Defender Radio and The Switch

Fairtrade is a recognized sustainability term worldwide. Did you know that fairtrade practices are also applied in fashion? Kemp Edwards, sustainable business expert, President & CEO at Econic Apparel and Ethical Profiling, and Principal at Vert2Grow, joins The Switch to share how people can make a difference in the world through how they buy clothes.

Show notes & Links

Find Kemp Edwards through his sustainable, ethical businesses, including:

Econic Apparel (https://www.econicapparel.com, https://www.facebook.com/econicapparel, https://www.instagram.com/econicapparel/) 

Ethical Profiling (https://ethicalprofiling.com, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063545023269, https://twitter.com/ethicalprofile, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ethical-profiling-ltd/) 

Vert2Grow (https://vert2grow.com/)

Want to suggest topics for The Switch? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

It’s a common saying, that animals have no voice. But they do – they can be quite proficient at communicating their needs. It’s more that humans have forgotten how to listen. This is a reality Ellie Lamb, bear viewing guide and educator, encounters often in her work.

Black bears are found across Canada, but one of their largest populations exists within British Columbia. Despite all that is known about bears and how to prevent negative encounters, thousands of them are killed in British Columbia annually by the BC Conservation Officer Service, often for accessing anthropogenic, or human-created attractants and food sources. Talking to bears – or more particularly learning how to listen to them – can be a significant step in preventing such outcomes for bears, and lead to successful coexistence.

Defender Radio was joined by Ellie Lamb to discuss black bears in British Columbia, what it means to talk and listen to bears, and how coexistence can be successful in communities.

SHOW NOTES & LINKS

You can find Ellie Lamb on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100033726425739

More information about BC black bears, how to coexist, and current actions from The Fur-Bearers can be seen at: https://www.thefurbearers.com/bcblackbears. 

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Two fur farms in Quebec are at the centre of a complaint filed by Animal Justice after they received images from We Animals Media. The photos, captured in August 2022, show deplorable conditions for mink and foxes. The Montreal SPCA has initiated a call for a ban on fur farming in Quebec and are setting up inherently inhumane fur farms as an election issue in the province.

Camille Labchuk, executive director of animal law non-profit Animal Justice joined Defender Radio to discuss the situation in Quebec, what the images revealed, how various organizations are pushing for change, and what individuals can do to make a difference.

Show Notes and Links:

Animal Justice Article on Quebec Fur Farms: https://animaljustice.ca/blog/quebec-fur-farm-photos-show-suffering-foxes-mink

We Animals Media Photo Gallery: https://tinyurl.com/yc245upv

Montreal SPCA action page in French: https://www.spca.com/fermes-a-fourrure-images/

Montreal SPCA action page in English: https://www.spca.com/en/fur-farms-images/

The Fur-Bearers Article on Quebec Fur Farms: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/animal-justice-submits-complaint-to-investigate-quebec-fur-farms/

The Fur-Bearers National Fur Farming Toolkit: https://thefurbearers.com/our-work/make-fur-history/fur-farming/act-against-fur-farming/

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are being banned in jurisdictions around the world due to the harm they cause ecosystems and individual animals. Fortunately, rodent proofing your home or business is a humane solution that's also great for the environment! Erin Ryan, a wild animal welfare specialist for the BC SPCA shares simple ways you can make the switch to a rodent proofed home!

Shownotes and links:

Learn more about humane methods to manage rodents from the BC SPCA at https://spca.bc.ca/ways-to-help/take-action/urban-wildlife/humane-rodent-control. You can also hear Erin talk more in-depth about SGARs in this episode of Defender Radio: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/defender-radio/rodenticides-with-erin-ryan. 

Looking for more on finding humane removal companies? Check out the BC SPCA's Animal Kind program at https://animalkind.ca.

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio and The Switch? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio and The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Farmed animal sanctuaries are a place of healing and hope. But the creation and management of a farmed animal sanctuary can be an overwhelming process with lives at stake. Sarien and Hugo Slabbert in 2019 started the charitable People Ensuring Animal Care Exists, or P.E.A.C.E., to provide vital resources in Western Canada.

P.E.A.C.E. provides rescue support, resources for sanctuaries and their volunteers, and humane education for the public. They even have a podcast – Equilibrium by P.E.A.C.E. – to discuss issues from the perspective of farmed animal sanctuaries.

To share the story of P.E.A.C.E., the importance of sustainable sanctuaries, and how everyone can make a difference for their local farmed animal sanctuary, Sarien Slabbert recently joined Defender Radio.

LINKS:

Get in touch with Sarien and Hugo at P.E.A.C.E. Canada at https://peacecanada.org. 

Check out the Equilibrium by P.E.A.C.E. podcast at https://peacecanada.org/equilibrium-by-peace-podcast/ or by finding it wherever you listen.

P.E.A.C.E. Canada on Instagram: https://www.secure.instagram.com/peacecanadaorg/

P.E.A.C.E. Canada on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/peacecanadaorg/

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Rewilding the world is an important step in combating climate change; recreating ecosystems and habitat can’t happen soon enough. Fortunately, a lot of solutions are already available – including the Miyawaki Method of using mini-forests to reforest the world.

Mini-Forest Revolution: Using the Miyawaki Method to Rapidly Rewild The World was released in June 2022 by Chelsea Green Publishing. Author Hannah Lewis shares the ins and outs of what the Miyawaki Method looks like through stories of communities who have built mini-forests, supporting science, and past writings and conversations with the late Akira Miyawaki, who developed this method.

The book is a journey of knowledge and solutions, and one that will be loved by readers who enjoy biographies, nature journals, or just want to learn about a reliable climate solution.

Author Hannah Lewis joined Defender Radio to discuss writing the book, why the Miyawaki Method matters, and how people all over the world can help kick-start the mini-forest revolution.

Photo of a mini-forest in Indiana used for episode art, as depicted in the book, by Dan Grady.

Links and Show Notes:

Find Mini-Forest Revolution on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3cAnL0N), Chapters Indigo (https://bit.ly/3B43NWl), direct from publisher at ChelseaGreen.com (https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/mini-forest-revolution/) or your local book seller.

Learn more about Hannah Lewis on her website at https://www.hannahlewis.org/

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Large wildlife such as bears and coyotes are often killed for being around human places and accessing anthropogenic food sources. But simple educational tools to let communities know how to coexist with wildlife exist - and are accessible for free by anyone in Canada. Aaron Hofman, Director of Advocacy and Policy at The Fur-Bearers, joins The Switch to talk about how bear door hangers can save lives - and how you can make a difference with them.

LINKS:

Read more about bear door hangers from The Fur-Bearers and order yours: https://bit.ly/3uVpuDQ

Stash Your Trash music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsD982wJ7_0

The latest content on BC Black Bears from The Fur-Bearers: https://bit.ly/3yJbcYe

Want to suggest topics for The Switch? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Content/Trigger Warning: This episode discusses subjects of burnout, self-care, self-harm, suicide, and mental health.

I recently connected with Stephanie McMahon, a registered psychotherapist in Ontario, who happens to also be a wildlife rehabilitation centre volunteer, to talk about what burnout is and how it impacts individuals, what clearing space for self-care looks like, and how we can all ask for help when we need it.

This week we’re talking about self-care and burnout, and that means difficult conversations regarding mental health, self-harm, suicide, and what it looks like to ask for help. If you need immediate help because you’re feeling you may harm yourself or others, please contact emergency services in your area. If you’re in Canada visit talksuicide.ca or call 1-833-456-4566 to connect with crisis responders.

The content of this episode is not and should be not considered therapy or a replacement for speaking to a healthcare professional about mental health. A number of links to resources by province are available in the show notes for this episode at DefenderRadio.com.

If you’re not able to listen to this episode right now – don’t. It’s really, really okay, I promise.

Links:

Stephanie McMahon's PsychologyToday.com profile:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/stephanie-mcmahon-north-bay-on/894131

Talk Suicide Canada: https://talksuicide.ca/

Kids Help Phone: https://kidshelpphone.ca/

Mental health resources via Canada.ca, including provincial lists of services: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

The Song Mike Talks About: Set Ourselves Free by The Wild (YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ5NVviEEAg)

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

If a tool existed that would reduce negative encounters with wildlife in your municipality, would you implement it? I think most listeners would – and a toolkit is now available that can actively help residents do just that.

The Wildlife Attractant By-law Toolkit was developed by Serratus Wildlife Services for the Get Bear Smart Society. It's a comprehensive document that can help municipalities across Canada easily and affordably introduce attractant management by-laws. Such by-laws act as an educational tool as well as an enforcement option and can improve outcomes for wildlife by identifying and treating a core issue: attractant management.

To explain the toolkit, why by-laws are an essential tool for municipalities, and what it can look like for residents or community leaders to use the document, Defender Radio was joined by toolkit author Meg Toom of Serratus Wildlife Services.

LINKS:

Get Bear Smart Society's Toolkit Page: https://www.bearsmart.com/featured-post/bylaws-save-bears/

By-law toolkit empowers communities (Article): https://thefurbearers.com/blog/new-wildlife-bylaw-toolkit-empowers-communities/

Meg Toom of Serratus Wildlife Services on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-toom-64242510a/

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Green lawns and pavement do little to help the ecosystem, but finding ways to incorporate essential meadows in urban centres can make a significant impact. Dr. Anna Zakrisson, a green infrastructure researcher and science communicator, joins The Switch to give a quick rundown on urban meadows, how we can reboot natural processes, and why green lawns can be ecological dead zones. 

Want to connect with Dr. Anna Zakrisson? Visit https://annasimaginarium.com or find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/annasimaginarium.

Episode art this week depicts Lurie Gardens urban meadow in Chicago (photo by JByard/Getty Images). Learn more about urban meadows (including references to Lurie Gardens) at https://www.urbanmeadow.org/what-is-an-urban-meadow.

Want to suggest topics for The Switch? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Rodents – mice, rats, squirrels and the like – are found all across Canada. At some point, pretty much every homeowner or building owner will be confronted by two little eyes and a twitchy nose, and need a solution. For a long time, rodenticides – poisons targeting rodents – have been the norm. But the issues relating to welfare of animals and secondary poisoning have prompted many jurisdictions to implement bans on second generation anticoagulant rodenticides and others.

British Columbia is considering heavily restricting their use – and an opportunity for citizen engagement on this is available until June 19, 2022. To discuss rodenticides, the proposed regulatory changes, and what alternatives exist, the BC SPCA’s Erin Ryan joined Defender Radio.

LINKS:

• BC SPCA news release on rodenticide Intentions Paper
• AnimalKind accreditation program
• Resources for municipalities
• How to rodent-proof your home
• Erin's MSc thesis

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael), TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

This is a repost of a past episode. New episodes will be streaming by June 2022!

The illegal wildlife trade is significantly broader and includes far more species than most people think; and Canada is seemingly playing a role.

Dr. Chris Shepherd, Executive Director of Monitor Conservation Research Society, is working hard to research and expose the illegal wildlife trade around the world. In two papers he co-published regarding black bears and their illegal trade in various parts of the world, Canada had a clear connection. Links to these, which explore the bear trade in Czech Republic and Australasian countries, are available in the show notes. Dr. Shepherd joined Defender Radio to share more about Monitor Conservation Research Society, how Canada factors into the illegal wildlife trade, and what average residents can do to make a difference.

Links:

Find Dr. Chris Shepherd and Monitor Conservation Research Society at https://mcrsociety.org/

Bearing all Down Under: the role of Australasian countries in the illegal bear trade (https://www.publish.csiro.au/pc/PC21057) 

Bear trade in the Czech Republic: an analysis of legal and illegal international trade from 2005 to 2020 (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10344-020-01425-7) 

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio and/or The Switch? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael), TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Repost of a popular Defender Radio episode. New episodes return May 2022!

Episode originally released September 2021.

The idea of walking into a flat earth convention makes my tummy hurt. For Dr. Lee McIntyre, it was an exercise in curiosity explored in the introduction of his new book, How To Talk To A Science Denier.

Dr. McIntyre is an author, a research fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University and an instructor in Ethics at Harvard Extension School. An award-winning teacher, McIntyre has penned several popular titles on the philosophy of science and anti-science sentiments and strategies. His latest, published by MIT Press this year, is a dive into science denial in the modern era.

How to Talk to A Science Denier combines Dr. McIntyre’s own experiences and thoughts with a well-executed explanation of what, somewhat ironically, science and history can tell us about the current state of science denial. The book itself covers subjects ranging from climate denial to conspiracy theory, flat Earth to anti-vaccine and more. However, as I learned by reading the book and through my conversation with Dr. McIntyre, curiosity, compassion and disconfirming inquiries will play a far greater role in bringing science to those who deny it than I initially thought.

Learn more about Dr. Lee McIntyre and How To Talk To A Science Denier at https://leemcintyrebooks.com.

Want to suggest topics for the show? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael), TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

It’s the beginning of spring and the end of the eighth season of Defender Radio! As The Fur-Bearers’ fiscal year rolls over, my attentions are needed in strategic planning and communication work. For a few weeks, I’ll be sharing some of my favourite episodes from seasons past, and starting to book a massive wave of recording for season nine!

Defender Radio and the Switch are among of my proudest achievements and a great joy for me to continue making. I remain appreciative of every single one of you who downloads, subscribes, likes, comments and otherwise helps make these shows possible.

But this episode isn’t just about what’s next for Defender Radio – it’s also to tell you about the incredible spring auction starting Friday, April 1 for The Fur-Bearers! It’s no prank – we have over 60 items whose total value hits nearly $10,000. These incredible donated gift cards, artworks, jewellery, crafts, dog accessories and more can be seen at https://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/home.cfm?auctionID=25790. 

There’s a whole lot of choices and every single bid made helps The Fur-Bearers run our conservation, advocacy, research and education campaigns for wildlife across Canada. 

LINKS:

The Fur-Bearers' Spring Silent Auction runs April 1, 2022 to April 8, 2022. Details, images, bidding and more at: https://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/home.cfm?auctionID=25790

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael), TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals is approaching, and it’s sounding like it’s going to be their best yet. The annual conference is going to include in-person events in Banff, Alberta in conjunction with a broad variety of online presentations. Formerly the National Animal Welfare Conference, the Summit for Animals is reaching well beyond Humane Canada’s foundations as the federation of humane societies and SPCAs; I’ll be speaking with attorney Rebeka Breder about the Stanley Park coyotes; my boss Lesley Fox will be on a panel about fur farming; and we’re all excited at the wide range of topics and opportunities to learn.

To share more about this conference, its evolution, and what attendees in person and online can expect, Humane Canada’s Natalia Hanson joined Defender Radio.

Get more details on Humane Canada's Summit for Animals at https://bit.ly/3u7BbGA! 

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael), TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal MP for Beaches-East York, in February introduced Private Members Bill C-247, An Act to prohibit fur farming. This Act, if passed through the House of Commons and Senate, would end commercial fur farming in Canada at the federal level. MP Erskine-Smith joined Defender Radio to discuss the bill, how private members bills work, what people can do to support it, and what other ways communities can engage on the issue at a federal level.

Note: During the interview, Nathaniel mentioned the raccoon fox as an animal involved in the fur trade; he was referencing the raccoon dog, and mispoke. 

LINKS:

MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith: https://beynate.ca/

Send a letter supporting C-247 to your MP (Canadians only; international listeners, please send a letter to the PMO, info also available here): https://thefurbearers.com/blog/action-alert-support-bill-c-247-to-end-fur-farming/

Subscribe to Defender Radio and The Switch on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/defender-radio-and-the-switch/id718357541

Follow Defender Radio and The Switch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/53h2PqGuJCc5qZgvtVvVmx

Find Michael Howie + Defender Radio on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/howiemichael 

More episodes, email alerts and other details can be found at www.DefenderRadio.com. 

You can save the lives of birds and keep your local ecosystem healthy by making a simple switch with the easy solutions suggested by Anouk Hoedeman of Safe Wings Ottawa.

Links:

Safe Wings Ottawa at http://safewings.ca/

Safe Wings Ottawa on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SafeWings/

Safe Wings Ottawa on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/safewingsottawa/

Want to suggest topics for The Switch? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael), TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

The Squirrel Who Stole Solstice was written and directed by Marisa King. Starring Kristi Boulton, Marisa King and Michael Howie. Original holiday carol by Julian Sark.

The Squirrel Who Stole Solstice was written and Directed by Marisa King! Marisa voiced Nutty! Marisa King is an actor, director and long-time animal advocate based in Toronto, Ontario.  You can also hear her on the award-winning Alba Salix podcast as well as improvising her way through the wacky roleplaying world of The End of Time and Other Bothers, all from Fable & Folly production at FableandFolly.com.

Nutzo and Mrs. DeNutzio were played by Kristi Boulton! Kristi Boulton is an actor, improviser, director and podcast producer in Hamilton, Ontario, and can be found at www.kristiboulton.com or on the socials (Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristi_boulton, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristi_boulton/ or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiboulton/).

Kristi can also be heard on Civilized, a dark comedy improvised podcast at CivilizedPod.com. 

The original squirrel solstice carol was written and performed by Julian Sark, with backup squirrel vocals by Marisa King and Kristi Boulton.  Julian Sark is a deeply repressed creative based in Toronto.  Due to the immense internal pressures at play, asking him to do literally anything will likely get you way, way more than you bargained for.  Seriously, like, get ready to screen your calls, people.  He's also recently written a song he thinks would be perfect for Michael Buble, so Michael, if you're listening, find Julian on Facebook.  Yes, he's that old.

And I played Mr. O, and worked with this fabulous team of creative geniuses to put the episode online for all of you. Thank you EVERYONE for listening, and please remember to be kind, be curious, and be patient with each other. Happy Solstice, everyone, and happy solstice Magnanimous Moose!

Defender Radio and The Switch will return with new episodes in 2022.  

Gift giving is wonderful and generous, but around the holidays can generate a lot of waste. Dr. Elisabeth Ormandy (Executive Director of Society for Humane Science, TEDx speaker, UBC Professor and zero waste enthusiast) is making The Switch to zero waste gift giving! 

These tips can make a big impact on local waste during the holiday season, and we'd love to hear from you! Tag @howiemichael on Instagram or email defenderradio@gmail.com with your zero waste gift giving tips and get included in a future episode!

LINKS

Society for Humane Science: https://www.forhumanescience.org/

Dr. Elisabeth Ormandy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethormandy/

Dr. Elisabeth Ormandy at TEDx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfBc2PvVXnU

Want to suggest topics for The Switch? Reach out to us at DefenderRadio@Gmail.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael), TikTok (www.tiktok.com/@howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio). 

The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Twitter (www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Frances Backhouse is a well-regarded naturalist and journalist, as well as the author of several books on beavers, including Once They Were Hats. Though known for much of her work on beavers, Frances has also written about several species of bird, women in history, and now is taking on the fascinating and majestic grizzly bear.

Frances joined Defender Radio to have an in-depth conversation about her path from scientist to writer, what she’s learned about beavers and bears along the way, and how others can find their own ways to working on topics they’re passionate about.