It's in Our Nature

Join Adam McLane and U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist Justan Blair for a conversation about the birds of Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest and the stories they tell about the landscape around us. From the birds that first sparked Justan's passion for wildlife to the species biologists monitor to gauge ecosystem health, this episode explores how birds provide a unique window into the condition of our forests.

Whether you're an experienced birder, a casual nature lover, or someone who's never picked up a pair of binoculars, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for the birds around you and the role they play in Missouri's forests.

What can the past teach us about the future of farming, conservation, and healthy rivers?

In this episode of It’s in Our Nature, host Adam McLane sits down with Zack Miller of The Nature Conservancy and Hannah Hemmelgarn of the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry to discuss agroforestry along the Missouri River.

Together, they explore the rich history of the Missouri River floodplain, how human activity transformed this landscape over time, and why agroforestry—a land management approach that integrates trees and shrubs with crops to create sustainable, productive, and ecologically diverse agricultural landscapes—is gaining renewed attention. From improving water quality and reducing flood impacts to creating new opportunities for farmers and landowners, agroforestry offers a powerful example of how working lands and nature can thrive together.

The conversation highlights the partnerships driving this work forward, the role of innovation rooted in tradition, and the hope that a more resilient future is possible for Missouri’s rivers, farms, and communities.

Guests:

• Zack Miller, Leveraging Our Lands Strategy Lead, The Nature Conservancy in Missouri
• Hannah Hemmelgarn, Associate Director & Assistant Research Professor, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry

In this episode of It’s in Our Nature, host Adam McLane, State Director for The Nature Conservancy in Missouri, sits down at a Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) with three guests who are helping shape the future of fire in the state:

• Ryan Gauger, Fire & Stewardship Manager, The Nature Conservancy in Missouri
• Brad Graevs, Private Lands Conservationist, Missouri Department of Conservation
• Michelle Faherty, TREX participant, Wildland Fire Service

Together, they explore:

• What TREX really is and why it matters
• How partnerships multiply burn capacity in Missouri
• The role of mentorship and training in growing the fire workforce
• Why southern Missouri’s landscapes depend on good fire
• What a “perfect burn day” looks like, and how TREX makes the most of it
• The hope and determination behind this work, even when the weather won’t cooperate

If you’re a fire practitioner, conservation partner, or simply curious about how prescribed fire shapes the land, this episode offers an inside look at the people, skills, and collaboration behind Missouri’s growing fire community.

Step into the heart of the Ozarks with naturalist, educator, musician, author, and legendary forager Bo Brown. In this episode of It’s in Our Nature, we explore how foraging connects people to the land, why the Ozarks are one of the most biodiverse regions in North America, and how the foods hidden beneath our feet can inspire conservation.

Bo shares stories from a lifetime in the wild—from lessons passed down from his mother to decades of fieldwork as a songbird biologist, wilderness educator, and founder of First Earth Wilderness School. We dive into the history of foraging and what it means to harvest sustainably.

Plus, Bo shares rapid‑fire stories about foraging fails, musical adventures, and the wildest things he’s ever eaten.

If today’s conversation sparks your curiosity, check out Bo’s books Foraging the Ozarks and Foraging Central Grasslands, or visit bobrownforaging.com to dive deeper into his work.

Join us as we dive into the world of the Missouri River 340 (MR340), the longest nonstop river race in the United States. From its origins and unique challenges to the incredible stories of endurance and community, we explore what makes this 340-mile journey across Missouri so legendary. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler, a curious spectator, or just love tales of grit and adventure, this episode brings you behind the current of one of America’s most iconic endurance events.

Featured in this conversation are Carrie Elliott, a U.S. Geological Survey geologist and MR340 racer, and Steve Schnarr, MR340 race director and leader with Missouri River Relief. Drawing from both personal experience and professional insight, they discuss the realities of racing the river, the deeper connections it creates, and the importance of protecting the Missouri River as both a natural resource and a shared public space.

2025 has been a big year, and we’ve got stories to share! In this episode, we’re taking a step back to look at the moments, ideas, and connections that shaped 2025 for The Nature Conservancy in Missouri.

Tune in to celebrate with us, and get inspired for an even bigger 2026!

What does it take to achieve The Nature Conservancy’s most ambitious goals in history? In this episode of “It’s in Our Nature,” Missouri State Director Adam McLane and Rob Hunt, Director of Resilient Waters, break down six key strategies that are shaping the future of conservation in Missouri.

From land protection and reconnecting streams to advancing clean energy and sustainable farming, discover how local projects in Missouri connect to a global movement to protect lands, waters, and communities. Tune in to learn why Missouri’s work matters and how you can be part of it.

In this episode of It’s in Our Nature, host Adam McLane kicks off Season 2 with a deep dive into the complex role of dams in Missouri’s waterways.

Joined by Rob Hunt (Director of Resilient Waters for The Nature Conservancy), Ange Corson (Streams Program Coordinator with the Missouri Department of Conservation) and Eric Rahm (Stream Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation) the conversation explores when dams help ecosystems and when they harm them.

Topics include innovative beaver dam analogs that restore stream health, the science behind fish passage and dam removal, and how these projects benefit both nature and local communities.

From research in the Grand River Grasslands to success stories of ecological recovery in the Ozarks, this episode reveals how collaboration and creativity are shaping the future of Missouri’s rivers.

Sara Parker Pauley’s path to becoming the first woman to lead the Missouri Department of Conservation didn’t start where you might expect. She earned degrees in journalism and law from the University of Missouri, but an early choice to explore her love for nature made her “come alive.”   

As she prepares to retire, she joins The Nature Conservancy’s Missouri State Director Adam McLane to talk about the rewards of a career in conservation, offer practical tips for getting started and bust some myths. 

Curiosity about people and nature has taken Kansas City-based photographer Randy Hudson around the world.

He offers practical tips for getting started and describes the methods and philosophy behind his images, including his award-winning entry in The Nature Conservancy’s 2023 Global Photo Contest.