Shows
The Pine Barrens PodcastSaving Black Run: Grassroots Power In New JerseyWhat happens upstream doesn’t stay upstream. We sit down with ecology director Kayleigh Henry to unpack a year-and-a-half fight to protect the Black Run headwaters beside one of the Pine Barrens’ most loved preserves—and how a youth-powered movement helped to make it happen.Together we trace the arc from first community hikes to packed council meetings, a 50,000-strong petition, and a pivotal Pinelands Commission decision to designate 2,400 acres as forest area. We explain how township master plans shape what can be built, why this technical step matters, and how aligning zoning with science gives...
2025-11-2523 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastGreen Stormwater Infrastructure: Making Every Drop CountyWhat happens when rain has nowhere to go? As climate patterns shift and development spreads across the landscape, our relationship with rainwater has become increasingly complex and problematic. Matthew Laconey, bio-environmental engineer with Rutgers University's Water Resources Program, takes us deep into the world of green stormwater infrastructure and why it matters to every community.When rainwater hits impervious surfaces like parking lots and rooftops instead of natural areas, it creates a cascade of environmental problems. This runoff carries pollutants directly into streams, causes flooding by overwhelming waterways, and fails to replenish groundwater supplies that feed our...
2025-07-2525 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastRoots and Resilience: Sicilian Americans in the Pine Barrens with Natalie StoneWith our guest Natalie Stone, we explore the deep roots of Sicilians and Italian Americans in the area , what it means to be a piney, and the cultural traditions that bind us all together.. The Pine Barrens complex web of culture, food, politics and history make the place of emblematic of America's cultural saga as the past mingles with the voices of today.
2024-04-2729 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastWharton State Forest- Navigating the New Visitor Use Map - with Russell JuelgEver wandered through the Pine Barrens and marveled at its serene beauty? Russell Juelg of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation joins us to navigate the past, present, and future of this ecological treasure. The debate over motorized routes within the forest sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the balancing act of accessibility and environmental stewardship. We dissect the history etched into the paths crisscrossing the Pine Barrens and the Pinelands Preservation Alliance's advocacy for responsible use. The conversation shifts gears towards the encroaching threat of illegal off-roading, revealing the intricate dance between preservation and the i...
2024-01-0941 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastAllen Crawford - A Wild PromiseAn interview with Pine Barrens Advocate, Illustrator and Author Allen Crawford about his new book, A Wild Promise, in which he creates a tapestry of our nation’s habitats—oceans, mountains, deserts, wetlands, prairies, and forests—and the varied species that call these places home. We discuss his book, movement conservation, and some of his experiences in the Pines.
2023-07-2143 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastJoanna Burger P.h.D - Northern Pine Snake ConservationIn this episode, Joanna and I discuss the importance of conserving large habitat spaces for wildlife and the future of wildlife conservation in the NJ Pinelands. Hosted by Jason HowellPresented by Pinelands Preservation Alliance Music by Merce Ridgway and the Pine Hawkers
2023-07-0542 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastJackson Pines - Album Release - Pine Barrens Volume OneIn this episode we interview the band Jackson Pines about their new album, Pine Barrens Volume one. We get into the history of folk music in the Pine Barrens and how place affects music and vice versa. Jackson Pines new Album - Pine Barrens Volume Onehttps://jacksonpines.bandcamp.com/album/pine-barrens-volume-oneOriginal recordings of Merce Ridgway Jr. Pinehawkers by Mary Hufford and others involved in the Pine Barrens Folklife project https://www.loc.gov/item/afc1991023_afs23874/Hosted by Jason Howell
2023-03-0348 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastNature Disability Advocacy With Sean Kane-HollandGuest: Sean Kane-Holland, Access Nature Disability AdvocateHost: Jason HowellSean is the Access Nature and Disability Advocate for Pinelands Preservation Alliance. In this episode, Sean explains what he is doing to expand access to natural areas for people of all ability levels and how you can get involved .Sean attended Rutgers University and graduated with a B.A. in American History & Political Science. Since 2014 he has worked in the New Jersey Park Service at Batsto Historic Village in Wharton State Forest as a member of the history department. Sean is focused...
2023-02-2125 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastWoodford-Cedar Run Wildlife RefugeA tour of cedar run wildlife refuge with Mike O'Malley, Tracey Bloodworth, and Lisa Franco. We discuss native wildlife, wildlife rehabilitation after injury, environmental education, and the many programs and offerings that are available at Cedar Run.
2022-09-081h 11The Pine Barrens PodcastMullica River Fire and Fix Our ParksSenior Land Steward Russell Juelg explores the Quaker Bridge Rd area of the Mullica River Fire and discusses some of the local goals of the new Fix Our Parks campaign - a grassroots effort to advocate for more funding, maintenance, and better policies for New Jersey State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management Areas. https://www.fixourparksnj.org/join-the-campaign
2022-07-2942 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastThe Endangered Swamp Pink (and much more) - Emile DeVito - Ep 6Emile DeVito P.h.D Director of Conservation Science for the NJ Conservation Foundation leads us into a swamp on the outskirts of the Pinelands on a hunt for a population of endangered Swamp Pink (Hellonias bullata). We also discuss Crane Fly Orchid, spring migratory birds, and the nuances of public lands management and advocacy.
2022-04-2643 min
The Pillars of HammontonJason HowellJason does amazing work for the NJ Pinelands. He also advocates for some very serious issues that could affect the people of Hammonton.
2022-04-1151 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastHammonton Lake Water Quality - Emma Witt Ep5Associate Professor Emma Witt from Stockton University describes her work in monitoring the water quality at Hammonton Lake.
2022-03-1022 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastMain Street Revitalization in Hammonton - Cassie Iacovelli Ep4Cassie Iacovelli is the Director of Main Street Hammonton, a revitalization and marketing organization for the Town of Hammonton. In 1992, Hammonton made a decision to revitalize its Main Street and bring back small businesses and a sense of community to the Town. After 28 years, the program has been remarkably successful and Hammonton has become a model for towns across the area. We explore the advantages Hammonton has had in its effort and the hard work it took to get there. We also discussed the changing demographics of the town and the role the Pinelands have played in the life o...
2022-03-0829 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastConnecting with Underserved Communities - Ivette Guillermo-McGahee - Ep3This episode of the Pinelands Podcast features a discussion with Ivette Guillermo-McGahee. Ivette is the founder and CEO of Allies In Caring, Inc., a Hammonton-based nonprofit organization providing mental health counseling and educational services to Latino, deaf and other underserved populations. As a Mexican-born child of deaf parents, Guillermo-McGahee has a deep understanding of the abilities and strengths in people rather than their deficits or illnesses. Ivette is also on the Board of Trustees at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. Hosted by Jason HowellMusic - Chad Crouch - Algorithms
2021-10-2240 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastEthnic Archipelago - Mark Demitroff Ep2In this episode, we explore some of the cultural history, geography, and geology of the Pine Barrens with Stockton Adjunct Professor Mark Demitroff. Hosted by Jason HowellMusic - Chad Crouch - Algorithms
2021-09-2451 minThe Pine Barrens PodcastEnvironmental Education with Charles Johnson III - Ep 1Our guest is Charles Johnson III, the Education Director at Pinelands Adventures. We discuss youth environmental education, diversity and inclusion in environmental advocacy, and the progress that Charles wants to make in the spreading of knowledge about nature. Hosted by Jason HowellMusic - Chad Crouch - Algorithms
2021-09-0836 min