Once nearly wiped out, the plains bison, or buffalo, as they are often called by Native Americans, are returning to the Great Plains — and with them, a powerful story of cultural renewal, ecological restoration, and Indigenous leadership. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Heather Dawn Thompson (a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) shares how Native Nations are leading efforts to restore buffalo populations, reclaim food sovereignty, and heal the land. From spiritual connections to practical conservation, this interview explores how buffalo are more than just wildlife — they are relatives, providers, and symbols of resilience.

Learn about the Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration, the role of buffalo in grassland ecosystems, and how communities are working together to bring these iconic animals home.

🎧 Listen in and be inspired by a story that's still unfolding — one rooted in tradition, science, and hope.

Links for More Info:

Heather Dawn Thompson bio

Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration

WWF's Plains Bison page

Chapters:

0:00 Preview

0:26 Intro

2:10 Heather Dawn's background and role at WWF

7:58 History of buffalo and connection with Native Nations

10:07 Role of Heather Dawn's family in conserving buffalo

13:00 What's it like to see a buffalo in real life?

14:30 Buffalo harvest story

16:00 Connection between buffalo and healthy grasslands

20:16 Buffalo and food sovereignty for Native Nations

23:19 Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration

28:30 Biggest challenges to buffalo restoration

In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson sits down with Linda Walker, WWF's senior director of corporate engagement for forests, to explore the urgent threats to global forests and the role of business in helping reverse current trends.

Last month, alarming new data were released showing record-breaking tropical forest loss in 2024—an 80% increase over the previous year. Forests are critical to our planet and to us as humans, so we need to double down on efforts to stop the loss of forests where possible and more responsibly manage forests that are earmarked for production. Businesses have a big role to play because 54% of the world's forests are managed either wholly or partly for the production of things like timber, pulp and paper, and furniture. This interview dives into how some companies are already making a difference, including by participating in Forests Forward—WWF's flagship program for corporate leadership on forests launched in 2021. Linda and Seth also discuss what a new report, the Forests Forward Impact Report, reveals about the program's progress and the challenges ahead.

🎧 Tune in to hear inspiring stories from the field, insights into responsible forest management, and how everyday actions—by companies and consumers—can help keep forests thriving.

Links for More Info:

Linda Walker bio

Forests Forward Impact Report

WWF's Forests Forward program

BLOG: Global Forest Watch data shows alarming rate of forest loss

BLOG: To Secure our Forests, We Need Corporate Leadership Now More Than Ever

Chapters:

0:00 Preview

0:25 Intro

2:09 Linda's favorite forest memories

5:54 Global deforestation and the role of companies in managing forests

10:56 WWF's Forests Forward program

21:11 Impacts of the program

24:09 HP example

27:16 Interholco example

30:39 Reasons for hope

33:57 How all of us can help protect forests

36:57 Outro

As the school year ends and the summer season begins, it's time to think about how to integrate nature into your summer plans. In this edition of Nature Breaking's "Headlines & Trendlines" series, hosts Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton share personal stories and practical tips for weaving nature into your everyday life. From backyard camping and local wildlife refuges to dream destinations like Yosemite and the Great Barrier Reef, this episode is full of ideas that are inspiring and doable—whether you're planning a big trip or just want to make the most of your weekends.

Plus, we'd love to hear from you! What are your favorite ways to connect with nature during the summer? Drop a comment or email us at [email protected].

Listen in and get inspired to make this your most nature-filled summer yet.

Chapters:

0:00 Preview

0:26 Intro

2:00 Seth & Hayley's childhood nature experiences

6:27 Simple ways to connect with nature close to home

10:20 Bucket-list nature destinations

12:39 Outro

Ahead of World Oceans Day and the UN Ocean Conference, this episode of Nature Breaking explores how local communities are leading the charge in ocean conservation. Join host Seth Larson and WWF's Shauna Mahajan as they dive into the challenges and opportunities facing the Western Indian Ocean seascape—from climate change and overfishing to innovative community-led solutions.

Shauna shares inspiring stories of how coastal communities in places like Tanzania and Madagascar are using tools like microfinance and co-management to protect marine ecosystems, support sustainable development, and build climate resilience. Learn how the open-source tool Elinor is helping track and improve conservation governance, and why community-led conservation is key to achieving global goals like the 30x30 target.

📌 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to support ocean conservation!

Links for More Info:

Shauna Mahajan bio

Southwest Indian Ocean Seascape

Elinor monitoring tool

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Preview

0:24 Intro

1:56 Shauna's background

3:51 Western Indian Ocean seascape

6:46 Ingredients for successful community-led ocean initiatives

14:44 Elinor monitoring tool

20:47 The need for sustainable finance

26:30 UN Ocean Conference

28:09 Closing thoughts

29:47 Outro

Accelerating the use of clean energy technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles is essential to meet global climate goals. But doing so will require dramatically increasing the global supply of copper, cobalt, lithium and graphite that play critical roles in the production of solar cells, magnets for turbines, and EV batteries. And a significant way to get those materials is through mining. That poses a potential risk to nature. In order to better understand that risk and develop strategies to balance the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure with the conservation of natural habitats, WWF commissioned a new study on the impact of mining for energy transition minerals on nature globally.

In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson interviews Colin Meehan, WWF's senior director for renewable energy transitions. Colin led the development of this new study, and he shares key insights about the choices we need to make to meet global climate goals while also keeping nature intact and protecting communities.

Links for More Info:

WWF Report: Critical Minerals at a Critical Moment

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Preview

0:17 Intro

2:05 Colin's background

3:36 How much mining will be needed for a clean energy future?

6:03 Impact of mining for clean energy materials vs. mining for fossil fuels

7:03 Impact of critical minerals mining on nature

11:25 Strategies to mitigate impacts on nature

16:06 Surprising findings in the report

19:55 How to balance concerns around mining impacts with the urgency of climate change

25:41 Outro

This episode explores the critical issue of food waste and its impact on our planet. Join host Seth Larson as he speaks with Pete Pearson, vice president for food loss and waste at the World Wildlife Fund, about the staggering amount of food wasted globally and its connection to environmental degradation. Discover innovative solutions and initiatives aimed at reducing food waste, including the Food Waste Warriors program in schools, the Hotel Kitchen project, and the US Food Waste Pact. Learn practical tips on how you can minimize food waste in your own home and contribute to a more sustainable future. Don't miss this insightful conversation that highlights the importance of every action we take to preserve our natural world.

Links for More Info:

Pete Pearson bio

Food Waste Warriors

Hotel Kitchen

US Food Waste Pact

WWF's Food Waste PSA

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Preview

0:21 Intro

2:03 Food waste basics

4:27 Food Waste Warriors programs in schools

12:02 Hotel Kitchen program

19:13 US Food Waste Pact

25:25 Tips to stop food waste in your home

32:28 Federal and state policy support for food waste initiatives

37:24 Food waste reduction goals for the future

42:20 Outro

Join hosts Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton in this special Earth Day episode of Nature Breaking. Discover how simple actions can make a big impact on our planet. Seth and Hayley share their personal experiences participating in WWF's "Give an Hour for Earth" campaign, offering practical ideas for how you can get involved. From jogging in nature to reducing food waste, learn how you can contribute to WWF's goal of banking 125,000 hours by April 30th. Tune in for inspiring stories, easy tips, and a deeper appreciation for Earth Day and Earth Month.

Links for More Info:

WWF's Give an Hour for Earth Campaign

Webby Awards - Vote for Nature Breaking!

Chapters:

0:00 Webby Awards update

0:40 Intro

2:50 Childhood memories of Earth Day

5:26 Give an Hour for Earth activities

11:05 How small actions can make a big difference

13:56 Outro

Today's episode highlights a new initiative that aims to reduce the environmental footprint of leather production. Leather, as we all know, is sourced from cattle. And right now, cattle ranching for both beef and leather production is a major driver of deforestation, particularly in biomes such as the Amazon, Cerrado and Gran Chaco. In Brazil, for example, cattle ranching drives twice as much deforestation as the production of soy, palm oil, and wood products combined. It's a major problem that we need to overcome if we're going to save critical ecosystems, conserve species, and secure a stable future for our planet.

That's where the Deforestation-Free Leather Fund comes in. This new initiative, launched by WWF in March, gives companies that use leather in their products a chance to make a difference. This episode features an interview with the leader of that initiative, Fernando Bellese, about what exactly he hopes the fund will achieve. Companies or individuals interested in joining this effort can get more information in the links below.

Links for More Info:

Fernando Bellese bio

Deforestation-Free Leather Fund

BLOG: Leather Now Has a New Role: Helping to Prevent Deforestation

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Preview

0:31 Intro

2:04 Fernando's background

4:19 Difference between sustainable vs. unsustainable leather

8:10 Why is a fund needed?

13:50 How the fund works

28:21 Why should companies get involved?

31:27 How can consumers help?

34:25 Outro

Each year, millions of migratory eastern monarch butterflies embark on a breathtaking 3,000-mile migration from North America to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, where they hibernate in the towering Oyamel fir forests. But this iconic species is in trouble. WWF's research conducted with conservation partners since the early 2000s shows that the eastern monarch population has been trending downward for years. And while the latest report released by WWF and the Government of Mexico found that the population nearly doubled during the 2024-2025 winter, this latest finding is still far below the long-term average.

In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson speaks with Court Whelan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Natural Habitat Adventures, about the wonders of the monarch's migration, the threats they face, and the conservation efforts bringing hope for their future. Discover how you can help protect these incredible pollinators, from planting native milkweed to utilizing your own personal "superpower" to advance conservation efforts. Join us for an inspiring conversation that highlights why monarchs are worth saving and what we can all do to ensure their survival.

Links for More Info:Court Whelan bio

Natural Habitat Adventures

WWF: Eastern monarch butterfly population nearly doubles in 2025

WWF Milkweed Finder

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Preview

0:15 Intro

1:58 Court's backstory

4:53 Monarch migration

13:42 Inside an expedition to the monarch's winter home in Mexico

16:45 A "snow globe" of monarchs

23:10 Threats to monarchs

24:48 Why should we care about saving monarchs?

30:37 Hope for the future of monarchs

33:14 Outro

In this special World Wildlife Day episode of Nature Breaking's "Headlines & Trendlines" series, hosts Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton share uplifting conservation success stories that prove we can make a difference for endangered species.

Discover how mountain gorillas have rebounded from critically endangered to endangered status with populations now exceeding 1,000 in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Learn about Bhutan's remarkable 40% increase in snow leopard numbers—these elusive "Ghosts of the Mountain" are making a comeback thanks to strategic conservation efforts. We also explore how cutting-edge AI technology and camera traps are helping monitor wildlife recovery after Australia's devastating 2020 bushfires, and how black rhinos have grown from just 2,400 to over 6,000 animals through targeted conservation initiatives.

These success stories demonstrate that while many species face threats from habitat loss and poaching, collaborative conservation work is creating real impact. Join us to celebrate these wildlife victories and find hope for our planet's biodiversity.

Links for More Info:

WWF's mountain gorillas page

International Gorilla Conservation Program

Snow leopard conservation in Bhutan

AI & camera traps in Australia

Black rhino conservation study

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Preview

0:16 Intro

1:45 Seth & Hayley's bucket list animals to see in the wild

4:07 Mountain gorillas

7:02 Snow leopards

10:27 Ghosts of the Mountain

11:59 How AI & camera traps helped identify wildlife after Australia's bushfire in 2020

14:36 Black rhinos

17:56 Hayley's black rhino encounter story

19:18 Closing reflections on World Wildlife Day

21:32 Outro