A Natural History of Empty Lots with Christopher Brown
treehugger podcast
treehugger podcast is 5 years old this month! In this episode, we sit down with Christopher Brown, author of A Natural History of Empty Lots, to uncover the stories hidden in the overlooked spaces of our cities. Christopher shares his unique perspective on urban landscapes—vacant lots, overgrown alleys, and forgotten corners—revealing the vibrant ecosystems and cultural narratives thriving within them. Drawing on his experience as a speculative fiction writer, he challenges us to rethink the value of these unintentional landscapes and their role in shaping our connection to the wider...
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Ecosystem Monitoring with Dylan Mendenhall
treehugger podcast
In this podcast episode, the discussion dives into the complexities and nuances of ecosystem monitoring, led by the Dylan Mendenhall's deep experience and passion for the field. He emphasizes the importance of well-defined questions to drive high-quality monitoring efforts, contrasting effective monitoring with what they term “zombie monitoring”—data collection that continues without purpose due to sunk cost fallacies or lack of clear objectives. The conversation spans from traditional techniques like plot-based sampling and transect surveys to advanced molecular methods like eDNA, which...
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medicinal weeds: rethinking integrated pest management
treehugger podcast
We explore a fresh perspective on non-native and introduced species. Traditionally viewed as pests or threats to ecosystems, some of these species offer hidden benefits that are often overlooked in conventional pest management frameworks. We dive into the complexities of integrated pest management (IPM), discussing the importance of balancing ecological restoration with justice, health, and livelihoods. This episode was adapted from a talk originally given to an audience focused on integrated pest management. It encourages listeners to rethink the language we use around non-native species,...
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Seed Banks and Ecological Memory
treehugger podcast
Underground seed banks, passive restoration, and ecological memory - these elements are crucial in understanding and facilitating natural recovery processes in ecosystems. We'll explore how leveraging underground seed banks, which contain dormant seeds waiting for the right conditions to germinate, can support native plant regeneration. This approach is relational, often less expensive, and informs a long-range view. It also relies on the ecological memory, which refers to an ecosystem's ability to retain information about past states and disturbances, aiding its recovery and resilience....
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Artificial Intelligence and Ecological Restoration with Sam Woodrich and Timothy Pape
treehugger podcast
This episode delves into the integration of artificial intelligence within the field of ecological restoration. Covering a broad spectrum from the practical to the philosophical, the conversation explores the potential for AI to reshape restoration practices, the ethical considerations at play, and the importance of balancing technological advancement with traditional ecological knowledge. Through personal anecdotes, professional experiences, and a look towards the future, the guests offer a comprehensive exploration of how AI is shaping the landscape of ecological restoration and what that...
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Ecological Forestry with Seth Zuckerman and Kirk Hanson
treehugger podcast
In this episode, we're joined by two extraordinary guests, Seth Zuckerman and Kirk Hansen, who bring decades of experience and insight to the practice of ecological forestry. Their recent book, "," serves as a comprehensive guide for forest stewards in Oregon and Washington, covering essential skills like evaluating land, sustainable management, wildfire risk reduction, and climate change adaptation. Seth and Kirk address the diverse needs of family forest owners, community forests, municipalities, and Indigenous tribes, offering insights on sustainable wood harvest, wildlife habitat...
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Restoration & Herbalism United with Natalie Hammerquist
treehugger podcast
In this episode, we delve into the world of plant medicines. Our guest, Natalie Hammerquist, a herbalist based in Washington state, shares her extensive knowledge and experience in herbalism and foraging local wild plants. Natalie's journey, rooted in a degree from The Evergreen State College, led her to explore herbalism, plant taxonomy, and food science. Under the guidance of renowned herbalists like Cascade Anderson Geller and Matthew Wood, Natalie integrated aspects of Chinese medicine and Western herbalism into her practice. What's particularly intriguing about our conversation is...
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Ivyland with Toby Query
treehugger podcast
This treehugger episode meanders through Ivyland and investigates the extensive properties and uses of ivy, Hedera helix. Ivies (Araliaceae) are a diverse genus of evergreen plants native to regions spanning Europe, across central-southern Asia, and N Africa. Its botanical name is rooted in Latin; Hedera is related to its traditional medicinal uses. Known for its climbing or ground-creeping nature, ivy offers various ecological benefits such as habitat and shelter for wildlife, acts as a late-season food source for pollinators, offers berries for birds, controls soil erosion, regulates...
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Climate Resilience with Kylie Flanagan
treehugger podcast
Kyle Flanagan asks us how we can truly address the roots of the climate crisis, and how we can keep each other safe in the years to come—while making sure that no one gets left behind. She wrote Climate Resilience, robust with short essays edited from interviews with 39 individuals who have been cultivating resilience for decades. There is a chapter dedicated to ecological restoration and issues related to river restoration, shifting the framing of environmental injustices, soil health, community composting and good fire. Intersecting with restoration, Kylie and the cohort of climate...
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Renaming a Natural History Museum with Grace Maria Eberhardt
treehugger podcast
In the early 2020s, many conservation-related organizations seem to have accelerated their promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion as well as reckoning with their racist origins. The University of Puget Sound recently made the decision to remove the name “Slater'' and give back the original name of their natural history museum. Furthermore called Puget Sound Museum of Natural History, the institution calls this out as “an important step in acknowledging the often problematic figures intertwined in natural history museums and ensuring our museum is an inclusive space for all.” My...
info_outlineThis treehugger episode meanders through Ivyland and investigates the extensive properties and uses of ivy, Hedera helix. Ivies (Araliaceae) are a diverse genus of evergreen plants native to regions spanning Europe, across central-southern Asia, and N Africa. Its botanical name is rooted in Latin; Hedera is related to its traditional medicinal uses. Known for its climbing or ground-creeping nature, ivy offers various ecological benefits such as habitat and shelter for wildlife, acts as a late-season food source for pollinators, offers berries for birds, controls soil erosion, regulates microclimates, and contributes to carbon sequestration. Additionally, it has several human benefits, including air purification, aesthetic appeal, thermal regulation, stress reduction, and medicinal uses. The podcast explores ivy's role in herbal remedies, emphasizing its traditional uses in respiratory health, anti-inflammatory properties, skin health, antioxidant effects, and wound healing.
Then in a detailed conversation, treehugger guest, Toby Query, discusses the complexity of his relationship with ivy. We explore ivy's growth patterns, methods of removal such as mechanical means and herbicides, and concerns about the environmental impact of these methods. The conversation delves into the benefits of ivy, such as supporting wildlife and contributing to soil moisture and the mycorrhizal network. The need for a context-specific approach to ivy management is emphasized, challenging myths and emphasizing the importance of further research. Ultimately, ivy is recognized as a diverse and ecologically important plant with cultural and historical significance.
Toby Query is an ecologist based in Portland, known for his extensive work in the city's Revegetation Program since 1999. He focuses on stewarding natural areas, particularly the Shwah kuk wetlands, in collaboration with Indigenous communities. Toby is also the founder of Portland Ecologists Unite!, a group which created spaces to learn, discuss, and connect over current ecological issues. He holds a certification as a Senior Ecologist from the Ecological Society of America and is an active contributor to The Nature of Cities website. Toby has a passion for mycelial networks and is engaged in learning and teaching about fungi.
peruse the scientific literature on Hedera helix via Google Scholar, new select articles below:
Detommaso, M., Costanzo, V., Nocera, F., & Evola, G. (2023). Evaluation of the cooling potential of a vertical greenery system coupled to a building through an experimentally validated transient model. Building and Environment, 110769.
Lukas, K., Dötterl, S., Ayasse, M., & Burger, H. (2023). Colletes hederae bees are equally attracted by visual and olfactory cues of inconspicuous Hedera helix flowers. Chemoecology, 1-9.
Milliken, W. (2023). Ethnoveterinary data in Britain and Ireland: can native herbal medicine promote animal health?. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 26, 1-32.
Sax, D. F., Schlaepfer, M. A., & Olden, J. D. (2022). Valuing the contributions of non-native species to people and nature. Trends in ecology & evolution, 37(12), 1058-1066.
Vercruysse, W., Kunnen, K., Gomes, C. L., Marchal, W., Cuypers, A., & Vandamme, D. (2023). Common Ivy (Hedera helix L.) Derived Biochar’s Potential as a Substrate Amendment: Effects of Leached Nutrients on Arabidopsis thaliana Plant Development. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 1-12.
Read Indigenous scholarship!
Wehi, P. M., Kamelamela, K. L., Whyte, K., Watene, K., & Reo, N. (2023). Contribution of Indigenous Peoples' understandings and relational frameworks to invasive alien species management. People and Nature.
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Music for this episode is from John Patitucci and TrackTribe