Redefining Conservation

Redefining Conservation: Reflections

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Hosts Nyalat Biliew, Matthew Cannon, and Philip Mathieu return to the studio to reflect on what we learned in the first season of Redefining Conservation, how the podcast has already sparked conversations with other partners, and how you can take action to further the mission of redefining conservation for a just transition to a sustainable future.

Redefining Conservation is written, edited, and produced by the staff and volunteers of Sierra Club Maine, including Nyalat Biliew, Matthew Cannon, Nasreen Sheikh-Yousef, Anna Siegal, Philip Mathieu, Grace Deng, Minot Weld. It was recorded at WMPG in Portland, ME. Our theme music was composed by Nathan Kroms Davis.

Head to sierraclub.org/maine to learn more about how you can get involved with environmental activism in your community. Questions or comments? Submit them here or email us at maine.chapter@sierraclub.org.

Coastal Waters

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Join us to learn about the state of our coastal waters and ecosystems and how we can protect them. For over 40 years, Glenn Page has been working on creating pathways to place-based transformation of our coasts/oceans/watersheds that integrate numerous social and ecological issues. His advanced degrees are in interdisciplinary marine science and evaluation and has been working at the interface of science, policy and practice. As restoration ecologist by training, he “grew up” designing and building natural systems (i.e. dunes, rivers, wetlands and forests), focusing on ecosystem function, equivalency and evaluation. Currently, he is the President/CEO of SustainaMetrix, and founder of COBALT which is a bioregional initiative about “Navigating in the Anthropocene” as Glenn leads a team of interdisciplinary experts who brings innovation, Blue Marble Evaluation and systems thinking to complex, messy, cross-scale, wicked challenges of our time.

Community Land Trusts & Affordable Housing

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we talk about community land trusts, affordable housing, food access, and energy democracy. A lot in a short amount of time! We hear from Greg Watson, the current Curator of the World Game Workshop and World Grid Project at the Schumacher Center for New Economics, focusing on community food systems and the intersections between local and geo-economic systems. Drawing inspiration from Buckminster Fuller, he has dedicated nearly 40 years to mastering systems thinking, aiming to contribute to a just and sustainable world. His impactful career includes serving as the first Executive Director of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust and later at the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, where he initiated one of the nation's earliest urban agriculture programs. Watson's expertise extends to national initiatives, including a key role in the U.S. Department of Energy transition team under President-elect Barack Obama in 2008. In 2015, he founded the Cuba-U.S. Agroecology Network (CUSAN) following an enlightening trip to Cuba exploring its agroecology system.
We also hear from Frank Lowenstein, Senior Director at RARE and former COO of the New England Forestry Foundation, spearheading RARE's Climate Culture initiative in Boston. This international conservation organization focuses on social change for the environment, directing individual actions on diet, transportation, energy use, and nature support for collective impact. Lowenstein brings experience and success in climate science and policy, land conservation, non-profit management, communications, and fundraising. The Harvard University graduate previously served as a global climate adaptation leader for The Nature Conservancy and as a senior fellow in the US Dept. of State’s Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas. He also serves as faculty in the Masters of Sustainability program at Harvard University Extension School.

The Intersection of Food Justice and Conservation

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we talk to Desiree Vargas, Food Sovereignty Director of Presente! Maine is a non-profit organization working to empower displaced indigenous and Afro-Latinx peoples of Maine through survival programs, community power building, cultural celebration, and transformative healing practice. Presente! targets three key program areas: Community Health and Wellness (Bienestar), Food Sovereignty and Land Stewardship, and Leadership and Community Power Building.

Since 2020, Presente’s critical initiatives have been to get people fed, prevent eviction, advocate for public health emergency funds for community-based organizations across Maine, deploy public health response, restore indigenous foodways, and win MaineCare for people regardless of immigration status, all while working with a small staff and a few dedicated volunteers. Join us for another fascinating conversation!

Click here to learn more about Presente! Maine

Biodiversity, Energy and Conservation

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Tune in to episode 5 to hear from Sally Stockwell about biodiversity and endangered species in Maine. Sally Stockwell is the Director of Conservation for Maine Audubon. She is a wildlife ecologist with experience in the conservation of nongmo, rare, and endangered species in freshwater wetlands, coastal beaches and marshes, and northern forests. She has additional experience as an interpretive naturalist, environmental education instructor, and outdoor adventure leader. Sally holds a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology and an M.S. in wildlife management from the University of Maine and a B.S. in biology from The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington.

P.S. We had some technical difficulties recording this episode that resulted in the final show being shorter than the conversation in the studio. Our apologies to Sally for cutting things short, and we hope to follow up with her in the new year.

Outdoor Access and Youth Mobilizing

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500

We'll be talking to Amara Ifeji and Tony Antione about outdoor accessibility and the importance of mobilizing our youth to join the movement. Amara Ifeji is a climate and environmental justice leader, recognized as a National Geographic Explorer and recipient of prestigious awards. She is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Maine Environmental Education Association, where she advocates for systemic transformation.

Tony, a Bowdoin College graduate, is an outdoor access and resource activist who is dedicated to self-sufficiency. He views nature as a vital source of food and believes the outdoors is an ideal setting for practicing food sovereignty, experiential learning, and connecting with nature. Both Amara and Tony are working to break down the 30 by 30 campaign plan and how it relates to outdoor access and youth organizing.

Forestry and Conservation

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we'll dive into forestry conservation in Maine with Eliza Townsend and John Hagan. Eliza is an experienced leader in Maine politics, advocacy, non-profits, and conservation. She served in the Maine House of Reps for 8 years, then was Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Maine Conservation. John Hagan is a Ph.D. ecologist who was President of Manomet for 11 years. He left to do independent research and climate action organizing. He is Chair of the Maine Climate Table and President of Our Climate Common.

Water Rights

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we talk to Luke Sekera-Flanders and Nicki Sekera about the importance of protecting our water resources. Luke is the co-founder and Youth Lead of Community Water Justice, a statewide network of frontline communities fighting against water privatization and working to ensure sustainable access to clean water for all.
Nickie Sekera is a water rights advocate and co-founder of Community Water Justice. She is also a founding board member of the Saco Headwaters Alliance, a journalist with the Sunlight Media Collective, and a mentor and adviser to several youth-led and grassroots leadership projects. She has served and represented the public on the Commission to Study The Role Of Water As A Resource In The State of Maine.

Land Access and Land Back

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we speak with Lokotah Sanborn, a community organizer and member of the Penobscot Nation with extensive experience in racial and environmental justice. We'll discuss the importance of land access, land rights, and the role of the Landback movement in our current conservation structure. Tune in to learn more about how you can help protect our wildlands for future generations.

Links from This Episode:

The following links may also help illustrate some of the topics mentioned in this episode:

Visioning a Resilient Future

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500

This week, we're releasing a special episode featuring a lightly-edited recording of our October webinar "Visioning a Resilient Future: The Role of Farmland Protection in Reaching Maine's Climate Goals." In this special edition, we welcome distinguished guests including Senator Craig Hickman, Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal, Chelsea Gazillo of American Farmland Trust, and Shelley Megquier, Policy & Research Director at Maine Farmland Trust. Join us as they shed light on the critical significance of farmland protection in the context of Maine's climate goals, sharing insights, expertise, and visionary perspectives.

Redefining Conservation: An Introduction

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode we’ll be introducing our SCM team including our staff, Nyalat Biliew and Matthew Cannon, our 30x30 team volunteers Anna Siegel, Philip Mathieu, and Minot Weld, and our two interns, Nasreen Sheikh-Yousef and Grace Deng. Join us as we discuss the meaning of 30x30, what conservation looks like in Maine today, and what we have in store for the coming episodes.

Teaser: Redefining Conservation

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 20:00:00 -0400

Sierra Club Maine launched our first ever podcast series, Redefining Conservation, on November 1st, 2023. The podcast focuses on the need to preserve 30 percent of the state’s land, water, and forest by 2030, and beyond. Specifically, it will explore the 30x30 goal’s impact on Maine and the strategies used to achieve it. As climate change and habitat destruction exacerbate biodiversity loss, protecting what’s left will be crucial. And, it must be done in a just and equitable way.

Redefining Conservation also gives us the opportunity to explore the intersection between conservation and other forms of social justice such as pollution, water quality issues, ownership, and access. Listeners can expect to hear interviews with community organizers, scientists, BIPOC and youth leaders, and housing advocates who will be a part of creating a shared conservation future in Maine. Listen and follow here!

On Organizing with Chapter Director Pete Nichols

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 12:00:00 -0400

In this episode we’ll introduce you to our New Director, Pete Nichols. Pete Nichols, a Maine native, joined Sierra Club Maine as Chapter Director in September 2023. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Director of Edgecomb-based Midcoast Conservancy. He has also worked as the International Organizing Director for Waterkeeper Alliance, an international network of 350 clean water advocates in 46 countries around the globe. Pete also co-founded his own Waterkeeper program, Humboldt Baykeeper, where he served as Baykeeper and Executive Director.