Living Downstream

Episode 24: Doing What We Can to Protect Oregon's Animals & Ecosystems

This episode will feature an interview with long-time member of the Friends of Crater Lake, Beverly Paulson, who shares information about this beautiful Oregon treasure, and how you can get involved with its protection, as well as wildlife biologist and author Marcy Cottrell Houle, who has written several books about Oregon's wildlife and various habitats.

Resources & Links Mentioned During Episode 24:

• Friends of Crater Lake - Website
• National Park Service's Crater Lake Page - Link
• Britt Music & Arts Festival - Crater Lake Project Information
• Learn more about Crater Lake's Sister Park - Link
• Marcy Cottrell Houle's Website - Link
• Endangered Species Act - Webpage on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Site
• Information about Vaquitas (porpoises) - World Wildlife Fund Fact Sheet
• Turning Over a New Leaf Book Club - Webpage
• Oregon Community Foundation - Website

Marcy's Books Discussed in the Episode:

• The Gift of Caring: Saving Our Parents from the Perils of Modern Healthcare - Information on Marcy's Website
• The Prairie Keeper, Secrets of the Zumwalt - Information on Marcy's website
• Wings for My Flight: the Peregrine Falcons of Chimney Rock - Information on Marcy's website
• One City's Wilderness: Portland's Forest Park - Information on Marcy's website
• A Generous Nature: Lives Transformed by Oregon - Information on Marcy's website

Other Media Mentioned:

• Flight Behavior (book by Barbara Kingsolver)
• Seven Worlds, One Planet (show)

(First aired August 14th & 15th, 2021)

Episode 23: Coastal Ecosystems Are Struggling Too

This weekend’s episode will take us somewhere we have not yet explored during Living Downstream – the coast! Episode 23 focuses on a type of ocean ecosystem called a “kelp forest”, and some of its inhabitants. Various factors are transforming these aquatic systems into urchin barrens, which are unsuitable habitats for otters and other species. Hear from The Elakha Alliance’s Bob Bailey and Tom Calvanese of the Oregon Kelp Alliance to hear what diverse groups of stakeholders are doing to help Oregon’s sea otters, and the kelp forests they need to survive.

Resources & Links Mentioned During Episode 23:

• Elakha Alliance – Website & FB Page
• Oregon Kelp Alliance – Website & FB Page (Also on Wild Human – Link)
• Monterey Bay Aquarium – Website & FB Page
• Purple Sea Urchin Episode of Superabundant – Video Link
• Reef Check Expands to Oregon – Article
• Kelp2Whales on Twitter – #Kelp2Whales
• Oregon Wild – The Lost Sea Otters of Oregon

(Aired July 31st & August 1st)

Episode 22: AmeriCorps!

In this episode, you'll hear from members currently serving with United Communities AmeriCorps, as well as UCA's Program Director and Umpqua Watersheds' Executive Director, with a guest appearance by Umpqua Watershed's next AmeriCorps member, who will be serving during the 2021-2022 term! These lovely ladies will share about their experiences with national service, benefits of programs such as AmeriCorps, and, in the final interviewee's case, what she's hoping to get out of the experience.

Resources & Links Mentioned During Episode 22:

• Bright Futures Umpqua/BrightWorks Club - Website
• Douglas County Partners for Student Success - STEAM Hub Page & Facebook Page
• Phoenix Charter School - Website
• Rachel's Email - healthyfutures@roseburgphoenix.com
• United Communities AmeriCorps - Open Positions
• Umpqua Watersheds - Education Page

(First aired July 17th-18th, 2021)

Episode 21: Understanding More of Oregon's History - or Herstory

In celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month, this episode will explore the connections between women, especially lesbian women, and the environment, as well as dive into the history of a special area of land called Cabbage Canyon. Our guest for this episode is Jessi Harris, the new owner/steward of that property.

Resources Mentioned During Episode 21: 

• Lesbian Connection Magazine - Website
• Jessi's Cabbage Canyon email is cabbagecanyon@gmail.com

(Originally aired June 26th-27th, 2021)

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.)