Justin Grubb

What propels me in my work is serving wildlife and wild places that cannot speak for themselves, as well as the communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on a healthy natural world. I am driven by the belief that every species and every community matters, and that through advocacy, storytelling, and hands-on conservation, I can make a tangible difference. Whether I’m helping rewild species, like restoring hellbenders in southern Ohio or rebuilding butterfly populations in Michigan, supporting communities in Appalachia as they fight for their right to clean ecosystems, helping Indigenous groups in Indonesia reclaim land rights, or documenting biodiversity in remote regions of Alaska to hold extractive industries accountable, I feel that my work plays a small but meaningful role in standing up for the “little guy.” 

In order to scale my impact globally and work towards a better future, I strive to build local capacity where I work by teaching community members how to use storytelling as a tool for conservation. By hiring locally and mentoring emerging communicators, I aim to help cultivate a global network of storytellers equipped to champion their environments and drive lasting conservation impact. Training and mentoring the next generation of science storytellers and biologists, and building a strong network of wildlife advocates, brings me some of my greatest joy. I believe we are strongest when we work together, and the more people committed to creating ethical, authentic, and evidence-based communication and conservation research, the better equipped we are to tackle the world’s toughest challenges and build a society that values nature, human health, and community. 

As an adolescent growing up in the city, my childhood home sat between a highway, a group of office buildings, a brewery, and a small neighborhood creek bordered by a narrow strip of woods. That creek became my sanctuary, and I spent every possible moment exploring its water, frogs, fish, insects, and birds. One day, I arrived to find the water murky and the wildlife silent. I decided to investigate, and followed the creek upstream, only to discover that many of the trees had been cleared to make room for new houses. I was devastated. I tried to fight back with a petition, but as a third grader posting my scribbled and torn notebook paper on their permit board, my voice was ignored.

That moment changed the trajectory of my life. I knew I never wanted to feel that powerless again or watch another wild place disappear without a voice to defend it. That led me to study biology, become a wildlife biologist, and work hands-on with endangered species through research, rearing, and release programs. It also pushed me toward science communication, using storytelling to empower communities, inspire conservation action, and protect both wild spaces and the people navigating the growing challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. Guided by a spirit of exploration and entrepreneurship, I co-founded several conservation-focused organizations, including Running Wild Media and the Sleeping Bear Wildlife Fund, and have supported strategic efforts with organizations such as Planet Indonesia and the Conservation Measures Partnership to help drive meaningful, lasting impact for the natural world.