EP 37: Reclaiming Your Wild Spirit with Wildlife Tracker and Regenerative Rancher Doniga Markegard

This week, I’m speaking with Doniga Markegard, a wildlife tracker turned regenerative rancher. In her memoir, Dawn Again, Doniga shares the incredible story of how a near death experience as a teenager changed the course of her life, setting her on a new path, back to nature and reclaiming her wildness. From a young age, Doniga was steeped in indigenous wisdom and eventually adopted by an indigenous elder Gilbert Walking Bull. She learned the ways of the natural world at the Wilderness Awareness School, an alternative high school where there were no grades and the main measure of success involved having an active, participatory relationship with nature. An interest in permaculture led her to learn more about holistic management, and then regenerative ranching. Today, she operates Markegard Family Grass-Fed with her husband Erik, which is a regenerative cattle ranch that produces certified grass-fed and grass finished beef and lamb, and pasture raised chicken and pork.

I loved speaking with Doniga because she has lived her life guided and informed by nature and its spiritual wisdom. When I was first really learning about climate change over ten year ago, I used to think that all meat production was harmful to the planet – because of the methane produced and resource intensity required – but now I know that the devil is in the details. In fact, the practices that Doniga employs at her ranch actually improves the biodiversity of the land, builds soil and sequesters carbon. It’s a philosophy that manages the cattle similar to how large antelope and elk once roamed the California grasslands. It’s a philosophy that mimics nature. This is a powerful episode that I can’t wait for you to hear!

“There’s much happening around us in nature – with animals, with life, with energy flow. And when you experience this rapture of that life, it’s not doing it justice to put words on it. You want people to feel it with you.” - Doniga Markegard x Our Nature
“Do something that moves you just outside of where you’re comfortable.” - Doniga Markegard x Our Nature
“Tracking is the original science. And, the science of indigenous people is: there’s no separation between data and spirit and life and community. It’s all one.” - Doniga Markegard x Our Nature
“If you have a regular practice then those little things become really profound.” - Doniga Markegard x Our Nature
“Grazing animals are necessary to maintain vitality of grassland species.” - Doniga Markegard x Our Nature
“Don’t just leave it up to the farmers and ranchers to grow your food, figure out how you can take a percentage of your food...and take that responsibility and grow it yourself and know that just by growing a plant, you’re drawing down carbon and you’re being part of the solution.” - Doniga Markegard x Our Nature

Resources

Show Notes

The near death experience that changed everything for her and compelled Doniga to live her life “free of regret”
What the process of allowing Doniga’s wildness to emerge looked like for her
Why pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone in nature is so important
All about tracking - what it is and the lessons it brought Doniga
A simple practice that anyone can do to be more present in nature
Doniga’s mission of regenerative ranching
How Doniga defines “regenerative agriculture”
The need for inclusion of indigenous knowledge in the conservation space
Why indigenous communities hold the key to preserving the earth’s diversity
Kincentric ecology
How we can honor indigenous wisdom today
The many lessons of 2020
Doniga’s optimism about the future of agriculture and what an ideal future looks like
The Last 5 Questions

Connect with Doniga:

The Last Five Questions

What is your favorite place in nature?
By the water.
What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?
The wolf.
What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?
Be in touch with healthy soil and wash your hands with dirt.
What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
The interconnection of all life. And with death brings more life.
Complete this sentence: Nature brings me…
Peace, energy and inspiration.

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