Today we’d like to introduce you to Devon Bowker.
Hi Devon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My enthusiasm for science and nature started at a young age. When I think back on life and the things I was interested in, it was always the world outside—everything from the planets and stars to the ants in the grass. Of course, I was super into ‘The Crocodile Hunter’ and Bill Nye. When I first went to college, it was actually for history education. I guess I didn’t realize that a career as a naturalist or scientist was a genuine possibility. My time on that track lasted for about a month before I discovered a wildlife program, and I changed my major. Long story short, I worked hard for a long time, even taking a semester in Texas to intern at the Wildlife Center of Texas and work as an Outdoor Educator at Armand Bayou Nature Center. In 2016, I was a Park Ranger for the US Army Corps of Engineers, and in 2017 I took a position as an Interpretive Naturalist with the MN DNR at Sibley State Park. During that time is when I began my blog, The Wild Life (thewildlife.blog), which has now blossomed into a multi-show network of original, self-produced podcasts. The first few years were a lot of exploration and learning. Not something I thought would grow. In the meantime, I had moved on to Howling for Wolves, a wolf conservation-focused nonprofit organization. There, I got to learn about and see a whole new side of conservation. I was involved in legislative work, reviewing research methods, and developing programs to help in long-term conservation efforts. About 1 year or so later, though, I needed a change. I needed to learn more, and I had a realization. My major passion through it all was the education piece. Working with people and the community, working with kids, I wanted to go back to school to be a teacher. So, I went back to school for science education.
In 2019, I began teaching science at a Level 4 EBD High School. Little did I know that the world would change less than 6 months later. The events of 2020 inspired me to do more than teach. I went all in on my podcast and blog as a tool for education. And a place for the curious to escape and learn about the wonder of the natural world. But that wasn’t all; in June of 2020, I founded a nonprofit organization with a mission to make the outdoors an open, safe, and accessible place to all: The Open (OUT)Doors Project. I lead hikes in the community and have donated over 100 pairs of binoculars to youth and local schools. I’m starting a new journey this fall as I have moved on to teach Biology and Wildlife Biology at Apollo High School in the Saint Cloud Area School District. The Wild Life has tons in store for the future, Class season 1 is just about concluded, and I’ve started two more blogs: Science People (fun and accessible science for all, and also a podcast) and #500DaysHappier chronicling my mental health journey over the next 500 days. I also have renewed the energy of 2020 in further developing my blog and podcast.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not. Early in my education at SCSI, I worked 60 hours a week while over-committing myself to various student organizations like the University Program Board, Student Government, and the Ecology Club, which I was president of for 4 years straight. I began having deep struggles with my mental health and had little knowledge of how to make things better. I had family drama, family deaths, you know, things we all go through. My first advisor in college told me I didn’t have what it took. One of my first professors in wildlife disliked me dearly and failed me despite the math not adding up to anything less than a B. In other classes, I genuinely failed or didn’t get the C required. I loaded my plate and took and retook every course I needed to until I could get things perfect and worked me to the bone. In 2016 while interning in texas, my wife was pregnant with our first, and the pregnancy was incredibly difficult for her. I worked 4 jobs while doing school full-time at that time. In the last semester of my wildlife degree, I had to bring my 6-month-old to lectures with me and my on-campus jobs because we couldn’t afford daycare. Working in wolf conservation was incredibly difficult mentally and emotionally. Being criticized by strangers with differing opinions, threatened, blocklisted, and having my credibility called into question with my every action. The constant fight that is conservation is incredibly disheartening and disenchanting. You slow down for one moment, and all progress is lost. It is an uphill battle of impossible proportions, but it’s a job that needs to be done. I couldn’t do it anymore. Of course, everything has been a whole new level difficult since January of 2020. But I’d say the biggest obstacle has always been my belief in myself.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m most known for my social media activity around wildlife and science education, particularly on Instagram and TikTok (@devonthenatureguy), but also as the host of The Wild Life, Class, Science People, and the writer behind thewildlife.blog, sciencepeoplepod.com, and #500DaysHappier.
The Wild Life is my first creative venture and my pride and joy. I’m a person that finds it hard to pick one thing or to place myself in anyone’s particular box. For that reason, the wildlife is as diverse as the animal kingdom. Some episodes are an hour or so long, featuring experts in their fields from around the globe. Some are serious with messages of urgency. Some are hard to take seriously; some blend my personal experiences with mental health and reflections on life and the world at large with my experiences in or understanding of the natural world. I’m always trying something new, experimenting with my voice, tone, and style. As of late, my approach has been akin to a nature documentary, just in audio form with immersive music and sound effects, and I love where things are going.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Twitter. Twitter has been tremendous for growing my network and finding other creatives doing similar work. We support each other’s work, appear on each other’s shows, and share ideas and critiques. It’s wonderful. Outside of that, my biggest advice is just to ask. I know that sounds simple and easier said than done, but 9 times out of 10, I’ve had the opportunities I have had because I put myself out there and asked. I asked for an interview, about positions or work, about mentoring, and if someone was willing to share more about their work or talk with me about their studies. I’ve gotten a lot of rejection, but you never win if you never try.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thewildlife.blog
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/devonthenatureguy
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/devthenatureguy
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@devonthenatureguy
