This Green Earth

Ryan Langendorf, a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, shares a recent study shedding light on sea otters as a keystone species helping to regenerate kelp forests. Then, marine biologist Ronja Steinbach talks about the world of marine fungi and the role they are playing in degrading plastics. Her research highlights a largely untapped resource that is helping to remove plastics from the ocean.

Terry Masear, a hummingbird rehabilitator, author and star of the acclaimed 2024 Sundance film, "Every Little Thing," highlights the hummingbird's ecological importance and inspires conservation efforts. Then, award-winning author Stephanie Anderson talks about her new book, "From the Ground up: The Women Revolutionizing Regenerative Agriculture."

Award-winning author Zak Podmore talks about his latest book, "Life After Dead Pool: Lake Powell’s Last Days and the Rebirth of the Colorado River." Then, local conservation easement landowner Wes Siddoway shares more about his family’s decision around land preservation.

Darren Parry, former chairman for the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, highlights the deep connection between Shoshone people and the land and shares how traditional practices reflect sustainability and environmental stewardship.Then, conservation biologist and author Thor Hanson shares ways in which to see nature through a different lens, providing a new perspective on its many wonders, in his new book "Close to Home."

Award-winning birder and acclaimed writer Pete Dunne shares remarkable stories of our feathered friends in his latest book, "The Courage of Birds." Then, David George Haskell illuminates and celebrates the emergence of the varied sounds of our world starting with the origins of animal song and traversing the whole arc of Earth history in his book, "Sounds Wild and Broken."

Jackson Looseyia, Solaash Morompi, and Tim Lapage talk about the new Ripoi Nature Conservancy in Maasai Mara, Kenya. The conservancy was created to expand the protected land for wildlife. Then, marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer Greg O'Corry-Crowe talks about a new study regarding a unique species of freshwater seals. He also shares details about the health and wellbeing of beluga whales and the elusive narwhal.

Dr. Joan Maloof, Professor Emeritus at Salisbury University and founder of the Old-Growth Forest Network, discusses her new book "Nature’s Temples: A Natural History of Old-Growth Forests." Then, Dr. Kerry Cook, professor at The University of Texas at Austin teaching graduate Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics as well as Global Warming courses in the Department of Geological Sciences, talks about the second edition of her book "Climate Dynamics."

Conservationist and author Thor Hanson discusses his book, “Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid: The Fraught and Fascinating Biology of Climate Change.” Then, author Susan Casey shares more on her writings, including her latest book, “The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean.”

Anna Roberston from The Cool Down discusses the LA fires and how they are changing conversations about the future, including innovations in resilient home building and landscaping. Then, world-renowned researcher, speaker, advocate and co-founder of Food Tank, Daniele Nierenberg previews its 4th annual all day Food & Environment Summit during Sundance.

David Gilbert, author and political ecologist shares more on his new book, "Countering Dispossession, Reclaiming Land: A Social Movement Ethnography." Then, Utah State University’s Larissa Yocom, an assistant professor of fire ecology in the Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center, takes a closer look at fire ecology and the devastation from the recent California wildfires.

Author and longtime employee of the United States Forest Service Betsy Howell talks about her new collection of essays which chronicle her three-decade career studying wildlife. Then, author Erika Howsare discusses our complex relationship with deer, from mythology to modern-day coexistence challenges in her book, "The Age of Deer."

Local birder Nate Brown discusses the annual Audubon Christmas bird count. This citizen science event is the nation's longest-running community science bird project and fuels Audubon's work throughout the year. Then Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Science at the University of Washington, John Marzluff, discusses his highly acclaimed book, “Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans.”

Biologist Naira de Gracia shares her book, "The Last Cold Place – A Field Season Studying Penguins in Antarctica," which looks at a generation of chinstrap penguins in Antarctica.Then, biologist and Michigan Tech professor, John Vucetich, talks about a study of wolves and moose in Isle Royale National Park that led to his book, "Restoring the Balance: What Wolves Tell Us About Our Relationship with Nature.”

National Geographic Explorer and internationally acclaimed wildlife expert James Currie shares the evolution of his career from a wildlife safari guide in Africa to a birding show host and conservationist. Then, author and animal and plant correspondent for the New York Times, Cara Giaimo, discusses her most recent book, "Atlas Obscura: Wildlife."

Dr. Barrett Klein, renowned entomologist and author of "The Insect Epiphany," explores ways humans have used insects for silk, pigments, food and medicine, and how we recreate their attributes in flight technology and architecture, as well as how we mimic them in music and fashion. Then, National Geographic Explorer Greg O’Corry-Crowe talks about beluga whales, elusive narwhals and a new study regarding a unique species of seals.

Nalini Nadkarni, National Geographic explorer and professor emeritus at the University of Utah, talks about the importance of canopy plants and the effects human activities have on forest diversity and function. Then, freshwater ecologist and author David Strayer shares more about his latest book, "Beyond the Sea: The Hidden Life in Lakes, Streams and Wetlands."

Author and scientist, Lauren Oakes comes on the show to talk about how the path from climate change to a habitable future winds through the world's forests.Then Walt Meier, a senior research scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center breaks down the latest information on what's happening with the planet's Arctic sea ice.

Author Jon Waterman talks about his new book, “Into the Thaw: Witnessing Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis.” Then, author Robert McNally shares his new book, “Cast Out of Eden: The Untold Story of John Muir, Indigenous Peoples and the American Wilderness.”

Acclaimed science writer Ferris Jabr reveals a radical new vision of Earth where lush forests emit dust, pollen and bacteria to summon rain in his new book, "Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life." Then, Miranda Massie, the founder and director of the Climate Museum located in New York City, describes this first of its kind museum which explores the changing climate and how the public can take action to reduce their carbon footprint.

Award-winning environmental journalist Sophie Yeo examines how the planet would have looked before humans scrubbed away its diversity in her new book, "Nature's Ghosts: The World We Lost and How to Bring it Back." Then Andy Szabo, director of the Alaska Whale Foundation, shares insights from a study that sheds light on how humpback whales use tools to enhance their feeding strategies.