Conservation Connection

EXGREEN20 We're wrapping up this season with some big changes, some quick announcements, and a conversation on the value of collaboration! Check back on April 2nd for the start of our next season when we'll be investigating coastal conservation in the American southeast, and come see us at EarthX in Dallas from April 22 to April 26th! Visit EarthX.org to buy passes, and don't forget to...

This week we dive deeper into the spider shoal lily and its role in the Chattahoochee River ecosystem by sitting down with Natalie Downey from the Chattahoochee River Conservancy. Listen in to learn about the importance of this flower and the ways that volunteers are working to restore its population! Click here to get involved: ChattRiver.org

On Georgia's southern border lies the Okefenokee Swamp, our nation's largest intact blackwater wetland. For thousands of years it's been a place of refuge and recreation, but modern industry is threatening to change it forever. Listen in this week to Deborah Reed (Reed's Grocery Store) and Rena Peck (Georgia River Network) as we discuss the value of the Okefenokee and the dangers t...

Hydroelectric dams produce renewable and carbon-neutral electricity, but at what cost? This final episode from our live-podcasting event explores the story of the shoal lily, an endangered-but-not-legally-protected flower that's found only in the Southeast US. If you'd like to get involved, check out these opportunities: Shoal Lily Planting: https://www.chattahoocheeriverconservancy.org/vo...

What's the point of studying our environment if we never take time to enjoy it? This week we sit with local student and river enthusiast Caroline Ellmer to hear her perspective of growing up on the Chattahoochee River and why it's so important to love where you live! Thank you to ⁠⁠Nia Impact Capital⁠⁠ for sponsoring this live recording!

Not all species of bees are the same, and some are MUCH better at pollinating our food than others! Listen in this week to hear Masters student Sarah Tash tell the story of our favorite pollinator and their vital role in our lives. Thank you to ⁠Nia Impact Capital⁠ for sponsoring this live recording!

As it turns out, not all crayfish are created equal; some species dig holes, some species displace others, and some species can only be positively identified by their genitals during breeding season! This week we welcome back Dr. Troy Keller of CSU to peek behind the curtain at the massive biodiversity of crayfish in the Southeastern US and how invasive species are changing the ecosystem. Thank yo...

Alrighty Guys! We're taking a short break until December 17th 2023 because BIG THINGS are happening! If you want free stickers, take this survey to help improve our show then shoot us a message on Instagram: https://forms.gle/wSb3vabehyLJRECW6 If you're in the Columbus Georgia area, come check out our first live podcast event! We're setting up at Scofflaw Brewing in Columbus on Novembe...

What lies at the intersection of social justice, environmental issues, and sustainability? Listen in as Dr. Michael Dorsey, the director and chair of the Rob and Melanie Walton Sustainability Solutions Service at Arizona State University, joins the podcast to discuss pressing issues surrounding environmental justice, sustainability, and the urgent need for a transition to green energy. We dive int...

How can you use your passion to protect our planet? The Redford Center uses the art of storytelling and film to inform, engage, and mobilize people to take action for the betterment of the planet. In this episode we sit down with Jill Tidman, the executive director of the Redford Center, to discuss her personal journey to find her passion for environmental advocacy. We cover her diverse career pat...

How can the average homeowner or renter best take charge of their own climate contributions? Meet Lauren Fraser, co-founder of Canopy! Her organization is committed to helping everyday people decarbonize their lifestyles, from individual households to entire communities! Listen in to learn how Canopy is providing resources, local contractor recommendations, and concierge support to bridge the gap...

What is at the intersection of video games and conservation? This week we dive into the world of video game development and its unexpected role in environmental conservation! Join us as we sit down with Chance Glasco, the co-founder and creative director of Good Dog Studios and a senior fellow with the Adrian Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center. Chance shares his remarkable journey from...

This week we sit down with David Banks to hear about his inspiring journey through the world of conservation and environmental advocacy! David is the Chief Conservation Officer of The Nature Conservancy, a global leader in protecting our planet's precious lands and waters. Listen in as we explore the value of nature, from its breathtaking beauty to the life-sustaining services it provides. Dis...

Can seaweed revolutionize our food industry? This episode, join us on a journey into the world of sustainable seaweed farming, exploring its immense potential for revolutionizing food systems and addressing environmental challenges. Our guest Sachi Singh is the founder and CEO of Rootless, and she shares her journey of transitioning from climate philanthropy to starting her company which is dedica...

How are shifting consumer trends changing the ways that businesses think about our future? Listen in to this week's conversation with Jaime Nack, founder and President of Three Squares Inc, a consulting firm that helps businesses achieve their sustainability goals! From major music festivals to the Democratic National Convention, Three Squares Inc has worked with titans of industry to improve...

How can we make the fashion industry more sustainable? Join us on a captivating journey through sustainable fashion with Lewis Perkins, the visionary mind behind Apparel Impact Institute and the Fashion Climate Fund! In this episode the Conservation Connection team dives into the world of fashion, intertwining conscious consumerism, innovative solutions, and the art of upcycling. Listen in to lear...

How can we repurpose waste products of the timber industry to capture carbon, improve soil, and generate electricity? In this episode of Conservation Connection, we dive into the world of carbon sequestration with Lauren Breynaert, the Public Affairs Director of MYNO Carbon! MYNO Carbon is a recent startup with an innovative process which transforms waste biomass, including timber residuals and ag...

How can one organization support a global network of grassroots climate projects? We're sitting down with Emmy Scott, the Executive Director of Earth Guardians, to answer that question! Earth Guardians supports youth-led climate projects all across the world through their crews initiative, a program available to young people everywhere. We also talk about the value of putting young voices at t...

What threats driven by climate change will be among the first to take lives? Listen in this week to hear about Jeff Goodell's new book, The Heat Will Kill You First , which covers the dangers of increased heat in a changed climate and the ways that communities are responding to the threat. Click here to learn more about Jeff's Book: JeffGoodellWriter.com Click here to learn more about our...

Where does plastic come from and how does it affect our everyday lives? This week we sit down with Dianna Cohen, CEO and co-founder of Plastic Pollution Coalition, to talk through the current issues with plastic pollution and solutions to move forward into a plastic free future! Click here to visit the Plastic Pollution Coalition website: www. PlasticPollutionCoalition.org Click here to check out...

Just how far have microplastics traveled across our planet? In our final interview from the Wild and Scenic Film Festival we sit down with National Geographic Explorer Mike Libecki to talk about his 14 antarctic expeditions, his recently released film, and ways to hold on to hope! Click here to watch Mike's Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCCMekuepeg Click here to learn more about the Jo...

How can wealth be managed in a way that benefits the environment? Kristin Hull, founder and CEO of Nia Impact Capital, is working to do just that by building investment portfolios with intention and purpose. Listen in to hear all about the green possibilities available to protect both your future and the planet's! Click here to learn more about Nia: www. NiaImpactCapital.com Click here to lear...

This week we're releasing an interview with Benjamin Dimmitt that we recorded at the Nature Now Film Festival in Columbus Georgia! Listen in to learn about saltwater intrusion, the process by which ocean water enters freshwater reservoirs and fundamentally changes the ecosystem. Benjamin's work as a photographer has documented the changes to these costal estuaries, hoping to bring attentio...

This week we're releasing our interview with Rhett Butler, the founder and CEO of the wildly successful conservation and environmental science news organization Mongabay! With a monthly readership of more than 4 million, Rhett's organization has a huge impact on getting these vital stories in front of the public. Listen in to hear how his early experiences inspired him to care for the envi...

In this week's episode we sit down with Nick Grossman at the Wild and Scenic film festival! Nick is the Director of Marketing Production for the organization Natural Habitat Adventures, and he was a Producer for the film Endangered Migration. Natural Habitat Adventures brings awareness to wild spaces by organizing trips for members of the general public to visit them in a sustainable manner. T...