The Green Mind – Details, episodes & analysis

Join Leander as he catches up with Nikki Cox, discussing her evolving role in
inclusivity within the U.S. Forest Service, the challenges of returning to work after time away, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces in conservation. They explore the complexities of equity in public lands management and the need for holistic approaches to community engagement.

Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] - Nikki's new role as regional inclusivity social scientist
[00:04:00] - Discussion on the importance of inclusivity in internal processes
[00:09:00] - Challenges of creating inclusive programming in conservation
[00:15:00] - The impact of cultural history on conservation efforts
[00:20:00] - Examining trauma in the conservation movement
[00:33:00] – Diversification of the Conservation Field
[00:37:50] – Ethics on social issues and conservation

Links Mentioned:
• U.S. Forest Service – https://www.fs.usda.gov/
• Sierra Club – www.sierraclub.org
• Nature Conservancy - www.nature.org

Join Leander as he talks with Dani Reyes-Acosta, an athlete, visual storyteller,
and strategic advisor. They explore themes of ancestry, identity, and the complexities of the conservation movement, discussing how to reconnect with one's roots and address trauma in environmental spaces.

Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] - Introduction to Dani Reyes-Acosta and her background
[00:04:00] - Discussion on ancestral travel and reconnecting with heritage
[00:09:00] - Leander shares his experience with Panamanian roots
[00:15:00] - The power of connecting with ancestral lands through senses
[00:20:00] - Examining trauma in the conservation movement
[00:24:00] - The importance of acknowledging past traumas in conservation
[00:27:00] - Personal experiences with trauma in conservation work
[00:44:20] – Winter Sports and Climate Change

Links Mentioned:
- Trust for Public Land – www.tpl.org
- Sierra Club – www.sierraclub.com
- Scarpa Athlete Mentorship Initiative - https://us.scarpa.com/community/index.php/athlete-
mentorship-program
Outlier Film Series: https://outlierfilmseries.com/

Leander talks to local Commissioners Adam (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) and Nanjappa (Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission) as they explore what it means to be a commissioner and the importance of every citizen to engage in the decision being made about their natural resources. They also have deep conversations about justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion means in the world of Commissioners. 

Episode Highlights: 

5:05: Commissioner Gordon from Batman

14:12: Oil and Gas vs Parks and Wildlife

24:53: Women and race identity in the Commissioner role

44:27: If you could do it all over

Leander catches up with another friend from his old graduate program: Conservation Leadership Masters Program at Colorado State University. Leander finds out what Dr. Adam Calo has been doing since his graduate school days and explores the future of sustainable agriculture  and land ownership globally. 

Episode Highlights: 

6:33: Working outside of the United States

8:42: Transition from individual to community land ownership in Scotland

18:24: Is the current agricultural system flawed? 

24:18: Racism and reparations in the agricultural system

34:14: The power of land ownership

37:49: Evolution of Dr. Adam Calo’s conservation journey

Links Mentioned: 

Master of Conservation Leadership: https://warnercnr.colostate.edu/hdnr/conservation-leadership/

Lacy Consulting Services: www.lacyconsultingservices.com

Join Leander as he discusses the pathway to conservation with a Black conservationist named Diquan. Leander and Diquan share stories about navigating a conservation career and engaging with their own communities about the topic of conservation. 

Episode Highlights: 

3:33 - Finding your love for nature

9:43 - Introducing your family to Yellowstone 

16:43 - Leander’s switch into conservation  

23:34 - Working at The Triangle Land Conservancy

28:17 - Working with diverse communities

Links Mentioned:
https://www.triangleland.org/
www.lacyconsultingservices.com

Join Leander as he discusses the North Carolina State University’s contribution to raising the next generation of conservationists through this conversation with Dean Myron Floyd of the College of Natural Resources. They discuss Dean Floyd’s background, state of research at his university today, and the future of conservation. 

Episode Highlights: 

9:31 - Being one of few in undergrad

15:39 - Transition to the Conservation Field 

20:08 - Being the Dean of the College of Natural Resources 

23:49 - Research at North Carolina State University

35:39 - Future Conservationists

Links Mentioned:
https://cnr.ncsu.edu/

Join Leander as he talks with his employees about the future of conservation’s organizational culture. Leander is creating the future of conservation and he invites you to the healing space that is possible in conservation.

Episode Highlights:
2:30 - Introducing Staff

20:14 - Discussing Mental Health

39:12 - Discussing Social Justice at Work

40:39 - Transparency in Salary

53:16 - Strength-Based Culture

Links Mentioned:
www.lacyconsultingservices.com
www.kiteanddartgroup.com 

Leander meets the amazing storyteller Regina Lopez Whiteskunk from the mountain Ute tribe. They talk about the rollercoaster of identity empowerment and how being Ute plays a strong role in Regina's current life working with a conservancy land trust. Regina played a role in the governmental designation of Bears Ears and we discuss the rollercoaster of fighting for what you believe in. 

Episode Highlights:

6:00 - Bears Ears Intertribal Coalition

12:45 - Asking for grace

17:25 - Taking back power

21:54 - Deb Holland

30:50 - Why the past matters now

36:35 - Preparing the next generation

Leander Lacy catches up with his old colleague and friend Cristina Lasch to talk about the powerful Conservation Coaches Network. They discuss the history of the network and the powerful benefit it has to conservation groups around the world. They also discuss how an infusion of JEDI principles would create a global impact for communities where conservation groups work. 

Episode Highlights:

2:30 - What is CCNET?

9:33 - Why engage with the CCNET listserv?

12:39 - Evolution of the Conservation Coaches Network

18:29 - Incorporating JEDI into the Conservation Standards

29:00 - Future of CCNET

Links Mentioned:

https://conservationstandards.org/about/

https://www.ccnetglobal.com/

https://www.conservationtraining.org/

Leander meets for the first time the amazing Estephanie. A wonderful recommendation from Crystal Egli. Listen in on this budding friendship as they tackle the intersection of environmental and social justice. Estephanie is a powerful communicator and has a way of helping to connection your mind, heart, and soul to the work we are doing in the environmental space. You may want to be in a meditative state when you listen to this podcast. Enjoy! 

Episode Highlights:

12:55: True Systems Change Conservation

20:18: Distribution of Power in Conservation 

25:12: People of Color Hunting 

31:00: State of Maine

Links Mentioned:

www.mycorrising.com