Nerdy About Nature

Out on the west coast of Vancouver Island exists an awesome little non-profit that siphons sea water from the harbour into tanks on land, which briefly house some of the areas most gorgeous residents from under the waves. I'm talking about the Ucluelet Aquarium, a catch-and-release aquarium who gathers all of its exhibits seasonally from the surrounding waters, giving visitors a glimpse into a world that surrounds us yet we seldom see.I sat down with Laura Griffith-Cochrane from the Ucluelet Aquarium to chat all about this awesome project, and her unique approach to education that emphasizes hands-on interactions to build connection and care to place. We also delve into various issues relating to these near-shore marine ecosystems, with ethical information on fishing and tide-pooling that we all could use to become better stewards of these places for generations to come. For more information on the Ucluelet Aquarium, visit www.uclueletaquarium.orgEach episode of Nerdy About Nature makes a donation to a non-profit of the guests choosing using funds from Patreon supporters, and in this episode Laura chose to give hers to ⁠Surfrider FoundationNerdy About Nature is an independent passion project that relies on support from folks like you.  If you’re enjoying this podcast and videos, help me keep making them by becoming a paid subscriber on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠or⁠⁠⁠ Substack.⁠⁠⁠You can also make a one-time donation, get NAN merch, resources and more information at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.NerdyAboutNature.com

The first introduction episode to a new podcast series I'm starting here called 'Undercurrents' Every couple of weeks, I'll be connecting with Julia Huggins (PHD, huge nerd) where we'll share interesting articles, studies, and news from the world of environmental science, ecology, climate, and everything in between! The goal here is to be able to provide you all with more consistent, steady educational content to keep you up to date with the science and happenings of today, because as our understanding of the world around us changes, our relationship to it changes. This series is all about the subtle, unseen but often felt shifts in the undercurrent of our society that influences the direction we all flow. Looking forward to releasing the first episode in just a couple of days, so stay tuned! Nerdy About Nature is an independent passion project that relies on support from folks like you.  If you’re enjoying this podcast and videos, help me keep making them by joining the Patreon family for 1$ a month or more! - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/nerdyaboutnature⁠ Produced by Ross Reid Hosted by Ross Reid & Julia Huggins Got Questions?  Want Stickers?  Want community?  Wanna engage?  Do it all as a Patreon member, it’s easy! You can also make a one-time donation, get NAN merch, resources and more information at ⁠www.NerdyAboutNature.com

In many ways, the world today seems to be in shambles, and it’s easy to assume that humans are the cause of it all…but it’s not all humans. Instead, many of the destructive forces present in the world today are the result of a global colonial capitalist mindset that inherently views humans as separate from this world we are so intimately a part of.I sat down with Gisele Martin to delve into Nuu-Chah-Nulth language, stewardship and worldviews to see how these perspectives can help all of us reframe our relationship to the world in order to build stronger, better futures for all whom we share it with.This episode was brought to you by Tla-O-Qui-Aht Tribal Parks. Learn more about all that they do, become a member and more at ⁠TribalParks.com⁠⁠Donate to Tribal Parks⁠For every episode, I make a donation to the non-profit of my guests choosing using funds from supporters on Patreon, and this weeks donation will be going to ⁠Tla-O-Qui-Aht Tribal Parks⁠⁠⁠Nerdy About Nature is an independent passion project that relies on support from folks like you.  If you’re enjoying this podcast and videos, help me keep making them by joining the Patreon family.⁠⁠Got Questions?  Want Stickers?  Want community?  Wanna engage?  Do it all as a Patreon member, it’s easy!You can also make a one-time donation, get NAN merch, resources and more information at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.NerdyAboutNature.com

What does Indigenous Stewardship look like in the modern age?How can Settler communities form Right Relationship with their Indigenous neighbours?How can participating in the potlatch economy give us hope for a different, post-capitalist future?I sat down with Julian Hockin-Grant, founder of Allied Certifications, to answer all of these questions, and talk all about his role in helping to establish the Tribal Parks Allies program, what it entails, different visions of the future, and ways we can all work to build reciprocal relationships with our lands, waters, and each other.This episode was brought to you by Tla-O-Qui-Aht Tribal Parks. Learn more about all that they do, become a member and more at TribalParks.comDonate to Tribal ParksCoast Funds ReportBelonging With Indigenous Lands BookThis Changes Everything BookAllied CertificationsFor every episode, I make a donation to the non-profit of my guests choosing using funds from supporters on Patreon, and this weeks donation will be going to Tla-O-Qui-Aht Tribal Parks⁠Nerdy About Nature is an independent passion project that relies on support from folks like you.  If you’re enjoying this podcast and videos, help me keep making them by joining the Patreon family.⁠Got Questions?  Want Stickers?  Want community?  Wanna engage?  Do it all as a Patreon member, it’s easy!You can also make a one-time donation, get NAN merch, resources and more information at ⁠⁠⁠www.NerdyAboutNature.com

Kelp has been getting a ton of publicity lately, from it's use in cosmetics and food, to it's role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. In short, kelp is pretty dang cool - but what the heck is it, and what makes it so unique?I sat down with Tom Campbell from West Coast Kelp to learn all about kelp - how it's evolved, how it reproduces, the 3D habitat it's structure creates, it's importance to marine ecosystems, why it needs help, and the role of restoration in maintaining the health of these critical ecosystems. Learn about West Coast KelpAdopt a KelpFor every episode, I make a donation to the non-profit of my guests choosing using funds from supporters on Patreon, and this weeks donation will be going to Redd Fish Restoration Society.Nerdy About Nature is an independent passion project that relies on support from folks like you.  If you’re enjoying this podcast and videos, help me keep making them by joining the Patreon family.Got Questions?  Want Stickers?  Want community?  Wanna engage?  Do it all as a Patreon member, it’s easy!You can also make a one-time donation, get NAN merch, resources and more information at ⁠⁠www.NerdyAboutNature.com