South Africa Changed Me - Here’s What’s Coming Next

Building Regenerative Futures | Dimitri Syrris

In this episode of The Regenerative Way, I sit down with Dimitri Syrris to explore the intersection of technology, conservation, and community-led environmental stewardship. As the founder of Baotree, Dimitri is helping shape a future where sustainability action and social impact are built on trust, participation, and relationships with local communities. Our conversation moves far beyond technology and conservation frameworks. We dive into Dimitri’s upbringing and the experiences that shaped his worldview - from living in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Botswana, and Kenya, to the pivotal moments throughout his life that deepened his understanding of people, place, and the interconnectedness of ecological and social systems. These experiences became the foundation for his passion to build innovative, community-driven models capable of addressing some of the world’s most complex socio-ecological challenges. Grounded in deep experience across African ecosystems and informed by a global perspective, Dimitri shares how participatory data collection, inclusive conservation practices, and collaborative innovation are redefining what sustainability can look like on the ground. We also explore the importance of storytelling, systems thinking, and why meaningful conservation work must be rooted in the people and places it aims to serve.

Shoki Mafogo - Shared Ground: Stories from Kruger to Canyon Biosphere

Rešoketšwe “Shoki” Mafogo is the Programme Manager for Pro-Nature Livelihoods at the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere. Born and raised in this landscape, she brings a powerful, community-first approach to conservation - grounded in lived experience and a deep connection to place. This episode was filmed overlooking Blyde River Canyon - the third largest canyon in the world - within the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere. It’s an ecologically rich and socially complex region, shaped by generations of relationships between people and the land. Deep respect to those working across this landscape to steward both biodiversity and community wellbeing. In this conversation, we explore the realities of working in complex socio-ecological systems - what it takes to hold space for multiple perspectives, navigate competing priorities, and co-create solutions that last. We dive into the role of traditional knowledge, the importance of engaging women and youth, and the essential role of community-led approaches in building resilient landscapes. Shoki shares grounded, hard-earned insights from her journey - challenging top-down conservation and pointing toward a more inclusive, regenerative way forward.

Lutendo Mugwedi - Lessons Written Within the Land

Lutendo Mugwedi is the Chair of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve in South Africa and an Environmental Sustainability professor at Venda University. His work is rooted in integrating community voice and diverse perspectives to address complex socio-ecological challenges. In this conversation, we explore human-wildlife interactions, sustainability, and the critical role of traditional knowledge in shaping more resilient futures. Lutendo shares insights from his own journey, reflecting on what a life deeply connected to the natural world has taught him as a transdisciplinary practitioner supporting the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. A huge thank you to TRANSECTS, the Transdisciplinary Education Collaboration for Transformations in Sustainability, for collaborating on this episode and helping bring it to life. Hosted by the University of Saskatchewan and supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, TRANSECTS is rethinking how sustainability education is approached around the world.

South Africa Changed Me - Here’s What’s Coming Next

This episode is a window into what’s coming - and the foundation being set for The Regenerative Way. Recorded in the wake of my time in South Africa, this conversation reflects on the people, landscapes, and experiences that shaped a series of upcoming episodes. From time spent in the field to conversations with conservationists, researchers, and individuals devoted to reimagining a better tomorrow, my month in South Africa reshaped how I see purpose, legacy, and stewardship. The stories that follow carry weight, complexity, and truth - grounded in our relationship to the natural world and the humanity it calls us back to.

Stephanie Peacock - The Fish That Shapes Oceans and Forests

Stephanie Peacock is an ecologist, mom, and outdoor enthusiast based in Whitehorse, Yukon, on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. Her work focuses on using mathematical models to make sense of complex, noisy ecological systems.Through her research on northern species like Pacific salmon, caribou, and muskoxen, Stephanie has come to appreciate not only what science can reveal—but also its limits, and the essential role of local and Indigenous knowledge in understanding ecosystems. When she’s not crunching numbers, you’ll usually find her outside, paddling her canoe or skiing whenever she gets the chance.