We take a journey to the extraordinary Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion of Southwest Oregon and Northwest California. This special bioregion includes many millions of acres of public land full of old growth forests and wild rivers. A natural legacy of the United States. And! KS Wild's appreciation for this gorgeous landscape and the stories of their fight to defend this home has many lessons for us here in the Hudson Valley.

George Sexton is the Conservation Director of Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center. George has a JD, with a certificate in natural resources and environmental law, from Lewis and Clark Law School. He holds a BA in political science from Reed College. George has worked to protect forests and watersheds in the Pacific Northwest for the last thirty years. His efforts have ended the old-growth logging program on several National Forests, established 9th Circuit case law protecting Late-Successional Reserves from salvage logging, and facilitated small-diameter fuels projects and prescribed burning on hundreds of thousands of acres.

Today's episode features a conversation with Matt Putnam of the Stockbridge-Munsee and Chris Bowser with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and highlights an amazing event called the New Netherland Marketplace: Living History Event 2025, happening in New Paltz this weekend.

Matt is a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican American Indians and a leader in a series of programs showcasing cultural and traditional practices of the original inhabitants of the Hudson Valley.

Matthew was born, raised, and has lived on the Stockbridge Munsee Reservation in WI. Matt is known for teaching boxing to youth, as well as tribal history, genealogy, building canoes, and visiting elders. Matthew is dedicated to working in his community in any way he can that benefits the people.

Looking forward, Matt hopes that genuine education of who his people are can be better understood in mainstream society and that young ones in his community take an interest in learning about their culture and traditions so no more traditional knowledge is lost over time.

We are joined by Julie Noble, sustainability coordinator for the City of Kingston, for a wide-ranging discussion about the impressive array of municipal initiatives she helps shape and direct for Kingston. From projects related to energy, land use, transportation, education and citizen outreach, Julie is a powerhouse advocate for our community who brings both a long term vision and a pragmatic get-things-done approach to her work. Take a listen to learn about how the City of Kingston is taking a leadership role in projects from climate resilience and environmental education to infrastructure planning and curbside compost collection!