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    The Green Mind

    The Green Mind explores the intersection of social and environmental advocacy. We take a journey to uncover the actions people are taking around the world to showcase the symbiotic, yet sometimes tumultuous, relationship between people and nature. Your host, Leander Lacy, is a trained environmental social scientist and is a consultant for environmental organizations that are trying to meet both social and ecological outcomes. He has worked on projects around the world exploring the relationship between people and nature. Now he wants to bring his love for this work to you! He will interview experts that are doing work now to build and sustain this critical connection between communities and the Earth.
    en-us26 Episodes

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    Episodes (26)

    Final Episode

    Final Episode

    Leander wraps up Season 3 and talks about the future of The Green Mind Podcast. Support his journey in bringing this podcast to listeners into the future. 

    Episode Highlights: 

    1:15: Date of Season 4

    1:50: Helping The Green Mind

    3:20: Dr. Paul Zeitz

    4:45: Utilizing Funds for The Green Mind

    5:25: Other ways to help

    Links: 

    Support: https://www.thegreenmindpodcast.com/support



    The Green Mind
    en-usJune 14, 2022

    DEI in Natural Resource Departments

    DEI in Natural Resource Departments

    Professor Leander Lacy connects with Dr. Rickey Frierson to discuss the academic institutions that are producing the future leaders in natural resources. Dr. Frierson is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Colorado State University. They discuss navigating natural resources departments and integrating DEI for faculty and staff. 


    Episode Highlights: 

    4:35 - Recruiting diverse students/talent

    17:12 - When you are not the DEI expert

    23:57 - Dr. Frierson’s journey into natural resources 

    31:12 - Leander’s journey into natural resources

    36:15 - Success for DEI in academics

    40:10 - Dr. Frierson’s vision



    Environmental Justice, Law, and Water

    Environmental Justice, Law, and Water

    Leander connects with an old friend, Veronica Oakler, from his undergrad program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida. Go Gators! They take a journey through their careers and tackle some very difficult conversations around environmental justice.

    Episode Highlights: 

    3:56: Wildlife Conservation and Law in Florida

    7:51: Love of Florida Black Bears

    18:39: Clean Water for North Carolina 

    21:02: Environmental Justice

    34:28: Getting Policies on the Agenda

    40:24: Get Involved in North Carolina


    Links: 

    https://cwfnc.org/

    www.lacyconsultingservices.com

    https://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/



    Diversifying Perspectives for Water Conservation

    Diversifying Perspectives for Water Conservation

    Leander meets up with Blake Osborn to talk about a great program happening at Colorado State University attempting to get more voices into the water conservation world. Listen in as they tackle some difficult conversations. 

    Episode Highlights: 

    3:40 - Colorado State University Water Program

    11:15 - Bringing diverse perspectives into water conservation

    17:41 - Diversifying your Conference Attendees

    19:48 - Water Rights in Colorado

    28:19 - Benefits of the program

    Links Mentioned: 

    www.lacyconsultingservices.com 

    https://watercenter.colostate.edu/studentfellows/



    The System Called Conservation

    The System Called Conservation

    Leander meets Grace Anderson for the first time and they unpack the conservation field and the various impacts the system has on all people. Grace is very interested in social justice, conservation principles, and healing through nature. Follow this interesting conversation as they both take a tour around the social construct we call conservation.

    Episode Highlights: 

    3:37 - Grace’s Conservation Career

    09:37 - Identity Erasure in Conservation

    15:21 - The Show Pose

    19:25 - Finding Peace and Solitude in Nature

    25:57 - Navigating the Conservation System


    Links:
    www.lacyconsultingservices.com 



    Meet the Commissioners

    Meet the Commissioners

    Leander talks to local Commissioners Adam (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) and Nanjappa (Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission) as they explore what it means to be a commissioner and the importance of every citizen to engage in the decision being made about their natural resources. They also have deep conversations about justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion means in the world of Commissioners. 

    Episode Highlights: 

    5:05: Commissioner Gordon from Batman

    14:12: Oil and Gas vs Parks and Wildlife

    24:53: Women and race identity in the Commissioner role

    44:27: If you could do it all over



    Ep. 3 Land Ownership and Food Justice

    Ep. 3 Land Ownership and Food Justice

    Leander catches up with another friend from his old graduate program: Conservation Leadership Masters Program at Colorado State University. Leander finds out what Dr. Adam Calo has been doing since his graduate school days and explores the future of sustainable agriculture  and land ownership globally. 


    Episode Highlights: 

    6:33: Working outside of the United States

    8:42: Transition from individual to community land ownership in Scotland

    18:24: Is the current agricultural system flawed? 

    24:18: Racism and reparations in the agricultural system

    34:14: The power of land ownership

    37:49: Evolution of Dr. Adam Calo’s conservation journey


    Links Mentioned: 

    Master of Conservation Leadership: https://warnercnr.colostate.edu/hdnr/conservation-leadership/

    Lacy Consulting Services: www.lacyconsultingservices.com



    Diversifying the Conservation Field

    Diversifying the Conservation Field

    Join Leander as he discusses the pathway to conservation with a Black conservationist named Diquan. Leander and Diquan share stories about navigating a conservation career and engaging with their own communities about the topic of conservation. 

    Episode Highlights: 

    3:33 - Finding your love for nature

    9:43 - Introducing your family to Yellowstone 

    16:43 - Leander’s switch into conservation  

    23:34 - Working at The Triangle Land Conservancy

    28:17 - Working with diverse communities

    Links Mentioned:
    https://www.triangleland.org/
    www.lacyconsultingservices.com



    The Green Mind
    en-usMarch 08, 2022

    Academic Institutions and Conservation

    Academic Institutions and Conservation

    Join Leander as he discusses the North Carolina State University’s contribution to raising the next generation of conservationists through this conversation with Dean Myron Floyd of the College of Natural Resources. They discuss Dean Floyd’s background, state of research at his university today, and the future of conservation. 

    Episode Highlights: 

    9:31 - Being one of few in undergrad

    15:39 - Transition to the Conservation Field 

    20:08 - Being the Dean of the College of Natural Resources 

    23:49 - Research at North Carolina State University

    35:39 - Future Conservationists

    Links Mentioned:
    https://cnr.ncsu.edu/



    The Green Mind
    en-usFebruary 22, 2022

    Fireside Chat with Lacy Consulting Services

    Fireside Chat with Lacy Consulting Services

    Join Leander as he talks with his employees about the future of conservation’s organizational culture. Leander is creating the future of conservation and he invites you to the healing space that is possible in conservation.

    Episode Highlights:
    2:30 - Introducing Staff

    20:14 - Discussing Mental Health

    39:12 - Discussing Social Justice at Work

    40:39 - Transparency in Salary

    53:16 - Strength-Based Culture

    Links Mentioned:
    www.lacyconsultingservices.com
    www.kiteanddartgroup.com 


    Grace, Strength, and Resilience

    Grace, Strength, and Resilience

    Leander meets the amazing storyteller Regina Lopez Whiteskunk from the mountain Ute tribe. They talk about the rollercoaster of identity empowerment and how being Ute plays a strong role in Regina's current life working with a conservancy land trust. Regina played a role in the governmental designation of Bears Ears and we discuss the rollercoaster of fighting for what you believe in. 

    Episode Highlights:

    6:00 - Bears Ears Intertribal Coalition

    12:45 - Asking for grace

    17:25 - Taking back power

    21:54 - Deb Holland

    30:50 - Why the past matters now

    36:35 - Preparing the next generation

    Power of a Conservation Network

    Power of a Conservation Network

    Leander Lacy catches up with his old colleague and friend Cristina Lasch to talk about the powerful Conservation Coaches Network. They discuss the history of the network and the powerful benefit it has to conservation groups around the world. They also discuss how an infusion of JEDI principles would create a global impact for communities where conservation groups work. 

    Episode Highlights:

    2:30 - What is CCNET?

    9:33 - Why engage with the CCNET listserv?

    12:39 - Evolution of the Conservation Coaches Network

    18:29 - Incorporating JEDI into the Conservation Standards

    29:00 - Future of CCNET

    Links Mentioned:

    https://conservationstandards.org/about/

    https://www.ccnetglobal.com/

    https://www.conservationtraining.org/

    Environmental and Social Justice: Blurring the Lines

    Environmental and Social Justice: Blurring the Lines

    Leander meets for the first time the amazing Estephanie. A wonderful recommendation from Crystal Egli. Listen in on this budding friendship as they tackle the intersection of environmental and social justice. Estephanie is a powerful communicator and has a way of helping to connection your mind, heart, and soul to the work we are doing in the environmental space. You may want to be in a meditative state when you listen to this podcast. Enjoy! 

    Episode Highlights:

    12:55: True Systems Change Conservation

    20:18: Distribution of Power in Conservation 

    25:12: People of Color Hunting 

    31:00: State of Maine

    Links Mentioned:

    www.mycorrising.com

    Conservation Projects and Relationship Goals

    Conservation Projects and Relationship Goals

    Leander catches up with Vance Russell to discuss environmental social science, working in the environmental field, engaging in multiple types of projects. 

    Episode Highlights:

    6:50 - How do you end up in Environmental Social Science?

    24:20 - What type of work will get Vance excited? 

    29:02 - How did Vance end up in the UK? 

    32:36 - How to create relationship goals in conservation? 

    37:10 - What are the next steps for Vance and his consulting? 

    Links Mentioned:

    https://www.vrconservationcollective.com/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/vance-russell-ab596810/

    Leveraging Privilege for Inclusive Conservation

    Leveraging Privilege for Inclusive Conservation

    Leander catches up with Inclusivity Social Scientist, Nikki Cox, to discuss the importance of recognizing privilege on a path to a more inclusive conservation movement. Nikki currently works for the U.S. Forest Service and has dedicated her career towards the betterment and empowerment of ALL people. Nikki is a shining example of a person doing their best to recognize privilege, elevate social science, and support others in viewing the possibilities of building collaborations with new and innovative allies. This podcast should motivate you to step up your game!

    Episode Highlights:

    5:45 - What is an Inclusivity Social Scientist? 

    11:08 - Why would a white person focus on JEDI in conservation?

    19:00 - How do you get your voice heard? 

    28:55 - What is the future of public lands?

    36:01 - Finding representation 

    Links Mentioned:

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-story-but/id1504725503

    The New Voices of Conservation

    The New Voices of Conservation

    Leander interviews another podcaster Sapna. Sapna is the host of the Breaking Green Ceilings podcast. They discuss experiences of being BIPOC podcasters with a focus on environmental and social challenges and the importance of providing a platform for unheard voices. Leander wants to forgive his audience for making the statement "falling on deaf ears". He actively, daily works to eliminate unnecessary vocabulary that isn't accurate and utilizes a group of people to describe something which further stigmatizes and highlights societal ignorance. 

    Episode Highlights:

    4:20 - Starting a new podcast

    9:55 - Conservation as a segregated movement

    16:00 - Learnings from guests

    20:24 - Experiences of "people of difference" in conservation 

    26:17 - Immigrant experience and conservation 

    32:28 - Getting BIPOC people into conservation 

    Links Mentioned:

    Breaking Green Ceilings: https://breakinggreenceilings.com/

    Lacy Consulting Services: https://www.lacyconsultingservices.com/

    Fireside chat with Leander

    Fireside chat with Leander

    It is our season finale and Leander is talking directly to you. He discusses projects he is working on around the world and hopes to get you excited about the world of combining social and environmental justice. Get out in nature, relax, and listen.

    Episode Highlights:

    2:50 - Intersection of urban poverty and environmental action

    8:50 - Incorporating JEDI into the Conservation Standards

    13:35 - Projects at Lacy Consulting Services

    22:40 - Research on the social science of trust

    31:00 - Transforming the conservation field

    Links Mentioned:

    JEDI in Conservation Standards

    Video of JEDI in Conservation Standards

    Bat Conservation International

    NA Agriculture and The Nature Conservancy

    Next 100 Coalition

    The Nature Conservancy - The Bahamas

    Protect our Winters

    From Free Shirt to Conservation Advocate

    From Free Shirt to Conservation Advocate

    Summary:

    Leander catches up with his friend Juan Perez. They talk about what it means to be Panamanian, how young Juan got into conservation, the impacts of U.S. politics, and how to exemplify sustainable conservation. Juan shares personal stories to help expand the link between people and nature. Enjoy!

    Episode Highlights:

    6:52 - Getting youth into conservation

    14:50 - Juan's journey to sustainable conservation

    20:29 - Dominant culture on the global stage

    27:10 - Impacts of U.S. politics to individuals outside the U.S.

    31:00 - Explaining conservation to family members

    Links Mentioned:

    www.wilderness.org

    www.peoplesland.org

    Youth, Religion, and Conservation

    Youth, Religion, and Conservation

    Summary: Leander meets up with a new friend, Jim Cummings. They discuss how faith, youth, and conservation all intersect. Listen as these two share personal and powerful stories that provide context for how conservation impact is occurring in one of the most impoverished and high-crime cities in the United States. And how this model is being adopted around the world. 

    Episode Highlights: 

    3:00 - Nature in Camden, New Jersey

    9:50 - Jim's story 

    11:35 - Urban Promise around the world

    21:00 - Faith-based Organization

    24:30 - White, straight, male working with Black and Latino Youth

    Links Mentioned:

    http://urbanpromiseusa.org/

    http://www.urbantrekkers.org/

    https://urbanpromiseinternational.org/

    Star Power and Conservation Impact

    Star Power and Conservation Impact

    Leander invites a fantastic entrepreneur, David Dabah, that has been with Leander since he started Lacy Consulting Services. David and Leander spend hours collaborating and trying to elevate each other. In this podcast, we talk star power and talent as David describes what it is like to work with talents such as Eve, Nick Jonas, Chainsmokers, and Lewis Hamilton.

    Episode Highlights: 

    3:00 - Working with talent

    10:20 - How to not be starstruck

    14:18 - Leveraging talent to improve conservation outcomes

    22:40 - Lived experience versus perceived experience in nature

    30:20 - Why bring celebrities to conservation

    Links Mentioned:

    https://dstudiomedia.com/services

    https://www.ifaw.org/au

    https://eco-age.com/agency/events/green-carpet-fashion-awards/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddabah/