Vistas & Voices

Today, I sat down with Cam Ogilvie, who I've been fortunate enough to spend the day at work with, in the field, and learned from him and what he does. Now, I get to sit down and discuss it with him in my living room. And so we had a great conversation about soil health and what that means to us as a society.  

We got to talk about so many interesting things and did it all in a new timeframe of 30 minutes. I hope the 30 minutes is a great time for you. It's a nice little time for me, it makes editing a lot shorter. We got a lot in there in 30 minutes. I think you'll enjoy it.  

Some of the topics we covered are: Soil health monitoring, What is soil health?, How do you teach about soil health?  Not letting perfect be the enemy of good, What's soil health going to look like in the not-so-distant future, and of course the definition of dirt versus soil.  What does it mean?  

Thank you so much for tuning in and I'll let you jump into the episode!

00:25 - What is Soil Health Monitoring? 

2:47 - How do you get people to care about soil?

5:04 - How did Cam get interested in Soil work?

8:40 - Is our relationship with soil based on reciprocity?

11:35 - Teaching to rejuvenate the soil

13:12 - Grower’s moment of discovery

17:25 - Favorite part of the job

19:11 - Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good

21:24 - Soil Health in the Not-so-distant future

25:50 - Soil Efficiency

28:30 - Definition of Dirt vs Soil

29:35 - Take Away

Mentioned Resources

5:44 - Cry, The Beloved Country - Allan Paton

19:22 - Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life - Anne Lamott

20:29 - The Effectiveness Equation

30:35 - SoilHealthInstitute.org

30:47 - Soilsatguelph.ca

On this episode of Vistas & Voices, I speak with Canada’s first female decathalete Leanna Carriere and ecologist Dr. Timm Döbert, the founders of Wings of Survival who have recently finished cycling 7,000 km across Canada in 30 days, overnighting at Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) along the way. The ride across Canada is a preparation ride for their epic adventure starting next year, where they plan to ride from Alaska to Patagonia, mimicking the migratory path of the Whimbrel. 

In our discussion we cover topics related to endurance athletes and nutrition, the highlights and challenges of riding 7,000km in 30 days, Key Biodiversity Areas and their significance to Canada, the role of grasslands in Canada’s ability to sequester carbon, science communication, Canada and the 30x30 conservation initiative and much more. 

If you liked this month’s episode, please consider sharing it with a friend or someone who would enjoy it! Sharing the episode will help our community grow and spread the message of the wonderful conservation work being done around the country. 

03:10 The Mission: Wings of Survival

03:55 Endurance and Nutrition: Crossing Canada

07:00 Cycling Across Canada: Highlights and Challenges

11:22 Key Biodiversity Areas: Importance and Impact

14:37 Conservation Goals: 30x30 Initiative

18:27 The Role of Grasslands in Climate Change

22:59 Personal Reflections and Future Goals

26:27 Challenges in Environmental Awareness

27:15 Adapting Strategies for Conservation

28:21 Filming and Outreach Efforts

30:40 Engaging the Public with Science Communication

32:30 Tracking Birds and Expedition Plans

36:03 Preparation and Logistics for the Journey

41:19 Final Thoughts and Future Goals

Wings of Survival Documentary Demo

CBC interview

In this episode, I engage in a fascinating conversation with Paul Schmidt, a lecturer in management communications at the Ivey School of Business and manager of the Writing Support Center at the University of Western Ontario.

Paul shares insights on making impactful changes to how we use language to communicate effectively about sustainability and conservation efforts. We discuss the importance of emotional connection, factual storytelling, positive messaging, and empathy in crafting messages that resonate with diverse audiences and encourage behavioral change. This episode highlights the challenges and necessary strategies for delivering successful sustainability messages to inspire action.

04:12 Challenges in Sustainability Communication

05:34 Defining Sustainability

07:56 Tailoring Messages to Different Audiences

09:07 Pragmatic Approaches to Sustainability

13:20 Building Trust in Sustainability Efforts

17:06 Behavioral Change and Positive Messaging

26:45 Reaching Younger Audiences

28:58 Making Sustainability Fun

30:07 Reframing Sustainability Messaging

31:21 Shifts in Sustainable Practices

32:49 Transparent Communication and Empathy

35:44 The Power of Storytelling

38:27 Crafting Relatable Stories

44:27 Collaborative Efforts in Storytelling

45:52 Final Thoughts and Reflections

51:56 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

In today’s conversation I chat with Chris Kornacki, a small-scale regenerative agriculturist from South West Ontario. I first learned about Chris’s work through his presentation at Forest Ontario’s annual conference, where he presented on silvopasture, something I’d never heard of before. Needless to say, Chris’s presentation was captivating, he unpacked so much knowledge in a short period of time. I knew getting him on the podcast would be a great show. 

Chris is from Toronto and grew up in the city, but after having some health complications as a young man, he turned towards nutrition and fitness to remedy his health. Through his journey as a successful trainer and gym manager, he studied regenerative agriculture books and learned of the connecitons between food production and food quality, especially related to nutrients. Chris took the dive into his own farming adventures just about 10 years ago and has been growing his practice ever since. 

Chris now runs a successful and extremely healthy farm that produces some of the finest pork, beef and chicken you can find anywhere in Ontario thanks to his dedication and care for his animals and land. 

Chris’s passion and drive to learn is contagious, he shares some of his most valuable resources and many wise words along the way. I really hope that you enjoy today’s conversation. I learned a lot, editing the show and listening through again because there are so many tidbits of information that apply to more than practices on the farm. There are a lot of good life lessons in here.

So I hope that you have some time to sit down and enjoy the conversation and what Chris has to say.

Show Notes:

4:24 - Alan Savory: Holistic Management

11:01 - Systems Thinking

14:32 - competency epiphany

16:21 - Starting property

20:00 - Cultivation Opportunity

23:34 - Challenges of starting a Farm

31:45 - Relationships and Mentors

36:11 - Silvopasture

51:54 - Key Principles of Chris’ Farming

Alan Savory - Holistic Management

Chris Trump - Korean Natural Farming

Elaine Ingham

Jean Martin Fortier

Joel Salatin - You Can Farm

Richard Perkins

Welcome back to Vistas and Voices, where we explore compelling conversations with experts and enthusiasts passionate about conservation, sustainability, and the natural world with your host, Tyler Garwood. 

Today’s episode blends science, ethics, and heartfelt dedication to the natural world. My guest today is Chelsea Greer, the Wolf Conservation Manager at Raincoast Conservation Foundation. Chelsea is dedicated to safeguarding the lands, waters, and wildlife of coastal British Columbia through scientific research, public education, and wildlife management reform.

In this episode, we discuss the complex world of wolf management, political challenges, and the ecological significance of wolves. We dive into the historical persecution of wolves, controversial wolf culling programs, and the critical need for habitat protection.

Chelsea shares her journey and why she pursued a career with wild animals, the ethical considerations in wildlife management, and the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices into conservation efforts. 

We had a genuinely fantastic conversation that could’ve gone on much longer. Chelsea will be back in for another episode in the future. 

Thank you for tuning into Vistas & Voices and enjoy the show. 

Show Notes

02:59 Chelsea's Journey into Wolf Conservation

07:06 Raincoast Conservation Foundation

09:28 Provincial Wolf Management Practices

19:37  Habitat Destruction and Its Effects

21:15 Clayton Lamb Scientific Paper

23:39 Ethical Considerations in Wildlife Management

26:36 Species at Risk Act (SARA)

32:25 Spotted Owl

43:29 Indigenous Knowledge and Conservation

46:49 Conclusion and Closing Questions

Raincoast Conservation Foundation: Wolves

Chelsea Greer on X (Twitter)

Additional resources from after the show:

Wolf’s perspective of the 3 little pigs

4th wing - fantasy novel

Never cry wolf - farley mowat

The stories from the magic canoe - cecil paul

Webinar Wolf School - Rick Mcintyre

Today I speak with professional skier and organic farmer, Chris Rubens. In our conversation, he shares his journey from chasing powder around the globe to realizing he needed to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. Growing up with a passion for skiing, Chris's perspective took a dramatic turn following a climate change focused trip to Greenland. Realizing the environmental impact of his professional pursuits, he began to adopt more eco-friendly habits, including reducing travel and transitioning to a vegetarian diet.

These days Chris operates a three-acre organic farm with his partner in Revelstoke and has switched to more sustainable practices in skiing by partnering with environmentally conscious sponsors. He discusses the need of individual actions towards sustainability, the challenges of implementing sustainability in the ski industry, and the power of community in supporting local agriculture. This interview explores Chris's efforts to lead by example, illustrating how personal changes can contribute to a larger environmental impact.

00:24 Journey from Professional Skier to Sustainability Advocate

02:17 Making Personal Changes for Sustainability

04:17 Influence and Changes in the Ski Industry

09:26 Designing Sustainable Ski Gear

19:10 The Future of Sustainability in Skiing

23:07 Transitioning to Farming and Local Food Production

29:05 The Joy of Farming and Community Engagement

29:37 Discovering Work-Life Balance in Farming

30:16 The Unique Revelstoke Farming Community

33:08 Supporting Local Food and Community Initiatives

40:50 The Challenges and Rewards of Starting a Farm

44:22 Sustainability and Individual Impact

50:46 Hopeful Perspectives and Community Trust

55:17 Closing Thoughts and Resources

In today’s conversation, I sit down on campus with Brendon Samuels, a passionate grassroots conservationist, PhD student, and empathetic thinker. Brendon has been making grassroots changes in the city of London, Ontario by garnering support from a variety of groups, transcending boundaries through an empathetic and creative approach.

Our conversation covers how his backyard project has expanded to a global scale, how to approach people and spark change, how change is made not only through grassroots approaches, but from a top-down approach and the overall importance of positive community engagement and small-scale actions in driving larger environmental conservation efforts.

Brendon’s approach to promoting change in the local community is a refreshing perspective in today’s media climate. His ability to promote cooperation through critically thinking and empathizing among groups holding different perspectives is tactful and genuine.

I was very happy to sit down with Brendan and discuss all that he had to say.  I'm still thinking about it. I hope that you are able to take something away from this conversation as well. I think there's a lot of meaning within it. 

Thanks for tuning into today's episode, and as always, enjoy the conversation.

01:23 The Backyard Project: A Global Conservation Initiative

03:28 Innovative Solutions for Local Wildlife Conservation

08:43 Expanding the Impact: From Personal Project to Global Movement

10:41 Navigating the Complexities of Environmental Conservation

17:40 Empathy and Engagement: Keys to Effective Conservation

22:40 Challenging Tribalism and Promoting Unity in Conservation Efforts

27:59 Rethinking Our Relationship with Nature

28:21 Exploring Alternative Terms for 'Natural Resources'

28:40 The Economic Implications of Natural Wealth

29:37 Political and Social Dimensions of Biodiversity

31:26 Urban Biodiversity: Challenges and Strategies

36:02 The Importance of Green Spaces in Urban Areas

39:21 Engaging Communities in Environmental Conservation

45:34 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations

51:03 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

In today’s interview, Andie Albert and I sit down in person for a great conversation. Andie an Indigenous scientist with a passion for environmental science and species at risk conservation, she shares her journey from being the first in her family to pursue post-secondary education to embarking on a PhD. She discusses the importance of incorporating Indigenous knowledge and languages into academic research and conservation practices, aiming to decolonize academia and promote a holistic, two-eyed seeing approach.

Andie also discusses her work with endangered species such as the spiny softshell turtle, emphasizing the importance of increasing awareness and understanding of Indigenous perspectives and practices in conservation and environmental sciences. 

My conversation with Andie was very uplifting and navigated challenging topics which I knew little about before our conversation. I genuinely enjoyed our conversation as Andie is a peer and fellow MES program graduate. Her success in academia and indigenous advocacy is inspiring, especially since she is so young. I am looking forward to seeing what other wonderful things Andie will do in the future. 

Show notes

 01:40 The Importance of Simplicity in Communication

02:53 Andy's Personal and Educational Journey

03:20 The Balance of Traditional and Scientific Knowledge

05:06 The Intersection of Faith and Indigenous Culture

05:06 Andy's PhD Journey and Research Focus

06:33 The Concept of Two-Eyed Seeing

09:33 The Challenges and Opportunities in Indigenous Conservation

13:28 Andy's Future Research Plans

29:05 Learning About Different Species

29:53 Indigenous-led Conservation Initiatives

30:13 Discovering Environmental Science Careers

31:30 The Indigenous Guardians Program

33:38 The Role of Indigenous Guardians in Education

39:23 The Impact of Indigenous Perspectives in Science

40:00 Celilo Falls

48:30 The Journey to a PhD

51:27 The Hope for Increasing Species Populations

52:35 Prothonotary Warbler

53:03 The Future of Indigenous Education

Today’s podcast interview features Rosie Poirier, an ocean conservationist, artist, and facilitator of positivity. We discuss Rosie's journey from Ontario to studying marine biology and her unique interdisciplinary approach combining science and arts. Rosie passionately talks about her belief in humans' potential to impact the environment positively and emphasizes the importance of recognizing ourselves as part of the ecosystem. We also dive into the importance of collaboration, creativity, and storytelling in fostering sustainable practices. Finally, the upcoming expedition to Antarctica where she has been invited as the official expedition artist! 

My conversation with Rosie was a refreshing dose of optimism and doing good in the world. I look forward to learning what tasks Rosie will tackle in the future of marine conservation.

Thanks for taking the time to listen to today’s episode, enjoy the conversation..

01:42 Discussing the Impact Sustainable Tourism Summit

04:27 Exploring Ocean Conservation Projects

07:46 Understanding the Challenges of Ocean Conservation

13:37 The Importance of Collaboration in Conservation

17:42 Rosie's Journey to Becoming an Ocean Conservationist

25:53 The Role of Art in Environmental Appreciation

26:12 The Connection Between Art and Ocean Conservation

28:38 The Artistic Process and Creative Space

30:29 The Journey to Antarctica and the Role of Art

33:32 The Impact of Historical Expeditions and Modern Discoveries

42:59 The Power of Storytelling and Positive Environmental Impact

46:30 The Vision of a Successful Future and the Role of Communities

50:49 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode, Ross shares his experiences in regenerative agriculture, focusing specifically on cattle, discussing topics including conservation easements and how his work is changing public perception of raising cattle. He touches on the humble balance between his personal life and professional career. He discusses his journey, from starting his ranch 23 years ago to getting involved in multiple projects from working with A&W to his partnership with Ducks Unlimited. Ross also discusses the importance of a systems-thinking approach and the intricacies behind regenerative agriculture, his relationships within the conservation community, the influence of his parents in strategic thinking, and the significance of naivety and pushing ahead. This episode also explores Ross's optimism for the future of regenerative agriculture, driven by increasing recognition and interest from large food production companies, indigenous perspectives, and more.

Ross is a deep thinker and has a broad perspective, I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. I wanted to cover many more topics but we ran out of time, so I’ll have to get him back on the show in the future. I appreciate you listening to Vistas and Voices and, as always, enjoy the conversation...

02:39 Balancing Competing Practices in Ranching

07:19 The Role of Conservation Easements in Ranching

08:25 The Benefits of Conservation Easements

15:20 Impacts of Relationships and Community in Ranching

24:44 Influences of Large Food Producers on Regenerative Agriculture

32:30 The Importance of Systems Thinking in Decision Making

40:24 Reflections on Success and Hope for the Future

49:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts