This week’s episode features an interview with Cynthia Barnett, author of books like Rain: A Natural and Cultural History and The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of the Oceans.

Andy and Laura also talk about the upcoming special session of the New Mexico Legislature — and about Heath Haussamen’s coverage of Project Jupiter. We’ll have Haussamen on a future episode, but in the meantime check out some of his recent work, linked below.

Meanwhile, Laura was happy to spend some time on Saturday with Cynthia Barnett, who was in Albuquerque to deliver the annual Leopold Lecture, as part of The Leopold Writing Program. During her talk at Los Poblanos on Sunday, Barnett spoke about Luna Leopold, son of Aldo and Estella Leopold, who was born in Albuquerque in 1915 — and about his “water ethic.”

In our conversation, we talk about rain, rivers, reverence, and more. (And if you listen closely, you’ll hear some busy birds, including a spotted towhee….)

Links to learn more:

Cynthia Barnett

The Leopold Writing Program

Society of Environmental Journalists

County releases Project Jupiter NDAs as pressure mounts, Heath Haussamen

Project Jupiter’s lesson: We must build local community, Heath Haussamen

Chicagoans Avoided Their ‘Filthy’ River for Years. On Sunday, They Swam in It. (New York Times)

Want to Swim in the Seine This Summer? Paris Says There’s Still Time. (New York Times)

Music credits: Intro/theme song: Get Through It (Instrumental) by Neu Song. Alaska (Instrumental) by Tyler Cain

Thanks for listening to the Lesser Known New Mexico Podcast!

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And p.s. here’s one of the frogs Laura saw in Connecticut….

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