In Our Backyard Podcast

30. Ecology Beyond Data: Emotion, Storytelling, and Systems Change

I’m joined by Bill Powers from Living Well Collaborative with Earth Island Institute, an organization based in Bolivia. Bill is an author, ecologist, and storyteller whose work bridges the personal and the environment in a way that feels hopeful. We’re here to talk about his book Ripple: An Intimate Exchange of Urgency and Hope Between An Ecologist Dad and His Daughter. Through a series of heartfelt letters, Bill weaves together reflections on the environmental crises we face with a deeply personal dialogue about love, responsibility, and the future. In this conversation, we’ll explore the core ideas behind Ripple, from the “Story of Separation” that shapes modern life, to what it really means to reintegrate with the natural world. We'll also talk about the balance between urgency and hope and how storytelling itself can become a powerful force for change.

29. Building Environmental Literacy for a Changing World

Today’s guest is Judy Braus, Executive Director of the North American Association for Environmental Education or NAAEE for short. NAAEE’s mission is to use the power of education to advance environmental literacy and civic engagement so that people and communities can make informed decisions and take action toward a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable future. They equip educators, leaders, and learners with evidence-based tools and knowledge, to help people across ages and backgrounds understand environmental issues and take meaningful action. In this episode, we explore how the organization’s mission has evolved, how it bridges research and practice, and how it’s helping shape the future of environmental literacy in the face of climate change, social justice challenges, and digital transformation. Connect: https://naaee.org/

28. Critical Minerals, Critical Choices: Trade, Justice, and the Energy Transition

As the world transitions toward a clean energy future, there is more demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements. These minerals are essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and even our everyday electronics. But where do these minerals come from? Who controls their extraction? Who bears the environmental and human costs? How can we ensure that the transition to a low-carbon economy doesn’t repeat the extractive injustices of the past? Today, we’re joined by Will Jamil Wiltschko, who is with the California Trade Justice Coalition, a coalition of organizations working to ensure that Critical Mineral Agreements adhere to international climate, labor, and human rights standards. Contact and connect: https://criticalmineralsjustice.org/ [https://criticalmineralsjustice.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] https://gtwaction.org/the-deadly-cost-of-cobalt-mining-in-the-congo/ [https://gtwaction.org/the-deadly-cost-of-cobalt-mining-in-the-congo/]

27. Why Oysters Matter More Than You Think

I’m joined by Giulio Salerno from the Wild Oyster Project, an organization working to bring native oyster reefs back to San Francisco Bay and other West Coast estuaries. It’s about repairing ecosystems, building climate resilience, and bringing back something that once quietly held entire coastlines together. The Wild Oyster Project started with a simple but eye-opening realization: oysters used to be everywhere in San Francisco Bay. Huge native reefs filtered the water, stabilized shorelines, created habitat for fish and birds, and helped protect coastal communities from erosion and storms. Then, in what was actually a pretty short span of time, they were nearly wiped out. Overharvesting, pollution, dredging, and development erased more than 99% of the Bay’s native oyster populations. In this episode we talk about this history, the significance of oysters, restoration projects they have, collaborating with others, and more.  Contact and connect: https://wildoysters.org/ [https://wildoysters.org/]

26. From Conflict to Coexistence: Protecting North America’s Carnivores

Today we’re joined by Nadia Steinzor, Carnivore Conservation Director with Project Coyote, a national nonprofit working to promote coexistence between people and North America’s native carnivores. Nadia’s work sits at the intersection of science, policy, and community engagement, addressing a complex conservation challenge of how to live alongside predators in a rapidly changing landscape. When we talk about wild carnivores, we’re referring to species like coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, bobcats, foxes, and other native predators. These animals play a critical role as keystone species as they regulate prey populations, shape ecosystem structure, and even influence biodiversity and landscape health. Although, despite their ecological value, carnivores are often viewed as competitors or threats, particularly to livestock, game species, or human safety. Much of this is rooted in historical narratives, cultural fear, and political pressure rather than evidence. Contact and connect: https://projectcoyote.org/ [https://projectcoyote.org/]