treehugger podcast

The show where we reimagine ecological restoration and highlight the humans involved in assisting the recovery of ecosystems. Our efforts promise an equitable future for livelihoods and healthspans as well as a just transition in a warming world.

A Natural History of Empty Lots with Christopher Brown 11/23/2024

Ecosystem Monitoring with Dylan Mendenhall 10/26/2024

medicinal weeds: rethinking integrated pest management 10/22/2024

medicinal weeds: rethinking integrated pest management 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, while offering insights into their potential contributions to ecosystems, medicinal practices, and more. Key Topics Discussed: The impact-focused traditional approach of integrated pest management (IPM) The often-overlooked benefits of non-native species Political ecology and how power relations influence our views on species The relationship between ecological restoration and cultural responsiveness Medicinal uses of “weeds” and their place in autonomous healing practices How rethinking our language around invasive species can shift our environmental practices Further Reading and Resources: For those interested in diving deeper into the topics covered in this episode, here are some recommended readings and resources: "Just Language" Project Learn more about how changing the language we use around species management can transform our ecological and cultural approaches. Herbal Astrology Oracle Deck by Anima Mundi and Ayana Ayales This oracle deck ties together herbalism, astrology, and ancient wisdom, making connections between plants, their medicinal uses, and astrological influences. A fun, creative way to learn more about the plants discussed in this episode. More on "Honorable Harvest" – Robin Wall Kimmerer For more on indigenous perspectives, Robin Wall Kimmerer’s concept of the Honorable Harvest offers valuable ethical guidelines for interacting with nature. "” by Gabrielle Doiran This paper explores the tensions surrounding invasive species management and advocates for a justice-centered approach to environmental restoration, incorporating ideas of multispecies entanglements and caring for invasive species. "" by Dov Sachs et al. A framework that examines both the positive and negative impacts of non-native species on ecosystems, highlighting their contributions to social cohesion, food production, climate change mitigation, and mental health. Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us continue bringing you insightful conversations on ecological restoration and the healing power of nature. Follow Us: Instagram: | email: Music for this episode courtesy of and /episode/index/show/treehugger/id/33575602

Seed Banks and Ecological Memory 07/07/2024

Artificial Intelligence and Ecological Restoration with Sam Woodrich and Timothy Pape 06/03/2024

Artificial Intelligence and Ecological Restoration with Sam Woodrich and Timothy Pape 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 means for the environment and society. Episode Segments 1. Introducing the Experts Meet Sam Woodrich, a Ph.D. student at Oregon State University, and Dr. Timothy Pape, a postdoctoral research associate at Bowling Green State University. Both bring a wealth of knowledge in environmental and social sciences and share their insights on AI in ecological restoration. Woodrich, Samuel T., and Timothy Pape. "." Restoration Ecology (2024): e14128. 2. Exploring AI in Ecological Restoration An overview of how AI is currently being utilized in ecological restoration projects. This segment covers practical applications, from predictive modeling to species identification. 3. Bridging the Gap: AI Tools as Assistants Discussion on AI tools such as the Merlin Bird ID app and iNaturalist, and how they assist in ecological monitoring and data collection. The segment emphasizes the collaborative potential between AI and human expertise. 4. Debating AI's Role and Impact A critical look at the limitations and biases of AI in ecological restoration. This segment explores the ethical considerations and the need for integrating traditional ecological knowledge with AI-driven methods. 5. Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe? An exploration of AI’s potential benefits and risks. The experts discuss whether AI can be a reliable partner in restoration efforts or if it poses significant challenges that need to be carefully managed. 6. Looking to the Future: AI, Restoration, and Beyond Insights into future advancements in AI technology and their potential impact on ecological restoration. The segment highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and adaptive management in leveraging AI for sustainable outcomes. 7. Wrapping Up and Rapid Fire Questions A fun and engaging wrap-up segment where the experts answer rapid-fire questions, sharing personal anecdotes and their visions for the future of AI in ecological restoration. Read more for yourself at A growing number of articles provide an overview of the current state and potential of AI in ecological restoration, addressing both the technical capabilities and the ethical considerations involved. It takes a community to keep a podcast like this going. As an independent show, every contribution makes a difference. If you'd like to support us, you can donate via and and and your generosity helps cover the small overhead costs of producing the show. Music from the episode is /episode/index/show/treehugger/id/31571217

Ecological Forestry with Seth Zuckerman and Kirk Hanson 04/29/2024

Ecological Forestry with Seth Zuckerman and Kirk Hanson 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 enhancement, and watershed protection. Kirk Hanson is an experienced forest educator and pracitioner, skilled in guiding forest owners to managed their land sustainably. He has worked with a variety of landowners, and also blogs about his own family's experiences managing 200 acres of forestland in the South Puget Sound. As a journalist, Seth Zuckerman reported extensively on forests, salmon and the human communities that depend on them. He also serves as Executive Director of Northwest Natural Resources Group, and he is author of several books, including Saving Our Ancient Forests and Salmon Nation. During our conversation, Seth and Kirk discuss how ecological forestry differs from conventional industrial forestry, advocating for practices that prioritize ecosystem health and long-term sustainability. They share personal experiences and insights, highlighting the importance of interventions like thinning to promote forest resilience, especially in the face of climate change. Their book and work aim to empower forest landowners with the knowledge and tools to become responsible stewards of their land, promoting ecological health and resilience for the benefit of both people and the environment. As we explore the balance between human intervention and natural processes in forest management, Seth and Kirk address common questions and misconceptions about forest management, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers long-term ecological health and diverse benefits for future generations. They highlight the role of ecological diversity in promoting economic resilience and offer practical advice for forest observation and engagement. A Forest of Your Own book Keeping Up with the Hansons Blog You can donate to help cover the small overhead for the show. @myadrick via and and . Music from the show | Gunnar Olson | /episode/index/show/treehugger/id/31025823

Restoration & Herbalism United with Natalie Hammerquist 03/25/2024

Restoration & Herbalism United with Natalie Hammerquist 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 Natalie's emphasis on the importance of collaboration between restorationists and herbalists to ensure sustainable caretaking and the preservation of plant resources. Natalie also shares her personal journey into herbalism, shaped by her own health struggles during college, and highlights the diverse approaches within herbalism, blending scientific methodologies with traditional wisdom. Additionally, Natalie sheds light on the regulatory disparities between the United States and Europe, emphasizing the need for advocacy and education to support herbalism and holistic health practices. She offers insights into her forthcoming book, "Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest," which aims to provide practical guidance and visual aids for identifying medicinal plants, emphasizing the importance of accurate plant identification and ethical harvesting practices. We dig into topics such as the significance of timing in harvesting, ethical considerations inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer's concept of the Honorable Harvest, and the therapeutic properties of plants like knotweed, blackberry, and hawthorn. Natalie advocates for sustainable harvesting practices that balance the benefits and impacts of these plants, promoting a mindful approach that honors the interconnectedness of all living beings and fosters responsibility for the wider environment. Adiantum School of Plant Medicine | Natalie will be presenting her new book, "Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest: A Visual Guide to Harvesting and Healing with 35 Common Species," at Third Place Books in Seward Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 7:00pm. Music from this show: | /episode/index/show/treehugger/id/30524488

Ivyland with Toby Query 10/02/2023

Ivyland with Toby Query 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 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 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 , new select articles below: Detommaso, M., Costanzo, V., Nocera, F., & Evola, G. (2023). Building and Environment, 110769. Lukas, K., Dötterl, S., Ayasse, M., & Burger, H. (2023). . Chemoecology, 1-9. Milliken, W. (2023). . Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 26, 1-32. Sax, D. F., Schlaepfer, M. A., & Olden, J. D. (2022). , 37(12), 1058-1066. Vercruysse, W., Kunnen, K., Gomes, C. L., Marchal, W., Cuypers, A., & Vandamme, D. (2023). . Waste and Biomass Valorization, 1-12. Read Indigenous scholarship! Wehi, P. M., Kamelamela, K. L., Whyte, K., Watene, K., & Reo, N. (2023). People and Nature. It takes a community to keep a podcast going. I am totally independent, and you can donate to help cover the small overhead for the show. @myadrick via and and . Subscribe, rate and review the show please on whichever podcast platform you enjoy listening to. It helps people find the show. Or tell a friend about the show. Music for this episode is from and /episode/index/show/treehugger/id/28205771

Climate Resilience with Kylie Flanagan 07/16/2023

Climate Resilience with Kylie Flanagan 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 imaginaries foreground skills required in a warming world - relationship repair, participatory & decentralized economics, collective care, community adaptation, cultural strategy and people power. Kylie is a climate communicator and the executive director of a small, climate justice-focused foundation. Originally from Miwok lands in the California Bay Area, she currently resides on Munsee Lenape lands in New York City. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College and received a master’s in sustainability solutions from Presidio Graduate School. Driven by a desire to make the world more delicious, beautiful, joyous, and just, she has dabbled in goat midwifery, cheesemaking, tiny house architecture and construction, supper club hosting, edible landscaping, sustainable business consulting, and most recently, writing Climate Resilience. and (that launches in early August). Climate Resilience features voices of Native Rights activists, queer ecologists, Gen-Z organizers, urban farmers, and others on the front lines: Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Ruth Miller, Niria Alicia, Morgan Curtis, Casey Camp-Horinek, Victoria Montaño, Heather Rosenberg, Cate Mingoya, Didi Pershouse, Ceci Pineda, Margo Robbins, Doria Robinson, Cassia Herron, Marta Ceroni, Crystal Huang, Moji Igun, Deseree Fontenot, Jacqueline Thanh, Janelle St. John, Miriam Belblidia, Lil Milagro Henriquez, Amee Raval, Marcie Roth, Eileen V. Quigley, Natalie Hernandez, Mindy Blank, Chief Shirell Parfait-Dardar, Eve Mosher, Irfana Jetha Noorani, Melissa Reyes, Patty Berne, Selin Nurgun, Sekita Grant, Mara Ventura, Kavaangsaar Afcan, Olivia Juarez, Sona Mohnot, Kailea Frederick, and Dominique Thomas Michael's podcast recommendations & It takes a community to keep a podcast going. I am totally independent, and you can donate to help cover the small overhead costs for the show via and and . Music from the show and /episode/index/show/treehugger/id/27475596

Renaming a Natural History Museum with Grace Maria Eberhardt 07/09/2023

Finding Justice in Novel Ecosystems with Mel Pineda-Pinto 06/27/2023

Finding Justice in Novel Ecosystems with Mel Pineda-Pinto Despite rapid environmental change, the foremost approach to ecological restoration is to find the elusive, historically-appropriate reference ecosystem as the target of ecosystem recovery. But, the emergence of novel ecosystems beckons new ecological science and political ecology as surprising species’ relationships flourish out of dramatic anthropogenic change. There has been (maybe there still is) a debate within ecological restoration about both the existence of and how to restore ecosystems that some people think have crossed thresholds with no historical analog. Ecosystems that have ‘tipped’ or exhibit ‘new’ nature challenge our training and ecological theories while eliciting perspectives on what we value and respect, such as biodiversity and access. Mel PIneda-Pinto explores nature-based solutions, with a particular focus on issues of justice in ecosystems often overlooked and found in interstitial spaces, sometimes characterized as ruderal, wild, wastelands or unintentional. She is currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow at Trinity College Dublin on the project in which they are co-designing an online citizen science tool to better understand novel ecosystems in cities. Mel has experience in social research methods, inter-transdisciplinary collaboration, systems thinking and exploring human-nonhuman nature interactions. Previous architectural and planning experience in the industry and not-for-profit sectors gave her skills in design, project management, stakeholder engagement, and technical abilities. Her research interests include urban ecological sustainability, urban ecology, social-ecological-technical systems, environmental and ecological justice, transformative capacity, sustainability, climate and just transitions, environmental and multispecies planning/design. Connect with Novel Eco and on Twitter Pineda-Pinto, Melissa, et al. "" Urban Forestry & Urban Greening (2023): 127902. Gandy, Matthew. "." Landscape Research 41.4 (2016): 433-440. Hobbs, Richard J., et al. "" Global ecology and biogeography 15.1 (2006): 1-7. Kowarika, I. "" Environmental Pollution 159.8/9 (2011): 1974-1983. Music from the show , , and /episode/index/show/treehugger/id/27284307

How We Exist With and Amongst Each Other with Renata Kamakura 01/01/2023

Invasive Resistance (treehugger solo) 11/19/2022

A Kids Guide to Ecological Restoration with Elise Gornish 08/01/2022

The Rise of Ecological Restoration with Laura J Martin 07/12/2022

Plunging Puget Sound with Renate Rain 06/23/2022

Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science with Dr. Jessica Hernandez 06/13/2022

Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science with Dr. Jessica Hernandez This is the episode where we discuss Indigenous Science with Binnizá & Maya Ch’orti’ scholar Dr. Jessica Hernandez. Dr. Hernandez is a transnational Indigenous scholar, scientist, and community advocate based in the Pacific Northwest. Her work is grounded in her Indigenous cultures and ways of knowing with a background that ranges from marine sciences, land restoration, environmental physics and justice. Currently, one can find her completing a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Washington Bothell, a Climate Justice Policy Strategist at the International Mayan League and the Environmental Justice Representative on the City of Seattle’s Urban Forestry Commission. Dr. Hernandez has been finding her way in academia and academy hasn’t always embraced her ways of knowing and engaging with Western science. She has published some inspiring articles and is recent author of Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes with Indigenous Science. She weaves powerful personal stories and family histories that expand our conception of Indigeneity while centering ecofeminist voices of women, non-binary relationships and protectors of lands and waters. It also blends sharp and cogent critiques of western conservationism while also offering Indigenous models informed by case studies and a framework that elevates Indigenous leadership. Working at the nexus of climate science and justice Jessica tells us she is in the process of writing her second book, Growing Papaya Trees: Nurturing Indigenous Roots of Climate. Our conversation wanders from talking about her journey to becoming a scientist, supporting Indigenous-led movements that seek self-determination and autonomy, her current research at the intersection of energy and equity, specifically climate science to climate refugees. We also look back at efforts of hers in Seattle that informed her dissertation about Indigenizing Restoration in urban parks. Doctora Nature , and Native Land is an app to help map Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages Hernandez, J. (2022) - North Atlantic Books. Hernandez, J., Meisner, J., Bardosh, K., & Rabinowitz, P. (2022). . The Lancet Planetary Health, 6(5), e381-e382. Hernandez, J., & Vogt, K. A. (2020). Human biology, 92(1), 37-44. It takes a community to keep a podcast going. Donate to the show @myadrick via and and Music on the show was from , , and Tell a few friends about the show and follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter Review /episode/index/show/treehugger/id/23418449

Rethinking Invasive with Jenny Liou 05/07/2022

A Rewilding of American Letters with Dr. Laura Smith 04/23/2022

A Rewilding of American Letters with Dr. Laura Smith Dr. Laura Smith is a geographer at the University of Exeter, U.K. She works across cultural geography and the environmental humanities, with research interests in ecological restoration and rewilding, the history and conservation of U.S. public lands, national parks, American literature, and environmental protest and activism. and Her first book, Ecological Restoration and the U.S. Nature and Environmental Writing Tradition: A Rewilding of American Letters, was published earlier this year, on the American environmental writers Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Aldo Leopold, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and Edward Abbey, looking at how the connections between writers and places, and the texts produced, have helped shape ecological restoration programs. Dr Smith takes us on an exploration of the entanglements between these famed writers and the places they focused they’re writing on presented in her own storying—restorying—restoring framework on early American environmental literature. From her unique perspective, Dr. Smith lays out an intricate human geography that she says lead to and continues to impart “literary interventions in restoration politics.” She shows us how these early writings have been used and recycled far and wide by conservationists, activities, policymakers to defend U.S. public lands and ideas about wilderness, restoration and rewilding. The takeaway is that we should pay attention to environmental writing, because it has a powerful role in guiding references for restoration, practice on the ground or contributing to policy debates. These are the legends baked into our origin stories, ethical intentions, organizational missions and politics. This discussion is an opportunity to crack those letters open again to ponder where we came from collectively and reinvigorate our imaginations about what exactly we are conserving and with whom we are comrades in restoration. Walden Woods Project: Restore Hetch Hetchy: Aldo Leopold Foundation: Friends of the Everglades: Glen Canyon Institute: Penguin Green Ideas book series: Eden Project: It takes a community to keep a podcast going. Donate to the show @myadrick via and and Music on the show was from and , and . Tell a few friends about the show and follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter Review /episode/index/show/treehugger/id/22884479