Tanka Impact podcast: Restoring the Range: Zintkala Eiring’s Path to Buffalo Conservation
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In this episode of Tanka Impact, we are honored to welcome Zintkala Eiring, an Oglala Lakota Winyan and range ecologist for Tanka Fund. With a wealth of experience spanning species conservation, Buffalo management, and community health, Zintkala shares her journey from studying Legal Studies to becoming a leader in Buffalo restoration efforts.
About Tanka Impact podcast
Hosted by Phillip Gaudon, assistant marketing director of Tanka Fund, the podcast will explore the connection between Buffalo restoration, Native food sovereignty, and sustainable agriculture. Hear stories from Native leaders, agricultural experts, and community members working to heal the land and restore the Buffalo. Each episode shares insights on cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and economic empowerment. If you’re passionate about Indigenous culture, food systems, or sustainability, Tanka Impact brings you conversations that inspire change.
Summary of current episode
This episode features Kala, a range ecologist with Tanka Fund, and an Oglala Lakota from Rapid City, South Dakota. Kala shares her journey from legal studies to conservation, combining her passion for environmental health and policy. She highlights her work in Buffalo restoration, climate-smart practices, and mentoring youth through internships, inspiring the next generation of conservationists.
Key highlights from current episode
Kala’s Background and Expertise:
Kala, a range ecologist with Tanka Fund, holds a master’s degree in legal studies and a bachelor’s in conservation. Her diverse professional experience includes roles in tribal health, Buffalo management, and wildlife conservation, with a focus on species like red pandas and clouded leopards.
Role as a Range Ecologist:
Kala merges legal and environmental expertise to monitor rangeland health, assess carrying capacities for Buffalo, and implement sustainable grazing practices. Her work emphasizes the interconnectedness of land, people, and policy.
Climate-Smart Practices:
Through Tanka Fund’s partnership with the USDA and South Dakota State University, Kala supports ranchers in adopting climate-smart practices like rotational grazing, prescribed burning, and native seed planting to improve rangeland health.
Buffalo Restoration Advocacy:
Kala underscores Buffalo as sustainable grazers and advocates for their role in carbon sequestration and grassland restoration, contributing to long-term environmental and community health.
Youth Mentorship and Internship Program:
Kala mentors young interns through Tanka Fund, introducing them to conservation practices, fieldwork, and independent research projects, fostering interest in environmental science and Buffalo management.
Inspiration and Advocacy for Indigenous Youth:
Kala emphasizes the importance of mentorship, perseverance, and believing in oneself, aiming to inspire Indigenous youth to pursue careers in conservation, policy, and environmental science.
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