voice in wildlife management often belongs to the communities who've lived on the land for generations. Whether you're a nature lover or someone who's never left the city, this conversation will change the way you think about the wild world around you. Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Contact Carol Contact Jeevan From Here Forward From Here Forward is on LinkedIn Podium Podcast Company Mateen Hessami UBC Okanagan Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Club The Indigenous Guardians Program (00:00) - Introduction (01:33) - Meet Mateen Hessami (04:46) - What does a community-based wildlife ecologist do day-to-day? (05:53) - Why hunting matters for conservation (09:27) - Moose vs. caribou (15:02) - Career highlights (16:58) - Why centering Indigenous knowledge changes wildlife work (20:30) - Building trust with communities vs. extractive science (22:52) - What impact do you hope your work has moving forward? (24:42) - What listeners should consider (26:41) - Are you more like a caribou or a moose? (28:07) - Conclusion