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Chinese conservationists have worked hard to protect the critically endangered Chinese alligator, creating new habitats for them after significant alterations made most of their Yangtze River home unsuitable. Thanks to the power of GPS technology, we now have some fascinating insights into how they are using the wetlands they are being reintroduced to, and it's mixed news. We follow that chat up with two new species of sand swimming skinks from Madagascar, and some big news from Tom about a brand new mammal. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Li M, Sun K, Wang Z, Zhang C, Gao Y, Zhang S, Tu G, Wu X, Pan T. 2025. Extremely limited spatial and temporal utilization for wild Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis). Biology Letters 21:20250513. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0513. Species of the Bi-Week: Miralles A, Schmidt R, Rakotoarison A, Delaunay A, Freiwald A, Rahagalala NA, Rakotomanga S, Razafimanafo D, Ratsoavina FM, Crottini A, Raselimanana AP, Glaw F, Vences M. 2025. Integrative taxonomy of Madagascar's sand-swimming skinks (Scincidae: Voeltzkowia , Grandidierina) and preliminary evidence for an overlooked inland belt of white sand patches across the island's west. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 205:zlaf147. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf147. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Sun K, Li M, Wang Z, Sun S, Yang J, Wu X, Pan T. 2025. Habitat Integrity Challenges for the Chinese Alligator Amid Land Occupation by Human: Pathways for Protection. Ecology and Evolution 15:e71113. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.71113. Other Links/Mentions: Wild London (~37 minutes in for Aesculapian snakes) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hzg7 Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com
In this episode, New York Times bestselling author and environmental thinker Paul Hawken explores the deeper story of carbon through his latest book, Carbon: The Book of Life. Moving beyond the familiar climate narrative, Hawken reveals carbon as the elemental force that animates all living systems—plants, animals, fungi, agriculture, and human life itself—and invites a more integrated, life-affirming relationship with the natural world. Founder of Project Drawdown and Regeneration, and author of influential works including The Ecology of Commerce, Blessed Unrest, and Regeneration, Hawken brings decades of insight into how re-imagining our relationship with nature can help shape a just, resilient, and hopeful future.
Dr. Robert Michael Pyle is a pioneer and legend in invertebrate conservation research and advocacy, as well as an accomplished author and poet. In 1971, he founded the Xerces Society, which has grown into the most influential invertebrate conservation organization in the world.He is also the author of many books of prose and poetry, and a great storyteller. This is part one of our conversation, part two will be out next week.This episode was researched and co-hosted by Coast Range Radio volunteer, Griffin Reim!Show Notes:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Michael_Pylehttps://www.xerces.org/Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide: https://www.counterpointpress.com/dd-product/where-bigfoot-walks/The Dark Divide: darkdividefilm.com https://www.instagram.com/coastrangeradio/
In this episode, Methods in Ecology and Evolution author Margot Belot talks to publishing assistant Hannah about her article 'High-throughput information extraction of printed specimen labels from large-scale digitization of entomological collections using a semi-automated pipeline' Margot's article introduces a tool that can be used to automatically real the labels of museum specimens, helping to catalogue and digitise their vast collections Read the full article here: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/2041-210x.70235 And a blog post about the work: https://methodsblog.com/2026/02/10/from-trowels-to-tensorflow-bridging-the-gap-between-ancient-past-and-digital-future/
What are the "rules" of biodiversity? How do ecology and evolution interact? These are questions that biologist Hanna Kokko is a renowned expert on, and in this episode of "Weird Species" she shares her immense knowledge on these topics. And of course, she talks about her favorite species as well: Apus apus, the common swift, which is very much not a swallow! Want to know where exactly the difference lies? Then join us for this episode! Follow Senckenberg onFacebookInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTube
Wild turkey biologist Reina Tyl joins us to unpack her comprehensive study assessing population growth of Easterns in South Dakota. Resources: Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased female survival may explain wild turkey decline. bioRxiv, 2025-05. Tyl, R. M. (2019). Factors Influencing Survival, Productivity, and Population Growth of Eastern Wild Turkeys in Northeastern South Dakota. West Virginia University. Tyl, R. M., Rota, C. T., & Lehman, C. P. (2025). Factors influencing eastern wild turkey population growth in northeastern South Dakota. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 49, e1636. Tyl, R.M., Rota, C.T. and Lehman, C.P., 2020. Factors influencing productivity of eastern wild turkeys in northeastern South Dakota. Ecology and Evolution, 10(16), pp.8838-8854. Tyl, R.M., Rota, C.T. and Lehman, C.P., 2023. Factors influencing survival of female eastern wild turkeys in northeastern South Dakota. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 47(2), p.e1429. Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched our second online wild turkey course ! Enroll in Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History & Habitat to learn about the principal biology, mating, behavior, food selection, human dimensions, hunter interactions, and historical context of wild turkeys. This course is accredited by the Society of American Foresters as a Category 2 course worth 7 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Participants can also earn up to 5 CEUs in Category I of The Wildlife Society's Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. Enroll now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManagerBio Be sure to check out our first comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! Watch these podcasts on YouTube Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you! Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear! This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
Sorry, no fish in this episode! Instead, Christine interviews Josh and Amber about their experiences in animal science. To celebrate Black History month, we get to know Josh and Amber through the lens of being people of color. We talk about issues of mentorship, representation and the importance of being included. DEI has become a term that has come with a lot of backlash but we attempt to cut through the assumptions, and speak on these topics in a way that's open minded and thoughtful. We hope you enjoy it! Here are a few organizations which may be helpful to you if you are looking to network and meet other POC in your field, or in a field which you'd like to be a part of.Minorities in Shark SciencesBlack in Marine ScienceMinorities in Aquarium and Zoo ScienceNational Association for Black VeterinariansBlack Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine ScienceMinorities in AquacultureThis podcast is brought to you by the Red lipped batfish. Ever wish to meet a fish that looks like a 5 year old has drawn their rendition of an offspring of a frog that's mated with a fish? Or maybe you've always wanted to see what the Star Trek Enterprise looked like if it were a sea creature? Meet the red lipped batfish! Boy, was mother nature drunk when she made this thing. Do yourself a favor and google “red lipped batfish” and have a laugh free of charge. Cheers to you, red lipped batfish.Thanks for listening to Gettin' Fishy With It! You can find our new website at www.gettinfishywithit.com. You can find us on Bluesky at @gettinfishypod.bsky.social and on Instagram @gettingfishypod. You can also find us on Facebook and LinkedIn. If you want to drop us an email, you can send your complaints (or questions!) to gettingfishypod@gmail.com.Our theme music is “Best Time” by FASSOUNDS. Our audio is edited by Amber Park Chiodini. Amber has her own podcast all about movies, called So What Happens Next?We very much appreciate you taking the time to listen to our seventy-first episode! Please help out the podcast by subscribing on your podcast platform of choice. If you could leave us a review, that would be super helpful!If you would like to support the show, you can sign up as a paid member on our Substack, or you can buy us a coffee!Thanks and we'll “sea” you again in two weeks!
Local experts on sustainable topics like alternative energy sources, organic gardening & farming.
This is a release from the terrific show Peacemongers (Fredshetsarna), a Swedish anti-imperialist podcast. The episodes features Henry Hakamaki and Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro discussing their book translation of Communism - The Highest Stage of Ecology. Be sure to subscribe to their podcast and/or their YouTube! Below are the shownotes from their episode posting: In this session of Peacemongers we had the honor of having Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro and Henry Hakamäki on, the translators of Guillaume Suing's "Communism, the highest state of ecology" from iskra books. We dive into the different parts of the book and a surrounding discussion about ecology, biology and socialism. We explore the ecological experiences of Cuba established in the 90's, the so-called "special period" after the overthrow of its ally and trading partner the Soviet Union. What contradictions there are within Cuba at that point and its conditions for realizing a transformation on a massive scale. We discuss the not so linear history of the Soviet Union through the lens of ecological development. A country often demonized as ecologically destructive in a totalizing manner, while the historical data throws a wrench in that narrative. The book also delves into a discussion about biology and genetics, how scientific theories are politicized in the polemic of the sides in the cold war and why the marxist philosophy of dialectical materialism is useful for understanding evolution and biology. On the topic of this book we discuss the relationship between imperialism and ecology, history and science. How research is weaponized, weather historical or scientific to fit the narrative of the vampire like beast of capitalism and fascism. This is a quite long, sometimes challenging subject we found very educational and interesting, we hope that you will too. A big thanks to our guests Salvatore and Henry for coming on. You can find the book at https://www.iskrabooks.org/communism-the-highest-stage-of-ecology This as well as many other fantastic books there are all available as PDF for free but we encourage you to support their work by buying some beautiful books. For swedes who are interested in iskra books, email bokkallarenorebro(AT)gmail.com for what you are looking for and I'll try to get it in my next order from iskra. Some references in the episode: Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro: Socialist states and the environment https://www.plutobooks.com/product/socialist-states-and-the-environment/ Davies & Wheatcroft The Years of Hunger: Soviet Agriculture, 1931–1933 Levins & Lewontin: The Dialectical biologist https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674202832 And in case you have lived in a cave, Henry Hakamäki is the cohost of Guerrilla History Podcast (https://guerrillahistory.libsyn.com/) with friend of the show Adnan Hussein where you can find 5+ years of top class counter-historical discussions from politicization of dinosaur fossils to war, decolonization to football. Follow us on UpScrolled: https://share.upscrolled.com/en/user/86bb8ed2-1df9-458f-914a-a301c955f940/ Or on instagram and twitter: https://www.instagram.com/fredshetsarna/ https://x.com/fredshetsarna Support the people of Palestine through the Sameer project: https://chuffed.org/project/149178-sameer-project-x-mass-displacement-campaign Or Lifeline for Gaza: https://lifeline4gaza.com/ /Peacemongers
Dr. Jenkins sits down with Shane Ngwenya, an aspiring herpetologist beginning graduate studies in South Africa. Shane reflects on his childhood as a herder, where encounters with snakes were once rooted in fear and conflict, and how a growing fascination with the natural world ultimately reshaped his perspective.That turning point came during a formative field course in Kruger National Park led by faculty including Bryan Maritz, a previous Snake Talk Podcast guest, whose mentorship helped inspire Shane's path into herpetology. Shane discusses his honors research examining gecko communities across diverse habitat types and offers insight into the rich reptile and snake communities of Kruger. The episode also looks ahead to his upcoming graduate work, which will explore how elephant exclusion fences influence reptile habitat and community structure in protected landscapes.Connect with Shane at the University of the Western Cape.Looking to learn more? Check out Snake Talk 19 | Snakes of Africa with Dr. Bryan Maritz. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.Shop Snake Talk merch.If you like what you've been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.
In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we are joined by special guests to talk honestly about life as a parent working in the ecology sector. From career paths and fieldwork realities to flexibility, support, and shared caregiving, we explore how becoming a parent can shape professional choices - and how the sector is (slowly) changing in response.Our guests share their experiences of juggling unsociable hours and seasonal pressures, the compromises they've made along the way, and what workplace practices have made the biggest positive difference for their families. We also look ahead, asking what still needs to change to better support parents and carers in ecology, and what advice they'd give to those considering parenthood.Thank you to our guests:Anita Hogan CEcol CEnv MCIEEMNick Marchant MCIEEMLaura Sanderson CEcol CEnv MCIEEMHannah Williams MCIEEMVisit our website: https://cieem.net/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Two Bees in a Podcast, Amy Vu and Dr. Jamie Ellis are joined by Dr. Beatrice Nganso, a Research Scientist in commercial insects at the International Center of Insect Physiology & Ecology in Nairobi, Kenya to discuss her research on honey bee colony losses in Sub-Saharan Africa. This episode ends with a Q&A segment. Check out our website: www.ufhoneybee.com for additional resources from today's episode.
It's been more than half a century since the publication of Silent Spring by the scientist and creative writer Rachel Carson. The seminal volume caught the attention of U.S. presidents, artists and musicians, spurring the environmental movement and leading to the eventual ban of the toxic pesticide DDT. Joining the Mongabay Newscast is environmental writer and director of the creative writing program at Middlebury College, Megan Mayhew Bergman. She unpacks the impact of Carson's work, which came under public attack from chemical companies seeking to discredit her, and how, eventually, the truth broke through. "We don't change our minds usually based on data. We change our minds based on emotion, but historically, it's been pretty taboo for scientists to include emotion in the way that they write. And I feel like Carson risked that here in a way that was really powerful." Please take a minute to let us know what you think of our podcast, here. Image: Megan Mayhew Bergman. Image by Cameron Russell. Environmental writing and authors mentioned in this conversation: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Florida by Lauren Groff The Home Place by J. Drew Lanham Hope Is the Thing With Feathers by Christopher Cokinos How Strange a Season by Megan Mayhew Bergman Silent Spring by Rachel Carson Under a White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald The Wild Flag by E.B. White Zora Neale Hurston Other works and authors mentioned: Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray Men We Reaped by Jasmyn Ward A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid Speak Memory by Vladimir Nabokov —- Timestamps (00:00) Changing hearts and minds (02:46) Rachel Carson's journey to Silent Spring (08:22) Controversy and impact (14:40) Room for a new voice (20:55) Bioaccumulation and what it means (24:07) "We don't change our minds based on data" (26:43) Recommended reads (35:21) The American South and environmental writing (39:57) Lessons for writers
What if the future of the church isn't found in choosing between old and new—but in learning how both can flourish together? In this episode, Loren is joined by Dwight Zscheile and Blair Pogue for a wide-ranging conversation about their book, Embracing the Mixed Ecology, and what it means to form Christian communities in a changing world. Drawing on their experience in congregational leadership, theological education, and diocesan innovation, Dwight and Blair make the case for a mixed ecology of church—where inherited congregations, new communities, fresh expressions, digital ministry, and lay-led initiatives work together to embody the gospel. Rather than dismissing institutions or chasing quick fixes, the conversation emphasizes discipleship, listening to neighbors, and adapting church forms without abandoning the substance of the faith. The episode also explores why activism alone cannot sustain Christian identity, how polarization distorts formation, and why the church must recover practices that shape people into a distinct way of life centered on Jesus. Topics Include What a “mixed ecology” of church actually means Why inherited churches still matter—and where they fall short Fresh expressions, microchurches, and lay-led ministry Discipleship vs. political or cultural substitutes for faith Listening as the starting point for mission Digital ministry as doorway, not replacement When and how churches may need to end faithfully The Rev. Dwight Zscheile, Ph.D. is professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is author of Embracing the Mixed Ecology: Inherited and New Forms of Christian Community Flourishing Together (with Blair Pogue, Seabury Books 2025), Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future (with Michael Binder and Tessa Pinkstaff, Fortress, 2023), Participating in God's Mission: A Theological Missiology for the Church in America (with Craig Van Gelder, Eerdmans, 2018), The Agile Church: Spirit-Led Innovation in an Uncertain Age (Morehouse Publishing, 2014), People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity (Morehouse Publishing, 2012) and The Missional Church in Perspective: Mapping Trends and Shaping the Conversation (with Craig Van Gelder, Baker Academic 2011), editor of Cultivating Sent Communities: Missional Spiritual Formation (Eerdmans, 2012) and co-editor (with Ed Olsworth-Peter) of The Starter's Way: Leading New Contextual Christian Communities (Church Publishing, 2025). A graduate of Stanford University (BA), Yale University (MDiv) and Luther Seminary (PhD, Congregational Mission and Leadership), he has served congregations in Minnesota and Virginia. Dwight's experience growing up in a secular home in California has shaped his commitment to helping the church cultivate Christian community with neighbors in today's changing world. The Rev. Canon Blair Pogue is the Canon for Innovation for the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. In that capacity she helps congregations all over the state go deeper in their practice of the Christian faith and rethink how they form disciples and engage the communities surrounding their church. She also runs learning communities for Episcopalians wanting to learn how to form Christian community with neighbors where they live, work, and play. Before joining Bishop Craig Loya's staff she was the rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in St. Paul for 16 ½ years, and before that she served two churches in the Diocese of Virginia, with a special focus on Christian formation. She is a graduate of Luther Seminary (D.Min in Congregational Mission and Leadership), Yale Divinity School (M.Div), and Whitman College (B.A.). Mentioned Resources:
In the high Andean grasslands 4,500 meters above sea level, Quechua alpaca herders live on the edges of glaciers that have retreated more rapidly in the past fifty years than at any point in the previous six millennia. Women are the primary herders, and their specialized knowledge and skill is vital to the ability of high-elevation communities to survive in changing climatic conditions. In the past decade, however, these herders and their animals have traversed a rapidly shifting terrain. Drawing on the Quechua concept of k'ita, or restlessness, Restless Ecologies: Climate Change and Socioecological Futures in the Peruvian Highlands (University of Arizona Press, 2025) explores how herders in the community of Chillca in the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range of the southeastern Peruvian Andes sense and make sense of changing conditions. Capricious mountains, distracted alpacas, and wayward children deviate from their expected spatial and temporal trajectories. When practices of sociality start to fall apart--when animals no longer listen to herders' whistles, children no longer visit their parents, and humans no longer communicate with mountains--these failures signal a broader ecological instability that threatens the viability of the herder's world. For more than two years, the author herded alongside the women of the Cordillera Vilcanota, observing them and talking with them about their interactions with their animals, landscapes, and neighbors. Emphasizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge and traditional ecological practices, Caine argues that Quechua understandings of restlessness align with and challenge broader theoretical understandings of what it is to be vulnerable in a time of planetary crisis. Allison Caine is an environmental anthropologist and an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Wyoming. Caleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
In the high Andean grasslands 4,500 meters above sea level, Quechua alpaca herders live on the edges of glaciers that have retreated more rapidly in the past fifty years than at any point in the previous six millennia. Women are the primary herders, and their specialized knowledge and skill is vital to the ability of high-elevation communities to survive in changing climatic conditions. In the past decade, however, these herders and their animals have traversed a rapidly shifting terrain. Drawing on the Quechua concept of k'ita, or restlessness, Restless Ecologies: Climate Change and Socioecological Futures in the Peruvian Highlands (University of Arizona Press, 2025) explores how herders in the community of Chillca in the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range of the southeastern Peruvian Andes sense and make sense of changing conditions. Capricious mountains, distracted alpacas, and wayward children deviate from their expected spatial and temporal trajectories. When practices of sociality start to fall apart--when animals no longer listen to herders' whistles, children no longer visit their parents, and humans no longer communicate with mountains--these failures signal a broader ecological instability that threatens the viability of the herder's world. For more than two years, the author herded alongside the women of the Cordillera Vilcanota, observing them and talking with them about their interactions with their animals, landscapes, and neighbors. Emphasizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge and traditional ecological practices, Caine argues that Quechua understandings of restlessness align with and challenge broader theoretical understandings of what it is to be vulnerable in a time of planetary crisis. Allison Caine is an environmental anthropologist and an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Wyoming. Caleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/latin-american-studies
In the high Andean grasslands 4,500 meters above sea level, Quechua alpaca herders live on the edges of glaciers that have retreated more rapidly in the past fifty years than at any point in the previous six millennia. Women are the primary herders, and their specialized knowledge and skill is vital to the ability of high-elevation communities to survive in changing climatic conditions. In the past decade, however, these herders and their animals have traversed a rapidly shifting terrain. Drawing on the Quechua concept of k'ita, or restlessness, Restless Ecologies: Climate Change and Socioecological Futures in the Peruvian Highlands (University of Arizona Press, 2025) explores how herders in the community of Chillca in the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range of the southeastern Peruvian Andes sense and make sense of changing conditions. Capricious mountains, distracted alpacas, and wayward children deviate from their expected spatial and temporal trajectories. When practices of sociality start to fall apart--when animals no longer listen to herders' whistles, children no longer visit their parents, and humans no longer communicate with mountains--these failures signal a broader ecological instability that threatens the viability of the herder's world. For more than two years, the author herded alongside the women of the Cordillera Vilcanota, observing them and talking with them about their interactions with their animals, landscapes, and neighbors. Emphasizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge and traditional ecological practices, Caine argues that Quechua understandings of restlessness align with and challenge broader theoretical understandings of what it is to be vulnerable in a time of planetary crisis. Allison Caine is an environmental anthropologist and an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Wyoming. Caleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/native-american-studies
In the high Andean grasslands 4,500 meters above sea level, Quechua alpaca herders live on the edges of glaciers that have retreated more rapidly in the past fifty years than at any point in the previous six millennia. Women are the primary herders, and their specialized knowledge and skill is vital to the ability of high-elevation communities to survive in changing climatic conditions. In the past decade, however, these herders and their animals have traversed a rapidly shifting terrain. Drawing on the Quechua concept of k'ita, or restlessness, Restless Ecologies: Climate Change and Socioecological Futures in the Peruvian Highlands (University of Arizona Press, 2025) explores how herders in the community of Chillca in the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range of the southeastern Peruvian Andes sense and make sense of changing conditions. Capricious mountains, distracted alpacas, and wayward children deviate from their expected spatial and temporal trajectories. When practices of sociality start to fall apart--when animals no longer listen to herders' whistles, children no longer visit their parents, and humans no longer communicate with mountains--these failures signal a broader ecological instability that threatens the viability of the herder's world. For more than two years, the author herded alongside the women of the Cordillera Vilcanota, observing them and talking with them about their interactions with their animals, landscapes, and neighbors. Emphasizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge and traditional ecological practices, Caine argues that Quechua understandings of restlessness align with and challenge broader theoretical understandings of what it is to be vulnerable in a time of planetary crisis. Allison Caine is an environmental anthropologist and an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Wyoming. Caleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies
In the high Andean grasslands 4,500 meters above sea level, Quechua alpaca herders live on the edges of glaciers that have retreated more rapidly in the past fifty years than at any point in the previous six millennia. Women are the primary herders, and their specialized knowledge and skill is vital to the ability of high-elevation communities to survive in changing climatic conditions. In the past decade, however, these herders and their animals have traversed a rapidly shifting terrain. Drawing on the Quechua concept of k'ita, or restlessness, Restless Ecologies: Climate Change and Socioecological Futures in the Peruvian Highlands (University of Arizona Press, 2025) explores how herders in the community of Chillca in the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range of the southeastern Peruvian Andes sense and make sense of changing conditions. Capricious mountains, distracted alpacas, and wayward children deviate from their expected spatial and temporal trajectories. When practices of sociality start to fall apart--when animals no longer listen to herders' whistles, children no longer visit their parents, and humans no longer communicate with mountains--these failures signal a broader ecological instability that threatens the viability of the herder's world. For more than two years, the author herded alongside the women of the Cordillera Vilcanota, observing them and talking with them about their interactions with their animals, landscapes, and neighbors. Emphasizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge and traditional ecological practices, Caine argues that Quechua understandings of restlessness align with and challenge broader theoretical understandings of what it is to be vulnerable in a time of planetary crisis. Allison Caine is an environmental anthropologist and an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Wyoming. Caleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies
In the high Andean grasslands 4,500 meters above sea level, Quechua alpaca herders live on the edges of glaciers that have retreated more rapidly in the past fifty years than at any point in the previous six millennia. Women are the primary herders, and their specialized knowledge and skill is vital to the ability of high-elevation communities to survive in changing climatic conditions. In the past decade, however, these herders and their animals have traversed a rapidly shifting terrain. Drawing on the Quechua concept of k'ita, or restlessness, Restless Ecologies: Climate Change and Socioecological Futures in the Peruvian Highlands (University of Arizona Press, 2025) explores how herders in the community of Chillca in the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range of the southeastern Peruvian Andes sense and make sense of changing conditions. Capricious mountains, distracted alpacas, and wayward children deviate from their expected spatial and temporal trajectories. When practices of sociality start to fall apart--when animals no longer listen to herders' whistles, children no longer visit their parents, and humans no longer communicate with mountains--these failures signal a broader ecological instability that threatens the viability of the herder's world. For more than two years, the author herded alongside the women of the Cordillera Vilcanota, observing them and talking with them about their interactions with their animals, landscapes, and neighbors. Emphasizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge and traditional ecological practices, Caine argues that Quechua understandings of restlessness align with and challenge broader theoretical understandings of what it is to be vulnerable in a time of planetary crisis. Allison Caine is an environmental anthropologist and an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Wyoming. Caleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/anthropology
This Monday's episode of the Sustainable Living show features expert guest, food activist and author Mark Winne.
In this episode Dr. Oskar Brattstrom and undergraduate students Bridget Nielsen and Katie Mulholland speak with Naturally Speaking’s Anders Erlandson, Caroline Sharp and Taya Forde about some of the aspects of the Ecology and Conservation of African Ecosystems field course. This is a final year option offered as part of the School of Biodiversity, One […]
A scathing new audit found ‘pervasive failures’ in the Washington Department of Ecology’s Digital Navigator Program. More layoffs hit Seattle’s tech sector in the form of Expedia. A 78-year-old man was the victim of a hit-and-run at a Seattle protest. // Tom Homan held a press conference in Minneapolis today after taking over the helm of ICE operations in the city. New video shows Alex Pretti engaged in another intense altercation with federal law enforcement 11 days before he was killed. // Thousands of Keurig decaf coffee K-cups have been recalled because they contain caffeine.
Mark Stephen speaks to Professor Will Cresswell about the welcome rise in corn buntings.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT PODCAST:Website: http://TheRippleEffectPodcast.comSupport: https://rickyvarandas.com/support/IPAK-EDU (Empower Yourself Through Knowledge)Website: https://IPAK-EDU.org/ (use RIPPLE for 10% off)VN Alexander, PhD (aka Tori)Website: https://vnalexander.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/rednaxelairot/AI & Transhumanism Essay: posthumousstyle.substack.comBio: Philosopher of science known for her work on Vladimir Nabokov's theory of insect mimicry evolution. She is a member of the Third Way of Evolution research group and currently works in the field of Biosemiotics. She earned her Ph.D. in 2002 in English at the Graduate Center, City University New York and did her dissertation research in teleology, evolutionary theory, and self-organization at the Santa Fe Institute. She is a Rockefeller Foundation Residency alum, a former NY Council for the Humanities scholar, and a 2020 Fulbright scholar in Russia. Books include The Biologist's Mistress: Rethinking Self-Organization in Art, Literature and Nature and several literary fiction and political science novels.Xavier A. Figueroa, Ph.D (aka Dr. X)X: https://x.com/DrXFig0708Bio: The principal scientist for EMulate Therapeutics overseeing pre-clinical research and the application of EMulate Therapeutics technology in multiple disease areas. He has more than 20 years of experience in basic and neurological clinical research, including Alzheimer's research, neuron biology, cancer research, bioengineering and biophysics. Dr. Figeuroa received his doctoral degree in Neurobiology & Behavior from the University of Washington. His doctoral training was followed by two post-doctoral fellowships within the University of Washington's Department of Bioengineering. He is currently an affiliate assistant professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Washington. Specialties include, Molecular Biology, Toxicology, Apoptosis Signaling and Regulation, Neuroscience and Neurodegenerative Expertise.Dr. James Lyons-Weiler (aka Dr. Jack)Website: https://jameslyonsweiler.com/Substack: https://popularrationalism.substack.com/Earned his PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. He has held research positions at esteemed institutions, including the University of Nevada, Reno, and the University of Pittsburgh (Dept Pathology & Dept. of Biomedical Informatics). Dr. Lyons-Weiler has an extensive portfolio of peer-reviewed articles covering various scientific disciplines such as genetics, evolution, and public health. Notably, he has conducted research on the safety of aluminum adjuvants in vaccines, focusing on their dosing and potential health implications, especially in pediatric populations. His work on “pathogenic priming” and its potential relevance to COVID-19 has also been significant. Lyons-Weiler founded the Institute for Pure and Applied Knowledge (IPAK), a research organization. He also founded IPAK-EDU, an educational platform that has educated over 1,400 students in advanced courses across a wide variety of subjects. You can find more information about these courses on their official website.
Send us a textIn this fun episode of National Parks for Kids, mom Jaimie and son Brant take listeners on an adventure through Indiana Dunes National Park — one of the most biodiverse parks in the country and known as the birthplace of ecology! Discover how sand dunes, forests, and wetlands all come together to create a living science lab full of plants, animals, and natural wonders. Whether you love exploring, learning, or just daydreaming about your next park visit, this episode will spark curiosity and inspire you to see nature in a whole new way.
In this podcast, Ecologist Sebastian Hoefer talks to Methods in Ecology and Evolution assistant editor Harriet Rhodes about his article ‘Sensors versus surveyors: Comparing passive acoustic monitoring, camera trapping and observer-based monitoring for terrestrial mammals'. The paper compared different methods of monitoring, focusing on passive acoustic monitoring and observer based monitoring like camera trapping over several years in Eastern Australia, and they discuss some of the challenges involved in remote ecology. Read the full article here: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/2041-210X.70169
In this episode of The Writing Life, Singapore-based writer Choo Yi Feng shares his approach to writing speculative fiction. Choo Yi Feng is an intertidal explorer, climate activist, ecologist and fiction writer. The Waiting Room is his debut short story collection. Elsewhere, his short stories have previously been published in Foglifter Journal, Anathema: Spec from the Margins, Queer Southeast Asia and Alluvium, the journal of Literary Shanghai. He was nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2022. His residency in the Dragon Hall Cottage was supported by the National Arts Council of Singapore. He sat down with writer and mentor Simon K Jones to discuss world building in speculative fiction, and how his work blends elements of science-fiction, horror, mythology, and more. Together, they touch on his month-long residency in Norwich UNESCO City of Literature, his method for developing mysterious, compelling characters, and how his interest in the sea and sea animals translates in his stories.
Episode: 1514 The resistance movement: a look at ongoing evolution. Today, we watch creatures evolving around us.
This sermon had a technical glitch that lost a section of quotes from Francis Shaeffer on ecology (an application of the text). See below for the manuscript text of that section. God's gift of extremely heightened wisdom is seen in being a student of all life and putting it into practice in all one's life to bless the lives of others. Wise People Reflecting and Living for Christ Learn About All of Life for All Their Life. Francis Schaeffer, Pollution and the Death of Man: The Christian View of Ecology (only the section that was cut out of the video): "Loving the Lover who has made it, I have respect for the thing He has made … Thus we must consciously deal with the integrity of each thing that we touch … treating all the things He has made in the same way as He treats them." " … as a Christian, I am consciously to deal with every other created thing with integrity, each thing in its proper sphere by creation." Points out God's covenant of creation: Genesis 9:8-17, is "with every created thing" and "between Me and earth." "God is interested in creation. He does not despise it … What God has made, I, who am also a creature, must not despise." " … we should be looking now, on the basis of the work of Christ, for substantial healing in every place affected by the Fall."
KGMI's Jason Upton talks with Washington State Department of Ecology's Adjudication Manager Robin McPherson about where we're at in the Nooksack adjudication process in Whatcom County and what water users need to know, before clearing up some potential areas of confusion surrounding the complex, years-long process.
Guest BioScott Davis is the co-CEO and owner of Cheeseman's Ecology Safaris, a wildlife-focused expedition company known for immersive nature and photography tours across the globe. With a background in marine biology and wildlife research, Scott has built a life around exploration, photography, and conservation. His work has taken him to all seven continents, where he has led international expeditions and contributed to major documentary and editorial projects.Scott is also a National Geographic Society Explorer and grant recipient, and has co-authored scientific publications on animal behavior. He has contributed photography and expertise to organizations like National Geographic, BBC, and Animal Planet, and has covered breaking wildlife stories for Reuters in Africa. His commercial photography has appeared in campaigns for Fortune 500 brands and respected image libraries. Based in Monterey, California, Scott spends most of his year in the field, guiding guests through some of the planet's most remote ecosystems.Show SummaryIn this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Scott about his inspiring path from wildlife biologist to full-time expedition leader and professional photographer. Sparked by a childhood love of National Geographic, Scott shares how personal loss pushed him to pursue his passion without delay, ultimately guiding him to the helm of Cheeseman's Ecology Safaris.The conversation explores how Scott's scientific training informs his guiding, how meaningful guest relationships elevate the travel experience, and what it's like to spend over 280 days a year in the field. With stories from across the globe and insights into the spirit of adventure, Scott offers listeners a powerful reminder to chase their dreams and immerse themselves in the natural world.Key Takeaways✓ Scott is the co-CEO of Cheeseman's Ecology Safaris, specializing in wildlife and photo expeditions.✓ His career was inspired by a childhood passion for National Geographic and exploration.✓ A personal loss prompted him to reevaluate his path and commit to his dreams.✓ He transitioned from scientific fieldwork to leading global expeditions.✓ Scott spends roughly 280 days a year guiding guests in remote environments.✓ Guest relationships are at the heart of creating unforgettable safari experiences.✓ He has collaborated with National Geographic, BBC, and Animal Planet.✓ His photography has been featured by global media outlets and major brands.✓ Scott believes storytelling and shared experiences are essential to adventure travel.✓ He encourages others to reject complacency and pursue meaningful, bold lives. Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.
In the Cretaceous Period (c.100 million years ago) Egypt and North Africa were radically different environments. With vast tidal flats and mangroves, and a shallow sea, the continent fostered numerous animal and plant species. Creatures like Paralititan (sauropods); the sprinting Deltadromeus; the infamous Spinosaurus; and the newcomer Tameryraptor. These have been preserved in the fossil record from Egypt and other countries in North Africa. Today, we meet some of the inhabitants of this ancient landscape… Logo image: Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, by Paleogeeksquared, via Wikimedia. Animals mentioned in this episode: Paralititan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralititan Deltadromeus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deltadromeus Mawsonia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mawsonia_(fish) Leptostomia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptostomia Spinosaurus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinosaurus Tameryraptor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tameryraptor Select references: Dal Sasso, C., Maganuco, S., & Iurino, D. (2014). Update on the internal structure of the snout of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus. Second North African Vertebrate Palaeontology Congress, Ouarzazate. Darwish, M. H., & Attia, Y. (2007). Plant impressions from the mangrove-dinosaur Unit of the Upper Cretaceous Bahariya Formation of Egypt. Taeckholmia, 27, 105--125. Hone, D., & Holtz Jr, T. R. (2021). Evaluating the ecology of Spinosaurus: Shoreline generalist or aquatic pursuit specialist? Palaeontologia Electronica, 24(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.26879/1110 Hone, D., & Witton, M. P. (2025). Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs. Ibrahim, N., Sereno, P. C., Dal Sasso, C., Maganuco, S., Fabbri, M., Martill, D. M., Zouhri, S., Myhrvold, N., & Iurino, D. A. (2014). Semiaquatic adaptations in a giant predatory dinosaur. Science, 345(6204), 1613--1616. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1258750 Roach, J. (2001, May 31). “Tidal Giant” Roamed Coastal Swamps of Ancient Africa. National Geographic News. https://web.archive.org/web/20010605022420/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/05/0531_tidaldinosaur.html Sereno, P. C., Myhrvold, N., Henderson, D. M., Fish, F. E., Vidal, D., Baumgart, S. L., Keillor, T. M., Formoso, K. K., & Conroy, L. L. (2022). Spinosaurus is not an aquatic dinosaur. eLife, 11, e80092. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.80092 Smith, J. B., Lamanna, M. C., Lacovara, K. J., Dodson, P., Smith, J. R., Poole, J. C., Giegengack, R., & Attia, Y. (2001). A Giant Sauropod Dinosaur from an Upper Cretaceous Mangrove Deposit in Egypt. Science, 292(5522), 1704--1706. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1060561 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
01/10/2026, Mushim Patricia Ikeda, dharma talk at City Center. Mushim Patricia Ikeda asks how is our Zen Buddhist practice showing up within the "burning house" of global "forever wars," environmental crisis, and U.S. global and national actions in 2026? What might different forms and schools of Zen be able to learn from one another?
The incredible comeback of native animals on the Galapagos island, Floreana.
Synopsis: In conversation with Laura Flanders, ecologist and activist Professor Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses how embracing ecological grief can be a powerful catalyst for change in restoring balance between humans and the Earth they inhabit.Make a tax deductible YEAR END DONATION and become a member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate. This show is made possible by you! Description: When was the last time you listened to the plants? Plant ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer, a self-proclaimed “student of the plants,” has dedicated her life to helping people of all ages understand the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. Her latest initiative “Plant Baby Plant” does exactly that, by mobilizing communities to restore plants while building collective power for the Earth. Kimmerer is a distinguished professor, MacArthur Fellow, mother and an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Her 2013 book “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” emerged as a surprise bestseller with almost three million copies sold across 20 languages. In this enlightening episode, Robin Wall Kimmerer and Laura Flanders explore how nature can inform our language, our economy, our movements and more. As you'll hear, our survival depends on it. Plus, a commentary from Laura on what it took to separate people from nature. Hint: it wasn't peaceful.“I think it is so important that we embrace ecological grief rather than look away . . . When we recognize that pain we feel for our relationships with the natural world is also the measure of our love for the living world. It's that love which is mirrored in the grief that makes you get back up and say, ‘Not on my watch.'” - Robin Wall Kimmerer“. . . We have to kind of decolonize our minds from this industrial revolution concept that the Earth belongs to us as a source of nothing more than belongings, natural resources that are our property . . . There is this notion in many Indigenous worldviews that human beings play a critical role in maintaining balance, that the way we take from the living world can actually be regenerative.” - Robin Wall KimmererGuest: Robin Wall Kimmerer: Plant Ecologist, Writer, Professor; Founder, Plant Baby Plant; Author, Braiding Sweetgrass*Recommended book:Bookshop: “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World” by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Get the book* And to accompany the book:(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.)Watch the episode released on YouTube; PBS World Channel Sundays at 11:30am and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio (check here to see if your station airs the show) & available as a podcast January 7th, 2026.Full Episode Notes are located HERE.Related Podcast: Full uncut conversation is available in the podcast feed.Music Credit: “Ode to Nature” by Hover Fly from the Climate Soundtrack Compilation produced by DJ's for Climate Action, "Steppin" by Podington Bear, and original sound design by Jeannie HopperSupport Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriends RESOURCES:Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:• Survival Guide for Humans Learned from Marine Mammals with Alexis Pauline Gumbs: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut and Full Uncut Conversation• Ecology: The Infrastructure of the Future?: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut• Peter Linebaugh on International Workers' "May Day" Origins. Plus, Commentary: 19th Century Anarchist Lucy Parsons, Listen• Yellowstone at 150: Can Indigenous Stewardship Save Our Parks?: Watch / Listen: Episode CutRelated Articles and Resources:• Speaking of Nature: Finding language that affirms our kinship with the natural world, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Orion Nature and Culture• Watch: Gifts of the Land: A Guided Nature Tour with Robin Wall Kimmerer, The Commons KU• The Braiding Sweetgrass' Author Wants Us to Give Thanks Everyday, by Alexander Alter, November 29, 2024, New York Times• Fishing in a superfund site: Onondaga Lake's road to recovery, by Bee Kavanaugh, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, January 2, 2025, Planet Forward Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O'Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel
Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality
In this episode, Forrest Inslee reflects on the past and future of the Earthkeepers podcast, sharing personal experiences and new initiatives aimed at fostering community and addressing urgent environmental challenges. He introduces a new podcast series, Edgewalkers, and emphasizes the importance of asking difficult questions about ecological issues and the role of individuals in creating change.Earthkeepers websiteReach out to Forrest at forrest.inslee@circlewood.onlineTakeawaysForrest shares his personal journey and reflections on the podcast.The importance of community in environmental efforts is emphasized.New initiatives will be launched to foster learning and connection.The Edgewalkers podcast will explore faith and relevance in modern times.Forrest plans to share a bit about his personal ecological journey of learning the land where he now lives.The podcast will address the urgency of the environmental crisis..More difficult questions about ecological destruction will be explored in season 7.The need for radical action in the face of climate change is highlighted.Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts and recommendations.Keywordsenvironmental crisis, community action, podcast, ecology, Edgewalkers, climate change, creation care, journey of ecological discipleship, Camano IslandFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple
Orsolya (Orsi) Lazar is an urban forester, an ISA Certified Arborist and a Pennsylvania (PA) Certified Horticulturalist in Sustainable Landscapes. Her unconventional path to forestry began with a Master's Degree in Ecology and a Master's Degree in Molecular and Cell Biology. She has over 20 years of experience in landscape design and management, project management, and education.Orsi became the first Community Tree Specialist at Pennsylvania DCNR's Urban and Community Forestry Program. She helps shape this growing program to better serve communities by building trust, identifying opportunities, and finding creative solutions to challenges. She works with municipalities and non-profits toincrease tree benefits, manage costs and risks, and creates green spaces that suit people's needs.She is a member of the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association and is in the group that is working on updating the PA Certified Horticulturist study manual.Orsi has taught gardening and tree care for diverse audiences, including workforce developmentprograms. Many local parks have benefited from her technical assistance and plant donations. She created a tree inventory and installed hundreds ofbotanical signs at Merion Botanical Park as a pro bono contribution to her own community. Her “Responsible Gardening” Facebook group helps local gardenersconnect and share sustainable, evidence-based practices.When not in the garden or a park, she enjoys teaching tricks to her border collie or is on the dance floor practicing ballroom and Latin dancing.
Does water on a hen make it more susceptible to predation? In this episode, we comb through the literature on olfactory camouflage, dissecting studies assessing correlations between nest survival, weather, and environmental conditions, and divulging into the complicated web of ecology dynamics. Strap on your science boots for this one, it's gonna be dense… Research papers referenced: Bakner, N. W., et al. (2019). Incubation recess behaviors influence nest survival of Wild Turkeys. Ecology and Evolution, 9(24), 14053-14065. Boone, W. W., et al. (2024). Robust assessment of associations between weather and eastern wild turkey nest success. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 88(2), e22524. Braun, M. S., et al. (2018). Birds, feather-degrading bacteria and preen glands: the antimicrobial activity of preen gland secretions from turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) is amplified by keratinase. FEMS microbiology ecology, 94(9), fiy117. Conover, M. R. (2007). Predator-prey dynamics: the role of olfaction. CRC Press. Fluen, T. (2008). A comparative analysis of evolutionary changes in island birds. MSc Thesis, University of Canterbury, Christchurch. Grieves, L. A., et al. (2020). Food stress, but not experimental exposure to mercury, affects songbird preen oil composition. Ecotoxicology, 29, 275-285. Grieves, L. A., et al. (2022). Olfactory camouflage and communication in birds. Biological Reviews, 97(3), 1193-1209. Lehman, C. P., et al. (2010). Ground roost resource selection for Merriam's wild turkeys. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 74(2), 295-299. Lowrey, D. K., et al. (2001). Influences of selected weather variables on predation of wild turkey females and nest success. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 8, pp. 173-178). Potier, S., et al. (2018). Preen oil chemical composition encodes individuality, seasonal variation and kinship in black kites Milvus migrans. Journal of Avian Biology, 49(7), e01728. Reneerkens, J., et al. (2002). Sandpipers (Scolopacidae) switch from monoester to diester preen waxes during courtship and incubation, but why?. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 269(1505), 2135-2139. Reneerkens, J., et al. (2005). Switch to diester preen waxes may reduce avian nest predation by mammalian predators using olfactory cues. Journal of Experimental Biology, 208(22), 4199-4202. Reneerkens, J., et al. (2006). Discerning adaptive value of seasonal variation in preen waxes: comparative and experimental approaches. Acta Zoologica Sinica, 52, 272-275. Reneerkens, J., et al. (2007a). Parental role division predicts avian preen wax cycles. Ibis, 149(4), 721-729. Tuttle, E. M.,et al. (2014). Variation in preen oil composition pertaining to season,sex, and genotype in the polymorphic white-throated sparrow.Journal of ChemicalEcology40, 1025–1038. Whelan, R. J., et al. (2010). Short-chain carboxylic acids from gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) uropygial secretions vary with testosterone levels and photoperiod. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 156(3), 183-188. Webb, S. L., et al. (2012). Landscape features and weather influence nest survival of a ground-nesting bird of conservation concern, the greater sage-grouse, in human-altered environments. Ecological Processes, 1, 1-15. Episodes referenced: Effectiveness of trapping across game bird species | #08 Which vital rates are most important to turkey populations? | #13 Brooding and nesting cover (Part 1/2) | #29 Brooding and nesting cover (Part 2/2) | #30 Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab Coming Soon: Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History, & Heritage! Our newest online wild turkey training is launching soon! Be the first to know when our new course launches by signing up here! Be sure to check out our comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! Watch these podcasts on YouTube Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you! Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear! This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
Does water on a hen make it more susceptible to predation? In this episode, we comb through the literature on olfactory camouflage, dissecting studies assessing correlations between nest survival, weather, and environmental conditions, and divulging into the complicated web of ecology dynamics. Strap on your science boots for this one, it's gonna be dense… Research papers referenced: Bakner, N. W., et al. (2019). Incubation recess behaviors influence nest survival of Wild Turkeys. Ecology and Evolution, 9(24), 14053-14065. Boone, W. W., et al. (2024). Robust assessment of associations between weather and eastern wild turkey nest success. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 88(2), e22524. Braun, M. S., et al. (2018). Birds, feather-degrading bacteria and preen glands: the antimicrobial activity of preen gland secretions from turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) is amplified by keratinase. FEMS microbiology ecology, 94(9), fiy117. Conover, M. R. (2007). Predator-prey dynamics: the role of olfaction. CRC Press. Fluen, T. (2008). A comparative analysis of evolutionary changes in island birds. MSc Thesis, University of Canterbury, Christchurch. Grieves, L. A., et al. (2020). Food stress, but not experimental exposure to mercury, affects songbird preen oil composition. Ecotoxicology, 29, 275-285. Grieves, L. A., et al. (2022). Olfactory camouflage and communication in birds. Biological Reviews, 97(3), 1193-1209. Lehman, C. P., et al. (2010). Ground roost resource selection for Merriam's wild turkeys. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 74(2), 295-299. Lowrey, D. K., et al. (2001). Influences of selected weather variables on predation of wild turkey females and nest success. In Proceedings of the National Wild Turkey Symposium (Vol. 8, pp. 173-178). Potier, S., et al. (2018). Preen oil chemical composition encodes individuality, seasonal variation and kinship in black kites Milvus migrans. Journal of Avian Biology, 49(7), e01728. Reneerkens, J., et al. (2002). Sandpipers (Scolopacidae) switch from monoester to diester preen waxes during courtship and incubation, but why?. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 269(1505), 2135-2139. Reneerkens, J., et al. (2005). Switch to diester preen waxes may reduce avian nest predation by mammalian predators using olfactory cues. Journal of Experimental Biology, 208(22), 4199-4202. Reneerkens, J., et al. (2006). Discerning adaptive value of seasonal variation in preen waxes: comparative and experimental approaches. Acta Zoologica Sinica, 52, 272-275. Reneerkens, J., et al. (2007a). Parental role division predicts avian preen wax cycles. Ibis, 149(4), 721-729. Tuttle, E. M.,et al. (2014). Variation in preen oil composition pertaining to season,sex, and genotype in the polymorphic white-throated sparrow.Journal of ChemicalEcology40, 1025–1038. Whelan, R. J., et al. (2010). Short-chain carboxylic acids from gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) uropygial secretions vary with testosterone levels and photoperiod. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 156(3), 183-188. Webb, S. L., et al. (2012). Landscape features and weather influence nest survival of a ground-nesting bird of conservation concern, the greater sage-grouse, in human-altered environments. Ecological Processes, 1, 1-15. Episodes referenced: Effectiveness of trapping across game bird species | #08 Which vital rates are most important to turkey populations? | #13 Brooding and nesting cover (Part 1/2) | #29 Brooding and nesting cover (Part 2/2) | #30 Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab Coming Soon: Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History, & Heritage! Our newest online wild turkey training is launching soon! Be the first to know when our new course launches by signing up here! Be sure to check out our comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! Watch these podcasts on YouTube Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you! Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear! This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
Synopsis: Plant ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer, a self-proclaimed “student of the plants,” has dedicated her life to helping people of all ages understand the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. Her latest initiative “Plant Baby Plant” does exactly that, by mobilizing communities to restore plants while building collective power for the Earth.Make a tax deductible YEAR END DONATION and become a member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate. This show is made possible by you! Description: When was the last time you listened to the plants? Plant ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer, a self-proclaimed “student of the plants,” has dedicated her life to helping people of all ages understand the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. Her latest initiative “Plant Baby Plant” does exactly that, by mobilizing communities to restore plants while building collective power for the Earth. Kimmerer is a distinguished professor, MacArthur Fellow, mother and an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Her 2013 book “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” emerged as a surprise bestseller with almost three million copies sold across 20 languages. In this enlightening episode, Robin Wall Kimmerer and Laura Flanders explore how nature can inform our language, our economy, our movements and more. As you'll hear, our survival depends on it. Plus, a commentary from Laura on what it took to separate people from nature. Hint: it wasn't peaceful.“. . . We have to kind of decolonize our minds from this industrial revolution concept that the Earth belongs to us as a source of nothing more than belongings, natural resources that are our property . . . There is this notion in many Indigenous worldviews that human beings play a critical role in maintaining balance, that the way we take from the living world can actually be regenerative.” - Robin Wall KimmererGuest: Robin Wall Kimmerer, Plant Ecologist, Writer, Professor; Founder, Plant Baby Plant; Author, Braiding Sweetgrass*Recommended book:Bookshop: “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World” by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Get the book* And to accompany the book:The Serviceberry Discussion Guide(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.)Watch the episode released on YouTube; PBS World Channel December 4th, 2026 and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio (check here to see if your station airs the show) & available as a podcast December 7th, 2026.Full Episode Notes are located HERE.Full Conversation Release: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation. Music Credit: 'Thrum of Soil' by Bluedot Sessions, 'Steppin' by Podington Bear, and original sound design by Jeannie HopperSupport Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriends RESOURCES:Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:• Survival Guide for Humans Learned from Marine Mammals with Alexis Pauline Gumbs: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut and Full Uncut Conversation• Ecology: The Infrastructure of the Future?: Watch / Listen: Episode Cut• Yellowstone at 150: Can Indigenous Stewardship Save Our Parks?: Watch / Listen: Episode CutRelated Articles and Resources:• Speaking of Nature: Finding language that affirms our kinship with the natural world, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Orion Nature and Culture• Watch: Gifts of the Land: A Guided Nature Tour with Robin Wall Kimmerer, The Commons KU• The Braiding Sweetgrass' Author Wants Us to Give Thanks Everyday, by Alexander Alter, November 29, 2024, New York Times• Fishing in a superfund site: Onondaga Lake's road to recovery, by Bee Kavanaugh, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, January 2, 2025, Planet Forward Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O'Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. 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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Kim Sash, Tall Timbers' Biological Monitoring Coordinator, and Ashlynn Canode, 2024 Orianne Society grant recipient, to explore how Florida's snake communities have changed over the past two decades. They revisit a large-scale snake inventory first conducted 20 years ago, now being repeated, to compare species presence, abundance, and ecological shifts. The discussion highlights notable trends, including apparent declines in coachwhips and banded watersnakes, alongside dramatic increases in cottonmouth populations. They conclude by examining ongoing efforts to monitor Snake Fungal Disease and invasive parasites and what these emerging threats mean for future snake conservation.Learn more about the research, land stewardship, and fire ecology work happening at Tall Timbers by visiting their website. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.Shop Snake Talk merch.If you like what you've been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.
Happy holidays! Thanks for tuning into THE WILD. I’m so glad you’re here. THE WILD team is hard at work on some more brand-new episodes that will come out in the new year. But for now, I want to revisit a very popular episode from last season that I think is perfect for this busy time of holiday travel. It’s a conversation I had with author Ben Goldfarb about roads and their impact on pretty much everything in the natural world. So, if you’re piling into the car to get to the airport, or taking a road trip to visit your friends and family, give a listen to this episode. I bet it’ll get you thinking differently about America’s roads. We'll be back in your feed in a few weeks. Have a happy and safe holiday season! GUEST:Ben Goldfarb, is an award-winning environmental journalist and author of Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet Enjoy BONUS CONTENT and help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by joining THE WILD Patreon community at www.patreon.com/chrismorganwildlife and you can donate to KUOW at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you. Follow us on Instagram @chrismorganwildlife and @thewildpod for more adventures and behind the scenes action! THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan Wildlife and Wildlife Media. It is produced by Matt Martin and Lucy Soucek, and edited by Jim Gates. It is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/ChrisMorganWildlifeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wisconsin gamebird ecologist Taylor Finger joins us to breakdown the status of turkeys in the state. Join as he shares details on how Wisconsin has achieved successful turkey populations unlike any other state in the country. Resources: Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased female survival may explain wild turkey decline. bioRxiv, 2025-05. Legends of turkey research | #50 Pollentier, C. D., et al. (2021). Gobbling across landscapes: Eastern wild turkey distribution and occupancy–habitat associations. Ecology and Evolution, 11(24), 18248-18270. Ogawa, R., et al. (2025). Is wild turkey habitat selection spatially consistent? A three‐decade meta‐analysis in Mississippi. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e70000. Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab Coming Soon: Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History, & Heritage! Our newest online wild turkey training is launching soon! Be the first to know when our new course launches by signing up here! Be sure to check out our comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Donate to our wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! Watch these podcasts on YouTube Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you! Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear! This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
Wisconsin gamebird ecologist Taylor Finger joins us to breakdown the status of wild turkeys in the state. Join as he shares details on how Wisconsin has achieved successful turkey populations unlike any other state in the country. Resources: Lashley, M. A., et al. (2025). Decreased female survival may explain wild turkey decline. bioRxiv, 2025-05. Legends of turkey research | #50 Pollentier, C. D., et al. (2021). Gobbling across landscapes: Eastern wild turkey distribution and occupancy–habitat associations. Ecology and Evolution, 11(24), 18248-18270. Ogawa, R., et al. (2025). Is wild turkey habitat selection spatially consistent? A three‐decade meta‐analysis in Mississippi. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e70000. Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab Coming Soon: Wild Turkey Manager: Biology, History, & Heritage! Our newest online wild turkey training is launching soon! Be the first to know when our new course launches by signing up here! Be sure to check out our comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Donate to our wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! Watch these podcasts on YouTube Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you! Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear! This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
Tortoises have traditionally been the poster child for slowness. These ancient, armoured reptiles are solitary, territorial and all-too-often dismissed as dull.In fact, tortoises have distinct personalities. They have changeable moods, can learn simple tasks, remember certain useful information for years and even recognise familiar people. But can they play?Hot on the trail of tortoise tomfoolery, Hannah and Dara explore the stereotype-smashing studies that show there's far more to these creatures than previously thought; and find out that these complex behaviours might apply not only to the turtle clan, but potentially other reptiles as well...To submit your question to the Curious Cases team, please email: curiouscases@bbc.co.ukContributors: - Anna Wilkinson, Professor of Animal Cognition at the University of Lincoln - Unnar Karl Aevarsson, Herpetologist at ZSL London Zoo - Gordon Burghardt, Distinguished Service Professor in the Departments of Psychology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee Producer: Lucy Taylor Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem A BBC Studios Production