A thoughtful and moving conversation that asks big questions and reminds us that care, not control, might be the key to resilience.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Cristina Eisenberg shares her perspective on the growing crisis facing our forests and why meeting this moment will take more than science alone. As the opening speaker for the Ninth American Forest Congress, Cristina reflects on how this historic gathering signals a shift in how we think about forest stewardship—and why that shift depends on blending Western science with Indigenous knowledge and local wisdom. Together with Bill and Anders, she unpacks why both extractive management and strict hands-off protection have fallen short, and how it’s time to rethink what “wilderness” really means.

The episode also explores Cristina’s personal journey – from wolves appearing in her Montana backyard to the unexpected path that led her to become a scientist. She talks about the lessons of trophic cascades, the ecology of fear, and how apex predators helped reshape the land and her own understanding of it. Drawing on Aldo Leopold, cultural fire, and her own creative background, Cristina makes the case for humility, imagination, and relationship as tools for healing the land. It’s a thoughtful and moving conversation that asks big questions and reminds us that care, not control, might be the key to resilience.

Today, we explore:

• Why our current forest management models, both extractive and preservationist, are failing

• How braiding Indigenous knowledge with Western science creates more resilient, responsive stewardship

• The role of cultural fire, kinship-based land care, and humility in forest restoration

• What trophic cascades and the return of wolves can teach us about ecological balance

• Rethinking “wilderness” through a more inclusive, historical, and relational lens 

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or at thewildidea.com.

Resources and mentions from today’s episode:

• The Wolf’s Tooth by Cristina Eisenberg
• The Carnivore Way by Cristina Eisenberg
• Braiding Indigenous and Western Knowledge for Climate-Adapted Forests (PDF)
• Cristina on LinkedIn
• Cristina on Facebook
• Cristina on Bluesky

Dr. Cristina Eisenberg is the former Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Director of Tribal Initiatives in Natural Resources at the Oregon State University (OSU) College of Forestry (CoF) and the former chief scientist at Earthwatch Institute. A first-generation student of mixed Raramuri and Western Apache heritage, she has a PhD in Forestry and Wildlife from the OSU CoF. She is an expert on Indigenous Knowledge and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples that support data sovereignty. She has led research programs focusing on ecocultural restoration of forests and grasslands and conservation of cultural keystone species.

The Wild Idea is independently produced by Wild Idea Media. If you believe conversations like this matter, you can help us keep them going by subscribing, leaving a review, sharing the episode, or signing up for our newsletter at thewildidea.com. Together, we can protect what connects us.