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LISTEN: Out in the Field speaks up
The OiTF community fosters an inclusive and welcoming wildlife profession
What started as an op-ed in The Wildlife Professional has turned into a society-wide, member-led initiative to illuminating and elevating (LGBTQIA+) wildlifers.
In this episode of “Our Wild Lives,” co-organizers of Out in The Field (OiTF) Silas Fischer and Adam Janke join hosts Katie Perkins and Ed Arnett to discuss how OiTF is helping to make the wildlife profession more open, visible and inclusive.
Fischer and Janke recount their personal experiences as wildlife professionals, unpack the mission behind this TWS member-led effort, and explore how allies can meaningfully support the work of OiTF.
“Our Wild Lives” is The Wildlife Society’s weekly podcast, sharing compelling stories from wildlife professionals doing critical work around the world. Your hosts, Katie Perkins and Ed Arnett, of The Wildlife Society, bring you thought-provoking conversations with leading experts and emerging voices.
New episodes are released weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Please email comms@wildlife.org with feedback or future episode suggestions.
Header Image: Colleen Olfenbuttel (left) and Mallory Davies (right) staff the Out in The Field booth at the 2025 TWS conference. Courtesy of Adam Janke
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