Restoring our Land and Ourselves, with Doniga Markegard artwork
The Robyn Ivy Podcast

Restoring our Land and Ourselves, with Doniga Markegard

  • E102
  • 1:25:07
  • May 1st 2024

This week’s episode is a must listen. Back in 2022 I sat down with Doniga Markegard, a visionary in regenerative ranching, as she shared her holistic approach to revitalizing the land, staying true to the teachings she learned in her youth from Lakota elder Gilbert Walking Bull and how we can use these principles to empower both our communities and restore ourselves.

We met over 20 years ago in Washington State, when Doniga was only 16. Hear how her journey from a teen nature enthusiast to a global advocate for regenerative living can motivate us all to make more conscious choices, reminding us of our potential impact as caretakers of our planet.

Together we explore how connecting deeply with nature can transform our lives and the planet and how each of us can adopt a regenerative paradigm for our own lives, increasing personal and global wellness. This discussion isn't just about agricultural methods; it's about a holistic lifestyle that respects and enhances natural cycles and processes.

You will feel so inspired by Doniga’s story of resilience and change. 

Innovative Ranching Techniques: Learn about Donga's use of regenerative agricultural practices that not only enhance soil health and biodiversity but also actively combat climate change. Discover the cutting-edge methods she employs to restore the land she tends and the crucial role this plays in her mission.

Spiritual and Community Growth: Dive into the rich tapestry of historical and spiritual lessons that have influenced Donga’s philosophy and techniques. Gain insight into how her work with sacred indigenous wisdom, especially from revered elder Gilbert Walking Bull guides her efforts in nurturing both land and community.

Deepening Connection to Mother Earth: Experience the transformative power of forming a deeper bond with our environment. This episode delves into how Donga’s daily interactions with nature foster a profound sense of place and purpose, offering listeners pathways to their own connection with Mother Earth.


This episode is more than just a captivating story of personal and professional evolution; it’s a call to action for each of us to consider our roles as caretakers of our planet. It serves as a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness with nature and the responsibility we bear to foster its health and our own.

Connect with Doniga Markegard here:

Quick note, I just want to say thank you for listening to this episode. I know it means a lot to myself and my guests. 

MORE ABOUT DONIGA MARKEGARD:

Doniga Markegard is a wildlife tracker, regenerative rancher, speaker, and author of Dawn Again: Tracking the Wisdom of the Wild and Wolf Girl: Finding Myself in the Wild. Her teen years in nature school started her on a path that led to a career in animal tracking and then permaculture and ranching in at her farm in California, Markegard Family Grass-Fed, where she works to regenerate both soil and community through farming. Using the innovative, carbon-storing methods of regenerative ranching, she’s restoring the land she tends, bringing native grasses and wildlife back. Doniga is a consultant and guest instructor at Nature Awareness Programs around the country, has led retreats in places such as 1440 Multiversity, Canyon Ranch and is a regular speaker at events such as the Bioneers Conference, Food Inspiration Trendsummit, and The Grassfed Exchange. She is a certified educator with Holistic Management International. She has worked with companies such as Patagonia, Tesla and Google, and has been featured in articles from Civil Eats, FastCompany, GreenBiz, The San Francisco Examiner, and NPR. Most recently she has been featured in the film Kiss the Ground available on Netflix. 

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