Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant's Approach Combines Science, Tale-telling, and Social Advocacy
Award-winning Conservationist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant Is Advancing Ecosystem Health and Social Equity
Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, a leading wildlife ecologist and advocate for diversity in science, is merging wildlife conservation efforts with the promotion of social equity. Through her innovative research and compelling advocacy, she is creating a path for harmonious coexistence between mankind and nature.
Inspiration Indoors, Driven Outdoors
Born and raised in urban California, Dr. Wynn-Grant found her passion for the natural world through unconventional means, including popular wildlife documentaries. Her love for nature propelled her through her educational journey, earning her a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from Columbia University.
A Voice for Wildlife and People
Dr. Wynn-Grant's research primarily focuses on large carnivores, such as black bears and African lions. However, she is also committed to addressing the intersection of environmental and social justice issues. During her fieldwork in Kenya during Hurricane Katrina, she encountered Maasai villagers questioning her presence, spurring her to merge conservation science and the concerns of marginalized communities.
Emphasizing the Importance of Systemic Equity
In addition to her scientific research, Dr. Wynn-Grant emphasizes that addressing the systemic inequities within conservation efforts is essential. By engaging with diverse communities and advocating for representation in STEM fields, she is fostering a more inclusive and sustainable approach to wildlife conservation.
Science Communication as a Path to Justice
Dr. Wynn-Grant's science communication initiatives go beyond education and into representation. Through her highly-rated podcast, Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, she shares stories that highlight the resilience of nature while promoting a diverse perspective in the conservation movement.
Lessons from the Lake Tahoe Basin
Dr. Wynn-Grant's fieldwork in the Lake Tahoe Basin provided a stark reminder of the delicate balance between human actions and wildlife survival. After discovering a bear that had died from consuming human trash, she highlighted the importance of addressing the human impact on wildlife by implementing proactive solutions, such as waste management strategies and wildlife corridor protection.
Integrating Equity into Climate Change Action
Dr. Wynn-Grant's comprehensive approach to conservation science directly addresses the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. By studying human impacts on large carnivores and advocating for systemic equity, she is contributing to the creation of healthier ecosystems and more equitable conservation efforts.
Empowering Communities for a Sustainable Future
"I get to spend a lot of time in nature, and its resilience is remarkable," says Dr. Wynn-Grant. Her work not only helps wildlife survive but also empowers communities to take charge of conservation, fostering a collective solution for a sustainable future.
Explore More Climate Heroes
In Weaving Indigenous and Western Science, Robin Wall Kimmerer presents a vision for healing our relationship with nature by blending traditional Indigenous wisdom with modern scientific research. Meanwhile, in The Grizzly Bear: Surprisingly, the World's Most Flexible Large Mammal, learn about the remarkable adaptability of these iconic creatures.
[1] Data from research and fieldwork on human-wildlife conflicts, such as black bear encounters near human developments, and implementing proactive solutions like securing waste and protecting wildlife corridors for coexistence between humans and large carnivores.[2] Case Study: Lake Tahoe Basin errors corrected: It was a young bear's suffering, not a problem within the ecosystem, that raised awareness about the human impact on wildlife and the need for proactive solutions to foster coexistence between humans and large carnivores.[3] Dr. Wynn-Grant won the 2025 Gracie Award for On-Air Talent for her work in media, particularly on PBS's Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. She is the first Black woman to host a nature show on broadcast TV and has been featured in Essence magazine.[4] Data from her advocacy for women and people of color in STEM fields and her work in media, making STEM more accessible and inclusive both on and off the set of her shows.[5] Dr. Wynn-Grant also discusses how incarceration can serve as a catalyst for environmental awareness and rehabilitation, citing the successes of programs like the Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP), which provides opportunities for incarcerated individuals to contribute to conservation efforts and gain access to higher education.
- Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant's research and advocacy for systemic equity in conservation efforts aim to integrate environmental science, climate-change action, and education-and-self-development, fostering a diverse perspective and promoting a sustainable future.
- Addressing the human impact on wildlife, such as solving human-wildlife conflicts through proactive solutions like waste management and wildlife corridor protection, is an essential part of Dr. Wynn-Grant's nature conservation work, contributing to the coexistence between humans and large carnivores.
