Future Ecologies

Bogs are our absolute favourite places to be. They’re not only tremendously important ecosystems, rich in exquisite biodiversity and massive stores of carbon, they’re also uniquely beautiful. These serene, colourful spaces jumble land and water into something at once both alien and familiar.In this episode, we explore the wonders and the mysteries of peatlands, through the story of one very special (and threatened) bog just outside of the city of Vancouver. We meet the scientists who fought for its protection, and some of the folks who are studying it and working on restoring it to this day.Plus, we answer a tricky question: should we still be extracting peat to help grow plants?— — —Visit futureecologies.net/listen/fe-6-8-for-peats-sake for photos from some of our boggy adventures, full credits, citations, and a transcript of this episode🪼💖 This episode is sponsored by our amazing community of supporting listeners. If you appreciate it, you can become one yourself! Get the scoop at futureecologies.net/support

Dive into the vibrant possibilities of transforming urban spaces into biodiversity havens. The discussion highlights the health benefits of clean waters and the interplay between environmental rights and Indigenous frameworks. Explore the paradox of False Creek, a beloved yet polluted waterway, and its potential for eco-social change. Get inspired to reimagine civic engagement and take part in grassroots environmental initiatives. Join the movement to enhance urban nature, fostering thriving habitats amidst city life!

We had the opportunity to hang out with two of our favourite podcasters: Amy Martin of Threshold, and Amy Westervelt of Drilled.We've previously featured both of their work on the Future Ecologies feed, and we couldn't pass up the chance to talk shop about the latest (fantastic) seasons of their respective shows, and get to know more about their personal journey. That's this episode: Part 1In the supporter-exclusive Part 2, we get into more of a roundtable on the practice of environmental journalism and podcasting in these especially scary and chaotic times. For the two of us, unschooled and unqualified in anything resembling journalism, it was a blast to have the privilege of what ended up being a private consulting session with two of our heroes. Interested? You can find it on our Patreon

What do you call it when a population of podcasts mysteriously drop episodes on the same topic at the same time? It's Critical Mast!We're so proud to present this nutty experiment in community podcasting, with its roots going back to the very beginning of our show (and the beginning of our dedication to silly puns).Thanks to help from our pals at Jumpstart Nature, Golden State Naturalist, Learning from Nature: The Biomimicry Podcast, Nature’s Archive, and Outside/In, it's time for a bumper crop of podcasts about (or inspired by) the perplexing phenomenon known as masting: where plants somehow synchronize their seed production across staggering distances.Give all these pods all a follow, & check out this Spotify playlist (to which episodes will be added as they drop).— — —🌱 💖 Thanks to all our supporters for making this show possible (and keeping it ad-free and independent)Join our community for as little as $1/month for access to early episode releases, a bonus podcast feed, merch, our discord server, book club, and more!

Sadie Couture, a PhD student in Communication Studies, chats with Hannah Tollefson, a researcher focusing on environmental and infrastructure studies. They dive into the intricate logistics of the Port of Vancouver, exploring how communication ties into transportation and the political implications of ports as protest sites. Hannah discusses the sustainability branding of the port and critiques the notion of 'tidewater' within pipeline debates. With insights into dredging practices and habitat banking, they reveal how logistics shape social and environmental landscapes.

We’ve got a great guest episode for you today, coming courtesy of our friends over at the podcast Cited.They’ve got a new series out called “Green Dreams” — covering stories of radical environmentalist thought leaders, and the ripples they’ve left on the present day. We wanted to share with you the very first episode from this series, called “The Green Cosmos”, covering Gerard O’Neil’s 1970s vision for humanity’s passage to the stars. Find the rest of Green Dreams and much more from Cited wherever you're listening.

We’ve got something a little different for you: something a little less in the sciences, and a little more in the humanities — in the realm of language and human experience.Today, through a series of conversations, we’re exploring the notion of what it means to have a relationship to land, to be or not be of a place (in other words, to belong or not) and how the intrinsic tensions in all that may be metabolized through the practice of art, and more importantly, that of life.Our co-producer and interlocutor for this episode is Darby Minott Bradford: poet, editor, translator, and the author of Bottom Rail on Top.Our guests are author Jordan Abel (Nishga, Empty Spaces), multi-disciplinary artist S F Ho (Green Lines), and poet Cecily Nicholson (Wayside Sang, Harrowings)Music by Thumbug

Join Louise Romain, a recordist and anthropologist who brings soundscapes to life, along with Javan Hunt, a musician and conservationist dedicated to preserving mangroves in the Bahamas. They explore the rich cultural identity of the Raizal community, unveiling their fight for fishing rights and environmental protection. Hear inspiring stories of female marine biologists restoring coral reefs and the urgent call for community action against climate change. Together, they weave a narrative of resilience and hope for Caribbean coastal ecosystems.

Adam Davis, co-founder of Ecosystem Investment Partners, and Tim Male, founder of the Environmental Policy Innovation Center, dive deep into the intersection of environmentalism and politics. They discuss their transition from non-profit work to influential roles in the White House, highlighting achievements during the Obama era. The duo also tackles the ramifications of recent executive orders on environmental policy, the importance of youth voting, and how AI is reshaping careers in this field. Their conversation emphasizes collaboration and resilience in the face of ecological challenges.

In this engaging discussion, Heather Shibley, a landscape architect and ecology expert, and Gaurav Gurjar, ecology lead for Aforest and India’s first Green Champion, delve into the revolutionary Miyawaki method of creating mini-forests. They explore its rapid adoption worldwide, the intricate balance of high-density plantings with local ecosystems, and share personal insights on its effectiveness. However, they don't shy away from critiques, addressing the ecological concerns and the need for nuanced, location-specific approaches to urban reforestation.