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We explore a fresh perspective on non-native and introduced species. Traditionally viewed as pests or threats to ecosystems, some of these species offer hidden benefits that are often overlooked in conventional pest management frameworks. We dive into the complexities of integrated pest management (IPM), discussing the importance of balancing ecological restoration with justice, health, and livelihoods. This episode was adapted from a talk originally given to an audience focused on integrated pest management. It encourages listeners to rethink the language we use around non-native species, while offering insights into their potential contributions to ecosystems, medicinal practices, and more. Key Topics Discussed: The impact-focused traditional approach of integrated pest management (IPM) The often-overlooked benefits of non-native species Political ecology and how power relations influence our views on species The relationship between ecological restoration and cultural responsiveness Medicinal uses of "weeds" and their place in autonomous healing practices How rethinking our language around invasive species can shift our environmental practices Further Reading and Resources: For those interested in diving deeper into the topics covered in this episode, here are some recommended readings and resources: "Just Language" Project Learn more about how changing the language we use around species management can transform our ecological and cultural approaches. Visit JustLanguage.org Herbal Astrology Oracle Deck by Anima Mundi and Ayana Ayales This oracle deck ties together herbalism, astrology, and ancient wisdom, making connections between plants, their medicinal uses, and astrological influences. A fun, creative way to learn more about the plants discussed in this episode. More on Herbal Astrology Oracle "Honorable Harvest" – Robin Wall Kimmerer For more on indigenous perspectives, Robin Wall Kimmerer's concept of the Honorable Harvest offers valuable ethical guidelines for interacting with nature. Watch her talk on YouTube "Invasive Plant Relations in a Global Pandemic: Caring for a "Problematic Pesto" by Gabrielle Doiran This paper explores the tensions surrounding invasive species management and advocates for a justice-centered approach to environmental restoration, incorporating ideas of multispecies entanglements and caring for invasive species. "Valuing the Contributions of Non-Native Species to People and Nature" by Dov Sachs et al. A framework that examines both the positive and negative impacts of non-native species on ecosystems, highlighting their contributions to social cohesion, food production, climate change mitigation, and mental health. Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review, subscribing, or sharing it with your friends. Your support helps us continue bringing you insightful conversations on ecological restoration and the healing power of nature. Follow Us: Instagram: @treehuggerpod | email: treehuggerpod@gmail.com Music for this episode courtesy of Adam McDougal and TrackTribe

This episode delves into the integration of artificial intelligence within the field of ecological restoration. Covering a broad spectrum from the practical to the philosophical, the conversation explores the potential for AI to reshape restoration practices, the ethical considerations at play, and the importance of balancing technological advancement with traditional ecological knowledge. Through personal anecdotes, professional experiences, and a look towards the future, the guests offer a comprehensive exploration of how AI is shaping the landscape of ecological restoration and what that means for the environment and society. Episode Segments 1. Introducing the Experts Meet Sam Woodrich, a Ph.D. student at Oregon State University, and Dr. Timothy Pape, a postdoctoral research associate at Bowling Green State University. Both bring a wealth of knowledge in environmental and social sciences and share their insights on AI in ecological restoration. Woodrich, Samuel T., and Timothy Pape. "Ecological restoration and artificial intelligence: whose values inform a project?." Restoration Ecology (2024): e14128. 2. Exploring AI in Ecological Restoration An overview of how AI is currently being utilized in ecological restoration projects. This segment covers practical applications, from predictive modeling to species identification. 3. Bridging the Gap: AI Tools as Assistants Discussion on AI tools such as the Merlin Bird ID app and iNaturalist, and how they assist in ecological monitoring and data collection. The segment emphasizes the collaborative potential between AI and human expertise. 4. Debating AI's Role and Impact A critical look at the limitations and biases of AI in ecological restoration. This segment explores the ethical considerations and the need for integrating traditional ecological knowledge with AI-driven methods. 5. Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe? An exploration of AI's potential benefits and risks. The experts discuss whether AI can be a reliable partner in restoration efforts or if it poses significant challenges that need to be carefully managed. 6. Looking to the Future: AI, Restoration, and Beyond Insights into future advancements in AI technology and their potential impact on ecological restoration. The segment highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and adaptive management in leveraging AI for sustainable outcomes. 7. Wrapping Up and Rapid Fire Questions A fun and engaging wrap-up segment where the experts answer rapid-fire questions, sharing personal anecdotes and their visions for the future of AI in ecological restoration. Read more for yourself at Google Scholar. A growing number of articles provide an overview of the current state and potential of AI in ecological restoration, addressing both the technical capabilities and the ethical considerations involved. It takes a community to keep a podcast like this going. As an independent show, every contribution makes a difference. If you'd like to support us, you can donate via Paypal and Venmo and Cashapp and your generosity helps cover the small overhead costs of producing the show. Music from the episode is Lish Grooves

In this episode, we delve into the world of plant medicines. Our guest, Natalie Hammerquist, a herbalist based in Washington state, shares her extensive knowledge and experience in herbalism and foraging local wild plants. Natalie's journey, rooted in a degree from The Evergreen State College, led her to explore herbalism, plant taxonomy, and food science. Under the guidance of renowned herbalists like Cascade Anderson Geller and Matthew Wood, Natalie integrated aspects of Chinese medicine and Western herbalism into her practice. What's particularly intriguing about our conversation is Natalie's emphasis on the importance of collaboration between restorationists and herbalists to ensure sustainable caretaking and the preservation of plant resources. Natalie also shares her personal journey into herbalism, shaped by her own health struggles during college, and highlights the diverse approaches within herbalism, blending scientific methodologies with traditional wisdom. Additionally, Natalie sheds light on the regulatory disparities between the United States and Europe, emphasizing the need for advocacy and education to support herbalism and holistic health practices. She offers insights into her forthcoming book, "Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest," which aims to provide practical guidance and visual aids for identifying medicinal plants, emphasizing the importance of accurate plant identification and ethical harvesting practices. We dig into topics such as the significance of timing in harvesting, ethical considerations inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer's concept of the Honorable Harvest, and the therapeutic properties of plants like knotweed, blackberry, and hawthorn. Natalie advocates for sustainable harvesting practices that balance the benefits and impacts of these plants, promoting a mindful approach that honors the interconnectedness of all living beings and fosters responsibility for the wider environment. Adiantum School of Plant Medicine website | Instagram Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest: A Visual Guide to Harvesting and Healing with 35 Common Species Natalie will be presenting her new book, "Medicinal Plants of the Pacific Northwest: A Visual Guide to Harvesting and Healing with 35 Common Species," at Third Place Books in Seward Park on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 7:00pm. https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/natalie-hammerquist Music from this show: John Patitucci | Soy Emilia

Kyle Flanagan asks us how we can truly address the roots of the climate crisis, and how we can keep each other safe in the years to come—while making sure that no one gets left behind. She wrote Climate Resilience, robust with short essays edited from interviews with 39 individuals who have been cultivating resilience for decades. There is a chapter dedicated to ecological restoration and issues related to river restoration, shifting the framing of environmental injustices, soil health, community composting and good fire. Intersecting with restoration, Kylie and the cohort of climate imaginaries foreground skills required in a warming world - relationship repair, participatory & decentralized economics, collective care, community adaptation, cultural strategy and people power. Kylie is a climate communicator and the executive director of a small, climate justice-focused foundation. Originally from Miwok lands in the California Bay Area, she currently resides on Munsee Lenape lands in New York City. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College and received a master's in sustainability solutions from Presidio Graduate School. Driven by a desire to make the world more delicious, beautiful, joyous, and just, she has dabbled in goat midwifery, cheesemaking, tiny house architecture and construction, supper club hosting, edible landscaping, sustainable business consulting, and most recently, writing Climate Resilience. Climate Resilience Project and www.climateresilienceproject.org (that launches in early August). pre-order the book on bookshop.org Climate Resilience features voices of Native Rights activists, queer ecologists, Gen-Z organizers, urban farmers, and others on the front lines: Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Ruth Miller, Niria Alicia, Morgan Curtis, Casey Camp-Horinek, Victoria Montaño, Heather Rosenberg, Cate Mingoya, Didi Pershouse, Ceci Pineda, Margo Robbins, Doria Robinson, Cassia Herron, Marta Ceroni, Crystal Huang, Moji Igun, Deseree Fontenot, Jacqueline Thanh, Janelle St. John, Miriam Belblidia, Lil Milagro Henriquez, Amee Raval, Marcie Roth, Eileen V. Quigley, Natalie Hernandez, Mindy Blank, Chief Shirell Parfait-Dardar, Eve Mosher, Irfana Jetha Noorani, Melissa Reyes, Patty Berne, Selin Nurgun, Sekita Grant, Mara Ventura, Kavaangsaar Afcan, Olivia Juarez, Sona Mohnot, Kailea Frederick, and Dominique Thomas Michael's podcast recommendations History is Gay & Other Men Need Help It takes a community to keep a podcast going. I am totally independent, and you can donate to help cover the small overhead costs for the show via Paypal and Venmo and CashApp. Music from the show Patiño and TrackTribe

Despite rapid environmental change, the foremost approach to ecological restoration is to find the elusive, historically-appropriate reference ecosystem as the target of ecosystem recovery. But, the emergence of novel ecosystems beckons new ecological science and political ecology as surprising species' relationships flourish out of dramatic anthropogenic change. There has been (maybe there still is) a debate within ecological restoration about both the existence of and how to restore ecosystems that some people think have crossed thresholds with no historical analog. Ecosystems that have 'tipped' or exhibit 'new' nature challenge our training and ecological theories while eliciting perspectives on what we value and respect, such as biodiversity and access. Mel PIneda-Pinto explores nature-based solutions, with a particular focus on issues of justice in ecosystems often overlooked and found in interstitial spaces, sometimes characterized as ruderal, wild, wastelands or unintentional. She is currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow at Trinity College Dublin on the project NovelEco in which they are co-designing an online citizen science tool to better understand novel ecosystems in cities. Mel has experience in social research methods, inter-transdisciplinary collaboration, systems thinking and exploring human-nonhuman nature interactions. Previous architectural and planning experience in the industry and not-for-profit sectors gave her skills in design, project management, stakeholder engagement, and technical abilities. Her research interests include urban ecological sustainability, urban ecology, social-ecological-technical systems, environmental and ecological justice, transformative capacity, sustainability, climate and just transitions, environmental and multispecies planning/design. Connect with Novel Eco https://noveleco.eu and on Twitter @NovelEco Pineda-Pinto, Melissa, et al. "Finding justice in wild, novel ecosystems: A review through a multispecies lens." Urban Forestry & Urban Greening (2023): 127902. Gandy, Matthew. "Unintentional landscapes." Landscape Research 41.4 (2016): 433-440. Hobbs, Richard J., et al. "Novel ecosystems: theoretical and management aspects of the new ecological world order." Global ecology and biogeography 15.1 (2006): 1-7. Kowarika, I. "Novel urban ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation." Environmental Pollution 159.8/9 (2011): 1974-1983. Music from the show Quincas Moreira, Slynk, and TrackTribe

Some species walk into our spaces, uninvited – they don't belong. They can be trees we bring from the homeland to plant, insects that show up through international trade, or fish we stock for sustenance. However, when they liberate themselves from cultivation, they are portrayed as a potential threat to the economy or even challenge our conceptions of wild nature. This is a short presentation recorded in advance of the Partners in Community Forestry Conference that came to Seattle, hosted by Arbor Day Foundation. There is a growing underflow of writing and thought surfacing that grinds against the dominant thinking about how we not only talk about, but treat, our more than human relations. The words we use express our values, and are a portal to change how we treat the trees we do not think belong in our Landscapes. Organizing around "Just Language" is key first step to applying a lens of love, compassion and harm reduction to the practice of ecological restoration. The invitation is "What is the role for invasive species and what might they have to share for us?" Weekend Update: A Spotted Lanternfly on Being an Invasive Species - SNL https://youtu.be/K_x4soinsRQ Arbor Day Foundation Video of Just Language About "Invasive" Species Presentation Just Language in Ecology Education https://justlanguage.org It takes a community to keep a podcast going. Donate to the show @myadrick via Paypal and Venmo and CashApp Tell a few friends about the show and follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @treehuggerpod Review treehugger podcast on iTunes

Laura J. Martin is a historian and ecologist who studies how people shape the habitats of other species. She is author of Wild by Design: The Rise of Ecological Restoration. One will also find articles of hers in journals such as Environmental History and Science as well as featured in the New York Times, The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times. She is currently an environmental studies professor at Williams College and now with the publication of Wild by Design in the rearview mirror, Laura is not digging into a global history of hormonal herbicides. Laura builds on scholarship that meets at the intersection of environmental history and science and technology studies. This blending of the sciences and the humanities s so essential. Wild by Design provides this crosswalk between various aspects of restoration. Laura J. Martin | historian and ecologist who studies how people shape the habitats of other species Wild by Design: The Rise of Ecological Restoration is available from your local bookseller | Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble "The Women Who Saved Wildflowers," Sierra Magazine, June 2, 2022 "Earth Day is a Chance to Win the Messaging War Against Polluters," The Washington Post, April 23, 2022 "Is Humanity Doomed? That Depends On Us," Los Angeles Times, 28 March 2022 The music for the show you heard from MK2, Astron and Noir Et Blanc Vie. It takes a community to keep a podcast going. Donate to the show @myadrick via Paypal and Venmo and CashApp Music on the show was from Twin Musicom, Bad Snacks, Text Me Records Tell a few friends about the show and follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @treehuggerpod Review treehugger podcast on iTunes