Alex Czayka is here with us today to give us a look into Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
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 shared how 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, 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 and provides insights into their work.
21:00 – Alex tells us about some of the projects they have been involved in. He highlights a recent partnership with Lake Metroparks.
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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