Conversing with Nature
Join us as we talk about nature with those who know her best so that we can plan, design, and implement nature-based solutions (NBS) to overcome the obstacles facing South Carolina and the Southeast. These methods keep nature at the heart of the solution and offer multiple benefits to the ecosystem and society.
Each month we sit down with a nature expert or enthusiast who shares some of the wisdom and best practices that nature has taught them. Together, we learn more about nature, ways we can design NBS to address obstacles, and suggestions on how to implement equitable nature-based work.
- Update frequency
- every 12 days
- Average duration
- 46 minutes
- Episodes
- 34
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Unlocking Environmental Justice and Building Stronger Communities with Keisha Long
On this episode, we are joined by Keisha Long, the environmental justice coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC). Keisha demystifies what “environm…
Using the Tools Nature Gives Us with Rick Huffman
On this episode, we talk to Rick Huffman, a landscape architect and the founder of Earth Design. A conservation advocate and founder of the South Carolina Native Plant Society, Rick illustrates the b…
Working with Nature on Recovery and Mitigation in South Carolina with Emily Bentley
On this episode, we welcome Emily Bentley, chief of recovery and mitigation for the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD). Emily explains what the SCEMD does for the state, the differe…
Building Social, Economic, and Environmental Resilience in the Town of Andrews, SC with Mayor Frank McClary
On this episode, we sit down with Mayor Frank McClary, a retired United States Army Colonel and the current mayor of Andrews, SC. Mayor McClary explains some of the resilience challenges and opportun…
Finding Evidence of Nature's Resilience with Kim Morganello
On this episode, we welcome Kim Morganello, a senior project manager at Weston & Sampson. Kim shares her findings from a study on Folly Beach that show how nature truly is resilient, and that we can…
Oysters, Estuaries, and the Value of Community-Based Restoration with Michael Hodges
On this episode, we are joined by Michael Hodges, an oyster restoration biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SC DNR). Michael talks all things oysters: their benefits, t…
South Carolina’s Progress Towards Statewide Resilience with Alex Butler
On this episode, we are joined by Alex Butler, the resilience planning director for the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR). Liz and Alex dive into the history and purpose of SCOR as well as t…
Understanding Equity and What it Means to be Resilient with Cheryl Cail (Part 2)
In the second half of our two-part episode with Cheryl Cail, southeast conservation associate director for American Rivers and vice-chief of the Waccamaw Indian People, Liz and Cheryl explore the his…
Understanding Equity and What it Means to be Resilient with Cheryl Cail (Part 1)
In the first of this two-part episode, we are joined by Cheryl Cail, the southeast conservation associate director for American Rivers and vice-chief of the Waccamaw Indian People. Cheryl talks about…
Telling the Nature Story: Communicating Conservation with Jen Howard
On this episode of Conversing with Nature, Liz is joined by Jen Howard, a principal at Steward Terra Communications. Jen explains the importance and impact of nature stories, including what makes a g…
Federal Funding for Nature-Based Solutions with Howard Schnabolk
On this episode, we are joined by Howard Schnabolk, a habitat restoration specialist for the NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center. Liz and Howard talk about federal funding priorities and opportunities …
Soil and Water Conservation and Being a Champion for Nature with Dale Threatt-Taylor
On our third episode, we welcome Dale Threatt-Taylor, executive director of The Nature Conservancy South Carolina. Liz and Dale talk about soil conservation and agriculture in South Carolina and the …
Resilient Landscape Architecture Design and Native Plants with Erin Stevens
On our second episode, we are joined by Erin Stevens, the founder and president of Surculus, a landscape architecture firm based in Charleston, SC. Liz and Erin discuss all things native plants: thei…
Landscape Scale Restoration and Biodiversity with Keith Bowers
Welcome to the first episode of Conversing with Nature! We welcome Keith Bowers, the founder and president of Biohabitats. Liz and Keith discuss landscape scale protection and restoration, and the im…