About Eric Trefney grew up in Michigan in the metro-Detroit area, where he often camped and canoed with his family and friends. After finishing graduate school in 2015, Eric joined the Peace Corps, where he was assigned to Senegal, Africa, in the Sahel desert region. Eric practiced and trained in agroforestry techniques with local Senegalese partners and women’s financial literacy. In 2018, after his two years of Peace Corps service, Eric moved to the Washington D.C. area and was gifted a camera by his dad. After learning about the critically endangered red wolves in North Carolina, Eric’s passion project became photographing, educating, and advocating for the red wolf’s survival. Eric and his partner Dani currently reside in Maryland and are often out enjoying the state’s beautiful parks and rivers. You can make a huge difference for Red Wolves! Be sure to check Eric’s call to action in his article here on Rewilding.org. Show Notes Rewilding the Red Wolf: From Curiosity to Conservation with Eric Trefney In this episode of the Rewilding Earth Podcast, Eric shares his journey from a curious Google search on “endangered species near me” to becoming an advocate focused on the critically endangered Red Wolf. Based in the DC Maryland area, Eric discusses his frequent trips to the Red Wolf recovery area in North Carolina’s Albemarle Peninsula, his experiences capturing the elusive Red Wolves on camera, and the importance of ethical wildlife photography. The conversation also touches on the need for public awareness, conservation efforts, and ways you can support Red Wolf recovery. Eric emphasizes the power of conversation and connection in driving conservation efforts. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:05 Discovering the Red Wolf 01:48 Journey into Wildlife Photography 02:27 Challenges of Photographing Red Wolves 03:38 Becoming a Red Wolf Advocate 05:01 How to Support Red Wolf Conservation 11:34 Ethical Wildlife Photography 15:06 Experiences in Red Wolf Territory 19:55 Personal Reflections and Motivation 24:34 Where to Find Eric’s Work 25:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Extra Credit * Follow Eric and see more pictures on his Instagram account. * Take action on behalf of red wolves! Pictures from a recent trip Eric took to North Carolinea’s Red Wolf territory: About Eric Trefney grew up in Michigan in the metro-Detroit area, where he often camped and canoed with his family and friends. After finishing graduate school in 2015, Eric joined the Peace Corps, where he was assigned to Senegal, Africa, in the Sahel desert region. Eric practiced and trained in agroforestry techniques with local Senegalese partners and women’s financial literacy. In 2018, after his two years of Peace Corps service, Eric moved to the Washington D.C. area and was gifted a camera by his dad. After learning about the critically endangered red wolves in North Carolina, Eric’s passion project became photographing, educating, and advocating for the red wolf’s survival. Eric and his partner Dani currently reside in Maryland and are often out enjoying the state’s beautiful parks and rivers. You can make a huge difference for Red Wolves! Be sure to check Eric’s call to action in his article here on Rewilding.org. Show Notes Rewilding the Red Wolf: From Curiosity to Conservation with Eric Trefney