District of Conservation
Gabriella Hoffman
District of Conservation is a podcast highlighting the incredible conservationists who thrive and survive deep in or around "The Swamp." These are the policymakers, storytellers, trailblazers, and hardworking folks who go unnoticed but shape this region—whether they live or work here. In addition to guests, the podcast will also cover difficult and even controversial conservation public policy matters and news. Support this podcast: <a href="https://anchor.fm/district-of-conservation/support">https://anchor.fm/district-of-conservation/support</a>
- 18 minutes 45 secondsEP 552: The Potomac is No. 1 Endangered River in America
In Episode 552 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses the new American Rivers report on the 10 most endangered rivers list and the Potomac River earning the top spot. Why? The organization claims both the Potomac Interceptor spill and data center buildout are factors justifying the top post. Gabriella also discusses how data centers use water and why these projects aren't as scary as believed. Plus, a preview of this weekend's IOTR Summit in Florida. Tune in to learn more!
SHOW NOTES
Maryland rejects ‘most endangered’ label for Potomac River, as D.C. remains unaware about ranking
21 April 2026, 4:00 am - 14 minutes 1 secondEP 551: Maine Adopts Statutory Right to Hunt and Fish
In Episode 551 of District of Conservation, Gabriella previews her Daily Caller Live talk on April 21st and discusses Maine passing the statutory right to hunt and fish. Tune in to learn more!
SHOW NOTES
Daily Caller Live: American Innovation & Manufacturing Renaissance
Maine Legislature weighs constitutional right to hunt and fish
Luke Hilgemann Statement on Right to Hunt and Fish
CSF: Statutory Right to Hunt and Fish Enacted in Maine
20 April 2026, 4:00 am - 24 minutes 37 secondsEP 550: Governor Spanberger Targets Gun Ownership in Virginia (ft. Stephen Gutowski)
In Episode 550 of District of Conservation, Gabriella welcomes back Stephen Gutowski - founder and publisher of The Reload. Stephen discusses the latest Virginia gun bills moving in Richmond and which bills Governor Abigail Spanberger is likely to sign into law. Tune in to learn more!
SHOW NOTES
Read and subscribe to The Reload
Virginia Governor Sends ‘Assault Firearms’ Ban Back to Legislature, Demands Expansion
16 April 2026, 9:47 pm - 31 minutes 45 secondsEP 549: Maryland Madness - Lead Ammunition Bans
In Episode 459 of District of Conservation, Gabriella interviews NSSF's Mark Oliva and Safari Club International's Bee Frederick about several lead ammunition prohibition bills moving through the Maryland legislature. Tune in to learn more and how these bans could impact your state.
SHOW NOTES
National Shooting Sports Foundation
MD SB181: Hunting - Restrictions of Venison Donation
11% Excise Tax | Comprehensive Community Safety Act
For the 3rd Year in a Row, the Old-Line State Sees an Attempt to Ban Lead Hunting Ammunition
13 April 2026, 7:00 pm - 28 minutes 48 secondsEP 548: California Drillin' & "God Squad" Meeting
In Episode 548 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses Sable Offshore Company restarting operations off Santa Barbara's coast and the Endangered Species Committee - or "God Squad" - convening to grant an ESA exemption for offshore oil and gas on national security grounds. Tune in to learn more!
SHOW NOTES
Sable Offshore reveals huge amounts of oil pumping out to Chevron from Santa Barbara
Sable Offshore Corp. Begins Oil Sales from the Santa Ynez Pipeline SystemExtinction committee strips protections from rare Gulf whale
EP 371: Are Fishermen Harming Endangered Rice's Whales? ft. Captain Dylan Hubbard
Former Interior Secretary Bernhardt on God Squad meeting
‘Extinction Committee’ Allows Oil Drillers to Ignore Species Protections in Gulf of MexicoTrump Cabinet exempts Gulf drilling from species protections
31 March 2026, 7:30 pm - 51 minutes 59 secondsEP 547: Aurelia S. Giacometto, 17th US Fish & Wildlife Service Director
In Episode 547 of District of Conservation, Gabriella interviews Aurelia S. Giacometto - the 17th U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director during the first Trump administration. Presently, Aurelia is a partner at the Washington, D.C.-based Earth & Water Law.
Prior to joining Earth & Law, she served as secretary of Louisiana's Department of Environmental Quality and held various positions in the private sector.
Tune in to learn more about Aurelia and her 20+ year career in energy, conservation, and agriculture.
SHOW NOTES
E&W Law: Aurelia S. Giacometto Biography
Ramaco Compliments Aurelia S. Giacometto on Joining E&W Law
USFWS Director Page23 March 2026, 4:00 am - 30 minutes 16 secondsEP 546: USDA NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt on Agriculture & Conservation
In Episode 546 of District of Conservation, Gabriella went to USDA HQ in Washington D.C., to interview Aubrey Bettencourt- the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief. Aubrey is a third-generation California farmer, sportswoman, and passionate conservationist.
Chief Bettencourt discusses her background, USDA's priorities, what the NRCS does, changes to the food pyramid, how agriculture isn't at odds with conservation, how Secretary Brooke Rollins is making her department more functional and efficient, the value of hobby farms and agribusinesses, if USDA needs a Farm Bill to survive going forward, and more.
SHOW NOTES
16 March 2026, 4:00 am - 27 minutes 13 secondsEP 545: University of Arizona & Strategic Petroleum Reserve
In Episode 545 of District of Conservation, Gabriella recaps her trip to Arizona and discusses the impact of US-Israel strikes on Iran and domestic energy prices. Tune in to learn more!
SHOW NOTES
University of Arizona Pictures
Refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve now, before it’s too late
Under Biden, U.S. oil reserves to drop by 40 percent
Biden sold off nearly half the U.S. oil reserve. Is it ready for a crisis?
Starmer’s answer to Iran energy shock: Go green faster
America’s Natural-Gas Bounty Is Cushioning U.S. Markets From Global Shocks
9 March 2026, 7:59 pm - 14 minutes 42 secondsEP 544: Maria Davidson, SCI Foundation Conservation Program Manager
In Episode 544 of District of Conservation, Gabriella welcomes Maria Davidson, Safari Club International Foundation's Conservation Program Manager, onto the program to talk about all things bears, large carnivores, and more from SCI 2026 Convention. Tune in to learn more!
SHOW NOTES
Learn more about Maria Davidson
Bear Conservation Strategy Includes Reducing Bear Conflicts
3 March 2026, 5:00 am - 23 minutes 54 secondsEP 543: Safari Club Convention - Kenia Link from International Order of T. Roosevelt
In Episode 543 of District of Conservation, Gabriella catches up with Kenia Link from International Order of T. Roosevelt at the 2026 Safari Club International Convention in Nashville, TN.
Tune in to learn what IOTR is up to this year, their 10 target states for right to hunt and fish amendments, how to get more young people in support of hunting and fishing, SCI membership, and much more.
SHOW NOTES
Join Safari Club International
International Order of T. Roosevelt
2 March 2026, 5:00 am - 28 minutes 54 secondsEP 542: Endangerment Finding Repeal & Potomac River Sewage Crisis
In Episode 542 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses two trending news stories: the repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding and the Trump administration stepping in to resolve the Potomac River sewage crisis that began on January 19th, 2026. Tune in to learn more!
SHOW NOTES
Trump Administration to Repeal Endangerment Finding and Advance Historic Deregulation
President Trump Delivers Biggest Regulatory Relief in History
Ryan Maue on Endangerment Finding Being Administrative
What is the Potomac Interceptor?
Poo-thetic: Networks Refuse to Cover Largest Sewage Spill in U.S. History
Katie Pavlich News Nation Coverage of Potomac Sewage Disaster
Trump directs federal authorities to protect Potomac
DC Water CEO writes open letter on Potomac sewage spillGovernment agencies less likely than private firms to comply with environmental regulations
16 February 2026, 11:28 pm - More Episodes? Get the App