Conservation photographer Krista Schlyer describes the almost 2,000-mile border between the US and Mexico as a vibrant landscape teeming with life. Raising awareness for its biodiversity has become an integral part of her life’s work and is the focus of a new documentary film she directed, Ay Mariposa, which came out in May.

We hear a lot about the border wall in the news, but we don’t often talk about the wildlife and landscape that its construction impacts.

Note: We want to emphasize that while there’s a lot of talk about flora and fauna in this episode, it’s not to discount the very human elements of the US/Mexico border - it’s simply to highlight what exists alongside it.

Featured in this episode: Krista Schlyer

Hosted by Gale Straub

Sponsored by Merrell, Rooted, and ThirdLove

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In this episode, you'll hear:

• Krista's circuitous route to political journalism, followed by a shift to environmental journalism
• Advice for making a living as a conservation photographer
• How witnessing a rare herd of bison jump over a border fence changed the direction of Krista's work
• Why Krista is so motivated to showcase the biodiversity at the US/Mexico border
• The many animals that call both the United States and Mexico home
• Why the butterfly is the perfect symbol for the delicate state of animal life along the Rio Grande
• The unknown cost of human and animal life due to the border
• How to keep moving forward when you're feeling discouraged by the progress of a project
• About Ay Mariposa, a short documentary film telling the story of two women and a rare community of butterflies in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

Resources

• Krista Schlyer: Website
• Ay Mariposa Film: Website
• Almost Anywhere: A book about Krista's life changing road trip
• Continental Divide: A photo book about wildlife, people, and the border wall
• Episode Landing Page

Sponsors and Discount Codes

• Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com
• Rooted: Head to Rooted.nyc/explore and use code EXPLORE for 15% off your order
• ThirdLove: Head to Thirdlove.com/explore for 15% off your order

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Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, and Meydän using a creative commons attributions license.