The Green Mind

Join Leander as he catches up with Elizabeth Schuster, discussing her journey as an environmental economist, the evolution of her consulting work, and the changing landscape of environmental economics. They explore the importance of relationship-building in conservation, the challenges of implementing equity in environmental work, and the need for sharing lessons learned in the field.

Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] - Elizabeth's personal update and reflections on family changes
[00:04:00] - Discussion on health reset routines and favorite meals
[00:05:00] - Elizabeth's perspective on the term "consulting" and her collaborative approach
[00:07:00] - Overview of Elizabeth's environmental economics consulting firm
[00:09:00] - The importance of applied research in environmental work
[00:11:00] - Case study: Vermont Everyone Eats program and its impact
[00:14:00] - Strategies for implementing research findings and creating impact
[00:17:00] - Reflection on the evolution of environmental economics
[00:19:00] - Discussion on environmental economics and equity issues
[00:21:00] - The importance of sharing lessons learned in conservation work
[00:24:00] - Insights on handling mistakes and uncomfortable conversations
[00:27:00] - The need for proactive and meaningful stakeholder engagement

Links Mentioned:
• Vermont Everyone Eats program: https://thecollaborative.us/everyoneeats/
• Civic Consulting Collaborative: https://civicconsultingcollaborative.com/

Join Leander as he catches up with Jason Swann, discussing personal growth,
conservation work, and the challenges facing outdoor education and recreation providers. They explore the importance of reconnecting with nature, addressing inequities in access to green spaces, and the role of advocacy in creating change.

Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] - Jason's current roles and work in conservation
[00:03:00] - Leander's experience at an eco dharma retreat
[00:09:00] - Discussion on ancestry work and spiritual connections
[00:14:00] - Jason's evolution in the conservation space
[00:17:00] - Statistics on park access disparities across the US
[00:22:00] - Challenges in community engagement and advocacy
[00:25:00] - Introduction to Rising Routes and its mission
[00:29:00] - Explanation of advocacy and its importance for nonprofits

Links Mentioned:
- Trust for Public Land www.tpl.org
- Rising Routes www.risingroutes.org
- African Ancestry (DNA testing service) www.ancestry.com

Join Leander as he catches up with Nikki Cox, discussing her evolving role in
inclusivity within the U.S. Forest Service, the challenges of returning to work after time away, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces in conservation. They explore the complexities of equity in public lands management and the need for holistic approaches to community engagement.

Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] - Nikki's new role as regional inclusivity social scientist
[00:04:00] - Discussion on the importance of inclusivity in internal processes
[00:09:00] - Challenges of creating inclusive programming in conservation
[00:15:00] - The impact of cultural history on conservation efforts
[00:20:00] - Examining trauma in the conservation movement
[00:33:00] – Diversification of the Conservation Field
[00:37:50] – Ethics on social issues and conservation

Links Mentioned:
• U.S. Forest Service – https://www.fs.usda.gov/
• Sierra Club – www.sierraclub.org
• Nature Conservancy - www.nature.org

Join Leander as he talks with Dani Reyes-Acosta, an athlete, visual storyteller,
and strategic advisor. They explore themes of ancestry, identity, and the complexities of the conservation movement, discussing how to reconnect with one's roots and address trauma in environmental spaces.

Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] - Introduction to Dani Reyes-Acosta and her background
[00:04:00] - Discussion on ancestral travel and reconnecting with heritage
[00:09:00] - Leander shares his experience with Panamanian roots
[00:15:00] - The power of connecting with ancestral lands through senses
[00:20:00] - Examining trauma in the conservation movement
[00:24:00] - The importance of acknowledging past traumas in conservation
[00:27:00] - Personal experiences with trauma in conservation work
[00:44:20] – Winter Sports and Climate Change

Links Mentioned:
- Trust for Public Land – www.tpl.org
- Sierra Club – www.sierraclub.com
- Scarpa Athlete Mentorship Initiative - https://us.scarpa.com/community/index.php/athlete-
mentorship-program
Outlier Film Series: https://outlierfilmseries.com/

Join Leander as he talks with Dr. Paul Zeitz, a physician, epidemiologist, and
author, about his journey from medical professional to global advocate. They explore the interconnectedness of human wellbeing and environmental outcomes, discussing Paul's work on global health crises, climate change, and sustainable development goals.

Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] - Introduction to Dr. Paul Zeitz and his background
[00:02:00] - Paul's memory of experiencing nature with his family in Zambia
[00:05:00] - Discussion on Paul's journey from physician to global advocate
[00:08:00] - Exploration of the AIDS crisis and its social determinants
[00:10:00] - Paul's transition to working on climate emergency issues
[00:12:00] - The concept of SIPO (Self-Imposed Persistent Optimism)
[00:20:00] - Paul's books: "Waging Justice" and "Waging Optimism"
[00:25:00] - The importance of servant leadership in addressing global issues
[00:38:50] – The Brave Movement – Fighting sexual violence through healing

Links Mentioned:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - https://sdgs.un.org/goals
- Waging Justice (Paul's memoir): https://www.amazon.com/Waging-Justice-Doctors-Journey-
Speak/dp/1982205423
- Waging Optimism (Paul's upcoming book): https://drpaulzeitz.org/waging-optimism/

Join Leander as he reconnects with Parker McMullen-Bushman, discussing the
challenges of managing a multi-generational household, the importance of community building in social justice work, and the ongoing efforts to create more inclusive spaces in conservation and outdoor recreation.

Episode Highlights:
[00:02:00] - Parker discusses the challenges of managing a nine-person household
[00:04:00] - Conversation about ADHD and its impact on daily tasks
[00:09:00] - Parker introduces herself and her various roles in inclusivity and conservation
[00:12:00] - Discussion on the importance of intersectionality in identity and work
[00:14:00] - Reflection on the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
[00:20:00] - Examining trauma in the conservation movement
[00:25:00] - The role of young generations in pushing for social change
[00:27:00] - The impact of social media and constant news consumption on mental health

Links Mentioned:
- Eco-inclusive Strategies: https://www.ecoinclusive.org/about.html
- Bat Conservation International: https://www.batcon.org/
- Protect Our Winters: https://protectourwinters.org/
- Summit for Action: https://www.summitforaction.org/

Join Leander as he introduces Season 4 of The Green Mind Podcast, reflecting
on the past two years, the current state of conservation, and the themes that emerged during this season's interviews. He discusses the importance of addressing trauma, healing, and the need for systemic change in the environmental field.

Episode Highlights:
[00:02:56] - Introduction to Season 4 and Leander's background
[00:01:24] - Leander's commitment to uplift communities and make conservation more
equitable
[00:02:35] - Discussion on the evergreen nature of equity issues in conservation
[00:03:26] - Reflection on trauma as a recurring theme in the season's episodes
[00:04:50] - Addressing the reality of conservation work versus idealized perceptions
[00:06:07] - The connection between societal issues and environmental problems
[00:08:50] - Call to action for healing and taking responsibility in conservation
[00:11:06] - The importance of reconnecting with natural roots and indigenous knowledge
[00:13:24] - Reflection on the current state of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion work
[00:15:17] - The need for healing both people and the planet

Links Mentioned:
- Lacy Consulting Services – www.lacyconsultingservices.com
Email: [email protected]

Leander wraps up Season 3 and talks about the future of The Green Mind Podcast. Support his journey in bringing this podcast to listeners into the future. 

Episode Highlights: 

1:15: Date of Season 4

1:50: Helping The Green Mind

3:20: Dr. Paul Zeitz

4:45: Utilizing Funds for The Green Mind

5:25: Other ways to help

Links: 

Support: https://www.thegreenmindpodcast.com/support

Professor Leander Lacy connects with Dr. Rickey Frierson to discuss the academic institutions that are producing the future leaders in natural resources. Dr. Frierson is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Colorado State University. They discuss navigating natural resources departments and integrating DEI for faculty and staff. 

Episode Highlights: 

4:35 - Recruiting diverse students/talent

17:12 - When you are not the DEI expert

23:57 - Dr. Frierson’s journey into natural resources 

31:12 - Leander’s journey into natural resources

36:15 - Success for DEI in academics

40:10 - Dr. Frierson’s vision

Leander connects with an old friend, Veronica Oakler, from his undergrad program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida. Go Gators! They take a journey through their careers and tackle some very difficult conversations around environmental justice.

Episode Highlights: 

3:56: Wildlife Conservation and Law in Florida

7:51: Love of Florida Black Bears

18:39: Clean Water for North Carolina 

21:02: Environmental Justice

34:28: Getting Policies on the Agenda

40:24: Get Involved in North Carolina

Links: 

https://cwfnc.org/

www.lacyconsultingservices.com

https://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/