How a Wild Swamp Defeated a Mine | Saving the Okefenokee

Chris speaks with Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Drew Kann about Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp and its new status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They explore the swamp’s blackwater wetlands, remarkable wildlife, and delicate balance of fire and water. Drew explains how a proposed titanium mine raised concerns about water loss, severe fires, and damage to nearby rivers—until public opposition and a conservation land purchase stopped the project. They also discuss the power of local journalism and why continued protection remains essential. Timeline 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 03:24 What Makes Okefenokee Wild 06:46 Ecology Fire Water Wildlife 09:23 Mining Threat Origins Trail Ridge 13:35 Pushback Science and Local Stakes 17:11 Politics and Public Opinion 20:15 How Journalists Tell Complex Science 22:50 Accountability Reporting and Impact 27:24 Buyout and UNESCO Journey 31:27 What World Heritage Really Means 34:08 Local Journalism and What Gets Missed 36:59 Blueprint Hope and Persistence 43:06 Where to Follow Drew Closing == Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Angie will record a special live episode of the All Creatures podcast on Sunday, October 11 at 6:00 PM at the Grosvenor Auditorium in National Geographic’s new Museum of Exploration in Washington, DC. The live 90-minute event will feature National Geographic explorer, photographer, filmmaker, and conservation storyteller Amy Vitale, whose work documents relationships between people, wildlife, and shared landscapes, including major conservation projects. The event includes audience Q&A, images shown onstage, a post-show meet-and-greet, and tickets can be purchased below. Live Podcast Tickets HERE You can also visit the National Geographic Museum of Exploration website and search under What's On- Events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris talks with ecotherapy facilitator Shaz Audibert about how reconnecting with nature can support wellbeing, ease overwhelm, and inspire conservation. Shaz explains that ecotherapy recognizes humans as part of nature and shares accessible ways to reconnect—even in cities—through parks, street trees, houseplants, the sky, and simple practices such as a daily 10-minute mindful walk. Connect with Shaz: Instagram: @wildhuman.natureEmail: [email protected] Or access her Linktree https://linktr.ee/wildhuman.nature Timeline: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:14 Shaz Ecotherapy Journey 03:48 What Ecotherapy Means 04:38 Inside a Session 06:55 We Are Nature 11:43 City Nature Connections 14:54 Science Behind Benefits 16:08 Noticing Self and Life 18:54 From Connection to Conservation 20:48 Small Actions and Hope 30:02 Daily Practices and Growth 32:55 Find a Facilitator 33:54 Socials and Final Wisdom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Angie explore Cookiecutter Sharks, small deep-sea predators that use suction, sharp teeth, and a twisting bite to leave neat circular wounds on much larger animals. They discuss their strange appearance, warm-water range, nightly migrations, and glow-in-the-dark underside, which may help them hide or attract prey. The episode also looks at reproduction, rare reported human bites, and why these little-known sharks are so difficult to study. Finally, they place the species in the wider context of shark conservation, including the ongoing impacts of shark finning. Be sure to monitor National Geographics Museum of Exploration Website for our upcoming live even on Sunday October 11, 2026 HERE Timeline 00:00 Meet the Cookiecutter Shark 01:35 Wild Traits and Parasitic Feeding 03:32 Ocean Tangent Sand Dollars 05:05 Alien Looks Size and Anatomy 09:39 Range Habitat and Midnight Zone 11:58 Do They Bite Humans 17:07 Night Snorkel Manta Rays Story 22:11 Why This Shark Matters 24:14 Shark Finning Conservation Soapbox 33:52 Shark Family Tree 35:20 Ancient Survivors 36:40 Florida Shark Teeth 38:46 Physiology and Senses 44:28 Bioluminescent Glow 51:48 Cookiecutter Bite 56:26 Diet and Migration 58:18 Reproduction Mysteries 01:03:51 Conservation Resources 01:06:05 Final Takeaways == Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this classic episode from 2020, Chris and Angie explore the remarkable sun bear—the world’s smallest bear and one of Southeast Asia’s most overlooked animals. From their distinctive golden chest patch and extraordinary climbing skills to their love of insects, fruit, and honey, sun bears are perfectly adapted to life in tropical forests. But habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal pet trade continue to threaten these elusive bears. Join us to discover why sun bears matter, what makes them so unique, and why protecting their forest home protects so much more. Sun bears remain listed as Vulnerable, with habitat loss and illegal trade among their major threats. IUCN Red List, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ecologist Dr. Amy McEuen joins Chris to discuss How to Think Like an Ecologist and the power of seeing the world as an interconnected system. They explore ecosystem resilience, the value of nature connection, Amazon tipping-point debates, Indigenous land rights, biodiversity, freshwater, and nature-based climate solutions. Dr. McEuen also explains why misinformation spreads, why facts alone may not persuade people, and how values-based communication and “pre-bunking” can help. The episode closes with practical hope: collective action matters, and planting native species is one meaningful place to begin. Dr McEuens website HERE National Geographic Museum of Exploration HERE Timeline 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:31 Thinking Like Ecologist 05:02 Nature Connection Benefits 08:25 What Nature to Save 10:51 Amazon Tipping Points 15:11 Science Debate and Disinformation 19:14 Afforestation and Grasslands 22:01 Sustainable Logging Rates 25:04 Why Biodiversity Matters 28:36 Freshwater Boundaries 29:35 Pollution And Connectivity 31:25 AI Data Center Water 33:42 Why Facts Fail 36:00 Prebunking Misinformation 37:57 Misinformation Vs Disinformation 39:12 Whataboutism And Action 40:58 Individual Vs Collective Change 44:26 Plant Native Species 48:21 Book And Farewell == Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this classic episode from 2021, Chris and Angie explore the remarkable mountain goat, a white-coated specialist built for some of North America’s steepest and most unforgiving terrain. They discuss the species’ extraordinary hooves, thick winter coat, alpine diet, social behavior, and the challenges of raising young high above the treeline. The conversation also considers the pressures mountain goat populations can face, including changing mountain conditions, habitat disruption, and human disturbance. Join us for a return to one of our early episodes celebrating a true master of the high country. == Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris explores why humans are not separate from nature, but animals embedded within (and entirely dependent on) Earth’s living systems. Inspired by ecologist Dr. Amy McEwan, he examines cities as modified ecosystems, why adaptable species thrive while specialists struggle, and how disrupted relationships can unravel whole habitats. From monarchs and milkweed to sea otters and kelp forests, this episode is a call to notice, protect, and reconnect with the nature we never left. Timeline 00:00 Welcome and Big Question 01:00 Humans Are Animals 02:46 The Imaginary Divide 03:46 Nested Systems Insight 07:10 How We Got Disconnected 11:14 Cities as Ecosystems 14:25 Urban Adapters Spotlight 22:35 Specialists and Fragmentation 28:12 What Ecosystems Are We Making 31:36 Relationships Not Species 32:10 Sea Otters and Cascades 39:55 Designing for Coexistence 41:46 What You Can Do 46:10 Remember We Never Left == Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kenyan filmmaker, producer, and director Faith Musembi joins us to discuss Nat Geo’s four-part docuseries Lion, following the remarkable journey of Keo, a male lion filmed from cub to king across four years. Faith shares the power of character-driven wildlife storytelling, the challenges and ethical decisions behind filming in the field, and why African voices must be central to stories about African wildlife, climate, and conservation. She also discusses community-inclusive conservation and her work founding the Nuru Film Institute, helping create opportunities for the next generation of African wildlife filmmakers. Lion airs August 19 on National Geographic and begins streaming August 20 on Disney+ and Hulu. Timeline 00:00 Meet Faith Musembi 01:23 Breaking Into Wildlife Film 03:33 Why African Voices Matter 06:02 Elephants and Magic Moments 08:31 Keo Story Overview 10:07 Filming Four Year Journey 12:30 Brotherhood and Tenderness 14:23 Field Logistics and Notes 18:23 When Not to Intervene 21:12 Cameras Drones and Tech 24:23 Impact and Conservation Hope 29:11 Nuru Film Institute Mission 32:30 Advice for New Filmmakers 35:21 Where to Follow and Watch 37:06 Final Thanks and Wrap == Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this classic episode, Chris and Angie revisit the remarkable Hawaiian monk seal, one of the world’s rarest seal species and the only seal found exclusively in the Hawaiian Islands. With a population of only around 1,600 animals, Hawaiian monk seals have faced a long history of pressure from hunting, entanglement in marine debris and fishing gear, reduced food availability, disease risk, disturbance, and the challenges of living in a rapidly changing ocean. They are listed as Endangered under U.S. law, but there is real reason for hope: intensive conservation work has helped parts of the population begin a slow recovery. The episode explores why protected areas, especially the vast Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, are so important. These remote islands, reefs, and surrounding waters provide critical pupping, resting, and foraging habitat for monk seals, while also protecting one of the planet’s most ecologically significant marine ecosystems. Join us to learn why this deeply local species matters far beyond Hawaiʻi, what makes monk seals so special, and how protecting healthy oceans can give endangered wildlife a genuine chance to recover. == Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices