{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"ASCEND by Ducks Unlimited","title":"How to Recruit, Retain, and Empower Women in Conservation","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2715,"description":"Women are entering outdoor sports at record rates, but they are also leaving—or \"churning\"—at higher rates than men. What does it actually take to help women feel competent, confident, and eager to stay in the outdoors?\nIn this episode of the Ascend Podcast, host Erin Crider sits down with conservation legend Christine Thomas—founder of the groundbreaking Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program and Senior Vice President of Conservation on the board of Ducks Unlimited.\nTogether, they unpack decades of research on the specific barriers women face when learning to hunt, fish, and navigate the outdoors. Christine shares how a single 1991 workshop blossomed into an international movement spanning 46 states and multiple Canadian provinces. She also dives into the psychology of confidence, why the \"next step\" after introductory courses is critical, and how Ducks Unlimited successfully doubled its pace of conservation to protect 1 million acres a year.\n\nIn this episode, you'll learn:\nThe origins of the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program and how it broke down barriers\nWhy women churn out of hunting and fishing at higher rates than men—and how to fix it\nThe critical difference in confidence between novice men and novice women\nEssential foundational skills every new outdoorswoman needs before heading into the field\nHow community, camaraderie, and safe spaces keep women coming back year after year\nHow Ducks Unlimited achieved its massive goal of conserving 1 million acres per year\nChristine’s advice for the next generation of outdoorswomen and conservationists\n\nFollow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.\nJoin the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/rvKV-HpqqpvPlV_Qenn_UFO0lAzZ3dIe2XbjAE1Rl9A/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wYmI2/N2Q2YWJiN2YyZjBk/YzY3MmViYjBiNzc1/ZjBjOC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}