In the last 20 years, there’s been a gradual rise of “sensational science”—especially related to climate change. Bold predictions and attractive soundbites have inspired climate action groups to mobilize here and across the world. But this mobilization has also created armchair experts who challenge the expertise of, well, real experts. Are we on the cusp of a death of expertise? And if so, what does this mean for an organization like ours who prides itself on a legacy of science-based decision making? We open season two with Tom Nichols, author of the New York Times bestseller The Death of Expertise. Plus, Kyle Marshall joins Jennifer as an added voice to the conservation movement.

In The Reeds: Canada's Conservation Podcast

The Death of Expertise?

Competing needs are emerging in our boreal forest. Warming temperatures from climate change are making it easier to farm in the boreal – some calling it “the new agricultural frontier.” At the same time, massive increases in food production will be needed to meet our global food supply needs. But the Canadian Boreal Region contains the largest area of wetlands of any ecosystem in the world, serving as a breeding ground for more than 12 million water birds and millions of land birds. It is the largest intact forest on earth. Three million square kilometers are undisturbed, giving Canada the opportunity to do large-scale conservation work that just wouldn’t be possible in any other areas of the world. The first researchers to study this issue, Lee Hannah and Patrick Roehrdanz of Conservation International, join Jennifer to explain how this is an issue of sustainable agriculture and climate mitigation above all else. Also, Jennifer thinks this episode is best enjoyed with a glass of merlot.

Food security, new agricultural frontiers, and protecting Canada’s boreal forest

In her new book, The Bird Way, Jennifer is joined by NYT bestselling author Jennifer Ackerman to discuss the remarkable intelligence underlying how birds conduct their lives: how they communicate, forage, court, breed, and survive. Once considered only traits of humans, Jennifer dissects how birds show deception, manipulation, cheating, kidnapping, cooperation, collaboration, altruism –and ingenious communication between species –showing us there so much more to our feathered friends. Get to know Jennifer (link to): https://www.cbsnews.com/video/conserving-north-americas-bird-populations/#x 

Just how smart are birds, really?

There have been three sightings of the Asian giant hornet in the Pacific Northwest - a place they should not be. Lab findings determined that two of the hornets were from different colonies. This means there were at least two simultaneous arrivals of the Asian giant hornet. Yikes. They are an invasive species that bully the native species to the point where they can't survive. And that's a problem for conservation efforts. It's pollinator week - and Andrew MacDougall joins the pod.

Did someone say MURDER HORNET!?!

How will the efforts to address climate change look in a post-coronavirus world? Will it bring out the best in us? Or will our exhaustion and economic fears set the conservation movement back? Jennifer makes the case that important things can come from difficult events—including the existence of Ducks Unlimited. Seasoned crisis management expert Ben Morgan joins the pod to unpack this idea.

It's a Crisis!

Word Nerd meets Bird Nerd in this episode about how the three North American organizations of Ducks Unlimited are adjusting course with the unveiling of a new international conservation plan. The conversation also touches on mysteries of corn, ducks in horror films, Bernie Sanders, and Harley Davidson. Sounds random, but it was recorded in a simpler time.

8. Adjusting Course

The theme of this year’s World Wetlands Day is biodiversity. As Australia’s bushfires rage on, the state of their biodiversity remains front-page news. Dr. Chris Dickman, a professor of ecology at the University of Sydney, assess the devastation and shares why he believes Australia is the canary in the coalmine for the rest of the world. Then, Canada’s own biodiversity expert, Dr. Kai Chan, helps us to understand what lessons Australia’s biodiversity challenges can teach us here at home.

200129 - Podcast - Dr. Chris Dickman WWD

Join host Jennifer Sanford for a conversation with Dr. John Clague, the grandfather of Canada’s natural hazard research. Learn about what happens to wetlands after major earthquakes and what role wetlands play in mitigating floods, tornados, and wildfire.

Wetlands, Disasters, and the resilience of our planet

Ducks Unlimited Canada CEO, Dr. Karla Guyn, talks wins and challenges in conservation, how conservation partnerships lead the way, and the vision to strengthen Canada’s conservation community.

Taking flight to 2020 with DUC CEO Karla Guyn

In The Reeds host Jennifer Sanford is joined by the pod’s former host, Wayne MacPhail, as they celebrate the best and brightest moments of the year. Together, they open the vault to 20 previously aired episodes. Don’t miss the end, as Jennifer shares what inspires the spirit of the pod.

The big migration: Our pod in review

What to do about carbon is a major issue. But what do we actually know about carbon? And how can the wetlands, grasslands, and coastal area we conserve help? We’re talking Carbon 101 on this special edition of our In the Reeds podcast.

Special Edition: Carbon

In this episode, we’re continuing our conversation on sea-level rise. In Nova Scotia, the Acadian dykelands can no longer be maintained to the 2050 climate projections. The community must make critical decisions about dykeland maintenance and salt marsh restoration. But achieving a way forward will take community consensus – and concessions. Our guest, Dr. Kate Sherren, is a researcher and professor at Dalhousie University. She studies the relationship between climate adaptation and public resistance in Atlantic Canada, especially in the face of climate-related changes, sea-level rise, and storm surge.

Sea level surge, part 2

Everything in conservation is about risk. That’s why, when you hear us talk about conservation, we always start with what’s at stake. A big risk to our landscape is the rising of sea levels – and thus here is part one of our two-part series on sea-level rise.  In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Globe and Mail journalist Matthew McClearn, author of Sea Change.

Sea level surge, part 1

When the United Nations first ever biodiversity report was released in May, the results seemed pretty dire.  But there is no better guest to help us make sense of a way forward than Dr. Kai Chan. He was one of the report's authors and he joins our pod to help answer this question: In the great debate of climate change, what will it take to change?  

Putting the "change" in climate change

Abigail Derby Lewis marvels at monarchs and the perilous journey they make each year from Canada and the U.S. to Mexico and back. She's the Senior Conservation Ecologist and Senior Program Manager, Chicago Region at the Field Museum's Keller Science Action Center. Abigail's also a science translator, she turns research knowledge into practical actions citizens can take to conserve nature. And, Ms. Derby Lewis is also the first of a series of folks we'll be introducing you to who turned their passion for conservation in careers, creativity, and action in the community. Conservation of wetlands, of course, is near and dear to all of us at Ducks Unlimited Canada. But, we know we can’t tackle conservation alone and we’re happy to celebrate our fellow travellers. Abigail became passionate about conservation when, as a nine-year-old girl she looked into the face of a zoo-keep silverback gorilla. She went on to study primates all over the world. But, these days she's making certain that Chicago provides migrating monarchs the vital milkweed they need to feed and reproduce. I talk to her about the flight and plight of the monarchs, the role cities can play in providing those butterflies and other pollinators safe haven, and what you can do in your community to make certain that cities are habitable, not just for humans, but for the insects that are just passing through.

From the vault: The monarchs of Chicago

Listen as we explore issues, ideas and research about wetlands in Canada. Wetlands are some of the most bio-diverse habitats in the country. Wetlands are vital to the health of a wide variety of mammals, birds, amphibians reptiles plants - and, of course human beings. We'll be interviewing research experts and frontline workers from Ducks Unlimited Canada in lively, engaging exchanges. They'll keep you up-to-date and up-to-speed on the best information and stories about these vital Canadian ecosystems.

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In The Reeds: Canada's Conservation Podcast

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