Guardians of the Glacier: Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya's Fight for Andean Bears
We The Children - Kids Talk Climate SolutionsShow Notes
Wildlife ecologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya joins Zach and Clare to share her incredible journey from growing up in a small Andean village to leading groundbreaking conservation efforts for the iconic Andean bear. As a trilingual Indigenous Peruvian biologist, Ruthmery brings a unique perspective to her work, blending scientific innovation with cultural and community engagement.
In this episode, Ruthmery discusses the challenges Andean bears face, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change, and highlights the vital role of these bears in maintaining biodiversity. She shares how cutting-edge tools like GPS collars and camera traps help uncover the secrets of bear behavior, as well as how her trusty dog, Ukuku, plays a key role in her fieldwork. You'll also learn about Ruthmery’s work in environmental education, including the creation of a Bear Interpretation Center to inspire local children and communities to take an active role in conservation. Her incredible story reflects her deep commitment to protecting the cloud forest and the species that call it home.
Episode Highlights: Meet Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya (01:02) The Challenges Facing Andean Bears (05:15) The Role of Cloud Forests in Conservation (06:39) Technology and Bear Tracking (15:42) Cultural Significance of Andean Bears (10:17) Engaging Communities in Conservation (08:42) The Bear Interpretation Center and Its Impact (25:24) The Next Generation’s Role in Climate Action (26:36)
Subscribe to We the Children on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Also, check out our website (wethechildrenpodcast.com). We love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from We The Children - Kids Talk Climate Solutions
What if climate solutions didn’t start in boardrooms, but in communities? What if local knowledge and youth voices were central to climate action? In this season finale of We the Children, Zach sits down with Dr. Anyse Pereira—a scientist, conservationist, and global climate advocate whose work bridges traditional wisdom and modern science.
What if every school made climate education a priority? What if students everywhere had the tools to take real action in their communities? In this episode of We the Children, Zach and Clare dive into these big questions with two inspiring guests from EarthDay.org, Dennis Nolasco and Emily Walker.
Have you ever dreamed of exploring the deep sea, uncovering lost treasures, or even launching your own robot into the unknown? Today, Zach and Clare dive into the world of underwater exploration with Eric Stackpole, an engineer, inventor, and deep-sea explorer who has spent his career building tools to help us see the world in new ways.
For thousands of years, fire has shaped the landscapes of places like Yosemite National Park. But in a world of rising temperatures and longer fire seasons, understanding fire as a natural force is more important than ever.
With over 15 years of experience, Dan Allen, CEO of Farmscape, shares how his team is transforming urban areas into thriving edible gardens while reconnecting communities with sustainable food production.