In our latest episode of Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast David heads to Alaska to interview Dune Lankard, a member of the Eagle Clan of the Eyak tribal nation based in Cordova Alaska, on Prince Williams Sound. Dune talks about his life as a commercial fisherman and his response to the 1989 Exxon-Valdez oil spill, the largest U.S. environmental disaster till that time.

He talks about his founding of the Native Conservancy and its work with 32 tribes across Alaska, including protecting over a million acres of land. They also talk about his kelp farming to restore the ocean, traditional food sources and provide indigenous people and fishermen a chance to be part of a new regenerative food industry in a time of climate disruption. Check out Dune’s spiritual, practical and innovative ideas on the new Rising Tide Ocean podcast.

** Links & Resources **

Native Conservancy: https://www.nativeconservancy.org/

Habitat restoration, indigenous food sovereignty, & cultural revitalization in Alaska

Blue Frontier: www.bluefront.org

Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild.

Inland Ocean Coalition: www.inlandoceancoalition.org

Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection

Fluid Studios: www.fluidstudios.org

Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

In this episode of the Rising Tide Ocean podcast, hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein speak with Sherry Goodman, former Pentagon Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security, about her new book 'Threat Multiplier Climate Military Leadership in the Fight for Global Security.' Goodman elaborates on the intersection of climate change and national security, emphasizing the concept of climate as a 'threat multiplier' that exacerbates global instability. The conversation covers the evolution of military strategies to incorporate environmental stewardship, the impacts of climate change on military operations, and the importance of resilience and preparedness. Goodman also discusses the geopolitical tensions in the Arctic, the role of the U.S. Coast Guard, and the need for a climate-informed defense strategy. With an upcoming election, the discussion underscores the significance of leadership in addressing climate threats.

** Links & Resources **

Learn how to navigating ocean policies with Mark Spalding

https://bluefront.org/podcast/navigating-ocean-policies-with-mark-spalding-diving-into-the-impact-of-elections-on-our-waters/

Dive into the impact of elections on our waters. 

Jim Hanson is Chief Editor for the Middle East Forum : https://www.meforum.org/jim-hanson

Author of several books including “Winning the Second Civil War - Without Firing a Shot” and “Cut Down the Black Flag - A Plan to Defeat ISIS”.

Rescue Warriors

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780312628147/rescuewarriors

The United States Coast Guard has rescued over 1.1 million people.

Rear Admiral, Ann C. Phillips, US Navy (Ret.): https://www.maritime.dot.gov/office-administrator/key-personnel/rear-admiral-ann-c-phillips-us-navy-ret

As head of the Maritime Administration, Phillips advises and assists the Secretary of Transportation on commercial maritime matters.

Leon E. Panetta- Former Secretary of Defense: https://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/article/602799/

23rd Secretary of Defense — led the agency and managed human intelligence and open source collection programs on behalf of the intelligence community. 

The Center for Climate & Security: https://climateandsecurity.org/

The greater the impact of climate change, the greater our awareness of the security challenges it’s leaving in its wake.

Tyndall Air Force Base: https://www.tyndall.af.mil/

Admiral James Foggo III: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_G._Foggo_III

A retired United States Navy admiral who last served as commander of United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa and commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples.

Former Secretary of Defense Mattis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Mattis

United States secretary of defense from 2017 to 2019.

Michael Sfraga: https://www.state.gov/biographies/michael-sfraga/

AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR ARCTIC AFFAIRS

OFFICE OF THE AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR ARCTIC AFFAIRS

Secretary Lloyd Austin: tyndall.af.mil/About/Civil-Service-Employment/

Current United States Secretary of Defense.

Deputy Secretary of Defense - Kathleen H. Hicks: https://www.defense.gov/About/Deputy-Secretary-of-Defense/

She served as senior vice president and director of the international security program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Threat Multiplier - Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security: https://islandpress.org/books/threat-multiplier

Blue Frontier: www.bluefront.org

Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild.

Inland Ocean Coalition: www.inlandoceancoalition.org

Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection

Fluid Studios: www.fluidstudios.org

Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

In this episode of Rising Tide David and Natasha Benjamin delve into the fascinating resilience of Pacific salmon, creatures that have thrived in dynamic landscapes shaped by natural forces like volcanoes, earthquakes, and landslides with the University of Alaska’s Dr. Peter Westley. As the environment changes at unprecedented rates, including the rise of hatchery-supported fisheries, we discuss how these shifts impact salmon populations in places like Alaska and California. From dam removals and urbanization to climate change, salmon continue to adapt. Join us as we explore the complex web of factors shaping the future of these remarkable fish.

** Additional Links & Resources **

Sequoias of the Sea: https://www.sequoiasofthesea.com

Our Oceans: https://www.netflix.com/title/81139969

Discover the stories just below the surface of Earth's five oceans in this nature documentary series narrated and co-executive produced by Barack Obama.

Land of the Dena'ina people: https://www.anchorage.net/plan-your-trip/about-anchorage/the-denaina-people/

Anchorage is located within Dena’ina Ełnena, the traditional homelands of the Dena’ina Athabascan people. One of Alaska’s many distinct and diverse Indigenous groups, the Native people of Knik Arm are the K’enaht’ana, members of the Eydlughet (Eklutna) and K’enakatnu (Knik) tribes.

A River’s Rebirth: https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/klamath-river-dam-removals

Klamath Dam Removals Offer New Life for Salmon as well as California and Oregon Tribes

Blue Frontier: www.bluefront.org

Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild.

Inland Ocean Coalition: www.inlandoceancoalition.org

Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection

Fluid Studios: www.fluidstudios.org

Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

Photo by Aniket Deole on Unsplash

On the latest episode of Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast, David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein talk with Mark Spalding, President of the Ocean Foundation and an expert on international law and policy about the Ocean and the Elections. They discuss how starkly different the two 2024 presidential candidates are when it comes to marine conservation and climate issues. Also why, after the hottest summer in human history, there’s been so little talk about climate and the environment.     

Vicki and David also look at the record of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and pull some recent quotes from each of them about coastal resiliency, living reefs, windmills and whales and fear of sharks. So, with just weeks to go to November 5th remember, dolphins can’t vote for the ocean so you’ll have to. 

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Ocean Foundation - https://oceanfdn.org/

The only community foundation for the ocean, dedicated to improving global ocean health, climate resilience, and the blue economy.

Blue Frontier: www.bluefront.org

Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild.

Inland Ocean Coalition: www.inlandoceancoalition.org

Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection

Fluid Studios: www.fluidstudios.org

Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

On this episode of Rising Tide David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein speak with Craig Foster, the Academy Award winning filmmaker of ‘My Octopus Teacher’ co-founder of the ‘Sea Change Project’ and the author of a new memoir – ‘Amphibious Soul.’

Craig discusses his daily underwater explorations of the ‘Great African Seaforest’ near his home and the importance of tracking skills in discovering life both within the kelp forest and on the shore. His encounters include not only octopuses and sharks, but seaweed eating ostriches and burrowing beach crabs. He also finds deep connections to our human past and our natural spirit. So, join us for some cold-water enlightenment.  

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Sea Change Project: https://seachangeproject.com/

Amphibious Soul - Finding the Wild in a Tame World: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/amphibious-soul-craig-foster?variant=41096263598114

Blue Frontier: www.bluefront.org

Inland Ocean Coalition: www.inlandoceancoalition.org

Fluid Studios: www.fluidstudios.org

On this episode of Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast, David and Natasha Benjamin speak with Nick Rahaim, a former commercial fisherman, journalist, researcher, and now public spokesman for NOAA (though speaking on his own behalf).

We'll talk about his adventures from the shocks of squid fishing to confrontations between fishermen and whales in Alaska (including a shooting incident), to whale intelligence, whale depredation, and what it was like in Southwest Alaska when migrating salmon met "the blob". Join us for a fascinating episode!

Dive in to learn more.

Blue Frontier: www.bluefront.org

Inland Ocean Coalition: www.inlandoceancoalition.org

Fluid Studios: www.fluidstudios.org

On this episode of Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast, David & Vicki speak with Florida-based oceanographer and marine ecologist Dr. Sara Frias-Torres about her life and work, the tragic “death by a thousand cuts” of the Florida Keys coral reef tract, and the more hopeful recovery of the “Lord of the Rocks” the Goliath Grouper. Despite poaching and pollution, this massive, curious fish is making an impressive comeback from near extinction. 

It’s essential for the ecosystem and inspiring for divers. Yet, it could be lost again if the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission doesn’t listen to scientists like Dr. Frias-Torres, who say their protection must be continued. 

Dive in to learn more.

Blue Frontier: www.bluefront.org

Inland Ocean Coalition: www.inlandoceancoalition.org

Fluid Studios: www.fluidstudios.org

On Sunday, July 21, Ocean Activist and Sea Shepherd Society founder Paul Watson was arrested in Greenland, a territory of Denmark, on an Interpol warrant issued by Japan. Japan claims he damaged one of their commercial whaling ships while protesting and helping to end Japanese whaling off Antarctica. France, where Watson now lives, has asked Denmark not to extradite him. 

We're replaying our October 2022 interview with Watson so you can better understand his perspective on fighting for whales, against pirate fishing, and for the health of the Ocean. In this episode, we talked to Captain Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, about his background fighting for beavers, seals, and whales and the breakup with Sea Shepherd over its purpose and direction. We also discussed the Paul Watson Foundation, his biocentric religion, phytoplankton, and the planet, and how his time at the siege of Wounded Knee taught him not to fear for the future. 

If, after hearing from Paul, you'd like to also protest to the Danish Embassy or reach out to one of your members of Congress to add pressure on Denmark not to support Japan's political persecution of him, you can find out how in our program notes.  

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THE #FREEPAULWATSON PETITION: https://www.paulwatsonfoundation.org/freepaulwatson/

Blue Frontier: www.bluefront.org

Inland Ocean Coalition: www.inlandoceancoalition.org

Fluid Studios: www.fluidstudios.org

On this episode of Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast we speak with world-famous Ketchikan Alaska-based artist and illustrator Ray Troll about his art – from Tee-shirts to wall murals - highlighting ocean life present and prehistoric (he summers in the ancient seas of Kansas). Combining the sensibilities of Gary Larson and Winslow Homer he can take your breath away with laughter and beauty. We discuss his 40-year retrospective art book – ‘Spawn Till You Die – The fin art of Ray Troll,” his upcoming documentary profile, his popular ‘Paleo Nerds Podcast’ and more. So, dive in.

Links and additional resources:

SPAWN TILL YOU DIE! A beautiful collection of Ray’s fishy, funny and inspiring work:

https://www.trollart.com/product/spawn-till-you-die-book/

Ratfish Wranglers: https://www.trollart.com/music/albums/

Paleo Nerds Podcast: https://www.paleonerds.com/

Ray’s Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-troll-3ab82294/

Blue Frontier: www.bluefront.org

Inland Ocean Coalition: www.inlandoceancoalition.org

Fluid Studios: www.fluidstudios.org

In this rebroadcast of episode 13 of the Rising Tide Ocean Podcast, we pay tribute to the late Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, a distinguished marine biologist, passionate water lover, and dedicated turtle advocate. In this poignant conversation, Dr. Nichols opened his heart and shared the deeply personal story of losing his home in the devastating California Lightning Complex fires. We felt his profound loss through his words and admired his unwavering resilience.

Dr. Nichols also enlightened us with his profound knowledge about the 'Blue Mind'—the captivating science of how being in and around water transforms our brains. His insights revealed the powerful, healing connection we share with water and how it brings us peace, joy, and solace, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.

This episode is a testament to Dr. Nichols' enduring spirit and lifelong commitment to understanding and protecting our oceans. It reminds us of the beauty and fragility of our natural world and the incredible strength of the human spirit. As we reflect on this moving episode, we honor Dr. Nichols' contributions and the powerful message of hope and healing he shared with us all.

The Dr Wallace J Nichols Memorial Fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/Nichols-memorial-fund

J is creating useful words: https://www.wallacejnichols.org/

Blue Mind: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/wallace-j-nichols/blue-mind/9780316252119/

Blue Frontier: www.bluefront.org

Inland Ocean Coalition: www.inlandoceancoalition.org

Fluid Studios: www.fluidstudios.org

Photo by Max LaRochelle on Unsplash