River Talks

The rivers and streams of the southeastern United States feature astounding biodiversity, warranting the nickname of "underwater rainforests" of life. From the colorful tangerine darter to the charismatic river chub and the prehistoric sturgeon, you can find a little bit of everything in our waterways. Yet we also know these species are threatened by the regular culprits of water pollution, habitat alteration, invasive species, and overfishing. In this episode of River Talks, we explore the stories of these underwater rainforests with Dr. Anna George the Vice President of Conservation Science and Education at the Tennessee Aquarium. The Tennessee Aquarium connects people to nature with a particular focus on celebrating, preserving, and restoring biodiversity in the southeast. Learn more about what was mentioned in this episode: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/2021/12/20/underwater-rainforests-biodiversity-anna-george/ Support the Cumberland River Compact: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/donate/

Across the Cumberland River basin, the Cumberland River Compact implements innovative stream restoration in vital ecosystems. The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2021–2030 as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The Decade positions the restoration of ecosystems as a major nature-based solution towards meeting a wide range of global development goals and national priorities. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet - and its people. The Cumberland River Compact addresses the root causes of water quality issues often through restoration. Our goals with restoration are to mimic nature, protect vital habitat, and replenish stream flows. Depending on the situation, we use a variety of techniques to do this from green infrastructure to dam removals to streambank stabilization. We complement our restoration work with community engagement across a watershed to address these issues on a broader level. Mansker Creek is a well-known and well-loved stream in Goodlettsville, TN, that meanders through neighborhoods and communities before entering the Cumberland River near Moss-Wright Park. Like many of our urban streams, Mansker Creek has several water quality impairments, including high levels of sediment and pathogens. As with many other watersheds, heavy urbanization and increased runoff in the area created conditions of severe bank erosion in parts of Mansker Creek, contributing to sedimentation in the creek among other problems. To address the problem, we worked with the City of Goodlettsville and KCI Technologies to repair the eroded bank in Moss Wright Park. In this podcast, Will Caplenor, Field Operations Supervisor with the Cumberland River Compacts, speaks to Adam Spiller and Zach Mryncza with KCI Technologies about this stream restoration project and how it addressed the root causes of water quality issues in Mansker Creek. We explore the process of restoration and how these projects can make our streams more resilient into the future. See all the details about this post on our blog: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/2021/10/15/stream-restoration-mansker-creek-tennessee/

Climate change comes with ample risks to Middle Tennessee, but there is also the opportunity to build resilience in the face of these changes. We know climate change in Middle Tennessee brings more extreme heat and severe storms, which will lead to more frequent and devasting flooding. And we already see these impacts in both urban and rural Tennessee communities. In this episode of River Talks, we are joined by Dr. Janey Camp from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Camp studies the interactions between nature and man-made systems, with a particular focus on identifying risk in key areas. Dr. Camp shares the unique climate vulnerabilities in our rural communities, the ways climate change serves as a threat multiplier, and how critical infrastructure like roads and energy systems, can be impacted by climate events. See the full blog post about this episode.  About Dr. Janey Camp: Dr. Janey Camp is a Research Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Vanderbilt University. She has a broad range of interests but is ultimately interested in studying the interactions of nature and man-made systems utilizing geospatial technologies. This includes modeling future flooding and the potential impacts on communities and infrastructure systems to identify key risk areas. In addition, she is involved in several interdisciplinary projects focused on infrastructure system adaptation to climate change, risk management and also STEM integration into education. Dr. Camp was recently selected as a co-author for the 5th National Climate Assessment.  In this podcast: What might we expect to see with climate change in Middle Tennessee? How is climate change a threat multiplier in Middle Tennessee? What do the climate impacts look like in rural Tennessee? What are some examples of our critical infrastructure that may be impacted by climate change? How will our growing and changing population in Middle Tennessee affect how climate change impacts us moving forward? What do you envision when you think of a climate-resilient future for Middle Tennessee?

Childhoods spent exploring creeks, streams, and ponds inspired a lifelong dedication to protect aquatic biodiversity for JR Shute and Pat Rakes. Together they founded Conservation Fisheries a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of aquatic biodiversity in streams and rivers, particularly in the Southeast. In today's episode of River Talks, JR and Pat join Cumberland River Compact Program Manager Jed Grubbs to share their wealth of natural history knowledge about the rare and imperiled species that call our waters home. Together they share why our region is so biodiverse, the unique life history of freshwater mussels, and the delicate dance between the endangered Barren's Topminnows and the pervasive mosquito fish. Plus, you will hear about how an upcoming stream restoration project with the Cumberland River Compact is protecting crucial habitat for the Barren's Topminnow in Coffee County. Full episode details available on our blog: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/2021/09/28/discovering-and-preserving-our-most-imperiled-aquatic-biodiversity-with-conservations-fisheries/

From 1933 to 1942 thousands of men across Tennessee created some of our most treasured outdoor places like our Tennessee State Parks and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. These men were part of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal-era program to employ and train young men to complete projects in support of the environment and conservation. Across our state and country, the impact of this program can still be seen today. In this episode of River Talks, we talk with Matthew Gailani and Amanda McCrary Smith from the Tennessee State Museum. Matthew is a museum curator and Amanda is the curator of Textiles and Fashion. Together they share the history and impacts of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Tennessee and beyond. Finally, we will share how history may be repeating itself with the Civilian Climate Corps.

Climate change is one of the most pressing problems faced by today’s global community. Across the United States, we see constant reminders that climate change is here: record heat in the Pacific Northwest, wildlife smoke that hazes the air in Tennessee, or 100-year flood events happening way more frequently than expected. And climate change is not just an environmental issue: it’s a social, cultural, economic, and political issue. Today’s climate movement is centering justice and equity in its approaches to solutions. Young people did not cause the problem of climate change, but across the world, they are becoming some of the most vocal advocates for change. Youth, like Greta Thunberg, are household names and are using their voices to stand up to world leaders with calls for action. And more and more young people are finding their place in the climate movement. In today’s episode of River Talks, we talk with Rachael Hood, an organizer with Youth for Appalachian Climate Justice. Rachael is a Master’s Student at West Virginia University and is one of several young people who recently started Youth for Appalachian Climate Justice to address climate change across Appalachia. We chat about climate justice, climate change in Appalachia, and the work her group is tackling in the region. About Youth for Appalachian Climate Justice Youth for Appalachian Climate Justice connects youth organizers working on transformative climate justice across the region. You can keep up to date with their work on Twitter and Instagram or reach out via email (youthforacj@gmail.com). In this podcast: What is Youth for Appalachian Climate Justice and how did it get started? What is climate justice? Why is it important to have a space exclusively for Appalachian youth? What are the climate impacts in Appalachia? What is the petrochemical buildout in Appalachia and what are the impacts? How can you support climate justice in Appalachia?

As Nashville continues to grow, properties along the banks of the Cumberland River have become coveted parcels of land for developers. There are plans to dramatically change several areas of the riverfront in the coming years, but one section will remain untouched, and under the continued stewardship of a conservation group. The TennGreen Land Conservancy has generously gifted Hill’s Island, located on the river in Madison, to the Cumberland River Compact. Hill’s Island is a 20-acre parcel of wooded land that stretches nearly a half-mile, creating a channel on the western side of the island. The area attracts a variety of wildlife, such as nesting birds and deer, along with various trees and plant life. Hill’s Island had been under the ownership of TennGreen Land Conservancy (formerly the Tennessee Parks and & Greenways Foundation) since 2006. TennGreen is the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee and will continue to help landowners and communities to protect large connected natural areas. In the years following TennGreen’s acquisition of the island, the organization planned to use the land as an outdoor classroom and wilderness park. These plans reflected both the values of keeping the land wild and rustic, while also providing a unique and responsibly managed educational venue for the community to build a stronger connection to the Cumberland River, along with the species residents who rely on it. TennGreen approached the Cumberland River Compact with this vision after determining the endeavor laid outside its primary mission. The Compact acquired Hill’s Island in June 2021 and looks forward to continuing to explore the opportunities to share the island for education, research, and recreation as well as become deeply familiar with the island’s historical significance.

Criss-crossing our city are thousands of miles of urban streams that we see near our homes, on our way to work or school. These urban streams are often highly visible and open peoples’ eyes to the beauty and wonder of water. But urban streams also face water quality challenges as they flow through densely populated urban areas. In this River Talk, we speak with Mary Bruce and Michael Hunt from Metro Water Services about the urban stream syndrome along with some of the opportunities to make improvements in our urban waters. Then we’ll chat with Gray Perry and Will Caplenor with the Cumberland River Compact about a current restoration project in the Brown’s Creek watershed and how we use science and data to inform our innovative restoration work. There are many ways that you can get involved in caring for urban streams. You can easily learn the name of the closest stream near you with the Cumberland River Compact’s tool iCreek. Or come out and volunteer with us! Our Brown’s Creek project will have several volunteer opportunities coming up where you can get involved in this work. Join us on Saturdays in June to DePave an old parking lot near Brown's Creek. Check out our volunteer calendar for all the upcoming opportunities. You can even adopt a stream near you to commit to be a steward for your local urban stream.  The Cumberland River Compact is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to enhance the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries in Tennessee and Kentucky. Your donation today will help us ensure that the Cumberland Basin continues to enjoy the precious resource of clean and abundant freshwater. https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/donate/ 

The Cumberland River watershed is part of the third most biodiverse freshwater in the world. Thousands of species rely on the land and waters in our region. Yet across the world biodiversity is declining at unprecedented and alarming rates. When many of us think about where wildlife lives, we probably picture wide-open parklands, protected national parks, and remote areas away from people. But biodiversity is also found right near our cities. From April 30-May 3rd Nashville is one of over 400 cities around the world participating in the City Nature Challenge. During this one-weekend, people across the world get out to find, observe and share wildlife in their city. By using the app iNaturalist, these observations help scientists around the world understand what’s happening with biodiversity. You can find all the details about the event on our website. https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/event/city-nature-challenge-2021-nashville/. In today’s episode, we talk with two biodiversity experts. First up, we’ll hear from Kim Bailey, a lifelong nature enthusiast and naturalist extraordinaire with Warner Park Nature Center. She’ll share more about how you can explore biodiversity in our cities. Then we hear from Richard Hitt, with the local chapter of WildOnes. Richard will share about what we can do in our own backyards to make them great habitat for Tennessee biodiversity. Resources mentioned in today's episode: Native Plant Finder: https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/ Field Guide to Insects of North America: http://www.kaufmanfieldguides.com/insects.html Butterflies of Tennessee: https://ritavenable.com/?page_id=22 Wildflowers of Tennessee: The Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wildflowers-of-tennessee-the-ohio-valley-and-the-southern-appalachians-dennis-horn/1100003358 A Field Guide to Eastern Trees: Eastern United States and Canada, Including the Midwest: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-field-guide-to-eastern-trees-roger-tory-peterson/1119268741

Spring has sprung and for many people, it's time to refresh their gardens. The green spaces near our homes, whether they are simply raised beds or fully landscaped yards, can provide a place of joy and wonder right out our own back doors. But these spaces can also help support our waterways and nature. In today’s episode, we hear from three experts on best practices and tips for nature-friendly spring gardening. In this episode, we talk about native plants and home gardening with Tyler Blankenship from Bates Nursery, soil health with Dr. Robert Florence from the University of Tennessee Extension Soil, Plant, and Pest Center, and invasive plants with Kitty McCracken from the Tennessee Invasive Plant Council.  Find more resources from this episode on our blog: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/blog/ The Cumberland River Compact is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to enhance the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries in Tennessee and Kentucky. Your donation today will help us ensure that the Cumberland Basin continues to enjoy the precious resource of clean and abundant freshwater. https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/donate/ 

Clean, accessible, and affordable water is a human right, but challenges across our water system impact how that right is realized. Aging infrastructure impacts the ability to provide water, contaminants of emerging concern impact safe water, and the cost of water burdens some populations more than others. Throughout our series, we have seen the ways that water issues today are connected to what has been done in the past. Since our present will soon become the past, we know the decisions we make today will influence people from decades. So how can we ensure we thrive in the future? We would like to thank Humanities Tennessee for their support of this series. Humanities Tennessee is a non-profit organization that fosters community and civility in Tennessee through engaging programs that examine and reflect upon ideas, stories, history, arts, and culture. https://www.humanitiestennessee.org/ Learn more about the Cumberland River Compact: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/ The Cumberland River Compact is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to enhance the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries in Tennessee and Kentucky. Your donation today will help us ensure that the Cumberland Basin continues to enjoy the precious resource of clean and abundant freshwater. https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/donate/  This project was funded in part by a grant from Humanities Tennessee, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Music: Courtesy of the Artist

Challenges to our water system are nothing new. In the early days of our cities, the distribution and access to drinking water was a challenge. Today, we still see issues from aging infrastructure to emerging contaminants that impact water. In this episode, we’re going to go deeper into some of the present challenges to water and what we are seeing for the future. We’ll consider how these challenges impact whether water is water safe, sufficient, and accessible. And finally, we’ll look closer at the last component of water as a human right: affordability. Information on water rate structures was gathered from River Network's Drinking Water Guide. Available here: https://www.rivernetwork.org/connect-learn/resources/drinking-water-guide/  We would like to thank Humanities Tennessee for their support of this series. Humanities Tennessee is a non-profit organization that fosters community and civility in Tennessee through engaging programs that examine and reflect upon ideas, stories, history, arts, and culture. https://www.humanitiestennessee.org/ Learn more about the Cumberland River Compact: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/ The Cumberland River Compact is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to enhance the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries in Tennessee and Kentucky. Your donation today will help us ensure that the Cumberland Basin continues to enjoy the precious resource of clean and abundant freshwater. https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/donate/  This project was funded in part by a grant from Humanities Tennessee, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Music: Courtesy of the Artist

Water is central to life as a Tennessean. From industry to recreation and tourism, we use water in many ways. And of course, we need water to drink, clean, and bathe. Yet we often don't think about what it takes for our water to get to us. In this episode, we’ll explore our water system: the source of our waterways, the distribution systems, and how water is budgeted for its many uses. We will consider how Tennessee’s challenges to safe, sufficient, and accessible water impact how water as a human right is championed in our state. We would like to thank Humanities Tennessee for their support of this series. Humanities Tennessee is a non-profit organization that fosters community and civility in Tennessee through engaging programs that examine and reflect upon ideas, stories, history, arts, and culture. https://www.humanitiestennessee.org/ Learn more about the Cumberland River Compact: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/ The Cumberland River Compact is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to enhance the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries in Tennessee and Kentucky. Your donation today will help us ensure that the Cumberland Basin continues to enjoy the precious resource of clean and abundant freshwater. https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/donate/  This project was funded in part by a grant from Humanities Tennessee, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Music: Courtesy of the Artist

From a young age, water brings a sense of wonder and joy. Even as our childhood wonder of water may fade, water continues to be ever-present in our lives. In 2010, the human right to water was officially recognized by the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council. In this season of River Talks, we are exploring water as a human right and how this has been championed and challenged in our state. We will take a close look at the past, present, and future of water in Tennessee through four episodes that weave together the perspectives from a variety of experts in water access, water distribution, and water equity. Throughout this series, we will de-construct current issues and develop a collective understanding for a path forward. In our first episode, we explore the history of water in Tennessee and how decisions of the past have implications today.  We would like to thank Humanities Tennessee for their support of this series. Humanities Tennessee is a non-profit organization that fosters community and civility in Tennessee through engaging programs that examine and reflect upon ideas, stories, history, arts, and culture. https://www.humanitiestennessee.org/ Learn more about the Cumberland River Compact: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/ The Cumberland River Compact is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to enhance the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries in Tennessee and Kentucky. Your donation today will help us ensure that the Cumberland Basin continues to enjoy the precious resource of clean and abundant freshwater. https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/donate/  This project was funded in part by a grant from Humanities Tennessee, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Music: AudioJungle & Courtesy of the Artist

Nature’s stories are plentiful. From the drama when predator meets prey, to the beauty of spring’s first flower, nature always has something to say. But the story of nature is more than just science. It’s the lattice-work of connections between people and nature. Through storytelling, we can all begin to unravel and share these important stories. Brooke Jarvis is a writer who tells the complicated stories of nature’s unknowns. She is a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine and the California Sunday Magazine. Her work has also been featured in the New Yorker, Wired, GQ, Harper’s and more. In this River Talk, Brooke joins me in conversation about how we can tell the story of nature’s wonder, amazingness, complexity, and beauty while also sharing the reality of biodiversity decline and environmental degradation around the world. Learn more about Brooke: https://www.brookejarvis.net/ Recommendations Mentioned in the Episode Brooke's Articles: The Teenagers at the End of the World The Insect Apocalypse is Here Paper Tiger Slippery Truths Books: Wild Ones by Jon Mooallem The Golden Spruce by John Vaillant The Song of the Dodo by David Quammen Fathoms by Rebecca Giggs The Forest Unseen by David George Haskell The Overstory by Richard Powers Other Recommendations: Margaret Renkl's NYTimes Column Discover Life in America Article: "Humans and Big Ag Livestock Now Account for 96 Percent of Mammal Biomass"

Do you know where your favorite food comes from? We all eat, yet people are often disconnected from where their food comes from and how it gets produced. We may not realize the harmful impacts of what we eat on the environment and our climate. But agriculture can also be a powerful tool to protect our environment and mitigate climate change. Through implementation of sustainable best management practices, farms across the world have the power to make a big impact. In Tennessee, Caney Fork Farms is a leader in carbon farming and other practices to address the climate crisis. In this River Talk, the Cumberland River Compact’s Sustainable Agriculture Program Manager Nicholle Gerde joins Ranan Sokoloff the Vegetable and Agroforestry Manager with Caney Fork Farms to discuss their innovative practices and approach. Resources shared during the conversation:  Book Recommendations Restoration Agriculture by Mark Shepard Cultivating Resilience by Laura Lengnick Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver Cooperative Farming:  Route 9 Cooperative River Hills Harvest Ocean Spray Organic Valley Articles: The Biblical Flood That Will Drown California  Video of soil holding water / infiltration rate Iowa derecho in August was most costly thunderstorm disaster in U.S. history Food Justice:  Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition Trap Garden Growing Culture: Hunger for Justice Whetstone Magazine Casa Azafran Bliss and the Trash Plants Ranan's Recommendations: Get Outside! Read The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko 

Kayaking looks a bit different with elite kayaker, Dane Jackson. Dane is a professional kayaker with a deep appreciation for exploring, enjoying, and protecting our waterways.  He has won the Freestyle World Championships, the Whitewater Grand Prix three times, and kayaked over the second-tallest waterfall ever attempted by a kayaker. His name may also sound familiar; he comes from a family of kayakers including his father, Eric Jackson, who is also a professional kayaker and founder of the local Tennessee company Jackson Kayak. In this River Talk, Dane is joined by Meg Littman, Nashville-based journalist and writer, to discuss kayaking in Tennessee and beyond. Meg is an avid paddleboard and the founder of Nashville Paddle Company. She is also a former Board member of the Cumberland River Compact and former chair of the Dragon Boat Festival. Support the Cumberland River Compact's River Talks program: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/get-involved/donate/ Send us your thoughts on this episode! Email us at rivertalks@cumberlandrivercompact.org or leave us a voicemail at 615-933-8837 Learn more about what was mentioned in this episode: Follow Dane on Instagram & YouTube Jackson Kayak Rock Island State Park Ruins Wave in Ottawa Learn more about Meg Littman Find recreation on the Ocoee River Watch Jojo Rabbit Find a recreation access point in the Cumberland River basin.

Across Appalachia, thousands of acres of formerly mined land sits barren or has been converted to gravelly grassland. These sites were once home to thriving forest ecosystems and some of our region’s most astounding biodiversity. Through a specific reforestation process known as the Forestry Reclamation Approach, these sites can be improved by removing invasive and non-native plants, loosening compacted soil, and finally planting a mix of native trees. After reforestation, these sites have higher biodiversity, help naturally clean and filter rainwater entering into nearby streams, and provide long-term economic benefits to the communities they surround. In this River Talk, Cumberland River Compact Executive Director Mekayle Houghton and Senior Program Manager of Watershed Planning, Jed Grubbs, join Dr. Chris Barton with Green Forests Work to discuss this approach in the region. Chris Barton is the Founder and President of Green Forests Work, a non-profit restoration group, and also a professor of forestry hydrology and watershed management at the University of Kentucky. Through these dual roles, Chris leads research efforts and on-the-ground action to restore mine lands throughout Appalachia. Support the Cumberland River Compact's River Talks program: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/get-involved/donate/ Send us your thoughts on this episode! Email us at rivertalks@cumberlandrivercompact.org or leave us a voicemail at 615-933-8837 Learn more about what was shared in this episode.  Chris Barton’s Research Forest Reclamation Act Green Jobs Blue Heron Historic Mining Community Kentucky Coal Museum  American Chestnut Foundation  Cumberland River Compact’s Recreation Map Big South Fork  How to Grow Truffles 

The cool shade of a tree is a welcome relief on a hot day. But in cities across the United States, tree cover is not equally distributed between neighborhoods. All cities experience the urban heat island effect, where cities are warmer than the surrounding rural areas due to the way urban surfaces, like parking lots and buildings, absorb heat. However, within cities themselves, some neighborhoods are hotter, and this discrepancy is often directly linked to urban tree cover. A recent study further linked today’s hottest neighborhoods to the historic and inequitable practice of redlining.  In this River Talk, the Cumberland River Compact’s Root Nashville Campaign Manager Meg Morgan joins Dr. Jeremy Hoffman, Chief Scientist with the Science Museum of Virginia, to learn about his groundbreaking work on the connections between historic redlining, urban heat, and urban trees, and the implications for how we make equitable, inclusive, and just decisions for our community moving forward. Dr. Jeremy Hoffman is the Chief Scientist at the Science Museum of Virginia and an Affiliate Faculty in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs and the Center for Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Jeremy specializes in Earth science communication, data-driven and community-based participatory science, and science center exhibit content development. His work has been written about in the New York Times, National Public Radio (NPR), Richmond Magazine, the Richmond Times Dispatch, UPWORTHY, and many others. Support the Cumberland River Compact's River Talks program: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/get-involved/donate/ Send us your thoughts on this episode! Email us at rivertalks@cumberlandrivercompact.org or leave us a voicemail at 615-933-8837 Learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode: Redlining Map of Nashville Article: “How Decades of Racist Housing Policy Left Neighborhoods Sweltering”  NASA and Groundwork Map Climate Vulnerability  Video: Urban Heat Islands Community Science and Urban Heat Project  Park in a Truck City of Philadelphia  Root Nashville Neighborhood Planting Captain program  99 Percent Invisible, Podcast  Not Built for Us, Podcast  Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago  Cooked: Survival by Zip Code, Documentary

In May 2020, George Floyd was murdered by police in Minnesota. Within the same week, Christian Cooper, a Black man, avid birder, and member of the New York City Audubon Society was birding in Central Park when a white woman called the New York City police on him after he asked her to leash her dog. In her phone call to police, she portrayed Cooper as a threatening black man. As these events unfolded simultaneously, many people working in outdoor and environmental spaces reckoned with the traditional centering of white experiences in nature and the role that systemic racism has played in the environmental movement. In her book, “Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors”, Dr. Carolyn Finney explores why African Americans are underrepresented in environmental movements. In this River Talk, Cumberland River Compact Executive Director Mekayle Houghton joins Carolyn Finney for a conversation on the historic and lived experiences that have brought us to where the environmental movement is today and how we can build a more inclusive, equitable and just future. Dr. Carolyn Finney is a storyteller, author and a cultural geographer whose work aims to develop greater cultural competency within environmental organizations, challenge media outlets on their representation of difference, and increase awareness of how privilege shapes who gets to speak to environmental issues and determine policy and action.  She is currently a scholar-in-residence at Middlebury College’s Franklin Environmental Center. Read more about Carolyn Finney and purchase her book at her website: https://www.carolynfinney.com/ Support the Cumberland River Compact's River Talks program: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/get-involved/donate/ Send us your thoughts on this episode! Email us at rivertalks@cumberlandrivercompact.org or leave us a voicemail at 615-933-8837 Learn More about the Resources Dr. Carolyn Finney Shared: Carolyn Finney's TED Talk MaVynee Betsch / The Beach Lady   John Francis Audrey and Frank Peterman Rue Mapp and Outdoor Afro Angelou Ezeilo and Greening Youth Lovecraft Country Sundown Towns Orion Magazine "I Am Not Your Negro" Documentary Film Article: "Liberal, progressive — and racist? The Sierra Club faces its white-supremacist history." Robert Hanna's Podcast with Carolyn Finney