The Forest Understory

In this episode, Lacey chats with Dr. Amy Wotherspoon, a forest ecologist and professor in British Columbia. Amy and Lacey have been Instagram friends for years, sharing a love of travel, trees and books. Now, they finally get the chance to connect beyond the comments and messages, talking about climate change and its impact on forests, teaching in China, travel adventures, and the many things tha...

In this episode of The Forest Understory , Lacey sits down with childhood friend Lisa Murphy to explore her journey from growing up in Labrador, to serving in the Canadian military and deploying to Afghanistan, and later becoming a teacher with a focus on land-based learning. Lisa reflects on the early experiences that sparked this interest, and how working in northern, primarily Indigenous commun...

In this episode of Forest Understory, host Lacey Rose interviews her husband and camping partner Mike Machin about their nearly 20 years of camping adventures together. They share stories of their early camping experiences, the challenges of backcountry camping, and the lessons learned from various mishaps, including epic tent failures and water purification woes. The couple discusses their favori...

What happens when a forester, biologist, and wilderness enthusiast spends months surviving alone in the wild? This episode of The Forest Understory features Megan Hanacek , professional forester and biologist, whose experiences range from helping landowners manage forests to testing her limits on the reality series Alone . But this conversation isn't just about survival. We explore how time sp...

Fred Blackstein , a physicist turned outdoor enthusiast, shares his lifelong passion for backcountry camping, survival skills, and volunteerism. Discover how his unique perspective as a scientist enhances his appreciation of nature and hear his thoughts on why everyone should know how to use a compass. Learn about Fred's Order of Canada award here: https://www.pembrokeobserver.com/news/ottawa-...

In this episode, Lacey Rose interviews Jeff Muzzi, one of her early mentors, who helped hone her field skills at the beginning of her career. With over 50 years of experience, we spend time exploring his career, the evolution of forestry, and the importance of field skills and mentorship. Discover valuable lessons from decades in the woods, the impact of technology, and the enduring connection to...

Join Lacey Rose as she reconnects with her friend Michelle Varkonja, a forester and silversmith, to explore their shared history of learning about forestry and long friendship since. Hear about where Michelle's path has taken her, from landing on Northern Vancouver Island, working in places people can only dream about visiting, hugging big trees and creating incredible art inspired by nature a...

In this episode, Lacey Rose speaks with Katrina Van Osch, a woman of many talents who has made significant contributions to the fields of arboriculture and forestry. They discuss Katrina's journey from running an arborist business to teaching forestry, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and her passion for empowering young women following in her footsteps. The conver...

In this bonus mini-episode of The Forest Understory , Lacey shares the next chapter of her own story: why she chose forestry as a career and how her path unfolded. She reflects on her years at UNB while attaining her forestry degree —highlighting academic wins, unexpected hurdles, and the twists and turns of finding meaningful summer work. Along the way Lacey reveals the life lessons that shaped h...

In this heartfelt conversation, Lacey Rose sits down with her dad, Danny Rose , to explore their family's history, the challenges of life in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the deep connection to nature that has shaped their lives. They discuss early memories, the importance of community, the skills learned from hunting and gathering, and the evolution of forest perspectives across generations....

In this episode of the Forest Understory, host Lacey Rose introduces her journey as a forester, sharing her deep connection to the forest and her childhood experiences in Labrador City. She reflects on the lessons learned from nature, the importance of storytelling, and the unique identity shaped by her upbringing in a remote community. The episode sets the stage for future discussions about life...