Bryce Casavant and 100 years of Wildlife Records (518)
Release Date: 03/15/2018
VICTORY: Fighting Ag-Gag in Ontario with Camille Labchuk
Defender Radio and The Switch
Investigations into farms by animal advocacy groups is an essential tool to exposing serious, systemic abuses of animals, failures to follow basic policy, and have led to criminal charges. But the Ontario government wanted to stop that – and introduced Bill 156 in 2020. The Bill, Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, was , with applicants (a journalist) and Louise Jorgensen (an advocate with ). Intervenors who joined Animal Justice included , the , and . After some serious legal work by the aforementioned team, Justice Markus Koehnen of the Superior Court that elements of...
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Depaving Hamilton with Green Venture
Defender Radio and The Switch
A concrete laden Barton Street runs the distance of lower Hamilton, marking the transition from residential housing to commercial and industrial spaces – what many people think of when they hear Steel City. But along this busy street something magical is happening: swatches of concrete are vanishing, to be replaced by naturalized gardens. Flowers, native grasses, and plenty of shrubs and trees are establishing themselves in this urban core thanks to programs and the teams at , a Hamilton-based nonprofit. Depaving is just one of the projects that Green Venture focuses on, in addition to rain...
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Humane Canada's Summit for Animals
Defender Radio and The Switch
If you don’t already have passes to Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals May 5 to 7 in Halifax, you’re going to miss out on an awful lot! The annual event is organized by Humane Canada, the national federation of humane societies and SPCAs, and presenting sponsor PetSmart Charities of Canada. The Summit for Animals brings together people who work on the frontlines of animal welfare, the folks who strategize behind the scenes, people who run shelters, and those that seek legislative policy shifts. It’s the place to be for animal advocates, and to share more about what this year’s...
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The Art of Simone Diamond
Defender Radio and The Switch
is a Coast Salish artist who creates art pieces in the Coast Salish style. You may have seen Simone’s designs featured on products from companies like , on her popular , or in The Fur-Bearers’ kids activity book. Simone joins Defender Radio to talk about how spirituality is infused with her art, the impact of colonization on the traditions in her family and culture, and how aspiring artists can find joy and inspiration around them. SHOW NOTES Episode art by Simone Diamond Find Simone on Instagram at Find Francis Horne Sr. (Simone's master carver father) on Instagram at ...
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The Lives of Wild Dogs with Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin
Defender Radio and The Switch
Improving the lives of dogs across Canada and around the world is a hefty goal – but by talking about the lives of wild dogs, Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin is getting closer to reaching that goal every day. Dr. Fraser-Celin, who has worked with African wild dogs, dogs in Indigenous communities in Canada, and identifying how a one-health approach makes an impact, is breaking down misconceptions, providing resourecs, and creating community programs – all from an Instagram account, . Head over to while listening to Dr. Fraser-Celin on Defender Radio discuss her journey to supporting people and...
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The Switch: Winter Planting for Wildlife
Defender Radio and The Switch
It’s grey, generally cold, damp, and rather unpleasant in early February across Canada. Fortunately, it’s a great time of year to get outside and start planting! Now, I know I’m out on a bit of a limb here, but late winter and early spring are actually ideal for sowing many vital, native plant species across Canada. To tie this into how it helps wildlife and the environment briefly, many of the species we’ll be talking about are essential to pollinators. SHOW NOTES: Cold Stratification: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map: Environment Canada Hardiness Zone Map: Episode photo by...
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Trapped In The Past Documentary Series with John E. Marriott
Defender Radio and The Switch
Killing neck snares are cruel devices that experts and scientists have shown to be ineffective and inhumane. Yet they remain common across Canada. A new documentary series, , is challenging why killing neck snares remain legal to use, what impact they have on wildlife, and how a lack of updated regulations puts wildlife, people, and pets at risk. The series, the result of a partnership between The Fur-Bearers and Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, features John E. Marriott and Kim Odland, cofounders of Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, as they explore the issues of trapping and interview experts –...
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Plant-Based Eating Gets Edgy with Candice Hutchings
Defender Radio and The Switch
Eating a plant-based diet is a great way to be healthy and reduce your impact on the environment and climate crisis. Making the change can be intimidating, especially if, like me, you grew up on meat and potatoes. Fortunately, folks like are making it easier than ever to eat plant-based. Known by her millions of online followers as Candice is a recipe designer and cookbook author who brings wit and levity to her channels. Beyond accessible, delicious recipes that are a weekly hit in my home, Candice also offers insights on animal advocacy, mental health, and the environment – and how...
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The Switch: Rain Barrel Benefits
Defender Radio and The Switch
Are you an active gardener looking for ways to reduce your impact on the local environment? Rain barrels are a great, accessible place to start! Join me for a quick conversation about the known - and perhaps less known - benefits of using rain barrels around your home. Have you had success with rain barrels, or created an innovative solution? Let me know at or by emailing ! SHOW NOTES Want to suggest topics for The Switch? Reach out to us at by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram () or Facebook (). The...
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Return of the British Beavers
Defender Radio and The Switch
Beavers are incredible animals who have complex social lives, engineer essential ecosystems, and can help us develop climate resilience. In Canada, beavers were nearly wiped out by fur trappers, but their populations slowly returned, though not to their pre-colonization levels. But in Britain, European beavers haven’t had the opportunity to return to the landscape. That’s what the wants to change. A registered charity in England and Wales, Beaver Trust is seeking to restore beavers to their former range, in hopes of building climate resilient landscapes and restoring freshwater...
info_outlineYou’ve probably heard the name Bryce Casavant: he’s the former Conservation Officer in British Columbia who made headlines when he refused an order to kill two healthy bear cubs. He also ran as an NDP candidate in the last provincial election in BC and continues to work for the government in the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. But it is his efforts as a student that has Bryce back into the news.
Bryce is working toward a doctoral degree in social sciences with Royal Roads University, and his area of study should come as no surprise: wildlife, law enforcement, and social change. Recently, Bryce was given the go-ahead to pursue a review of 100 years of wildlife enforcement records, described as a critical discourse analysis. Bryce joined Defender Radio to get into what his research will look at, why it matters, and how understanding the history of wildlife enforcement could lead to a better world for people – and the animals.
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