A Little Greener – Details, episodes & analysis

After being side characters in two episodes (Rocky Mountain Adventures and White-tailed Deer), it's time for moose to step into the spotlight! Casey and Sara discuss what makes moose special, the tangled web of moose population control, conservation, and climate change, and why in the world the plural of moose isn't "meese."

The two articles referenced in the last portion of the show are:

How Should Colorado Handle Its Booming Moose Population? | Smithsonian

Do Moose “Belong” in Colorado?

Additional resources for this episode:

Moose Research in Rocky Mountain National Park

Species Spotlight - Moose (U.S. National Park Service)

‘No chain stores, but moose on every corner’: as Colorado herds thrive, clashes with people rise | Wildlife | The Guardian

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Moose Survey

Moose Research | Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

Winter tick

Winter Ticks: Moose: Mammals: Species Information: Wildlife: Fish & Wildlife: Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

As New England Winters Warm, Ticks are Killing Moose at High Rates | Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)

Moose in New Hampshire

Unless you're living in Florida, you may have missed out on the fallout from a proposed development plan involving nine of Florida's state parks. Casey and Sara discuss the whole situation, from the problems with the proposals to the odd secrecy around the plan to the fallout--and share some lessons that we can all take from the situation to help make our voices heard to protect the planet.

Resources for this episode

DEP Announces 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative to Increase Public Access, Recreation and Lodging at Florida State Parks

Florida State Parks Threatened by Development

https://floridawildlifefederation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1-Overview.jpg

Legislation Scrapped in 2011 Offers Clues to How Florida Might Fund ‘Great Outdoors’ Initiative)

State offers more details on plan to revamp parks including in South Florida

DeSantis' plan to develop state parks faces setback as golf course backer pulls out | AP News

Audubon Protects Florida State Parks from Development Proposals

Trees help give us clean air to breathe, keep us cool, and can even benefit our mental health. But not everyone has equal access to trees. In this week's episode, Casey and Sara discuss the benefits (and challenges) of urban trees and take a look at the factors involved in tree disparity across different neighborhoods. 

Resources for this episode:

The Inequitable Distribution of Urban Trees

Tree Equity Score National Explorer

Public Health Benefits of Urban Trees

Urban Trees and Human Health: A Scoping Review

Green gentrification in European and North American cities | Nature Communications

Ten-Year Urban Forestry Action Plan: 2016 -2026

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Historic Funding to Expand Access to Trees and Green Spaces in Disadvantaged Urban Communities | USDA.

50 years after being outlawed, redlining still drives neighborhood health inequities.

Urban and Community Forestry Grants - 2023 Grant Awards | US Forest Service

In April of 2018, a news story broke about the discovery of 10,000 tortoises being held in terrible conditions in a house in Madagascar. The tortoises, which were primarily radiated tortoises, a critically endangered species, had been collected for likely sale into the pet trade. Thanks to the hard work of conservationists, led by the Turtle Survival Alliance, the tortoises were able to be relocated and cared for with the hope of eventually returning them to the wild. This week, Casey and Sara welcome ALG's first guest: reptile animal care professional, Andrew Ahl. Andrew shares his firsthand account of what it was like to travel to Madagascar to help care for these tortoises. 

Have you ever heard about a technological solution to an environmental issue that just seemed too good to be true--and then it turns out it was (carbon sucking machines, anyone)? While new innovations in technology might not be enough to stop climate change and protect habitats alone, there are lots of ways that technology is helping us in our fight. This week, Sara and Casey take a look at some new advances, from a paint so white it can make surfaces cooler to 3-D printed calcium carbonate, and discuss the pros and cons of technology in conservation.

For many of us, cars are essential transportation. Personal vehicles give us the freedom to go where we want when we want. We might have our favorite makes, models, and colors. Our cars might also have lots of fond memories attached. However, cars are also a big source of individual carbon emissions. This week, Casey and Sara discuss the future of cars--and it is looking electric! They also give us a joint review of the Toyota Prius and share their experiences making the switch to a hybrid vehicle. 

From transportation to waste to the impact of tourist activities, there are lots of ways that our vacations impact the environment. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take them! Start planning your next getaway as you listen to Casey and Sara discuss some of the things that we can do to make our trips just a little greener.

Assigning human traits to animals (anthropomorphism) can be a hotly debated subject in the scientific and conservation education communities. Casey and Sara discuss the risks and benefits of using anthropomorphism, and how this technique is utilized in nature documentaries like Netflix's recent release, Penguin Town.

What if you could recycle your plastic, metal, and glass waste without ever leaving your home? One company is looking to make this a reality through an in-home recycling appliance. Casey and Sara discuss this, as well as some new Extended Producer Responsibility laws in the United States, in this week's episode.

With Sara on the road this week, this episode is a quick one. But, take a listen for a couple of updates and additional thoughts on combating food waste, as well as some introductory tips on staying green while on vacation.