Shows
Outdoor Adventure SeriesCollecting Critical Field Data for Conservation with Adventure ScientistsCollecting Critical Field Data for Conservation with Adventure ScientistsWelcome to another exciting episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series! In today's episode, we sit down with Alison Ormsby, a distinguished forest specialist at Adventure Scientists. With a rich background in environmental studies and over 20 years of experience as a professor, Alison brings unparalleled expertise to our discussion.Adventure Scientists is on a mission to collect critical field data that drives conservation and climate solutions, engaging citizen scientists and volunteers in projects across the globe. From reforestation efforts in Montana and California...
2024-05-3035 min
Breaking Green CeilingsEP 64: The Power of Indigenous Storytelling (Pt2)In the second part of a two part series, we will continue talking about The Whale Child, a book written and illustrated by Indigenous authors Keith and Chenoa Egawa. Keith and Chenoa are siblings and enrolled members of the Lummi Indian Nation and of Japanese heritage. This book is a reminder of why we are here, why I am here, and why I am doing this work and this podcast. In the first part of the episode, we hear more about the role of magic in telling the story and about the inspiration for the bo...
2022-11-1542 minBreaking Green CeilingsEP 63: The Power of Indigenous Storytelling (Pt1)In this first episode of a two-part series, we will be talking about The Whale Child, a book written and illustrated by Indigenous authors Keith and Chenoa Egawa. Keith and Chenoa are siblings and enrolled members of the Lummi Indian Nation, and of Japanese heritage. Keith Egawa is a graduate of the University of Washington’s Creative Writing program and author of the novel Madchild Running. Keith’s extensive work experience in the fields of Child and Family Services and Indian Education Reform has provided him with both inspiration and insight into his subject matter.Cheno...
2022-11-0142 minBreaking Green CeilingsEP 62: Moving Resources to Benefit the Dreams of Environmentalists of ColorGrace Anderson (she/her) is a network weaver, strategist, and dreamer working at the intersection of race, healing and the environment. After working as a ranger in the outdoor industry for a decade, she became an independent environmental consultant. While working in the outdoor and environmental sector, she recognized a lack of people of color in that space, not only in leadership, but also in the program. Their stories have not been being told. She soon realized she did not want to spend her time educating white folks. Instead, she wanted to spend her time, resources and ene...
2022-10-181h 01Breaking Green CeilingsEP 61: Bringing Water Equity to AmericaDr. Sri has a really interesting story about how he found himself on a path into environmental conservation and eventually water equity after starting as a construction engineer. When I reached out to Sri he was the leader of the water program at the Environmental Policy Innovation Center. Since then, he took a new and exciting opportunity at the Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc., as the Director of Water Equity and Climate Resilience. Over the past several years, Sri’s work has addressed national water issues such as affordability, aging water infrastructure, extreme weather impacts, financing, and non-point source pollution.
2022-10-0451 minBreaking Green CeilingsEP 60: The Power of Faith in Environmentalism (PT2)This is the second episode of a two-part series with Afnan Khairullah and Sofia Gilani. Afnan and Sofia are volunteers with the Green Muslims organization that works to connect Muslims everywhere to nature and environmental activism. In this episode, Afnan and Sofia continue sharing about the role nature played in their life and how they are using their religion, Islam, to educate and connect fellow Muslims to nature. They also give some good examples of how to live responsibly and be good stewards of this planet. According to them, keeping it simple, especially during the holy month of...
2022-09-2031 minBreaking Green CeilingsEP 59: The Power of Faith in Environmentalism (PT1)In this first episode of a two part series, we will hear from Afnan Khairullah and Sofia Gilani, who are volunteers with Green Muslims. Green Muslims is an organization that works to connect Muslims everywhere to nature and environmental activism. Their mission is to serve as a source in the Muslim community for spiritually-inspired environmental education, action, and reflection. Afnan and Sofia share with us about the role nature played in their life and how they are using their religion, Islam, to educate and connect fellow Muslims to nature. They both see their religion closely connected to e...
2022-09-0642 min
Mission MegaphoneMission Megabite: Pezzy PetsThis week we are spotlighting Pezzy Pets, maker of high protein treats for your furry friends! Their mission is to work with small-scale fishermen in Mexico to turn the tide against the hated, invasive "devil fish" or armored catfish. They upcycle these invasive fish into healthy sustainable pet treats while improving the livelihoods in fishing communities where they work. The founder came into this work with the fisherman community at heart. Their employees earn over 40% more than the industry standard. Podcast recommendation: Breaking Green Ceilings spotlights passionate environmentalists we don’t often hear fr...
2022-08-1904 minBreaking Green CeilingsEP 57: Nadia Ahmad International Law & Climate JusticeNadia Ahmad is an author, attorney, law professor, and environmental justice advocate. She has spent her academic career focusing on frontline communities who are the most vulnerable to energy production.She is a Visiting Associate Professor at Yale Law School and an Associate Professor at Barry University School of Law. She teaches environmental law, property, and business organizations. She has presented her research on the law and policy of advanced biofuels in Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Cambridge, Doha, Denver, New York, and San Francisco. Her over 45 scholarly publications focus on the intersections of energy siting, the environment, and...
2021-12-1553 minBreaking Green CeilingsEP 57: Nadia Ahmad International Law & Climate JusticeNadia Ahmad is an author, attorney, law professor, and environmental justice advocate. She has spent her academic career focusing on frontline communities who are the most vulnerable to energy production.
She is a Visiting Associate Professor at Yale Law School and an Associate Professor at Barry University School of Law. She teaches environmental law, property, and business organizations. She has presented her research on the law and policy of advanced biofuels in Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Cambridge, Doha, Denver, New York, and San Francisco. Her over 45 scholarly publications focus on the intersections of energy siting, the environment, and sustainable development and...
2021-12-1553 minBreaking Green CeilingsInviting More Black Folks to the OutdoorsEarl B. Hunter, Jr is an unapologetic business owner of an outdoor recreational and marketing company that is committed to get more Black folks out in nature, and encourage white allies to extend invites on their outdoor excursions. Earl worked in the RV (recreational vehicle) industry as an executive for many years until he realized how people of color and particularly Black folks are rarely to be seen purchasing recreational equipment or even enjoying outdoor spaces like parks. So, he took matters into his own hands and he created Black Folks Camp Too, which is based on one simple s...
2021-11-3058 min
The Cool Jobs PodcastEpisode 20: Water Equity ManagerOur guest this week is Sapna Mulki, Water Equity Manager! In this episode we discuss how Sapna went from Kenyan immigrant to self employed consultant working to develop equitable access to water all across the United States and abroad.
Find out more about Sapna's work @sapnamulki on Twitter, https://watersavvysolutions.com/ or listen to her podcast "Breaking Green Ceilings" https://watersavvysolutions.com/podcast/
Enjoy!
2021-11-1842 minBreaking Green CeilingsBringing Back Bats From the Brink of ExtinctionEcologist Dr. Rodrigo Medellín is one of the most vocal and well-known advocates for the protection of bats and bat habitats. Rodrigo fell in love with bats when he held one for the first time at the age of 13 and today he is known as the “Bat Man of Mexico”.He is especially known for making significant contributions to taking the lesser long-nosed bat off the endangered list in Mexico and the U.S. The lesser long-nosed bat, found in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, is one of just three bat species in North Ameri...
2021-11-1656 minBreaking Green CeilingsRunning for Social and Environmental JusticeRocio Villalobos is from Austin, Texas. She's an avid trail runner who promotes mental health, having experienced her own challenges and finding a place to belong in nature. She runs to promote Indigenous values around running to heal the soul and healing one's relationship to the land and to raise awareness on the importance of increasing racial representation in the outdoors. She is also a mentor who helps connect young people to nature and themselves. In addition, she is also an environmental and social justice activist who is fighting to promote a healthy community in her East Austin neighborhood...
2021-11-021h 03Breaking Green CeilingsTackling Food Insecurity in the United KingdomOne would think that food insecurity doesn't exist in one of the richest countries in the world - United Kingdom. Deidre (Dee) Woods who currently lives in London sheds light on the stark disparities that exist in the community she serves. As a food and farming action-ist Dee advocates for good food for all and a just, equitable food system, challenging the systemic barriers that impact marginalized communities and food producers. Having experienced food insecurity herself, Dee found a way to organize community to increase food access and eventually co-founded a food bank in London. Through policy action and...
2021-09-2900 minBreaking Green CeilingsEp 53: Fighting for Food Sovereignty in Kenya and Uganda.In this episode we talk about the implications of free trade on African women especially from a food sovereignty perspective. Often free trade agreements are advertised to boost trade between countries, and ultimately encourage and strengthen economic growth in a geographic region. However, this is not the case, especially with African women farmers and small holder farmers who are the back bone of the agriculture sector on the continent. Susan Nacakwa and Leonida Odongo share their experiences of their work in Uganda and Kenya as it relates to helping empower small holder and women farmers to protect and preserve...
2021-09-155h 06Breaking Green CeilingsCollaborations in Environmental Justice Movements (Part 2)This is the second episode of a two part series with three wonderful changemakers - Laura Diaz, Samrat Pathania from Environmental Collective for Environmental Justice or EC-EJ and Isabel Lopez and Raizes Collective. This is yet another wonderfully informative and descriptive conversation with phenomenal environmental justice activists on what inspired them to create their own movements and how they are collaborating to help strengthen and empower their communities.
Topics Discussed:
The power of storytelling
Decolonizing educational curricula as a critical means to teaching environmental justice
The role of humility in environmental justice work
The appropriation of e...
2021-09-0739 minBreaking Green CeilingsCollaborations in Environmental Justice Movements (Part 1)
This is the first episode of a two part series with three wonderful changemakers - Laura Diaz, Samrat Pathania from Environmental Collective for Environmental Justice or EC-EJ and Isabel Lopez and Raizes Collective. This is yet another wonderfully informative and descriptive conversation with phenomenal environmental justice activists on what inspired them to create their own movements and how they are collaborating to help strengthen and empower their communities.
Topics Discussed:
How to teach Environmental Justice in the classroom
How to build stronger communities through artivism
Using data to demonstrate environmental racism
Follow Environmental C...
2021-09-0154 minBreaking Green CeilingsCollaborations in Environmental Justice Movements
This is the first episode of a two part series with three wonderful changemakers - Laura Diaz, Samrat Pathania from Environmental Collective for Environmental Justice or EC-EJ and Isabel Lopez and Raizes Collective. This is yet another wonderfully informative and descriptive conversation with phenomenal environmental justice activists on what inspired them to create their own movements and how they are collaborating to help strengthen and empower their communities.
Topics Discussed:
How to teach Environmental Justice in the classroom
How to build stronger communities through artivism
Using data to demonstrate environmental racism
Follow Environmental C...
2021-09-0154 minBreaking Green CeilingsDecolonizing the Flower
A queer farmer of color, Edgar Xochitl is the Farm Manager at Hummingbird Farm a collective farm in the Excelsior, San Francisco. Edgar focuses on cross-polinating traditional ecological knowledge.
In this episode we talk about:
What is Queer Ecology?
What does it mean to decolonize the flower?
How to apply principles of queer ecology
How to challenges the gender binary mindset?
Follow Edgar:
IG - @ecoxicano
Twitter: @ecoxicano
Watch/Learn More:
YouTube - Breaking Green Ceilings Podcast
IG - @breaking_green_ceilings
Website: breakinggreenceilings.com
2021-08-201h 10Breaking Green CeilingsEP 50: Incorporating Social Sciences into Conservation
Why is modern conservation failing? And what can we do to improve its effectiveness?
As a social research consultant, Leander Lacy notes that traditional approaches are fragmented, not adequately considering the social dimensions of environmental issues. His transformative solutions— rooted in empiricism and critical Human-Nature connectedness, help conservation groups and eco-minded businesses achieve optimal outcomes from conservation action: business growth, stronger community relationships, stakeholder engagement, and increased JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion).
In this episode we talk about:
On the “selfless” nature of Environmental Preservation
On applying Social Science perspectives to address...
2021-08-031h 01Breaking Green CeilingsUncovering the Innovative Genius that Resides in NatureBilly Almon is an Astrobiofuturist. Billy helps people explore solutions to improve human experiences on earth and in space. He is an inventor and immersive storyteller who aims to reach the next generation of inventors, designers, scientists and engineers – showing them how to design the future they wish to see. Billy is also the co-host of Little Giants, a new TV series on Animal Planet that features some of his global explorations of the nature-inspired design process called Biomimicry.
In this episode we talk about:
What is biomimicry
How can biomimcry be used to reduce human im...
2021-07-201h 02Breaking Green CeilingsArt for Environmental ChangeBenjamin Von Wong is an award-winning Canadian who's work lies at the intersection of fantasy and photography and combines everyday objects with shocking statistics. It has attracted the attention of corporations, like Starbucks, Dell, and Nike and has generated over 100 million views for causes like ocean plastics, electronic waste, and fashion pollution. Most recently, he was named one of Adweek's 11 content branded masterminds.
In this episode Ben talks about some of his conceptual photography projects where he tried to communicate the shocking impacts of pollution such as Strawpocalypse: a 10-ft sculpture made from 168,000 reclaimed straws to spotlight plas...
2021-07-0600 minBreaking Green CeilingsSeason 3 Launch!We're back! Here are some highlights:
Video for season 2 and season 3 episodes are on our youtube page - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdv_elfXXh0fbb_s6QYLZHg
Still sticking to an every other week schedule
First episode comes out on July 6th so lookout!
Let's connect!:
IG - @breaking_green_ceilings
Website: breakinggreenceilings.com
2021-06-2904 minBreaking Green CeilingsEP 47: Water Affordability and Equity in AmericaStacey Isaac Berahzer, founder of IB Environmental, has spent more than 16 years in the environmental field, most of it immersed in water resource management as a senior project director with the Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. As a passionate proponent of clean, affordable water who is deeply connected to work in the water industry, she’s helps her clients overcome the constant challenges related to funding and managing these projects. Stacey’s passion for environmental work led her to earn a degree in Environmental Science from North Carolina Central University and a Maste...
2021-03-2450 minBreaking Green CeilingsInvestigating the Illicit Vulture Trade in NigeriaStephen Awoyemi is a PhD student at the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy. For his PhD research, he looks at how sociological theories can help explain and solve the conservation problem of trade in vulture parts for traditional medicine in Nigeria. He holds an MPhil degree in Conservation Leadership (2014) from the University of Cambridge, UK and Bachelors degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Before starting this PhD program, Stephen worked with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, the foremost conservation organization in Nigeria as Conservation Policy and Campaign Officer/Head of Abuja Office and has been a...
2021-03-1657 minBreaking Green CeilingsMaking Space for Climate Justice and Clean Energy (RERUN)Raya Salter is an attorney, educator and clean energy law/policy expert, focusing on climate justice. She is a member of the New York State Climate Action Council, which is developing NY’s plan to reach the nation’s leading climate action goals, and a policy organizer with the NY Renews environmental and climate justice coalition.
Raya is an experienced advocate, having practiced energy law and regulation in multiple jurisdictions, including New York and Hawaii. In prior roles she was a Senior Attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council and a Regulatory Attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund...
2021-03-0954 minBreaking Green CeilingsIndigenous EnvironmentalismDeondre Smiles is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Geography and is a citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. His research interests include Indigenous geographies, science and technology studies, and tribal cultural resource protection/preservation. His current dissertation research focuses on historical and contemporary disrespect and disturbances of deceased Indigenous bodies and Indigenous burial grounds in his home state of Minnesota.
Deondre is also teaching a course this spring on indigenous environmental activism at The Ohio State University, which we talk about in-depth in this 44th episode of the Breaking Green C...
2021-03-021h 02Breaking Green CeilingsDiving With a Purpose
Weldon Wade was born and raised in Bermuda and has been active in the Bermuda diving community for over 10 years. The first and only Bermudian certified as freediver/scuba diver/closed-circuit rebreather diver, Weldon is also the founder of an ocean conservation organization called Guardians of the Reef. With important missions that include inviting new divers to explore and protect the ocean, encouraging divers to continue diving, they empower more young Bermudians to see for themselves what lies beneath the waves. Ocean protection is at the core of Guardians, with hunting invasives and removing plastic pollution from...
2021-02-2355 minBreaking Green CeilingsDiving With a Purpose
Weldon Wade was born and raised in Bermuda and has been active in the Bermuda diving community for over 10 years. The first and only Bermudian certified as freediver/scuba diver/closed-circuit rebreather diver, Weldon is also the founder of an ocean conservation organization called Guardians of the Reef. With important missions that include inviting new divers to explore and protect the ocean, encouraging divers to continue diving, they empower more young Bermudians to see for themselves what lies beneath the waves. Ocean protection is at the core of Guardians, with hunting invasives and removing plastic pollution from...
2021-02-2355 min
Wannabe GreenerSolving Our Water Problem with Sapna MulkiGrowing up in Kenya Sapna Mulki was forced to appreciate the importance of water, which was often very scarce, but was surprised to learn others take it for granted.Globally more than a billion people are currently living without enough clean safe water.Sapna, a water consultant & host of the podcast Breaking Green Ceilings, is trying to change that by promoting a better understanding of the value of earth's most precious and vulnerable resource.She explains the problems with the world's water systems, which leave whole communities, in even the richest countries such...
2021-02-181h 01Breaking Green CeilingsGrassroots Action in River Protection (RERUN)This is a re-release of an episode from Feb 2020 season 1 of the podcast. This episode is with the only African American River Keeper in the world, Fred Tutman. Fred is the river for the Patuxent River in Maryland, a north eastern state in the US. This episode is especially meaningful for me because it was the first time I gained the perspective of an elder in the environmental justice movement. Fred’s words still echo in my thoughts because I learned about how segregated the environmental movement is and the challenges that Black and Brown communities face especially when co...
2021-02-1651 minBreaking Green CeilingsGrassroots Action in River Protection (RERUN)This is a re-release of an episode from Feb 2020 season 1 of the podcast. This episode is with the only African American River Keeper in the world, Fred Tutman. Fred is the river for the Patuxent River in Maryland, a north eastern state in the US. This episode is especially meaningful for me because it was the first time I gained the perspective of an elder in the environmental justice movement. Fred’s words still echo in my thoughts because I learned about how segregated the environmental movement is and the challenges that Black and Brown communities face especially when co...
2021-02-1651 minBreaking Green CeilingsRERUN- Grassroots Action in River ProtectionThis is a re-release of an episode from Feb 2020 season 1 of the podcast. This episode is with the only African American River Keeper in the world, Fred Tutman. Fred is the river for the Patuxent River in Maryland, a north eastern state in the US. This episode is especially meaningful for me because it was the first time I gained the perspective of an elder in the environmental justice movement. Fred’s words still echo in my thoughts because I learned about how segregated the environmental movement is and the challenges that Black and Brown communities face especially when co...
2021-02-1651 minBreaking Green CeilingsFinding Black Joy: Black Women in Nature
Nicole Jackson, Ivory Levert and Angela Mitchell are co-creators of Black Women in Nature (BWN), an initiative to connect Black women with nature through meditation, nature, hiking, and reflection in Columbus, Ohio. Nicole is an environmental educator and co-organizer for Black in National Parks Week and Black Birder’s Week. Ivory Levert is a certified yoga guide and leads the meditation and mindfulness segments of the BWN sessions. Angela Mitchell is a professional athlete and health and wellness enthusiast who guides the discussions on the importance of holistic living in the BWN sessions. Together these women are he...
2021-02-091h 04Breaking Green CeilingsFinding Black Joy: Black Women in Nature
Nicole Jackson, Ivory Levert and Angela Mitchell are co-creators of Black Women in Nature (BWN), an initiative to connect Black women with nature through meditation, nature, hiking, and reflection in Columbus, Ohio. Nicole is an environmental educator and co-organizer for Black in National Parks Week and Black Birder’s Week. Ivory Levert is a certified yoga guide and leads the meditation and mindfulness segments of the BWN sessions. Angela Mitchell is a professional athlete and health and wellness enthusiast who guides the discussions on the importance of holistic living in the BWN sessions. Together these women are he...
2021-02-091h 04Breaking Green CeilingsFinding Black Joy: Black Women in Nature
Nicole Jackson, Ivory Levert and Angela Mitchell are co-creators of Black Women in Nature (BWN), an initiative to connect Black women with nature through meditation, nature, hiking, and reflection in Columbus, Ohio. Nicole is an environmental educator and co-organizer for Black in National Parks Week and Black Birder’s Week. Ivory Levert is a certified yoga guide and leads the meditation and mindfulness segments of the BWN sessions. Angela Mitchell is a professional athlete and health and wellness enthusiast who guides the discussions on the importance of holistic living in the BWN sessions. Together these women are he...
2021-02-091h 04Breaking Green CeilingsWe're Back for Season 2!Hey All! Season 2 is here! I can’t believe that we made it this far. Season 1 was exhilarating and hectic at the same time. We had 40 episodes in 9 months. At that time I didn't think to take a break for various reasons, I was exhilarated by all the amazing guests I found and their stories. I also wanted to get the hang of podcasting and it was new, fun and exciting to me so I just kept going. That said, we are not going to do a repeat of that.
This year, I am breaking down the se...
2021-02-0908 minBreaking Green CeilingsWe're Back for Season 2!Hey All! Season 2 is here! I can’t believe that we made it this far. Season 1 was exhilarating and hectic at the same time. We had 40 episodes in 9 months. At that time I didn't think to take a break for various reasons, I was exhilarated by all the amazing guests I found and their stories. I also wanted to get the hang of podcasting and it was new, fun and exciting to me so I just kept going. That said, we are not going to do a repeat of that.
This year, I am breaking down the se...
2021-02-0908 minBreaking Green CeilingsBringing Back Buffalo to Native Lands and PeoplesJason Baldes is a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe from the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Land Resource Sciences from Montana State University. Jason's interests have led to work and travel with Indigenous peoples in East Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, Russia, and Denmark. Much of his work has been surrounding the restoration of bison to the Wind River Indian Reservation. Jason currently serves as the Eastern Shoshone Tribal Buffalo Representative, and Tribal Buffalo Coordinator for the Tribal Partnerships Program of the National Wildlife Federation. Jason provides workshops and learning...
2020-11-241h 06Breaking Green CeilingsBringing Back Buffalo to Native Lands and Peoples.Jason Baldes is a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe from the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Land Resource Sciences from Montana State University. Jason's interests have led to work and travel with Indigenous peoples in East Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, Russia, and Denmark. Much of his work has been surrounding the restoration of bison to the Wind River Indian Reservation. Jason currently serves as the Eastern Shoshone Tribal Buffalo Representative, and Tribal Buffalo Coordinator for the Tribal Partnerships Program of the National Wildlife Federation. Jason provides workshops and learning...
2020-11-241h 07Breaking Green CeilingsLending a Voice to Disability Justice and an Outdoors For AllAmbika Rajyagor is a 24 year old Indian-American Outdoor/Adventure Blogger, Special Needs Advocate, and Activist. She is also the cofounder of DisablednOutdoors an online BIPOC-run community focused on representation and accessibility in the outdoors, wants to ensure that these efforts are intersectional, too—especially after nearly four years of policies that worked against Americans with disabilities. As someone who goes outdoors to look within, she can’t stand silent knowing that there is no real “outdoors for all” experience when racism and ableism exists. Most of Ambika's work in both her personal and professional life has been motivated by her bigge...
2020-11-171h 06Breaking Green CeilingsRecreating in Color: Promoting Ethnic Diversity in Public LandsFrancisco, recently retired from his position as the director of recreation tourism, heritage and wilderness resources for more than 22 million acres of national forests and grasslands and national monuments in the Forest Service’s Southwestern Region. He served at the U.S. Forest service for more than 35 years. Valenzuela helped guide the development of over $500 million in infrastructure at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. It is the largest comprehensively planned investment in recreation infrastructure and services in Forest Service history. Francisco has contributed creating a sustainable relationship between human communities and the rest of the living world aro...
2020-11-101h 12Breaking Green CeilingsInvestigating Gender Dimensions of Wildmeat TraffickingAalayna Green (she/her) is an undergraduate student at Michigan State University majoring in Zoology. Her research focuses on the nexus between conservation criminology and women's studies. She's specifically studying the gendered implications of urban wildmeat trafficking in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A self-proclaimed intersectional conservationist, Aalayna has plans to attend graduate school and focus on wildlife conservation, community sustainability, and women's empowerment.
See Show Notes - https://watersavvysolutions.com/trafficking
Topics Discussed:
Navigating Through Academia as an Undergraduate
Women in wildlife trafficking in Africa
Conservation Criminology
And more!
Follow Breaking Green Ce...
2020-11-0352 minBreaking Green CeilingsUnderstanding and Connecting to Nature Through ArtDr. Lee Ann Woolery, is an educator, researcher, scholar, and practicing artist of over 30 years. She pioneered Art-Based Perceptual Ecology, an art-based field research method to study ecological change. Dr. Woolery has accomplished a diverse array of actions varying from designing and facilitating arts programming for communities, schools, etc., to working with multicultural and intergenerational constituencies in several states, to developing a multi-disciplined community-based creative arts and mentorship program for inner-city youth of color in Chicago. She is currently the CEO and Research Director for EcoArt Expeditions and Citizen Artist, where she leads field research employing art-based research methods...
2020-10-271h 01Breaking Green CeilingsNinjasticking Through the Woods to Bring Intersectionality to the OutdoorsVasu Sojitra is a professional adaptive athlete. His main passion is for skiing as well as for mountain sports ranging from trail running, rock climbing to packrafting and everything in between. Vasu has climbed peaks like the Grand Teton and climbed and skied peaks in Montana’s Beartooth and Bridger mountain ranges. When Vasu was only nine months old, he was diagnosed with septicemia, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. Since then, Vasu has not looked back; with the help of his parents, brother, and friends, Vasu has built up the confidence needed to face new ch...
2020-10-2054 minBreaking Green CeilingsEP 35:Ninjasticking Through the Woods to Bring Intersectionality to the OutdoorsVasu Sojitra is a professional adaptive athlete. His main passion is for skiing as well as for mountain sports ranging from trail running, rock climbing to packrafting and everything in between. Vasu has climbed peaks like the Grand Teton and climbed and skied peaks in Montana’s Beartooth and Bridger mountain ranges. When Vasu was only nine months old, he was diagnosed with septicemia, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. Since then, Vasu has not looked back; with the help of his parents, brother, and friends, Vasu has built up the confidence needed to face new ch...
2020-10-2054 minBreaking Green CeilingsBuilding a Successful Career in the Marine SciencesDr. Dominique Lazarre has been an Associate Research Scientist at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in Saint Petersburg, Florida, since 2017. At FWRI, she leads a data management team that provides fisheries data to state and regional partners for stock assessments. Dominique also has experience working in academia: she is currently an adjunct professor for the Department of Biological Sciences at University of South Florida Saint Petersburg and was previously a visiting professor in Environmental Studies at Eckerd College. She completed her doctorate in Marine Biology and Fisheries at the University of Miami, where her dissertation focused on the dynamics of invasiv...
2020-10-141h 03Breaking Green CeilingsBuilding a Successful Career in the Marine SciencesDr. Dominique Lazarre has been an Associate Research Scientist at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in Saint Petersburg, Florida, since 2017. At FWRI, she leads a data management team that provides fisheries data to state and regional partners for stock assessments. Dominique also has experience working in academia: she is currently an adjunct professor for the Department of Biological Sciences at University of South Florida Saint Petersburg and was previously a visiting professor in Environmental Studies at Eckerd College. She completed her doctorate in Marine Biology and Fisheries at the University of Miami, where her dissertation focused on the dynamics of invasiv...
2020-10-131h 03Breaking Green CeilingsCreating Inclusive Spaces in the Water Industry – One Queer Professional’s ExperienceAri Copeland works at Black & Veatch Corporation as an Operations Specialist. Ari has a BS in Civil Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Masters in Environmental Engineering from University of Cincinnati. Ari has been a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and has been in the water and wastewater industry for 16 years. Ari is a queer, transgender man who transitioned on the job in 2011. Ari is passionate about inclusion efforts within the water industry and all aspects of life. Ari is a member of the AWWA Diversity and Membership Inclusion Committee and the current Chair of Black & Veatch’s Pri...
2020-10-061h 12Breaking Green CeilingsFinding Your Spiritual Connection to Mother NatureRabiah Nur is an Indigenous healer, activist, storyteller, speaker, ceremonialist and daughter of the Great Mother. Her work in the world is to heal and empower women through connection to nature, to spirit, and to their innate wisdom. She works to facilitate a rebirth of a new and healthy society where women are valued, empowered, whole and are held as the sacred beings that they are. If women are unhealthy, the whole society is unhealthy.Currently, Rabiah consults with and teaches at conferences, gatherings, schools, religious organizations, and retreat centers to offer Earth-based spiritual teachings, grounding energetic work, collective...
2020-09-291h 00Breaking Green CeilingsOn the Miseducation of Our YouthDr. Diego Román is an Assistant Professor in Bilingual/Bicultural Education at the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Fall 2019). Prior to this appointment, he was an Assistant Professor in Teaching and Learning at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Román holds a B.S. degree in Agronomy from Zamorano University in Honduras and a M.S. degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He earned a M.S. degree in Biology, a M.A. in Linguistics, and a Ph.D. degree in Educational Linguistics, all from Stanford University. Dr...
2020-09-221h 08Breaking Green CeilingsThe Role of Race and Racism in the Environmental MovementSarika is a first generation Indian-American, who grew up in the suburbs of Rochester NY. Her family comes from the foothills of Himachal Pradesh. Sarika was deeply influenced and inspired by the East Bay Area’s rich activist traditions while studying at the University of California at Berkeley, where she earned dual degrees in Peace and Conflict Studies and Conservation and Resource Studies. Before returning to graduate school, she worked for several years with her partner to build Restorative Formulations, a socially and environmentally responsible natural medicine company. She was able to pursue her twin interests in social and en...
2020-09-1553 minBreaking Green CeilingsBeing an Ally for Environmental JusticeAndrew Kricun is a Senior Director with Moonshot Missions, a non-profit focused on providing technical assistance to water utilities in underserved communities. He is also a Senior Fellow with the US Water Alliance working on their national water equity initiative. He is also working as a Senior Advisor at the Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania on various projects related to the Delaware River watershed. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director and Chief Engineer of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, operators of an 80 million gallon per day wastewater treatment plant in Camden, NJ. He has 35 years of w...
2020-09-0800 minBreaking Green CeilingsHow to Diversify Environmental OrganizationsWhitney Tome is the former Executive Director of Green 2.0. Prior to joining The Raben Group as a principal, Whitney served as the director of diversity and inclusion at the National Parks Conservation Association where she led, defined, and crafted metrics and measures for the organization’s diversity and inclusion efforts. Whitney has advised complex ocean stakeholder processes as a Program Manager and Mediator at the Meridian Institute including facilitating public meetings for regional ocean planning bodies that included state, federal and tribal partners. At Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Whitney served as a strategist, cat herder and trusted advisor in do...
2020-09-0157 minBreaking Green CeilingsActivating Communities to Cleanup New York CityAlyssa Perez is many things but among the most important are a mother, an environmentalist, and the founder of Stay Blooming. She's a Puerto Rican and has lived in the Bronx, New York her entire life. She has had a passion for our natural world since young and found herself wanting to protect these spaces over the years. Environmental awareness, education, and stewardship encompass much of her professional and personal lives. Stay Blooming reflects these values. She has also worked with Queens Botanical Garden as a Farm & Compost Intern and with GrowNYC as a Compost Coordinator. Alyssa recently graduated w...
2020-08-2541 minBreaking Green CeilingsA Day in the Life of an Interpretive NaturalistJeremy Lin is an interpretive naturalist for California State Parks. Based at Donner Memorial SP, Jeremy is the lead interpreter for several parks in Sierra District. As lead interpreter Jeremy manages several park programs including nature education, docent volunteers, and infrastructural and long-range planning. Jeremy has been involved in creating a number of park programs to increase public engagement – California State Parks Backpacking Adventures (CASPBA) program, Wilderness Patrol volunteer program. Jeremy has also managed all interpretive programs Rancho del Oso – Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Programs include recruiting/facilitating low income communities/schools for field trips. Previously, Jeremy worked as a p...
2020-08-181h 05Breaking Green CeilingsReclaiming Indigenous Rights to Food SovereigntyDr. Mariaelena Huambachano, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Society and Community Studies and Director of Biodiversity Protection and Indigeneity at UW, Madison. Dr. Huambachano’s work explores public policies for food sovereignty, social movements, sustainable development, and the role of Indigenous knowledge to improve food security and environmental policies. Dr. Huambachano utilises a novel theoretical approach by using the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) theory and rights-based approaches to food security complemented with community-based participatory research. To give voice to and recognize unique knowledge systems, she developed the ‘Khipu Model,’ an Indigenous research-based framework, which she uses i...
2020-08-0453 minBreaking Green CeilingsEP 24: Bringing Fire Back to the Karuk TribeBill Tripp is a Karuk Tribal Member and Interim Director of the Karuk Tribe Department of Natural Resources. He began learning how to work with fire from the age of four from his Grandmother. His work to restore fire into the hands of Karuk People through an integrated Traditional Ecological Knowledge and western science framework has been instrumental in shaping state and federal policy changes in regards to prescribed fire.
Show Notes
Topics Discussed:
Ecological Importance of Cultural Burns
History of Cultural Burns in the U.S. and Globally
Importance of Fire to the K...
2020-07-2854 minBreaking Green CeilingsMaking the Outdoors Accessible to Disabled HikersSyren Nagakyrie (they/she) is a long-time disabled activist and community builder who is passionate about liberation through connection. Syren grew up with multiple invisible disabilities; they found connection with nature to be a source of comfort in times of social isolation. Syren is the founder of Disabled Hikers, (www.disabledhikers.com), an organization providing resources, events, and advocacy. Syren is a freelance writer, consultant, and presenter. They are the author of The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Western Washington and Oregon: outdoor adventures accessible by car, wheelchair, and foot, to be published by FalconGuides. Syren currently resides on trad...
2020-07-2151 minBreaking Green CeilingsStories From an Ecologist and Aspiring HunterDr. Jonathan Hall is a wildlife ecologist by training with a broad interest in wildlife conservation, human/wildlife interaction, environmental justice, and species movement ecology. Much of his research experience is in the semi-arid environment of Western Rajasthan, India, focusing on the ecological and cultural relationships that exist between human populations and vultures. In addition to research in India he is also interested in understanding landscape and other environmental dynamics involving the recovery and range expansion of California Condors. The primary goal of his research is to develop comprehensive conservation strategies for non-human species that accounts for and incorporates...
2020-07-141h 21Breaking Green CeilingsFinding a Place to BelongBelinda’s environmental journey began when she was growing up in New York. As the first-born child of immigrant parents from south east China, Belinda found herself caught between two worlds. As a young child, she faced discrimination from white peers who saw her as “other” and faced the pressure of her parents’ desire to pursue a “respectable” and economically beneficial career path.
To find solace from the pressure and the discrimination, Belinda would seek out the peacefulness of the wooded parks in her neighborhood to “cut down on the voices” in her head so she could hear her own tho...
2020-07-0750 minBreaking Green CeilingsOn Being a Black Feminist Environmental EthnographerTraveling from New Jersey to North Carolina, Frances was able to experience urban city living as well as life in a rural area surrounded by hog farms. Through that, she and her family remained tight knit as her mother inspired her from all angles. With the house matriarch as a teacher and enthusiastic environmentalist, Frances was able to get the support she needed to obtain a BA in Sociology & Anthropology, Environmental Studies & Science Minor, from Spelman College, and currently working on a PhD in Society & Environment at UC Berkeley.
With her degree, she has charged into the...
2020-06-301h 08Breaking Green CeilingsGoing Rogue: Life After Being an LGBTQ Environmental EducatorGrowing up in Ohio, Katie spent a lot of her childhood outside during the summer months. She spent a year at her grandmother’s house where she immersed herself in nature. Katie was able to take her love and interest for animals and nature into a career. While in attendance at Ohio University, she created her own bachelor’s special studies degree which she used to conduct research around snakes and then salamanders in Kentucky. After graduating, she worked at the OSU Stone Lab as a maintenance crew worker and has also gained experience in working for the National Park...
2020-06-231h 02Breaking Green CeilingsUnearthing the Lives of the Enslaved AfricansDr. Justin Dunnavant always had a passion for history and it was only after a study abroad trip to a Mayan site in a rainforest in Belize did he discover his love for archaeology. During that trip he realized that a lot of early history books are written from an archaeological perspective but that balck, indigenous, and people of color were not doing the work. And so, he saw it as an opportunity to bring his background and unique experiences to make a contribution to a profession that lacks racial representation.
Upon his return...
2020-06-0252 minBreaking Green CeilingsSecuring a Future for Lions in KenyaDr. Shivani Bhalla is a fourth generation Kenyan Indian who grew up going on safaris with her family, which nurtured her obsessionwith wildlife. Her passion has always been big cats, in particular, Cheetahs. When Dr. Bhalla moved to Samburu to research cheetahs for her master’s project. But she never saw any cheetahs. Instead, she saw lions that tended to be solitary or in pairs, which piqued her interest because she was only familiar with seeing lions in large prides as a child.
Dr. Bhalla was soon curious to learn more about the lion population and decided to...
2020-05-2637 minBreaking Green CeilingsBeing a Voice for Forests in KenyaJourney
Dr. Dr. Walubengo Walubengo is a Kenyan Forest/Natural Resources and Environment Management Specialist with experience in institutional capacity building, project planning, monitoring, evaluation and analysis, and engineering. With an emphasis on managing forests of Kenya, Dr. Walubengo has made huge strides in the realm of forestry, from establishing small, neighborhood forests through individual tree planting, to teaching local communities the importance of forests and empowering them to planting some of their own.
Forests in Kenya
The Forest Sector is key to Kenya’s social and economic wellbeing. The Sector contributes about Ke...
2020-05-1946 minBreaking Green CeilingsFighting Vulture Poisoning in KenyaAlthough still early in her environmental career, Valerie Nasoita is already making a large impact in conservation efforts towards vultures in Kenya. Originating from the Maasai tribe, Valerie is currently working hands-on as a Vulture Liaison Officer for The Peregrine Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to the global conservation of birds of prey.
In many parts of Africa, only 1-2% of previously abundant vulture populations remain today. This is a result of many agricultural producers poisoning the vultures, in hopes to deter them from their livestock. Unfortunately, this has proven ineffective in preventing predation upon the livestock...
2020-05-1255 minBreaking Green CeilingsEmpowering Youth to Become Advocates for their EnvironmentSam Dindi has been working in the field of environment conservation for eight years now. As the co-founder of Mazingira Yetu, Sam is engaged in:
Environment education and communication
Community mobilization and training
Ecosystem restoration
Trained in sustainability development, tourism and wildlife management, Sam was awarded the Head of States Commendation (HSC) by the Government of Kenya for his exemplary service to the Republic of Kenya. He also received the IUCN-CEC award for his efforts in educating the public on environment conservation and sustainability development. Sam enjoys nature walks, bird watching and travelling.
Youth Education...
2020-05-0537 minBreaking Green CeilingsDefining Your Own Environmental ActivismKristy Drutman is Jewish Filipino American environmental media host, activist, independent consultant and digital media strategist who created the podcast and media series known as Brown Girl Green.
Forging her own path through the careers within environmentalism, Kristy is passionate about working at the intersections between media, diversity, and environmentalism and has used that passion to speak in front of thousands about the current climate crisis, facilitate workshops, and work with youth from around the world to create collaborative, intersectional online media with the goal of creating conscious, culturally relevant content.
Environmental Communication
...
2020-04-2844 minBreaking Green CeilingsGetting People to Care About the EnvironmentAriel Maldonado is a hispanic artist and environmental social media influencer/strategist with nearly 50K followers on instagram. Standing as an example that one does not have to have a nature-oriented childhood or education to become an environmentalist, Ariel did not post her first image on gogreensavegreen until the spring she graduated from college. With a newly developed interest in making budget-friendly environmental choices, she was able to use her lifelong passion of sharing information with people around her to find her place in the environmental movement.
A Gateway Into Caring
Men often apply to...
2020-04-2142 minBreaking Green CeilingsMaking Space for Queer People of Color in the Environmental MovementIsaias Hernandez is the founder of the instagram page Queer Brown Vegan, and co-creator of Alluvia Magazine, a “publication highlighting the intersections of decolonized environmentalism through media”. Through his Instagram, Isaias educates his audience about the collegiate jargon associated with environmental topics related to climate change mitigation such as veganism, zero-waste, and environmental justice.
His environmental narrative was influenced by his experience of growing up in a low income community in California, which was predominantly black and brown. Lack of access to clean air and drinking water and green spaces made him realize later (in college) that his...
2020-04-1443 minBreaking Green CeilingsThere's Something In The WaterAuthor of the book There is Something in the Water, Dr. Ingrid Waldron is a powerhouse of a community activist and researcher. Using community based participatory research (CBPR) to examine environmental racism in Nova Scotia, Dr. Waldron took on the ENRICH Project in 2012. At first Dr. Waldron was hesitant as she didn’t know much about environmental racism. However, later on she realized that her research in “social, economic, and political inequalities that shape health outcomes in Indigenous, Blakc, and other racialized communities” could make a significant contribution to understanding the health inequalities in Nova Scotia.
It was on...
2020-04-071h 32Breaking Green CeilingsThe Power of Indigenous Youth Environmental MovementsMichael has developed a love for the world through many years of exploring Mother Earth’s beauty, respecting her gifts, and interacting with cultures across the globe. Hailing from the Southwest, Michael’s family is from both the Navajo reservation in northeast Arizona and also northern Colorado. Michael identifies as Dine’ or Navajo and describes himself as an “Urban Indian”, Michael spent all his vacations on the reservation with his grandmother, aunts, and other close family members. This changed after he graduated high school.
Out of high school, Michael moved to Ithaca, New York to attend Cornell University...
2020-03-311h 15Breaking Green Ceilings29 years of Insights at California State ParksJack Shu worked for California State Parks for 29 years, mostly as a Park Superintendent. With a great deal of time spent in the Office of Community Involvement, a unique section called Urban Services gave him insight into the value of outdoor recreation and education.
“The kind of recreation, like hiking and backpacking, was just one part of the bigger picture of what recreation could provide. It was important for me to learn that and to realize that wilderness and outdoor recreation and the benefits of that, are individualized. Some people will get more out of playing team sp...
2020-03-241h 00Breaking Green CeilingsMaking Space for Energy and Climate JusticeRaya Salter is an attorney, educator and clean energy law/policy expert, focusing on climate justice. She is a member of the New York State Climate Action Council, which is developing NY’s plan to reach the nation’s leading climate action goals, and a policy organizer with the NY Renews environmental and climate justice coalition.
Raya is an experienced advocate, having practiced energy law and regulation in multiple jurisdictions, including New York and Hawaii. In prior roles she was a Senior Attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council and a Regulatory Attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund...
2020-03-1754 minBreaking Green CeilingsThe Value of Diversity, Equity and InclusionParker McMullen Bushman is the Vice President of Community Engagement, Education, and Inclusion at Butterfly Pavilion in Denver, Colorado, where she educates the public on invertebrates and their cultural and environmental importance. Bushman is also the founder of EcoInclusion, “an organization committed to creating healthy and diverse organizational and community ecosystems”.
As a woman of color in working in the environmental sector, Bushman noticed that she was often the only one of her kind in the room and that other white American peers would look to her to lead the charge in diversity. Eventually she was able to f...
2020-03-1059 minBreaking Green CeilingsPromoting Diverse Environmental Nonprofit BoardsWhy does once Marine Biologist, Dr. Francisco "Paco" Ollervides, transition from researching the impacts of boat noise on gray whale behavior, to become an Executive Director of Green Leadership Trust?
The relationship I had with everyday people while I was collecting this info, the fisherman, the boat captains, and so I saw I was more interested in relating to the everyday person and sharing our knowledge of what we were learning about the whales, instead of writing papers and scientific journals with my findings.
Often times, scientific research is highly technical and requires high subscription...
2020-03-0351 minBreaking Green CeilingsGrassroots Action in River ProtectionFred Tutman wanted to make a difference in the world and working in media for over three decades didn’t often feel like he was. He finally found his calling as the Patuxent Riverkeeper - a grassroots movement dedicated to empowering local communities in the watershed with knowledge and tools to protect the Patuxent River in Maryland, USA.
Through his experiences as an activist and passionate voice for the protection of the Patuxent River, Fred shares an overarching theme he has observed in his journey; people of color who are mostly involved in grassroots movements are invisible to...
2020-02-2550 minBreaking Green CeilingsBuilding Smart Environmental Research CollaborationsWhat is Human Ecology? What are Sacred Forests? How can we lessen our carbon footprint without becoming overwhelmed? All of this, and much more, is discussed with University of North Carolina, Asheville Professor, Researcher, and Human Ecologist, Alison Ormsby.
Sacred Forests are Dr. Ormsby’s research focus, with publications linked below. These Forests are found in many cultures across the world, serving various purposes, spiritual and otherwise, and tend to be locations for shrines, meditation, and other ritualistic matters; One example being female circumcision, also described as female genital mutilation. Practiced in various African, Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures, th...
2020-02-1850 minBreaking Green CeilingsA Journey Through Academia as a Woman of ColorWith an emphasis on race inclusivity and environmental education in this episode, Dr. Olivia Aguilar is interviewed about her research and personal experiences in the field of environmental academia as a woman of color. Powerful insight is shared between these women as they tackle the topic of mentors, stereotypes, research, and advice.
Growing up with little guidance on navigating college, Aguilar had to carve her own path into the world of academia, where people of color often face a multitude of stereotypes and discrimination. For example, professors of color, specifically women, endure much harsher criticisms in academia...
2020-02-1847 minBreaking Green CeilingsWater Affordability and Equity in AmericaWhen asked what advice she has on being a woman of color in a predominantly white business environment, environmental consultant and CEO of her own water consultation firm, Stacey Isaac Berahzer answered:
“I like to say that sometimes it's good to not notice that you're a woman, or of color, and pretend that it is not there. The room may be mainly Caucasian, or male, or people older than you, but I think there is an advantage sometimes to pushing all of that to the back of your mind and pretend it’s a level playing field.”
2020-02-1850 minBreaking Green CeilingsIntro EpisodeIn this introduction I share a little bit about myself and why I started the podcast. I’m excited about this new journey that I’m about to embark on because I really think it will help make the environmental movement more inclusive. Throughout this process I have been humbled by the experiences, wisdom, and knowledge that our eco-warriors have willingly shared. It has been an honor and a privilege. I am learning so much and I feel like it is helping me be a better person and professional. I hope you feel the same way too as you join...
2020-02-0303 min