Living Downstream

Episode 20: Reflections on Time Spent in Somalia

This episode features an interview with MaryAnn Shank, who shares about the time she spent serving with the Peace Corps in Somalia years ago. She reflects on what she has learned in the intervening years, and the benefits of service.

Resources & Links for this Episode:

• Peace Corps Website - Link
• United Communities AmeriCorps (local program) - Link

(This episode first aired June 12th-13th, 2021.)

Episode 19: Staying Connected with Environmental (& Other) Organizations As We Age

This episode features an interview with Lillene Fifield, who shares some recommendations for staying active, and staying connected as you get older. Additionally, she reflects on how religious institutions and other groups can be environmentally conscious.

Resources & Links for this Episode:

• FISH Food Pantry - Website
• Blue Zones Project - Website

(Originally aired June 5th-6th, 2021)

Episode 18: Crater Lake

In this episode, you'll learn about Crater Lake and the surrounding wilderness, and the efforts being taken to protect them. Bob Hoehne and Bob Allen share their connections with the region, and ways to support this Oregon treasure.

Resources & Links for this Episode:

• Oregon Wild - Website
• Environment Oregon - Website
• Crater Lake Institute - Website
• National Parks Conservation Association
• Umpqua Watersheds - Wilderness Committee Page
• Friends of Crater Lake - Website
• Opportunities for Youths (to have their voices heard on the radio) - Link to Page on Umpqua Watersheds' website

(This episode first aired May 22nd-23rd, 2021.)

Episode 17: The Healing Power of Nature

This episode features an interview with Elena Lininger, creator of the organization Source One Serenity, which offers local veterans and their families opportunities to participate in nature immersion activities, as well as the associated social enterprise HealTerra, which employs veterans in producing soil amendments through vermiculture/worm composting! Additionally, hear from Executive Director Kasey Hovik about new ways to get involved with Umpqua Watersheds.

Resources & Links from Episode 17:

• Source One Serenity - Website & Facebook Page
• Umpqua Watersheds - Website, Facebook Page, & Virtual Banquet Page

(First aired May 15th-16th, 2021)

Episode 16: Interview with a Local Author - Robert Leo Heilman

In this episode, you'll hear from Robert Leo Heilman, a local author who wrote the book Overstory: Zero, Real Life in Timber Country. In the interview, he discusses the importance of complexities - and some of the dangers of ignoring them, as well as what it means to live in community with one another.

To start out the show, we'll feature a song by local musician/songwriter Marnie Allbritten, who has shared a number of her songs with us for use on Living Downstream. If you have an original, nature-related song that you'd like to be included in the show, please email ryan@umpquawatersheds.org.

Links/Websites & Books Mentioned in Episode 16

• Overstory: Zero, Real Life in Timber Country, by Robert Leo Heilman
• The Quiet Sickness: A Photographic Chronicle of Hazardous Work in America, by Earl Dotter

"Oregon Mountain Chant", by Marnie Allbritten

(First aired during Episode 16)

You green and rocky mountains, You sky so big and blue

With dreams beyond the counting, You know that I love you.

And you will not forsake me. You’ll stand so wild and strong

‘Til all the stars fall from the sky and all the dreams are gone.

My Momma died so weary, my Daddy he’s gone too.

They left me sad and sorry with nothing I could do.

But when I see your rivers wind, my heart sings like a bird

That leaves my sorrow far behind the sweetest song I’ve heard.

Now I will wander through the world from sea to shining sea,

And nothing I find will be worth the song you sing to me.

But when at last my time is done and all my trials are through,

I’ll hang my coat behind the door and lay me down with you.

(Originally aired May 8th-9th, 2021)

Episode 15: Intro to Forest Bathing - Part 2

This episode features an interview with Sari Telpner, certified forest therapy guide and health educator. You'll learn more about what forest therapy, also called forest bathing, is, as well as other nature-connected practices that offer a multitude of benefits. Additionally, you'll hear a song by Marnie Albritten, and a presentation by Rachael Brock, which took place during our Eco Innovations Challenge on April 25th.

Links/Websites & Books Mentioned in Episode 15

• Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs - ANFT Website
• Wild Wellness Guide - Click here to learn more about Sari's offerings
• Book Recommendations:
  • Your Guide to Forest Bathing, by Amos Clifford
  • Healing Trees: A Pocket Guide to Forest Bathing, by Ben Page
  • Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health & Happiness, by Dr. Qing Li
  • The Healing Magic of Forest Bathing, by Julia Pleven
  • Sit Spot & the Art of Inner Tracking, by R. Michael Trotta
  • The Nature Principle, by Richard Louv
  • The Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, by Richard Louv
  • The Nature Fix, by Florence Williams
  • Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Rachael's email (reach out if you'd like to learn more about/volunteer for her bee survey project) - rachaelkyhlyb@gmail.com

"Song for the Umpqua", by Marnie Albritten 

(First aired during Episode 15)

 

God made the Indians, gave them a home.

Mountains to wander, forests to roam.

And the streams were clear as diamonds.

And the grass was green as rain, and the trees grew tall forever.

Turtle Island was its name.

Then came the white man from over the sea

Many a brave man yearned to be free.

And they saw the land before them

But they saw it with their eyes, and they killed their red brothers and sisters

With their wicked loving lies.

Time passes quickly.  Those days are gone.

Only the memory of terror lives on.

But the streams that flow are filthy

And the air’s a killing fog, and they’re cutting down the ancient trees

Just to bring in bigger logs.

My children’s children must live on this land.

If we won’t save it, nobody can.

And the children want to know

Why the earth is filled with pain.

Like that red man long ago, can we love her once again?

 

(This episode originally aired May 1st-2nd, 2021.)

Episode 14: Intro to Forest Bathing - Part 1

In this episode, you'll hear from Michelle Winter, certified forest therapy guide, about forest bathing - or forest therapy walks - and the benefits of spending intentional time in nature. Tune in and be refreshed as you learn about a new way to engage with the natural world.

Links/Websites Mentioned in (or related to) Episode 14

• Art & Nature NW
• Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs (ANFT)
• #everysevendays2021

(Originally aired April 24th-25th, 2021)

Episode 13: Local Fish & Streams

This episode features interviews with Jeff Dose & Jeff McEnroe, both of whom have worked as fish biologists in the area. Our conversations cover the types of fish in local streams, various impacts on the waters and aquatic species they contain, and habitat restoration planned for areas burned in the Archie Creek Fire last fall.

Links/Websites Mentioned in (or related to) Episode 13

• Northwest Forest Plan
• Contact Information for Jeff McEnroe --> (541)464-3316 or jmcenroe@blm.gov

(This episode originally aired April 10th-11th, 2021.)

Episode 12: How Does Your Garden Grow?

Episode 12 is all about sustainable gardening and farming! Joanne Gordon ("Granny Organic") discusses eco-friendly practices for growing your own produce, and Amanda Pastoria of the Umpqua Valley Farmers' Market shares about this wonderful community resource!

Links/Websites Mentioned in (or related to) Episode 12

• Umpqua Valley Farmers' Market - Website & FB Page

Lyrics for "Rainbow" by Marnie Allbritten (Featured in Episode 12)

You’re a rainbow, many-colored threads of sunshine.
You can smile and let it all be fine, you can laugh and let it go.
When the sun shines, you can see yourself through open eyes.
And I know your song will rise in harmony.

When the rains came and the clouds rushed over, capped the sky,
Cold and heavy as a winter sigh, robbed the sun from us below.
But the rainbow is hiding just behind the clouds I know
And beyond the rainbow, that’s where we must go.

Let the sun shine. Let it fill your heart with gladness
Through the hard times and the sadness.
Hold on to that golden light.
In the darkness lies the seed of every sunrise climb.
And I know we’ll shine together, you and me.

We’re all rainbows, many-colored light of sunshine.
We can smile and let it all be fine. We can laugh and we can grow.
When the wind blows we can shelter in each other’s songs
And we’ll weather all the storms and on we’ll go.

(First aired April 3rd-4th, 2021)

Episode 11: Understanding Climate Change

Episode 11 features interviews with Stuart Liebowitz of the Douglas County Global Warming Coalition and Katrina Keleher of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (and former Environmental Education & Outreach Leader for Umpqua Watersheds!).

Links/Websites Mentioned in (or related to) Episode 11

• Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission - Website
• Douglas County Global Warming Coalition - Website & Facebook Page

(This episode originally aired March 27th-28th, 2021.)