Join Leander as he catches up with Elizabeth Schuster, discussing her journey as an environmental economist, the evolution of her consulting work, and the changing landscape of environmental economics. They explore the importance of relationship-building in conservation, the challenges of implementing equity in environmental work, and the need for sharing lessons learned in the field.

Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] - Elizabeth's personal update and reflections on family changes
[00:04:00] - Discussion on health reset routines and favorite meals
[00:05:00] - Elizabeth's perspective on the term "consulting" and her collaborative approach
[00:07:00] - Overview of Elizabeth's environmental economics consulting firm
[00:09:00] - The importance of applied research in environmental work
[00:11:00] - Case study: Vermont Everyone Eats program and its impact
[00:14:00] - Strategies for implementing research findings and creating impact
[00:17:00] - Reflection on the evolution of environmental economics
[00:19:00] - Discussion on environmental economics and equity issues
[00:21:00] - The importance of sharing lessons learned in conservation work
[00:24:00] - Insights on handling mistakes and uncomfortable conversations
[00:27:00] - The need for proactive and meaningful stakeholder engagement

Links Mentioned:
• Vermont Everyone Eats program: https://thecollaborative.us/everyoneeats/
• Civic Consulting Collaborative: https://civicconsultingcollaborative.com/

Join Leander as he catches up with Jason Swann, discussing personal growth,
conservation work, and the challenges facing outdoor education and recreation providers. They explore the importance of reconnecting with nature, addressing inequities in access to green spaces, and the role of advocacy in creating change.

Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] - Jason's current roles and work in conservation
[00:03:00] - Leander's experience at an eco dharma retreat
[00:09:00] - Discussion on ancestry work and spiritual connections
[00:14:00] - Jason's evolution in the conservation space
[00:17:00] - Statistics on park access disparities across the US
[00:22:00] - Challenges in community engagement and advocacy
[00:25:00] - Introduction to Rising Routes and its mission
[00:29:00] - Explanation of advocacy and its importance for nonprofits

Links Mentioned:
- Trust for Public Land www.tpl.org
- Rising Routes www.risingroutes.org
- African Ancestry (DNA testing service) www.ancestry.com

Join Leander as he catches up with Nikki Cox, discussing her evolving role in
inclusivity within the U.S. Forest Service, the challenges of returning to work after time away, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces in conservation. They explore the complexities of equity in public lands management and the need for holistic approaches to community engagement.

Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] - Nikki's new role as regional inclusivity social scientist
[00:04:00] - Discussion on the importance of inclusivity in internal processes
[00:09:00] - Challenges of creating inclusive programming in conservation
[00:15:00] - The impact of cultural history on conservation efforts
[00:20:00] - Examining trauma in the conservation movement
[00:33:00] – Diversification of the Conservation Field
[00:37:50] – Ethics on social issues and conservation

Links Mentioned:
• U.S. Forest Service – https://www.fs.usda.gov/
• Sierra Club – www.sierraclub.org
• Nature Conservancy - www.nature.org