We Are Nature

Feb 10 2023 2

We Are Nature Podcast artwork

Stories about natural histories and livable futures presented by Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Season One centers climate action, and how humans are working together towards a just and joyous future for all life. Hear interviews from the frontlines of climate change mitigation, adaptation, and justice with people who grow our food, protect our greenspaces, and fight polluting industries. Researchers at Carnegie Museum of Natural History and host Michael Pisano connect these community climate action stories to natural history, ecology, and environmental science.

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We Are The Future

Feb 10 2023 60 mins

On today’s show, the last episode of Season 1, we look ahead at possible futures. Join us in imagining a planet with space and dignity for all earthlings. Featuring Museum Director Gretchen Baker, Curator Nicole Heller, and Educator Taiji Nelson from Carnegie Museum of Natural History.Watch the companion We Are Nature video series here.Episode Credits: Produced by Taiji Nelson an

Bee Kind

Jan 27 2023 50 mins

Bugs make the world go around. Well, bugs and fungi. And bacteria. And algae. And…ok, it’s all important. We humans rely on many tiny neighbors, and now more than ever, their future relies on us. Come along on a visit to Pittsburgh’s Garfield Commnity Farm, and travel back to the Cretaceous to learn about the origins of flowers. Featuring the farm’s Community Engagement Coo

A Conservation Conversation

Jan 20 2023 66 mins

Biodiversity is key to our resilience as the climate changes. Our guest today is Conservation Biologist Charles Bier, Senior Director of Conservation Science the at Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Charles has nurtured a deep relationship with Pennsylvanian nature since he was a six-year-old walking around with snakes in his pockets, and has spent his career trying to preserve our

Greenways

Jan 13 2023 63 mins

Tiffany Taulton is a climate policy expert, community organizer, professor of environmental justice, and one of the authors of Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan. She joins the show to talk about how our region is preparing for climate change, how that resilience benefits public health, and how climate action can embrace justice and equity.Visit hazelwoodinitiative.org to learn mor

Empowerment, Employment, Environment

Jan 06 2023 54 mins

How are labor and climate related? Today’s episode is all about supporting workers as the climate changes, and about work that supports climate action. Learn about labor history, a just transition, doughnuts and degrowth. Featuring Landforce’s Executive Director Ilyssa Manspeizer and Site Supervisor Shawn Taylor.Visit landforcepgh.org to learn more about the great work Landforc

Teens in the Wild

Dec 16 2022 60 mins

By taking care of greenspace, we care for ourselves. Hear about best practices for getting young people involved in land stewardship, and about how fostering a relationship with the outdoors is essential climate action. Featuring Naturalist Educator Nyjah Cephas and two of her students from the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Young Naturalists program.Visit pittsburghparks.org to

Food is Nature

Dec 09 2022 49 mins

Our globalized food system is already feeling the impacts of climate change. Today’s episode shows how decentralizing that food system can help us both be more resilient to extreme weather, and lessen industrial agriculture’s harmful effects. Featuring interviews with urban farmers at Braddock Farms.Visit growpittsburgh.org to learn more about Braddock Farms and Grow Pittsburgh

Bridges and Bivalves

Dec 02 2022 63 mins

Some freshwater mussels can live for over 100 years! During that time, they filter water and improve aquatic ecosystems. Today’s episode is about how aquatic life intersects with the human world. We’ll learn about everything from mussel charisma to climate-proofing infrastructure. Featuring an interview with Eric Chapman, Director of Aquatic Science at the Western PA Conservanc

Mining and Microbes

Nov 25 2022 38 mins

Dr. Carla Rosenfeld is is the Carnegie Museum’s assistant curator of Earth Sciences in the section of Minerals and Earth Sciences. She also happens to study how pollutants and nutrients behave in the environments like abandoned minelands, of which Pennsylvania has maaany. We chat about interspecies collaboration, soil science, the importance of diversity, and much more.You can le

Coal Country

Nov 18 2022 62 mins

There are less than 5,000 coal jobs left in the state of Pennsylvania, and that number is shrinking. That’s good news for the climate, but what’s next for the commonwealth’s coal communities? Join organizers from the Mountain Watershed Association for insight on building community, protecting public health, and creating new opportunities. Plus, the natural history of coal, wa