Alex Czayka is here with us today to give us a glimpse into Western Reserve Land Conservancy. We find out how Alex’s journey into fly fishing and his passion for the outdoors led him to a career in conservation.
Tune in to learn about conservation challenges, significant projects, and the vibrant hunting and fishing culture in Ohio.
Western Reserve Land Conservancy with Alex Czayka. Hit play below!
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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
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Show Notes with Alex Czayka
02:30 – Alex’s venture into fly fishing took root during his late teens in Northeast Ohio, where his background in hunting and fishing farm ponds evolved into a passion for fly fishing, thanks to the influence of his brother.
04:00 – Alex’s journey into conservation started with a biology degree at Kent State for his undergraduate studies, followed by obtaining a Master of Science in Wetland Ecology from SUNY Brockport. His love for the outdoors and desire to turn his passion into a career led him to roles at Nature Conservancy and Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
06:23 – We hear the distinctions between Alex’s experiences at Nature Conservancy and Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
08:29 – We hear the story of the Cuyahoga River, famously known for catching fire, which tarnished Cleveland’s reputation and led to the implementation of significant environmental regulations.
10:27 – Alex discusses the major challenges in natural resource conservation that we are currently facing. Additionally, he also provides insights into the work that they do.
21:00 – Alex tells us about some of the projects they have been involved in. He highlights a recent partnership with Lake Metroparks, focusing on acquiring and protecting property at risk of being heavily forested.
26:37 – Alex discusses their conservation efforts targeting specific species, such as the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake.
32:18 – The Western Reserve Land Conservancy, with over 50 employees, stands as one of the largest land trusts in the United States.
43:30 – According to Alex, Ohio boasts a robust hunting and fishing culture, with Lake Erie notably yielding an impressive stock of walleye.
44:40 – The significance of steelhead was also highlighted in our recent episode with Dan Pribanic of Chagrin River Outfitters, who mentioned their importance for local businesses like his shop.
51:12 – Alex is a big fan of the MeatEater Podcast.
Check out Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Instagram: @wrlconservancy
Facebook: Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Visit their website at Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Related Podcast Episodes
WFS 473 – Chagrin River Outfitters with Dan Pribanic – Steelhead Alley, Lake Eerie, Skagit heads
Read the Full Podcast Transcript Below
Conclusion with Alex Czayka
And that’s a wrap of our conversation with Alex Czayka from Western Reserve Land Conservancy. It’s inspiring to see how a love for fishing and the great outdoors can lead to such impactful conservation work. Makes you wonder, what other hidden stories of connection between hobbies and careers are out there?
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