Devon the Nature Guy

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brb. gonna go snorkeling to see if I can spot some moose. 🫎 🤿 I should probably clarify that they likely don’t regularly go that deep, but they are certainly capable #moose #wildlife #animals #biology #science

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Y’all, I am a millennial dad and a high school biology teacher, and the amount of love and support you gift my way is not just bewildering, but appreciated beyond measure. I’ve been making content since January of 2017 when I launched my podcast, The Wild Life, with lots of ups and downs. It’s only in the last year that I decided to stop trying so damn hard to be perfect, and just be me. Shortly after, that’s when my content really started to take of. That alone…I can’t begin to express how much that healed in me, how much that taught me, and how much it drives me to keep showing up. It’s also helped inspire so much hope in me even when the world seems hell bent on squashing that light at every turn. You being here shows me just how many people care about our natural world. More than that, when I share action items for things we can do to step up and protect it, y’all SHOW UP. That means the world. That, AND the overwhelming response I have had to my new wildlife class on Patreon. 400 members?! That’s 400 people who are wanting to take time out of there day to dive deeper and learn more with me. I just hope you know that you have made me a menace with my students this next year 😂 for those of you who are maybe seeing me for the first time, I am a high school, bio teacher with a bachelors and wildlife biology, a bachelors in life, science education, and a masters in biological sciences. I have been a naturalist for 10 years, I’ve worked for the MNDNR, as a Park Ranger for the USACE, and spent a few years in Wolf conservation, before making the decision to become a teacher— a profession I am honored to be a part of, and that I truly believe is one of the most vital for building a brighter future. I was a finalist for the 2026 Minnesota Teacher Year and I’m about to begin my 7th year. So, thank you all again. You give me hope each and every day. #wildlife #education #Science #hope #gratitude

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We all need to feel some more wonder, don’t we? #wildlife #animals #nature #earth #biology #naturalist #ecology #wonder

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Science based fisheries management didn’t happen by accident. Neither has its dismantling. But we’re not helpless. As simple as it sounds, speaking up truly does work. As long as enough of us use our voices and bother to show up, we can move the needle. #fisheries #ocean #sustainability #conservation #marinebiology @FutureSwell

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Hopping on this trend AND embracing my inner Lorax 💅 #environment #nature #conservation #wildlife #biologist

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I love critters so much ❤️ #caterpillars #moth #biologist #wildlife #animals

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Nobody goes into teaching for the paycheck. But nobody should have to leave it over health insurance either. #teachers #education #healthcare #minnesota #educators @Education Minnesota

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I will connect literally anything to salmon if given the opportunity it’s so bad #salmon #wildlife #animals #biologist #biology

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Okay everyone 😅 I was super excited to be there and so there might be some things that l left out or wasn't clear on in the moment, so here it is again This is the Elwha River on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, and what happened here is one of the most remarkable ecological stories of the last hundred years. Before the dams, all five species of Pacific salmon ran this river— historically around 400,000 fish returning every year. The chinook grew to 100 POUNDS because they had access to 145 miles of habitat all the way into the Olympic Mountains glaciers. The Lower Elwha Klallam people built their entire civilization around this river for thousands of years. Then in 1910 (finished in 1913), folks built a dam 4.9 miles from the river mouth—without fish ladders, by the way, in direct violation of a state law requiring them since 1890. A second dam followed in 1927. Salmon lost 97% of their habitat overnight. Populations crashed from 400,000 fish a year down to roughly 3,000. The chinook shrank from 100 pounds to barely 20. The tribe never stopped fighting for full removal. After decades of advocacy, Congress passed the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act in 1992. Demolition finally began in 2011—at the time the largest dam removal in American history. Both dams were gone by 2014. within weeks, salmon were passing the old dam sites tor the tirst time in a century. Within a few years, eight migratory fish species had moved into habitat no living member of their population had ever seen. Scientists measured an increase in spawning gravel as trapped sediment finally moved downstream again, the banks revegetated, the birds came back. АННННН ECOSYSTEM REJUVENATION This story directly inspired the Klamath River dam removals—four dams across California and Oregon, completed October 2024. Same story in a way. Tribal advocacy. Dams coming down. Salmon returning! Life wants to recover. It just needs us to remove some obstacles, get out of the way, and trust the river. (and of course actively aid the recovery) #elwhariver #salmon #biology #Science #olympicpeninsula

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Can you tell I’m in my happy place? Tidepooling is all I ever want to do #tidepooling #tidepool #marinebiology #wildlife #science

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Aye ayes deserve so much more love. I mean, sure they look like some sort of Jim Henson, Labrynth-esque goblin, but they're also evolutionary and ecological treasures 💚 #ayeaye #wildlife #animals #biology #lemurs

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Getting to know and spend time with these other amazing educators since this past May has been one of the greatest sources of joy and inspiration in my life ❤️ Thanks @Minnesota Twins for having us, and thank you @Education Minnesota for running the #MNTOY program and showing us so much care and appreciation #educators #teacher #minnesota #minnesotateacher