In Over My Head

Environment Lethbridge is working to make Lethbridge a Living City through several green infrastructure projects. They are planting drought-tolerant species in schools and parks, and assisting households to create resilient, environmentally-responsible, beautiful outdoor landscapes. Join Michael as he gets his hands in the dirt, visiting schools, attending workshops, and stopping by households acr...

Michael sits down with Kathleen to learn how and why Environment Lethbridge's Living City projects started, and what work they are doing in the community. He also connects with Tianna from Green Communities Canada to learn about their involvement in this project. Featured in this episode: Kathleen Sheppard - Executive Director, Environment Lethbridge Tianna Mighty - Green Infrastructure Coordinato...

Michael sits down with Charlie to learn more about Environment Lethbridge's community project sites. He also travels to Winston Churchill High School and Fleetwood Bawden Elementary School to hear from the teachers who are working to make their schools more water-wise.    Featured in this episode: Kathleen Sheppard - Executive Director, Environment Lethbridge Charlie Weston - Community Watershed A...

Michael sits down with Amber to learn all about how the Waterwise 101 workshops started and what this initiative hopes to accomplish. He also stops by Krysty's home, a westsider who is short on time but busy making her community a better place.  Featured in this episode: Kathleen Sheppard - Executive Director, Environment Lethbridge  Amber Murray - Urban Watershed Ambassador, Environment Lethbridg...

Michael attends two Waterwise 101 sessions: Budgets and Small Changes for Big Impact. There he meets Brady, a busy PhD student who is looking to learn more about drought-tolerant plants, and Daphne, a westside homeowner and mom who is making a second attempt at water-wise landscaping.    Featured in this episode: Amber Murray - Urban Watershed Ambassador, Environment Lethbridge Brady & Daphne...

Michael tags along to two more Waterwise 101 sessions: Microclimates and Irrigation, Planning, and Preparation (Maintenance). He also meets Sheila & Owen, a westside couple looking for local knowledge on how to change their backyard space, and stops by Svenja's home, a southsider who wants to make her yard more water-wise for her family.        Featured in this episode: Amber Murray - Urban Wa...

Michael follows up with Waterwise 101 participants from across the city after their landscaping projects have wrapped up. Did they finish? What challenges did they face, and how did the experience change them?    Featured in this episode: Amber Murray - Urban Watershed Ambassador, Environment Lethbridge Krysty, Brady, Sheila, Owen, Daphne, & Svenja - Waterwise 101 Workshop Participants Environ...

Michael welcomes back Michael Maniates to talk about his new book, The Living-Green Myth: The Promise and Limits of Lifestyle Environmentalism , which questions the dominant narrative that individuals can make a significant environmental impact through their consumer choices and lifestyle changes. Michael explains why this myth persists, including some of the history behind the living-green myth....

In February 2023, Michael traveled to the village of Myrnam, Alberta, to interview staff and students at New Myrnam School, learning all about the sustainability projects, including a school bus they were converting into a tiny house. He recently went back to see what they were up to now and what progress they had made on the "cool bus". Planet-saving Superstar: New Myrnam School (original episode...

Michael chats with sculptor, performance artist, and sewist Arianna Richardson (aka The Hobbyist) who works with discarded plastic and craft materials to explore themes of consumerism, gendered labour, waste, and excess. They discuss her work, plastics' unique connection to consumerism, using art to engage the public in conversations about sustainability and waste, and more.  Arianna Richardson's...

Michael is currently off on another ocean adventure collaborating again with Memorial University. Through this project he had the opportunity to interview accomplished Seabird biologist Holly Hogan, discussing her book Message in a Bottle: Ocean Dispatches from a Seabird Biologist. This never-before-heard interview was so good, that Michael just had to share it with you.  Message in a Bottle: Ocea...

How is the Oldman watershed unique, why it is ecologically important, and how has our climate been changing in Alberta over the decades? In this episode, Michael explores some of the basics around the Oldman watershed, water security and climate adaptation.  Featured Guests: Shannon Frank - Executive Director: Oldman Watershed Council Stefan Kienzle - Professor Emeritus: University of Lethbridge 

What is a riparian area and what role does it play in climate adaptation? How are lakes impacted by climate change? In this episode, Michael explores why riparian areas and lakes are important to the Oldman watershed. Featured Guests: Norine Ambrose - Executive Director: Cows & Fish Bradley Peter - Executive Director: Alberta Lake Management Society

What role does land management play in maintaining a healthy watershed? How are fish species affected by a changing climate and our various land uses? In this episode, Michael has some conversations about conservation in the Oldman watershed.  Featured Guests: Philip Meintzer & Devon Earl - Conservation Specialists: Alberta Wilderness Association Lorne Fitch - Professional Biologist Jim Rennie...

How are businesses affected by concerns around water security in the Oldman Watershed? In this episode, Michael talks with three business owners who rely on water for their livelihood. He explores why water matters to them and how they plan to adapt to a changing climate.  Featured Guests: Jim Lynch-Staunton - Rancher: Antelope Butte Ranch Dwight Perry - Farmer Kelti Baird - Co-Founder & Manag...

How has the Oldman watershed been developed over the centuries and were there any struggles along the way? In this episode, Michael explores the history of development in the Oldman watershed, including its significance to the Blackfoot people and its importance to settler communities. He also learns about the controversy around the construction of the Oldman River Dam.  Featured Guests: Ninna Pii...

How is the City of Lethbridge planning to adapt to water security concerns in our changing climate and what can you do to have an impact? In this episode, Michael explores the future of water and climate adaptation in Lethbridge. He gets a tour of the water treatment plant, learns about the city’s climate adaptation strategy and gets some advice from past guests on what you can do to get involved....

Michael learns all about the Oldman watershed, exploring how communities in Southern Alberta are impacted by concerns around water security related to climate change, and how they might adapt. 

What was the motivation behind establishing Alberta Parks? Why is researching the history of provincial parks challenging, and should we include ordinary people in park history?  Michael explores these questions with environmental historian Jessica DeWitt. She explains the unique reasons for creating Alberta Parks in the 1930s and the challenges with the first provincial parks including Aspen Beac...

What was prehistoric life like in Alberta 2.6 million years ago? What is the geologic significance of the provincial parks, and how can geology help us deepen our connection to the parks? Michael explores these questions with history and earth science educator, and author Cory Gross. They cover the unique geology of Castle Wildland Provincial Park, Kananaskis, Sheep River Provincial Park, Cypress...

What unique history is buried under Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park? What is it like leading your first archaeological dig? What makes Glenbow Ranch ecologically significant and why does it need to be protected? Michael explores these questions with archaeologist, historian, and author Shari Peyerl. Their conversation focuses on Shari's book, Alberta's Cornerstone Archaeological Adventures in Glenbo...

What makes Miquelon Lake Provincial Park historically unique? What benefits do visitors get from their time at a provincial park? What is the history of park interpretation programs and why are they important today? Michael explores these questions with the University of Alberta's Glen Hvenegaard. They cover the history of Miquelon as a migratory bird sanctuary in the 1920s, its significance as a...

Historically, what is the ecological significance of Kananaskis? What development concerns have arisen in the past, and what can people do to ensure this space is managed appropriately? Michael explores these questions with Executive Director of CPAWS Southern Alberta Katie Morrison. They cover the ecological recognition of Kananaskis in the 1940s, the establishment of the Kananaskis country conce...

What is the significance of Áísínai'pi (Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park) to the Niitsítapi people? What is the role of policy in indigenous groups maintaining their spiritual connection to Áísínai'pi? How is the indigenous cultural understanding of heritage unique? Michael explores these questions with heritage management practitioner Camina Weasel Moccasin. They cover the park's establishment in...

In this bonus episode, Michael chats with small business owner Heather Davis about Uplift Adventures, a Crowsnest Pass-based outdoor tourism company. Heather explains how Uplift Adventures got its start, the realities of running a small business in the parks, and the historical significance of the Crowsnest Pass. Lastly, Heather offers advice on how you can connect to nature in a meaningful way an...