Conversing with Nature

On this episode, we are joined by Zack Snipes, co-owner of Shoreline Restoration Group (SRG), a Charleston, SC-based company that promotes thriving and resilient landscapes by preserving and stabilizing Lowcountry shorelines. As Zack walks us through SRG's history and the need for nature-based solutions in South Carolina (including the value of native stormwater buffers), he reminds us of the need for clear communication and education and the need to plan (and budget for!) maintenance. Through SRG's work, we see a beautiful example of what can happen when a handful of people who really care about nature come together with a commitment to producing healthy ecosystems.

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Conversing with Nature is hosted by Dr. Liz Fly, edited by Nicole Pehl, and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Original music provided by Matt Williams, cover art designed by Amy Nguyen, and funding provided by the Therblig Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. To learn more, visit our website (www.naturebasedexchange.org) or follow Nature-Based Exchange on Instagram @naturebasedexchange and Facebook.

On our first episode of season 3, we sit down with Gillian Zettler, cofounder of The Drop In, a Charleston, SC-based movement studio that seeks to cultivate human connection and community resilience by growing individual wellness. As Gillian talks about movement, green spaces, and vulnerability, we are reminded that when we invest in people, we are investing in nature as well. Through her love of nature and her passion for both people and wellness, Gillian inspires us to be human pollinators who build personal, community, and natural resilience through our daily actions.

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Conversing with Nature is hosted by Dr. Liz Fly, edited by Dr. Liz Fly and Nicole Pehl, and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Original music provided by Matt Williams, cover art designed by Amy Nguyen, and funding provided by the Therblig Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. To learn more, visit our website (www.naturebasedexchange.org) or follow the Nature-Based Exchange on Instagram @naturebasedexchange and Facebook.

On this episode, we are joined by Andy Hollis, the manager of the Shellfish Management Section at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Andy transports us to South Carolina's vast system of estuaries as he describes the South Carolina oyster: its history, its impact on the Lowcountry's landscape and culture, its role as a habitat and a resource, and how SCDNR is working to manage the fishery and restore oyster beds across the coast. Through his passion and deep knowledge of this pivotal creature, Andy reminds us to respect and value the oyster and to always recycle your oyster shells!

Learn more:

• Buy a saltwater fishing license.
• Learn more about SCDNR's Shellfish Management Section, view recreational oyster harvest maps, find oyster shell drop-off locations, and more.
• Volunteer with SCORE.
• Check out the video of Andy's interview on the "Put 'em Back" podcast by Toadfish.

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Conversing with Nature is hosted by Dr. Liz Fly, edited by Nicole Pehl and Dr. Liz Fly, and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Original music provided by Matt Williams, cover art designed by Amy Nguyen, and funding provided by the Therblig Foundation. To learn more, visit www.naturebasedexchange.org or on Instagram @naturebasedexchange.

On this episode, we sit down with Mary Edna Fraser, a Charleston-based artist and environmental activist. An expert on the ancient method of Batik on silk, Mary Edna makes the artist's case for nature by bridging art and science to bring messages of conservation, stewardship, and environmental awareness to her art. As Mary Edna walks us through her design process and discusses her scientific collaborations, she inspires us to make art (and do it as much as possible!), to be proactive for the things we care about, to be adventurous, and to never stop learning.

To learn more about Mary Edna Fraser:

• Visit her website (MaryEdna.com)
• Check out her YouTube Channel (@MaryEdnaFraser)
• Explore her advocacy website (DeleteApathy.com)
• Sign up for her course at John C Campbell Folk School this October titled “Mapping Your Personal Landscape-Batik on Silk”

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Conversing with Nature is hosted by Dr. Liz Fly, edited by Nicole Pehl, and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Original music provided by Matt Williams, cover art designed by Amy Nguyen, and funding provided by the Therblig Foundation. To learn more, visit www.naturebasedexchange.org or on Instagram @naturebasedexchange.

This episode honors Dale Morris, the former Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Charleston and co-founder of the Dutch Dialogues. Dale passed away unexpectedly just 4 days after this interview. With permission from his family, we have released this episode to honor the incredible work Dale achieved throughout his life as well as to showcase the passionate, charismatic, and kind person that Dale was.

A renowned advocate for resilience, Dale educates us on living with water, the lasting impact of the Dutch Dialogues, and the urgent need to show people the relevance and effectiveness of nature-based solutions. Dale dives into Charleston’s resilience strategy, exploring how the city may adapt in the future to live with water. Featuring insights into Charleston’s recent Water Plan as well as its most “misunderstood” project (the Coastal Storm Risk Management Study), Dale prompts us to remember our own love of Mother Nature and urges us to incorporate nature-based solutions into relevant spaces. Through his stories and insight, we get a glimpse of a world that respects nature, protects infrastructure, and values people, giving us hope that together we can find a way to be resilient.

Learn more:

• Rebuild by Design
• NRDC

• Waggonner & Ball Dutch Dialogues

• The Charleston Water Plan (storymap)
• Charleston Peninsula Coastal Storm Risk Management Project

Want to jump to a specific part of the episode?

• 3:04 - Dale’s path to the Dutch Embassy and the Netherlands relationship with water

• 11:05 - The Dutch Dialogues

• 34:53 - Charleston’s Water Plan

• 42:10 - Nature-based solutions in Charleston’s Resilience Strategy

• 48:20 - Economic benefits of nature-based solutions

• 51:40- Charleston Peninsula Coastal Storm Risk Management Study

• 1:03:47 - How can other cities learn from Charleston?

• 1:10:18 - Dale’s reflection on his path forward

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Conversing with Nature is hosted by Dr. Liz Fly, edited by Nicole Pehl, and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Original music provided by Matt Williams, cover art designed by Amy Nguyen, and funding provided by the Therblig Foundation. To learn more, visit www.naturebasedexchange.org or on Instagram @naturebasedexchange.

On this episode, we are joined by Leslie Skardon, the chief executive officer at Sustain SC, which works to ensure a sustainable future for both our economy and our environment. As Leslie describes Sustain SC’s mission and roadmap, she dives into what it means for businesses to be both sustainable and profitable. (Hint: choosing the environment can also mean choosing profit!) Covering topics on energy, conservation, innovation, collaboration, metrics, and even some recent poll results, Leslie gives us hope that together we can see sustainable businesses, a resilient state, and a healthy environment.

Learn more:

• The Roadmap to Sustain SC
• Sustainability Leadership Initiative

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Conversing with Nature is hosted by Dr. Liz Fly, edited by Nicole Pehl, and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Original music provided by Matt Williams, cover art designed by Amy Nguyen, and funding provided by the Therblig Foundation. To learn more, visit www.naturebasedexchange.org or on Instagram @naturebasedexchange.

On this episode, we welcome EV Bell, the education and outreach manager at the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium. EV makes the educator's case for nature through stories of empowering teachers, engaging kids with hands-on learning, and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. She reminds us that there will always be opportunities for education, simple language can be the most effective, and the valuable role that animals play in our connection to nature.

Learn more:

• South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium's Education Programs (including the Seeds to Shorelines Program and the Palmetto Environmental Education Certification)

• Environmental Education Association of South Carolina

• The South Carolina Marine Education Association

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Conversing with Nature is hosted by Dr. Liz Fly, edited by Nicole Pehl, and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Original music provided by Matt Williams, cover art designed by Amy Nguyen, and funding provided by the Therblig Foundation. To learn more, visit www.naturebasedexchange.org or on Instagram @naturebasedexchange.

On this episode, we sit down with Andrew Wunderley, the executive director of Charleston Waterkeeper. With training in both science and law, Andrew describes how Charleston Waterkeeper uses a combination approach of science, stewardship, and advocacy to be a voice for local creeks, marshes, and waterways. As Andrew describes the intricate relationship between land and water, we learn how our society - and our everyday choices - can harm water quality, and what we can do to fight against pollution and take a stand for water.

Interested in expanding your impact? Volunteer with Charleston Waterkeeper!

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Conversing with Nature is hosted by Dr. Liz Fly, edited by Nicole Pehl, and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Original music provided by Matt Williams, cover art designed by Amy Nguyen, and funding provided by the Therblig Foundation. To learn more, visit www.naturebasedexchange.org or on Instagram @naturebasedexchange.

On this episode, we are joined by Rollen Chalmers, a farmer in the South Carolina Lowcountry who specializes in the cultivation of Carolina Gold Rice and other heritage crops, and the co-owner of Rollen’s Raw Grains. As Rollen dives into the history and traditions behind these special crops, he teaches us about the ecosystem where Carolina Gold Rice thrives, including the vital role of soil and water, and shares his favorite recipe. Rollen's story reminds us of the importance of wild places, that it's never too late to pursue your passions, and that quality is worth the price.

Learn more about the University of Georgia's Center for Research and Education at Wormsloe.

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Conversing with Nature is hosted by Dr. Liz Fly, edited by Nicole Pehl, and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Original music provided by Matt Williams, cover art designed by Amy Nguyen, and funding provided by the Therblig Foundation. To learn more, visit www.naturebasedexchange.org or on Instagram @naturebasedexchange.

On this episode, we welcome Tom Dooley, the director of forest conservation for The Nature Conservancy's South Carolina chapter. An expert on forest management, Tom illustrates the ecological and social value of forest ecosystems while simultaneously describing the science and history of the South's primary forest management technique: fire. As Tom and Liz discuss controlled burns (also known as prescribed fire), their conversational journey takes them across the U.S., from western wildfires to the impacts of Hurricane Helene to the South Carolina coast. Through Tom's insight, we learn that fire is a useful - and natural - solution to forest management if we take the time to plan and execute it safely and carefully.

Learn more about the Sewee Fire Fest on March 15, 2025:

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Conversing with Nature is hosted by Dr. Liz Fly, edited by Nicole Pehl, and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Original music provided by Matt Williams, cover art designed by Amy Nguyen, and funding provided by the Therblig Foundation. To learn more, visit www.naturebasedexchange.org or on Instagram @naturebasedexchange.