Why Indigenous Science Can Save the World

This week, Marcos takes us on a quest to find a small, elusive, endangered bird in the heart of sprawling Los Angeles. Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/natureSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Back in the day, Los Angeles was a frog paradise. But that all changed when the local rivers were sealed in concrete. This week, we visit a remaining slice of native habitat where you can still catch a chorus of frogs and share tips on how you can, too. Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

When it comes to invasive plants, tree of heaven is public enemy number one. This week on the show, we get to the bottom of its bad reputation. We’ll discover which parts are science, and which parts are straight up racism.  Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Nature is everywhere. And for LouAnne Brickhouse, it’s literally just steps away from her living room. Brickhouse is the founder of the popular Instagram account, “The Daily James.” She gives us a tour of the natural world that’s thriving in her Los Angeles backyard. Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/natureSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

This week, we look at the supermodel of plants in L.A: the iconic palm. They may be everywhere, but they’re not native to the city. How they got here, took over and complicate the great native v. non-native plant debate. Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/natureSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Indigenous knowledge has often been dismissed or appropriated in environmental science and academia. Scientist and author Jessica Hernandez tells our friends at Latino USA on why we need to re-center these voices and practices. Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/natureSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

A tiny blue butterfly you could only find in a coastal area of Los Angeles was thought to be extinct. A story of its unexpected rediscovery. Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

There are 400,000 species of beetles in the world, and you’ll find more than a few of them buzzing around Los Angeles this time of the year. Scientist Lila Higgins talks about their unique powers, mythologies, and which why some of them are known as the Thor of beetles. Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/natureSupport for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

When it comes to keeping the nature in Los Angeles balanced and thriving, bats are ecosystem superheroes. Marcos talks to Natural History Museum of L.A. County’s Miguel Ordeñana about these elusive flying creatives. Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

This week, Marcos talks with Jenny Odell, an artist and author of the book, “How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy.” O’Dell talks about birdwatching, the repose of Oakland’s bustling Morcom Rose Garden and why seeing a Wilson’s Warbler always puts her in a good mood. Human Nature is sponsored by BetterHelp and our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp.com/nature Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.