animals

Bison once dominated North America, with estimates between 30 and 60 million once roaming and shaping the prairies and grasslands. Westward expansion and U.S. policy greatly diminished the species, and by 1870, there were no more bison in the state of Iowa. On this episode, we learn about the keystone species with wildlife experts Jim Pease and Pete Eyheralde, and how the species became a conservation success story. We'll also learn about a herd of 70 bison at the Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa from visitor services manager Nancy Corona.

Some pet-owners are talking with their pets using augmentative interspecies communication devices — learning more about what animals want, feel and understand.

The first Black woman to graduate from Grinnell lived to be 111. She was admired for her wit and wisdom and helped with the preservation of her rich family history. We listen back to producer Dani Gehr's 2025 conversation with Renfrow Smith at her home in Chicago. Then, host Charity Nebbe spoke with the author of a children's book about Renfrow Smith, 'No One is Better Than You,' and the Grinnell professor that led the Renfrow family history project, Tamara Beauboeuf-Lafontant. Then, we learn about an Iowa organization that keeps pets and their owners together, assisting elderly and low-income Iowans and those with disabilities.

Puppy Parker Posey, a beagle mix living in Des Moines, uses augmentative interspecies communication to express herself.

Some pet-owners are talking with their pets using augmentative interspecies communication devices — learning more about what animals want, feel and understand.

The city of Ames recently purchased property for a new animal shelter that could double the number of animals taken in while providing more space for individual cats, dogs and exotic pets. Staff say the larger space will also help them expand other services and ease shelter capacity issues in the region.