Terra Informa

This episode originally aired on December 7, 2020: Science is cool. You may agree, since you're listening to a podcast that talks a lot about science of the environmental variety. But, science can be hard to understand, and research can be hard to access. Here at Terra Informa, we asked ourselves, how could we help track down, and break down, new scientific discoveries for our listeners, and make it fun to listen to and easy to understand?In this week's episode, we talk about a recent science communication workshop the team did with CJSR Podcast Coordinator and Terra Informa alumni, Chris Chang-Yen Phillips. Then, we dig into science - what is it? How does one... well, do it? Finally, we practice our science communication skills as we explain the science behind a very peculiar trait of an equally peculiar animal.If you enjoyed this episode, and want to hear more new research findings in the future, let us know by sending an email to terra@cjsr.com!If you’re passionate about environmental news and stories, con

This episode originally aired on August 31, 2020:This week on Terra Informa, Charlotte Thomasson and guests talk trees.On both an individual and collective level, the protection of these leafy giants has always been important, and the urgency to protect these ancient species only grows with the increasing threats of climate change, wildfire, industry, and development. Indigenous land-defenders have long led the effort to protect endangered old-growth trees on a large scale. But as we’ll hear today, you can be called to speak up for the trees right in your own backyard. We'll hear from Kelci Mohr, environmental advocate and resident of Nelson, British Columbia, as well as Terra Informer Dylan Hall and Troy Sebastian, a contractor for the Ktunaxa Nation.Download the program log here.  ★ Support this podcast ★

This week on Terra Informa we bring you the second installment of our reporting and recording from the Parkland Institute's Fall 2022 Conference: Doing Democracy Better: Challenging the Politics of Fear and Resentment which took place on November 18-20, 2022 at the University of Alberta. This week's episode includes a talk given by Iron & Earth Communities Director and Just Transition Lead Ana Guerra Marin entitled "Navigating Polarization and Fear While Building Just Transitions from the Ground Up" as well as a Q&A excerpt with Ana and Ian (from last week's episode).  Parkland Institute YouTube channelProgram log★ Support this podcast ★Music: Warm Vacuum Tube  by Admiral Bob (c) copyright 2019 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/admiralbob77/59533 Ft: starfrosch ★ Support this podcast ★

This week on Terra Informa we bring you the first installment of our reporting and recording from the Parkland Institute's Fall 2022 Conference: Doing Democracy Better: Challenging the Politics of Fear and Resentment which took place on November 18-20, 2022 at the University of Alberta. This week's episode includes a talk given by Parkland Institute Research Manager Ian Hussey entitled "Job Creation or Job Loss? Big Companies Use Tax Cut to Automate Away Jobs in the Oil Sands"Parkland Institute YouTube channelProgram log ★ Support this podcast ★Music: Kingly by Ketsa is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on May 4, 2020: This week several Terra Informers reflect on the changing seasons, and what spring means to them. Listen in for some great ambient spring sounds and grateful reflections on the warmer air around us.Download the program log. ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on August 2, 2020: As we continue to stay home to protect ourselves and others, the natural world carries on without us. Human intervention in our environment often comes with damaging consequences, and today we're taking some time to learn about the history of the regions that are special to us and turning a critical eye on efforts to "protect" these spaces, efforts with a colonial history and present. Listen to our very own Terra Informers Elizabeth Dowdell, Curt Blandy, Andy Silva, and Daniel Pietraszewski as they share some personal stories about natural places and species that are significant to them. You'll hear about the history of the Sturgeon River region and how the ecosystem has been transformed by industry and development, the Milk River and a visit to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, and one journey from connoisseur of online otter content, to advocate for Alberta's own River Otter.Sara Cannon - Decolonizing Conservation: A Reading ListIndigenous Circle of Experts R

This episode originally aired on November 22, 2021: This week on Terra Informa we jump into the giant world of the fungi kingdom. Charlotte Thomasson sings a song, and interviews Josh Smith and Mike Schultz, members of the Alberta Mycological Society. Daniel Pietraszewski shares a fun story about Vilna, AB. You're not going to want to miss this.Download the program log here.Check out the Alberta Mycological Society to learn more about their important work!  ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode from March 8, 2021, Terra Informers Sonak Patel, Andrea Miller, and Elizabeth Dowdell speak with urban beekeeper David Whitaker about how he picked up this unique hobby and the benefits of bees in the City.Learn more about beekeeping from the City of Edmonton and how to avoid the hype of bee-washing. To get your hands on some sweet, sweet, local honey email davesurbanhoney@shaw.ca!Thanks to:Sonak Patel for research + writing + hostingAndrea Miller for musicElizabeth Dowdell for interview + hosting + productionProgram log here.★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on August 10, 2020: This week on Terra Informa, Sonak Patel and Skylar Lipman, joined by Morrigan Simpson-Marran from the Pembina Institute and Daniel Schiffner from the University of Alberta, discuss orphan wells in Alberta.The evidence of oil and gas development on Alberta's landscape appears in various forms across the province. Much of oil and gas extraction requires drilling a well into the ground to reach subterranean fossil fuels. Under provincial regulations, these wells are supposed to be reclaimed once they reach the end of their productive lifespan. But in some cases, reclamation doesn't happen, leaving a substantial number of wells dotted across the Albertan landscape.How many orphaned wells are there in Alberta? How does a well become 'orphaned', and why are they a problem? We find out the answers to these questions in this week's episode.Download program log here.★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on July 20, 2020: In the film, acclaimed actor Elliot Page, inspired by a book by Ingrid Waldron that also lends its name to the documentary, travels across their home province of Nova Scotia to explore cases of environmental racism. This week, we are talking about environmental racism, which specifically refers to the environmental injustice that is based on race.We reached out to Dr. Ingrid Waldron, a professor and author of the book “There’s Something in the Water”. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Waldron to discuss environmental racism towards Black communities in Nova Scotia and what liberation could look like.Program Log ★ Support this podcast ★

In this archive episode we explore: What is it like to be a plant? Do plants make choices? Do they...think? We turn to Charly Blais' interview with Megan Ljubotina, a graduate student at the University of Alberta to find out about the ways plants make decisions to improve their vitality, survival and fitness. ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode originally aired on April 12, 2021: Is plant parenthood a big part of your life? Have you acquired some recent plant purchases to spruce up your new virtual workplace or classroom? This week, our guest is Eric Gibson, co-owner of the Little Plant Shop. We're asking, how do our houseplants and all things green make us feel? We explore the connection between our houseplants and our health, along with the effects of spending time in public green spaces and bringing nature into the design of our built environment. You'll also hear some of the Terra Informers' favourite plant stories.Program Log  ★ Support this podcast ★

In this archive episode, Charlotte Thomasson hosts us on a cross-country ski tour around Edmonton, Alberta. Elizbeth Dowdell joins with some facts about the Canadian Birkebeiner and the two inspire you to get outside and explore the beauty of winter. Small-town rivalries, poetry, and the origin of two classic Canadian winter past-times are shared in this episode.P. S. the second past-time is snowshoeing, and Liz says it's better than xc skiing.Program log.★ Support this podcast ★ ★ Support this podcast ★

In this archive episode, Terra Informers Sonak Patel and Elizabeth Dowdell consider the role that language plays in communicating the climate crisis and how getting it wrong may contribute to continued climate inaction. To get further insight into the big picture of climate change communication, they spoke to Sean Holman, Professor of Journalism at Mount Royal University. Program Log ★ Support this podcast ★

In this week's archive episode, the Terra Informers travel to a grain terminal in the City of Edmonton to see some rare birds of prey and meet the folks who watch and photograph them there. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this week's archive episode, the Terra Informers discuss solar energy, including topics such as the definition of solar, how it works, the pros and cons to solar,  and who the solar power leaders are around the world.Program log. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this week's archive episode, Terra Informer Julianne Hayes explains how arctic plants adapt to a warming tundra. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this week's archive episode, Sofia Osborne brings you an interview with Mark Leiren-Young, who is the author of a book about "The Killer Whale Who Changed the World". This book explores the story of Moby Doll, the first orca ever captured and put on display, right on the west coast. In this show, find out how the accidental capture of Moby Doll actually changed the world.Program log.  ★ Support this podcast ★

In this week's archive episode, we revisit a Terra Informa review of the film Metamorphosis, a climate change documentary, along with an interview with the creators of the film.Program log.  ★ Support this podcast ★

In this week's archive episode, we're revisiting our discussion on The Lorax. For the full show notes for this episode, click here. Program log.  ★ Support this podcast ★