Out on the west coast of Vancouver Island exists an awesome little non-profit that siphons sea water from the harbour into tanks on land, which briefly house some of the areas most gorgeous residents from under the waves. I'm talking about the Ucluelet Aquarium, a catch-and-release aquarium who gathers all of its exhibits seasonally from the surrounding waters, giving visitors a glimpse into a world that surrounds us yet we seldom see.

I sat down with Laura Griffith-Cochrane from the Ucluelet Aquarium to chat all about this awesome project, and her unique approach to education that emphasizes hands-on interactions to build connection and care to place. We also delve into various issues relating to these near-shore marine ecosystems, with ethical information on fishing and tide-pooling that we all could use to become better stewards of these places for generations to come.

For more information on the Ucluelet Aquarium, visit www.uclueletaquarium.org

Each episode of Nerdy About Nature makes a donation to a non-profit of the guests choosing using funds from Patreon supporters, and in this episode Laura chose to give hers to ⁠Surfrider Foundation

Nerdy About Nature is an independent passion project that relies on support from folks like you. If you’re enjoying this podcast and videos, help me keep making them by becoming a paid subscriber on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠⁠or⁠⁠⁠ Substack.⁠⁠⁠

You can also make a one-time donation, get NAN merch, resources and more information at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.NerdyAboutNature.com

Forests are incredibly important ecosystems on our planet for many different reasons from carbon storage to biodiversity, and yet they face constant pressure to meet human demands in many forms. With a significant portion of deforestation and forest degradation attributed to demand for pulp, paper, packaging and even textile products, how can we work to meet these demands while also taking better care of our forests?

I sat down with Valerie Langer of Canopy Planet who works to source and grow emerging markets of alternative sources to forests for pulp and textile demands, and it's budding potential. Join us as we chat all about this inspiring new perspective on managing forest uses and demands, as well as Val's colourful history in advocacy and action for forests, and how she's been able to gain greater leverage for protecting forests by stepping away from the front lines and into the corporate world.

Today's episode was brought to you by Canopy Planet, who works to protect forests all over the world in a variety of different ways.

Learn more about all the good they do at www.canopyplanet.org

Each episode of Nerdy About Nature makes a donation to a non-profit of the guests choosing using funds from Patreon supporters, and in this episode Val chose to give hers to Friends of Clayoquot Sound

Nerdy About Nature is an independent passion project that relies on support from folks like you. If you’re enjoying this podcast and videos, help me keep making them by becoming a paid subscriber on ⁠⁠⁠Patreon ⁠⁠or⁠⁠ Substack.⁠⁠

You can also make a one-time donation, get NAN merch, resources and more information at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.NerdyAboutNature.com

Whale, we've shore got a fun chat lined up for y'all today! Sea what I did there?

Silly puns aside, we're talking all about Orcas, or Killer Whales, with the infamous Orca Man! You may have seen The Orca Man, whose real name is Fred, online as he does a lot of social media education and news on things happening with Orcas all around the world, but especially those populations here in the PNW - the resident and transient Killer Whales. Fred and I sat down for a sunset chat where we discuss all things Orcas, why they’re so amazing, different populations of them around the world, their fascinating social structures, and threats they face both in our home waters of Cascadia and beyond.

Learn more about Fred's work here and on Instagram here.

Each episode of Nerdy About Nature makes a donation to a non-profit of the guests choosing using funds from Patreon supporters, and in this episode Fred chose to give his to ⁠The Orca Conservancy

Nerdy About Nature is an independent passion project that relies on support from folks like you. If you’re enjoying this podcast and videos, help me keep making them by becoming a paid subscriber on ⁠⁠Patreon ⁠or⁠ Substack.⁠

You can also make a one-time donation, get NAN merch, resources and more information at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.NerdyAboutNature.com