Join us as we journey along the Colorado River with Alex Harper, a naturalist, wildlife conservationist, bird photographer, and guide with Red Rocks Audubon, whose recent survey expedition documents one of the American West's most urgent environmental crises. Alex shares what it means to witness the dramatic transformation of a river system that sustains millions of people and countless species—from disappearing wetlands and struggling bird populations to the stark reality of a watershed pushed to its limits by climate change, overuse, and outdated water policy. In an era when the Colorado River's reservoirs have reached historic lows and entire ecosystems hang in the balance, this essential conversation challenges us to confront the water crisis unfolding across the Southwest and to recognize how conservation education and documentary storytelling can inspire the collective action needed to secure water for both people and wildlife in an uncertain future.

RAY OF HOPE:

In a time when the Colorado River faces unprecedented challenges from climate change and overallocation, threatening the birds, wildlife, and communities that depend on it, Alex's dedication to documenting the river's condition and educating the next generation of naturalists stands as a powerful ray of hope—demonstrating that bearing witness to environmental change and sharing those stories can awaken the awareness and action needed to restore balance to our most critical watersheds.

This commitment to river advocacy and naturalist education represents hope because it shows us a pathway forward: naturalists using photography and documentary filmmaking to make invisible crises visible, educational programs and no cultivating deep ecological understanding in communities throughout the Southwest, birders and wildlife advocates connecting water conservation to the species they love, and a growing recognition that the health of our rivers reflects the health of our relationship with the natural world—ensuring that future generations inherit both the knowledge and the will to protect these lifeline ecosystems.

ANXIETY TO ACTION:

In an era when the Colorado River's flow has diminished dramatically and climate projections suggest even drier years ahead, understanding the connection between water scarcity and ecosystem collapse reminds us that every conservation choice we make—from reducing personal water use to supporting river restoration—represents a commitment to the millions of people, birds, and wildlife that depend on this irreplaceable river system for survival.

Take Action:

• Support organizations like Red Rocks Audubon, working to protect bird habitat and river ecosystems throughout the Southwest.
• Reduce your water consumption through conscious daily choices, especially if you live in water-scarce regions.
• Learn about where your water comes from and advocate for sustainable water policy in your community.
• Participate in naturalist education programs to deepen your connection to local watersheds and wildlife.
• Share Alex's documentary and other river advocacy work to raise awareness about the water crisis.
• Connect with local birding and conservation groups to support habitat restoration along waterways.
• Speak up for policies that prioritize ecological flows and balance human needs with healthy river ecosystems.
• Recognize that water conservation isn't just about scarcity—it's about ensuring thriving ecosystems for generations to come.

GUEST SOCIAL MEDIA & RESOURCES:

Follow Alex Harper: @alexharper

Red Rocks Audubon: @redrockaudubon

PLANET PEOPLE SOCIAL MEDIA:

Follow Planet People on Instagram: @planet.people.pod

Subscribe to us on YouTube: @PlanetPeoplePodcast

Join us as we venture into the Mojave Desert with Kelly Herbinson, Executive Director of Mojave Desert Land Trust, and Patrick Emblidge, Plant Conservation Program Manager, whose groundbreaking conservation work reveals the urgent need to protect one of North America's most iconic and misunderstood ecosystems. Kelly and Patrick share what it means to safeguard the desert's irreplaceable biodiversity from the iconic Joshua tree facing climate-driven extinction to the thousands of acres permanently protected through conservation easements that preserve rare plants and vulnerable desert species.

In an era when deserts are dismissed as barren wastelands even as they face unprecedented threats from climate change and development, this essential conversation challenges us to recognize the Mojave as a vibrant, interconnected ecosystem worthy of fierce protection and to understand how strategic land conservation can become a powerful tool for ensuring these landscapes endure for generations to come.

RAY OF HOPE:

In a time when climate change threatens the Joshua tree with extinction and development pressures fragment critical desert habitat, Kelly and Patrick's dedication to protecting Mojave ecosystems through conservation easements, land acquisition, and seed banking stands as a powerful ray of hope by demonstrating that science-driven action and community engagement can permanently safeguard thousands of acres and the rare species that depend on them.

This commitment to desert conservation represents hope because it shows us a way forward: land trusts working to permanently protect critical habitat through conservation easements before it's lost, thousands of acres preserved that provide refuge for rare plants and desert wildlife, seed banks preserving genetic diversity for future restoration, native plant sales connecting communities to desert biodiversity, and a growing recognition that desert ecosystems are not wastelands but thriving communities of life, truly ensuring that the Mojave's iconic species have a fighting chance against the escalating threats of our changing climate.

ANXIETY TO ACTION:

In an era when climate change is rapidly reshaping desert ecosystems and development pressures threaten to destroy irreplaceable habitat, understanding the urgency of Mojave Desert conservation reminds us that every acre protected through conservation easements, every seed preserved, and every native plant cultivated represents a lifeline for species that have survived in these harsh landscapes for millennia—and that our choices today will determine whether future generations inherit a living desert or a memory of one.

Take Action:

• Support organizations like Mojave Desert Land Trust that permanently protect critical habitat through conservation easements and land acquisition.
• Attend MDLT's annual native plant sale to support desert biodiversity in your own yard.
• Practice responsible recreation by staying on designated trails and roads to protect fragile desert plants.
• Plant native desert species if you live in arid regions to support local biodiversity and rare species.
• Reduce your carbon footprint to slow the climate change threatening Joshua trees and other desert species.
• Contact your representatives to support public land protection and conservation easement programs.
• Share the importance of desert conservation to counter the "wasteland" narrative.
• Learn about conservation easements and how they protect landscapes in perpetuity.

GUEST SOCIAL MEDIA & RESOURCES:

Mojave Desert Land Trust: @mojavedesertlandtrust

Learn more: www.mdlt.org

PLANET PEOPLE SOCIAL MEDIA:

Follow Planet People on Instagram: @planet.people.pod

Subscribe to us on YouTube: @PlanetPeoplePodcast

Happy New Year's from Planet People hosts, Natalie & Coral!

PLANET PEOPLE SOCIAL MEDIA:

Follow Planet People on Instagram: @planet.people.pod

Subscribe to us on YouTube: @PlanetPeoplePodcast

In this special holiday episode, hosts Natalie and Coral reflect on the season of giving and what it means to give sustainably. As we approach the end of the year, they discuss the importance of shopping small, supporting local businesses, and giving back to the incredible organizations and guests who have shared their knowledge and passion throughout the season.

This Christmas episode is a joyous reminder that sustainable giving goes beyond material gifts; it's about supporting the communities, creators, and changemakers who are working to build a better world. Natalie and Coral emphasize the importance of shopping from small businesses and local artisans this holiday season, as these purchases directly support individuals and families while minimizing environmental impact.

The hosts also highlight how listeners can give back to the show itself: following the organizations and experts featured in episodes, supporting their work, and spreading the word about Planet People. Liking, sharing, and subscribing might seem like small actions, but they make a huge difference in amplifying the voices of those doing critical environmental work.

RAY OF HOPE:

The most meaningful gifts don't always come wrapped in paper. This holiday season, we're witnessing a beautiful shift in how people approach giving, prioritizing experiences over possessions, supporting small makers over large corporations, and investing in causes that truly matter. When you shop small, you're not just buying a product; you're supporting someone's dream, keeping money in your local community, and often choosing items made with more care for both people and planet.

The ripple effect of these choices extends far beyond the holidays. Every small business supported, every podcast shared, every organization amplified—these are acts of community building that sustain the people doing the hard work of creating change. The beauty is in the simplicity: your everyday choices to support, share, and show up for the causes and people you believe in can have a profound impact.

ANXIETY TO ACTION:

Make your holiday shopping count - Create a list of small businesses, local artisans, and mission-driven companies to support this season. Consider giving donations in someone's name to organizations featured on the show.

Amplify the voices that matter - Like, share, and review podcasts and content creators who are doing important work. Follow and engage with the organizations and experts who have appeared on Planet People.

Give the gift of awareness - Share your favorite Planet People episodes with friends and family. Start conversations about sustainable living and environmental stewardship around the holiday table.

PLANET PEOPLE SOCIAL MEDIA:

Follow Planet People on Instagram: @planet.people.pod

Subscribe to us on YouTube: @PlanetPeoplePodcast

In this festive discussion, hosts Coral and Natalie sit down with guest Jenli Kaylor to explore the art of sustainable holiday living through thrifting and upcycling. Together, they dive deep into creative ways to make the holiday season more environmentally conscious while still maintaining the magic and joy of the season. From transforming secondhand finds into meaningful gifts to reimagining holiday decorations with thrifted treasures, this conversation is packed with practical tips for anyone looking to reduce their environmental footprint during the most wonderful—and often most wasteful—time of year.

Jenli shares her expertise on identifying quality pieces at thrift stores, creative upcycling techniques that turn forgotten items into holiday gold, and how to shift our mindset from consumption-focused celebrations to more intentional, sustainable practices. The discussion covers everything from DIY gift wrapping using repurposed materials to hosting eco-friendly holiday gatherings that don't compromise on style or sentiment. Join Coral, Jenli, and Natalie for this inspiring conversation that proves the holidays can be both magical and mindful!

RAY OF HOPE:

While the holiday season often brings anxiety about overconsumption and waste, there's a beautiful shift happening in how people approach gift-giving and celebrating. Thrift stores are seeing record numbers of creative shoppers who are discovering that the most meaningful gifts often come with stories—vintage books, restored furniture pieces, and unique finds that can't be bought new.

Communities are embracing gift swaps, DIY workshops, and upcycling parties where neighbors gather to transform old items into new treasures. Social media is filled with inspiring before-and-after transformations that show how creativity can turn the discarded into the divine. The silver lining? Every thrifted gift is both an act of environmental stewardship and a more personal, thoughtful way to show love. You're not just reducing waste—you're giving something with character, history, and heart.

ANXIETY TO ACTION:

Start small this holiday season - Visit your local thrift store with a specific person or occasion in mind, and let yourself browse with creative eyes rather than a rigid shopping list.

Build community around sustainable celebrating - Host a gift-wrapping party using newspapers, brown paper, and natural elements like pinecones and twigs. Organize a holiday decoration swap with neighbors to refresh your décor without having to buy new ones.

CONNECT WITH JENLI:

Follow @thejenliproject on Instagram and TikTok

PLANET PEOPLE SOCIAL MEDIA:

Follow Planet People on Instagram: @planet.people.pod

Subscribe to us on YouTube: @PlanetPeoplePodcast

In this discussion, we interview Kurt Leuschner, a Professor of Natural Resources at the College of the Desert, a public community college serving the diverse Coachella Valley of Riverside County, California. College of the Desert enrolls approximately 12,500 students and is federally recognized as a Hispanic-serving institution, reflecting its commitment to educational accessibility in the region.

Through his role at College of the Desert, Professor Leuschner is helping to educate the next generation of environmental stewards while contributing to our understanding of the remarkable biodiversity that calls the Coachella Valley home. In addition to our discussion on low-desert ecology, Kurt shares the many ways renewable energies are used across Southern California and how we can have hope for the progress humanity is making towards green energy solutions. Not only that, but he also shares the incredible efforts of rewilding desert landscapes by "killing your lawn" and planting native plants.

Join us for this hopeful discussion around renewable energy, desert ecology, and what it means to rewild your desert landscape at home in your backyard!

RAY OF HOPE:

While climate news can feel overwhelming, there's a beautiful movement happening right under our noses. Across the country, people are transforming their lawns into native habitats, one yard at a time. These aren't grand gestures - they're quiet acts of rebellion against monoculture grass that's creating wildlife corridors through suburbia.

Farmers are increasingly learning to spot burrowing owl nests, not because they're required to, but because they're discovering that protecting these tiny ecosystem engineers actually improves their soil health. Meanwhile, more people than ever are calling their representatives about environmental issues - democracy in action, one concerned citizen at a time.

The silver lining? You don't need to save the whole planet today. You just need to plant one native shrub, make one phone call, or learn to identify one species in your area. These small acts are part of a growing web of environmental stewardship that's quietly rebuilding our connection to the natural world.

ANXIETY TO ACTION:

Begin with your backyard - Converting even a small patch to native plants creates immediate habitat and gives you a sense of agency.

Build Community and share your native plant journey on social media to inspire neighbors. Join local environmental groups working on renewable energy advocacy. Connect with farmers in your area who are implementing wildlife-friendly practices.

CONNECT WITH KURT:

Email Kurt Lueshner: kleuschner@collegeofthedesert.edu

PLANET PEOPLE SOCIAL MEDIA:

Follow Planet People on Instagram: @planet.people.pod

Subscribe to us on YouTube: @PlanetPeoplePodcast