Join host Jeff Corwin for a celebration of the Endangered Species Act by connecting with a few of the amazing species that have benefitted from the landmark legislation. To learn more about the

Join host Jeff Corwin for a celebration of the Endangered Species Act by connecting with a few of the amazing species that have benefitted from the landmark legislation. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: The United States is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes and diverse wildlife on earth, and there's no better example than an iconic bird that's loved and admired from sea to shining sea.   Now that my friends is a powerful stare. For me, the bald eagle is not only a powerful symbol of the United States, but it is an incredible example of environmental stewardship, conservation, and the importance of the Endangered Species Act. Amazingly, not so long ago, this mighty bird species was pushed to the brink of extinction. But today, it is recovered and it is thriving because we all came together and we protected this amazing symbol of the United States. Jeff Corwin: The modern American environmental movement began in 1973 with the passage of landmark legislation called the Endangered Species Act. This crucial bipartisan law empowered our government to protect and manage vulnerable plants and animals, as well as the ecosystems upon which they depend. The Endangered Species Act has saved dozens of other threatened species from the brink of extinction, including one of my favorites, sea turtles. Today, we're exploring the beautiful beaches of Boca Raton, Florida, where several different sea turtle species make their nests. Jeff Corwin: This is Elizabeth Fleming, she works with Defenders of Wildlife. Her backyard is Florida. Her mission is Florida. This is David Anderson, and you're the sea turtle coordinator for Gumbo Limbo. David Anderson: Yes, I am the conservation coordinator for our five miles of beach in Boca Raton. Jeff Corwin: Awesome. Elizabeth, why are beaches like this critical to the survival of sea turtles? Elizabeth Fleming: Well, Florida is globally important for sea turtles. We have the largest nesting aggregations for loggerhead turtles in the entire world. Jeff Corwin: That's kind of amazing. Elizabeth Fleming: It's kind of amazing. Jeff Corwin: David, I think what's so special about Boca Raton is that a few decades ago, people had a sense of foresight. David Anderson: They had foresight to establish parks - beachfront parks in about half of all of Boca Raton's shoreline. Jeff Corwin: We've got a sea turtle nest right here. What species do you think? David Anderson: This is a loggerhead nest. This nest hatched three days ago, so now we are ready to excavate it and inventory its contents. Jeff Corwin: Awesome. Shall we start? David Anderson: Yes, we can start. Basically just start digging straight down, separate all the hatched shells. Elizabeth, can you help me sort. Elizabeth Fleming: I can. Jeff Corwin: Typically, how many stragglers would you find? David Anderson: I would say about half of the time we excavate nests, we find a live hatchling or two or sometimes three or four. Elizabeth Fleming: So they lay a lot of eggs and numbers are on their side to help them survive. Jeff Corwin: What's really promising is we're seeing a lot of empty shells. David Anderson: Right. Jeff Corwin: Which means, a lot of them got out alive. David Anderson: That's right. Elizabeth Fleming: One in 10,000 actually survive to become an adult and breed. The thing is if we just protect their habitat, they will do the rest. Jeff Corwin: They're indicator species. Elizabeth Fleming: Absolutely. Jeff Corwin: They're keystone species. Elizabeth Fleming: They are. Jeff Corwin: They're critical to the environment. They're a part of human culture. Elizabeth Fleming: They are. Jeff Corwin: It would be a sad world without them. Elizabeth Fleming: It sure would. Jeff Corwin: Oh, and it would be a sad world- Elizabeth Fleming: Did you find one? David Anderson: Look at there. Jeff Corwin: Look at that. Elizabeth Fleming: Look at that. Jeff Corwin: And it would be a sad world without this, and this is why this is so important. Because every sea turtle matters. This little straggler, buried deep in the nest, it's been liberated. In a little bit. David Anderson: Yep. Jeff Corwin: It's going home. Jeff Corwin: Of the seven sea turtle species roaming the oceans of our world, six of them make their nests on the beaches of America and all of them are listed as protected animals, under the Endangered Species Act.

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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 an epic adventure across California to connect with some of North America’s most magnificent marine mammals. Jeff works alongside conservationists fighting to save a group

Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure across California to connect with some of North America’s most magnificent marine mammals. Jeff works alongside conservationists fighting to save a group of sea lions that unfortunately ate plastic debris floating in the ocean. Next, Jeff explores sea otter habitats in the famous Monterey Bay and discovers amazing insights into sea otter group behavior. Finally, Jeff comes face to face with giant elephant seals and collects important data on elephant seal migration. Jeff learns about the powerful connection between elephant seal mothers and babies and discovers new information about their time in the open ocean. Video transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today, on Wildlife Nation, marine mammals in trouble and the heroes fighting to save them. In California, we'll meet four sea lion pups rescued from disaster. Speaker: One of these animals consumed this plastic bag. Jeff Corwin: Next, we'll visit southern sea otters who nearly went extinct. Speaker: They're wild and they need to stay wild. Jeff Corwin: And, we'll join a conservation research team and their decades of incredible work to better understand the elephant seal. I'm Jeff Corwin and I teamed up with Defenders of Wildlife to celebrate the awesome creatures of North America and the dedicated conservationists working to protect them. And you're invited to join the adventure. This is Wildlife Nation.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure across North America on a mission to help bring bison back to the continent. Jeff travels to the Canadian border to help Native American tribes re-establish

Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure across North America on a mission to help bring bison back to the continent. Jeff travels to the Canadian border to help Native American tribes re-establish new bison herds 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 travels to the Kodiak Island Archipelago where the native Allutiq people are managing a new population of American bison. Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today on Wildlife Nation, strap in and hold on. Speaker: You ready to do it? Yep, right there, you ready? Okay! Jeff Corwin: We're working alongside native tribes to bring bison back to North America. Speaker: It's a wonderful thing, and I'm glad other tribes are participating in this program. Jeff Corwin: From the plains of Oklahoma to the wilderness of Alaska, this is a conservation mission like you've never seen before. The dart is in. We've got ourselves a bison. I'm Jeff Corwin and I've teamed up with Defenders of Wildlife to celebrate the awesome creatures of North America and the dedicated conservationists working to protect them, and you're invited to join the adventure. This is Wildlife Nation.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure to help save some of North America’s most imperiled species. Jeff travels to the plains of Montana to save a delicate population of black-footed ferrets,

Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure to help save some of North America’s most imperiled species. Jeff travels to the plains of Montana to save a delicate population of black-footed ferrets, a species once believed to be extinct. Then, Jeff travels to the spectacular coastline of Big Sur, California, to help prepare young condors for their new life in the wild. Then, Jeff travels to Washington State to connect with the endangered pygmy rabbit and works alongside conservationists fighting to protect these amazing animals and the ecosystem where they live. Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today on Wildlife Nation, we're celebrating animals rescued from the brink of extinction. Pam Flick: It truly takes a village to save a species. Jeff Corwin: We'll help save the most endangered mammal in North America from a deadly disease. The hatch is closed. We've got a ferret. We'll help the mighty California condor return to the sky. Look at the size of this bird. It's just amazing. Jeff Corwin: And we'll give the world's tiniest rabbit a shot to survive. When you only have 150 individuals left, this really is our last chance. Jeff Corwin: I'm Jeff Corwin and I've teamed up with Defenders of Wildlife to celebrate the awesome creatures of North America and the dedicated conservationists working to protect them, and you're invited to join the adventure. This is Wildlife Nation.

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Join host Jeff Corwin as he connects with a collection of amazing mammals that face difficult conservation challenges. First, Jeff travels into the remote forests of New England to help care for a

Join host Jeff Corwin as he connects with a collection of amazing mammals that face difficult conservation challenges. First, Jeff travels into the remote forests of New England to help care for a rowdy group of orphaned baby black bears. Jeff learns about bear conservation and discovers the unique and friendly behaviors bear cubs have towards each other. Later, Jeff travels to Florida to meet orphaned baby manatees. Jeff learns about the threats to manatee habitat and what biologists are doing to save them. Finally, Jeff assists veterinarians to help two adorable opossums heal from their wounds and return to the forest. Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today on the Wildlife Nation, we're connecting with some of the most diverse mammals in North America, from the shores of Alaska to the waterways of Florida and the forests of New England. We'll meet the women and men on the mission to protect and save America's most amazing mammals. Jeff Corwin: "Marlow please get off the cameraman." Jeff Corwin: I'm Jeff Corwin. And I've teamed up with Defenders of Wildlife to celebrate the awesome creatures of North America and the dedicated conservationists working to protect them. And you're invited to join the adventure. This is Wildlife Nation.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure from Florida to California to Alaska to better understand how climate change is impacting some of North America’s most iconic creatures. First, Jeff

Join host Jeff Corwin on an epic adventure from Florida to California to Alaska to better understand how climate change is impacting some of North America’s most iconic creatures. First, Jeff uncovers precious sea turtle nests on the beach of Boca Raton and discovers how warming beaches are affecting developing turtles inside the egg. Later, Jeff makes his way to California to understand how drought and habitat loss is impacting the giant garter snake. Then, Jeff makes his way to the remote wilderness of Alaska where bison and musk ox are adapting to the rapidly changing Alaska ecosystem. Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today on Wildlife Nation, we're on a quest to better understand how wild species are impacted from climate change and work along side the heroes trying to save them. We'll explore how a sea turtle's warm, white sandy home may become too hot for their own good. Jeff Corwin: With a warming planet, we're getting more females than males. Jeff Corwin: And then we'll visit a very special species of snake struggling to survive in California. Jeff Corwin: Mission complete. Jeff Corwin: And later, will the muskox have what it takes to survive climate change? Jeff Corwin: I'm Jeff Corwin and I've teamed up with Defenders of Wildlife to celebrate the awesome creatures of North America and the dedicated conservationists working to protect them. And you're invited to join the adventure. This is Wildlife Nation.

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Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure into the wilds of Alaska to understand the great environmental challenge of our time: climate change. First, Jeff explores the beautiful Mendenhall Glacier. Jeff

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure into the wilds of Alaska to understand the great environmental challenge of our time: climate change. First, Jeff explores the beautiful Mendenhall Glacier. Jeff rappels down into the glacier’s cracks and crevasses - and flies a drone high above the glacier’s edge - to discover how warming temperatures will forever change this ancient and massive block of ice. Later, Jeff investigates the impact of melting glacier ice on one of Alaska's most vital species: salmon. Jeff works alongside dedicated conservationists along the beautiful Montana River to collect tiny baby salmon and carefully study them. This research will help Alaska’s Department of Fish and Wildlife better manage salmon populations and give biologists a window into how climate change will affect the entire ecosystem. Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: Today, on Wildlife Nation, we'll explore the front lines of climate change. Speaker: "So we're seeing ice loss faster than anywhere else on earth." Jeff Corwin: We'll study how quickly Alaska's glaciers are disappearing. Jeff Corwin: "Most of this will be gone." Jeff Corwin: And learn about a crucial population that binds this ecosystem together. Jeff Corwin: "Fingers crossed. Look at that. We got salmon." Jeff Corwin: I'm Jeff Corwin, and I've teamed up with Defenders of Wildlife to celebrate the awesome creatures of North America and the dedicated conservationists working to protect them. And you're invited to join the adventure. This is Wildlife Nation.

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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: Today on Wildlife Nation... strap in for a bumpy ride. Jeff Corwin: Hold on. Jeff Corwin: We're working with Native American tribes Speaker: Come on bison, all the way to the gate. Jeff Corwin: ...to bring bison back to the great plains. Speaker: It's a wonderful thing and I'm glad other tribes are participating in this program. Jeff Corwin: And we'll help rescue black-footed ferrets from the brink of extinction. Jeff Corwin: We've got a ferret. Chamois Andersen: Let's do it! Jeff Corwin: I'm Jeff Corwin, and I've teamed up with Defenders of Wildlife to celebrate the awesome creatures of North America and the dedicated conservationists working to protect them. And you're invited to join the adventure. This is Wildlife Nation.

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