Vistas & Voices

About Vistas & Voices

Conversations with those who care about Canadian landscapes. Vistas & Voices is a podcast dedicated to exploring the diverse and vibrant landscapes of Canada through the eyes of those who cherish and nurture them. I, your host, Tyler Garwood, engage in thoughtful and inspiring conversations with Conservationists, Agriculturists, Educators, Artists, Scientists, and more. Each episode delves into personal stories, exploring the passion, dedication, and experiences of our guests as they work to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of Canada. From innovative farming techniques to creative artistic expressions, discover the unique ways these individuals connect with the land and make a difference. Join us on this journey to learn, be inspired, and gain a deeper appreciation for the land that sustains us all. If you enjoy the podcast, please take a moment to Rate, Share, and Subscribe. Thank you for listening!

Publisher

Tyler Garwood

Category

science · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Feb 2024

Latest episode

14 Oct 2024

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2024

   Getting my Hands Dirty with Cam Ogilvie

   Today, I sat down with Cam Ogilvie, who I've been fortunate enough to spend the day at work with, in the field, and learned from him and what he does. Now, I get to sit down and discuss it with him in my living room. And so we had a great conversation about soil health and what that means to us as a society. We got to talk about so many interesting things and did it all in a new timeframe of 30 minutes. I hope the 30 minutes is a great time for you. It's a nice little time for me, it makes editing a lot shorter. We got a lot in there in 30 minutes. I think you'll enjoy it. Some of the topics we covered are: Soil health monitoring, What is soil health?, How do you teach about soil health?  Not letting perfect be the enemy of good, What's soil health going to look like in the not-so-distant future, and of course the definition of dirt versus soil.  What does it mean? Thank you so much for tuning in and I'll let you jump into the episode! 00:25 - What is Soil Health Monitoring? 2:47 - How do you get people to care about soil? 5:04 - How did Cam get interested in Soil work? 8:40 - Is our relationship with soil based on reciprocity? 11:35 - Teaching to rejuvenate the soil 13:12 - Grower’s moment of discovery 17:25 - Favorite part of the job 19:11 - Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good 21:24 - Soil Health in the Not-so-distant future 25:50 - Soil Efficiency 28:30 - Definition of Dirt vs Soil 29:35 - Take Away Mentioned Resources 5:44 - Cry, The Beloved Country - Allan Paton 19:22 - Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life - Anne Lamott 20:29 - The Effectiveness Equation 30:35 - SoilHealthInstitute.org 30:47 - Soilsatguelph.ca

2. 

   9 Sept 2024

   Cycling for Nature: Leanna and Timm's Journey Across Canada and Beyond

   On this episode of Vistas & Voices, I speak with Canada’s first female decathalete Leanna Carriere and ecologist Dr. Timm Döbert, the founders of Wings of Survival who have recently finished cycling 7,000 km across Canada in 30 days, overnighting at Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) along the way. The ride across Canada is a preparation ride for their epic adventure starting next year, where they plan to ride from Alaska to Patagonia, mimicking the migratory path of the Whimbrel. In our discussion we cover topics related to endurance athletes and nutrition, the highlights and challenges of riding 7,000km in 30 days, Key Biodiversity Areas and their significance to Canada, the role of grasslands in Canada’s ability to sequester carbon, science communication, Canada and the 30x30 conservation initiative and much more. If you liked this month’s episode, please consider sharing it with a friend or someone who would enjoy it! Sharing the episode will help our community grow and spread the message of the wonderful conservation work being done around the country. 03:10 The Mission: Wings of Survival 03:55 Endurance and Nutrition: Crossing Canada 07:00 Cycling Across Canada: Highlights and Challenges 11:22 Key Biodiversity Areas: Importance and Impact 14:37 Conservation Goals: 30x30 Initiative 18:27 The Role of Grasslands in Climate Change 22:59 Personal Reflections and Future Goals 26:27 Challenges in Environmental Awareness 27:15 Adapting Strategies for Conservation 28:21 Filming and Outreach Efforts 30:40 Engaging the Public with Science Communication 32:30 Tracking Birds and Expedition Plans 36:03 Preparation and Logistics for the Journey 41:19 Final Thoughts and Future Goals Wings of Survival Documentary Demo CBC interview

3. 

   12 Aug 2024

   Paul Schmidt on the Craft of Delivering a Successful Message

   In this episode, I engage in a fascinating conversation with Paul Schmidt, a lecturer in management communications at the Ivey School of Business and manager of the Writing Support Center at the University of Western Ontario. Paul shares insights on making impactful changes to how we use language to communicate effectively about sustainability and conservation efforts. We discuss the importance of emotional connection, factual storytelling, positive messaging, and empathy in crafting messages that resonate with diverse audiences and encourage behavioral change. This episode highlights the challenges and necessary strategies for delivering successful sustainability messages to inspire action. 04:12 Challenges in Sustainability Communication 05:34 Defining Sustainability 07:56 Tailoring Messages to Different Audiences 09:07 Pragmatic Approaches to Sustainability 13:20 Building Trust in Sustainability Efforts 17:06 Behavioral Change and Positive Messaging 26:45 Reaching Younger Audiences 28:58 Making Sustainability Fun 30:07 Reframing Sustainability Messaging 31:21 Shifts in Sustainable Practices 32:49 Transparent Communication and Empathy 35:44 The Power of Storytelling 38:27 Crafting Relatable Stories 44:27 Collaborative Efforts in Storytelling 45:52 Final Thoughts and Reflections 51:56 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

4. 

   8 Jul 2024

   Chris Kornacki: Discovering Relationships in Silvopasture

   In today’s conversation I chat with Chris Kornacki, a small-scale regenerative agriculturist from South West Ontario. I first learned about Chris’s work through his presentation at Forest Ontario’s annual conference, where he presented on silvopasture, something I’d never heard of before. Needless to say, Chris’s presentation was captivating, he unpacked so much knowledge in a short period of time. I knew getting him on the podcast would be a great show. Chris is from Toronto and grew up in the city, but after having some health complications as a young man, he turned towards nutrition and fitness to remedy his health. Through his journey as a successful trainer and gym manager, he studied regenerative agriculture books and learned of the connecitons between food production and food quality, especially related to nutrients. Chris took the dive into his own farming adventures just about 10 years ago and has been growing his practice ever since. Chris now runs a successful and extremely healthy farm that produces some of the finest pork, beef and chicken you can find anywhere in Ontario thanks to his dedication and care for his animals and land. Chris’s passion and drive to learn is contagious, he shares some of his most valuable resources and many wise words along the way. I really hope that you enjoy today’s conversation. I learned a lot, editing the show and listening through again because there are so many tidbits of information that apply to more than practices on the farm. There are a lot of good life lessons in here. So I hope that you have some time to sit down and enjoy the conversation and what Chris has to say. Show Notes: 4:24 - Alan Savory: Holistic Management 11:01 - Systems Thinking 14:32 - competency epiphany 16:21 - Starting property 20:00 - Cultivation Opportunity 23:34 - Challenges of starting a Farm 31:45 - Relationships and Mentors 36:11 - Silvopasture 51:54 - Key Principles of Chris’ Farming Alan Savory - Holistic Management (https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/e2077e59-fc3b-4e40-b4d7-57b5af987c3e) Chris Trump (https://www.biomei.solutions/) - Korean Natural Farming Elaine Ingham (https://www.soilfoodweb.com/) Jean Martin Fortier (https://www.en.jeanmartinfortier.com/) Joel Salatin - You Can Farm (https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/c5ead094-d2a5-48b9-957d-a5462f975981) Richard Perkins (https://www.richardperkins.co/)

5. 

   10 Jun 2024

   Chelsea Greer: Wolves, Caribou, and Conservation

   Welcome back to Vistas and Voices, where we explore compelling conversations with experts and enthusiasts passionate about conservation, sustainability, and the natural world with your host, Tyler Garwood. Today’s episode blends science, ethics, and heartfelt dedication to the natural world. My guest today is Chelsea Greer, the Wolf Conservation Manager at Raincoast Conservation Foundation. Chelsea is dedicated to safeguarding the lands, waters, and wildlife of coastal British Columbia through scientific research, public education, and wildlife management reform. In this episode, we discuss the complex world of wolf management, political challenges, and the ecological significance of wolves. We dive into the historical persecution of wolves, controversial wolf culling programs, and the critical need for habitat protection. Chelsea shares her journey and why she pursued a career with wild animals, the ethical considerations in wildlife management, and the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices into conservation efforts. We had a genuinely fantastic conversation that could’ve gone on much longer. Chelsea will be back in for another episode in the future. Thank you for tuning into Vistas & Voices and enjoy the show. Show Notes 02:59 Chelsea's Journey into Wolf Conservation 07:06 Raincoast Conservation Foundation (https://www.raincoast.org/) 09:28 Provincial Wolf Management Practices 19:37  Habitat Destruction and Its Effects 21:15 Clayton Lamb Scientific Paper (https://scholar.google.ca/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=hrQ0FlMN-FcC&sortby=pubdate&citation_for_view=hrQ0FlMN-FcC:dfsIfKJdRG4C) 23:39 Ethical Considerations in Wildlife Management 26:36 Species at Risk Act (SARA) (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-enforcement/acts-regulations/about-species-at-risk-act.html) 32:25 Spotted Owl (https://www.nwpb.org/2020/12/03/much-more-than-a-spotted-owl-fight-northwest-timber-wars-of-30-years-ago-revisited-in-podcast/) 43:29 Indigenous Knowledge and Conservation 46:49 Conclusion and Closing Questions Raincoast Conservation Foundation: Wolves (https://www.raincoast.org/wolves/) Chelsea Greer on X (Twitter) (https://x.com/ChelGreer) Additional resources from after the show: Wolf’s perspective of the 3 little pigs (https://www.youngaudiences.org/sites/default/files/Unit%201%20The%20True%20Story%20of%20the%203%20Little%20Pigs.pdf) 4th wing - fantasy novel (https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/c9ca5bdd-30da-48ad-a0c9-3c9ac03a297a) Never cry wolf - farley mowat (https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/7c4d86ef-898b-4af6-85c1-5ea0ec32881a) The stories from the magic canoe - cecil paul (https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/89251ae6-3fef-4374-b509-4febbe250520) Webinar Wolf School - Rick Mcintyre (https://www.raincoast.org/wolf-school/)

6. 

   13 May 2024

   Summits, Soil, and Sustainability with Chris Rubens

   Today I speak with professional skier and organic farmer, Chris Rubens. In our conversation, he shares his journey from chasing powder around the globe to realizing he needed to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. Growing up with a passion for skiing, Chris's perspective took a dramatic turn following a climate change focused trip to Greenland. Realizing the environmental impact of his professional pursuits, he began to adopt more eco-friendly habits, including reducing travel and transitioning to a vegetarian diet. These days Chris operates a three-acre organic farm with his partner in Revelstoke and has switched to more sustainable practices in skiing by partnering with environmentally conscious sponsors. He discusses the need of individual actions towards sustainability, the challenges of implementing sustainability in the ski industry, and the power of community in supporting local agriculture. This interview explores Chris's efforts to lead by example, illustrating how personal changes can contribute to a larger environmental impact. 00:24 Journey from Professional Skier to Sustainability Advocate 02:17 Making Personal Changes for Sustainability 04:17 Influence and Changes in the Ski Industry 09:26 Designing Sustainable Ski Gear 19:10 The Future of Sustainability in Skiing 23:07 Transitioning to Farming and Local Food Production 29:05 The Joy of Farming and Community Engagement 29:37 Discovering Work-Life Balance in Farming 30:16 The Unique Revelstoke Farming Community 33:08 Supporting Local Food and Community Initiatives 40:50 The Challenges and Rewards of Starting a Farm 44:22 Sustainability and Individual Impact 50:46 Hopeful Perspectives and Community Trust 55:17 Closing Thoughts and Resources

7. 

   8 Apr 2024

   Powering Grassroots Movements Through Creativity and Empathy

   In today’s conversation, I sit down on campus with Brendon Samuels, a passionate grassroots conservationist, PhD student, and empathetic thinker. Brendon has been making grassroots changes in the city of London, Ontario by garnering support from a variety of groups, transcending boundaries through an empathetic and creative approach. Our conversation covers how his backyard project has expanded to a global scale, how to approach people and spark change, how change is made not only through grassroots approaches, but from a top-down approach and the overall importance of positive community engagement and small-scale actions in driving larger environmental conservation efforts. Brendon’s approach to promoting change in the local community is a refreshing perspective in today’s media climate. His ability to promote cooperation through critically thinking and empathizing among groups holding different perspectives is tactful and genuine. I was very happy to sit down with Brendan and discuss all that he had to say.  I'm still thinking about it. I hope that you are able to take something away from this conversation as well. I think there's a lot of meaning within it. Thanks for tuning into today's episode, and as always, enjoy the conversation. 01:23 The Backyard Project: A Global Conservation Initiative 03:28 Innovative Solutions for Local Wildlife Conservation 08:43 Expanding the Impact: From Personal Project to Global Movement 10:41 Navigating the Complexities of Environmental Conservation 17:40 Empathy and Engagement: Keys to Effective Conservation 22:40 Challenging Tribalism and Promoting Unity in Conservation Efforts 27:59 Rethinking Our Relationship with Nature 28:21 Exploring Alternative Terms for 'Natural Resources' 28:40 The Economic Implications of Natural Wealth 29:37 Political and Social Dimensions of Biodiversity 31:26 Urban Biodiversity: Challenges and Strategies 36:02 The Importance of Green Spaces in Urban Areas 39:21 Engaging Communities in Environmental Conservation 45:34 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations 51:03 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

8. 

   11 Mar 2024

   A Conversation on Indigenous Sciences and Environmental Conservation with Andie Albert

   In today’s interview, Andie Albert and I sit down in person for a great conversation. Andie an Indigenous scientist with a passion for environmental science and species at risk conservation, she shares her journey from being the first in her family to pursue post-secondary education to embarking on a PhD. She discusses the importance of incorporating Indigenous knowledge and languages into academic research and conservation practices, aiming to decolonize academia and promote a holistic, two-eyed seeing approach. Andie also discusses her work with endangered species such as the spiny softshell turtle, emphasizing the importance of increasing awareness and understanding of Indigenous perspectives and practices in conservation and environmental sciences. My conversation with Andie was very uplifting and navigated challenging topics which I knew little about before our conversation. I genuinely enjoyed our conversation as Andie is a peer and fellow MES program graduate. Her success in academia and indigenous advocacy is inspiring, especially since she is so young. I am looking forward to seeing what other wonderful things Andie will do in the future. Show notes 01:40 The Importance of Simplicity in Communication 02:53 Andy's Personal and Educational Journey 03:20 The Balance of Traditional and Scientific Knowledge 05:06 The Intersection of Faith and Indigenous Culture 05:06 Andy's PhD Journey and Research Focus 06:33 The Concept of Two-Eyed Seeing (http://www.integrativescience.ca/Principles/TwoEyedSeeing/#:~:text=We%20often%20explain%20Etuaptmumk%20-%20Two,for%20the%20benefit%20of%20all.) 09:33 The Challenges and Opportunities in Indigenous Conservation 13:28 Andy's Future Research Plans 29:05 Learning About Different Species 29:53 Indigenous-led Conservation Initiatives 30:13 Discovering Environmental Science Careers 31:30 The Indigenous Guardians Program (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-funding/indigenous-guardians.html) 33:38 The Role of Indigenous Guardians in Education 39:23 The Impact of Indigenous Perspectives in Science 40:00 Celilo Falls (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celilo_Falls) 48:30 The Journey to a PhD 51:27 The Hope for Increasing Species Populations 52:35 Prothonotary Warbler (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Prothonotary_Warbler/overview) 53:03 The Future of Indigenous Education

9. 

   12 Feb 2024

   At the Confluence of Marine Conservation and Art With Rosie Poirier

   Today’s podcast interview features Rosie Poirier, an ocean conservationist, artist, and facilitator of positivity. We discuss Rosie's journey from Ontario to studying marine biology and her unique interdisciplinary approach combining science and arts. Rosie passionately talks about her belief in humans' potential to impact the environment positively and emphasizes the importance of recognizing ourselves as part of the ecosystem. We also dive into the importance of collaboration, creativity, and storytelling in fostering sustainable practices. Finally, the upcoming expedition to Antarctica where she has been invited as the official expedition artist! My conversation with Rosie was a refreshing dose of optimism and doing good in the world. I look forward to learning what tasks Rosie will tackle in the future of marine conservation. Thanks for taking the time to listen to today’s episode, enjoy the conversation.. 01:42 Discussing the Impact Sustainable Tourism Summit 04:27 Exploring Ocean Conservation Projects 07:46 Understanding the Challenges of Ocean Conservation 13:37 The Importance of Collaboration in Conservation 17:42 Rosie's Journey to Becoming an Ocean Conservationist 25:53 The Role of Art in Environmental Appreciation 26:12 The Connection Between Art and Ocean Conservation 28:38 The Artistic Process and Creative Space 30:29 The Journey to Antarctica and the Role of Art 33:32 The Impact of Historical Expeditions and Modern Discoveries 42:59 The Power of Storytelling and Positive Environmental Impact 46:30 The Vision of a Successful Future and the Role of Communities 50:49 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

10. 

    12 Feb 2024

    Regenerative Ranching With Ross MacDonald

    In this episode, Ross shares his experiences in regenerative agriculture, focusing specifically on cattle, discussing topics including conservation easements and how his work is changing public perception of raising cattle. He touches on the humble balance between his personal life and professional career. He discusses his journey, from starting his ranch 23 years ago to getting involved in multiple projects from working with A&W to his partnership with Ducks Unlimited. Ross also discusses the importance of a systems-thinking approach and the intricacies behind regenerative agriculture, his relationships within the conservation community, the influence of his parents in strategic thinking, and the significance of naivety and pushing ahead. This episode also explores Ross's optimism for the future of regenerative agriculture, driven by increasing recognition and interest from large food production companies, indigenous perspectives, and more. Ross is a deep thinker and has a broad perspective, I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. I wanted to cover many more topics but we ran out of time, so I’ll have to get him back on the show in the future. I appreciate you listening to Vistas and Voices and, as always, enjoy the conversation... 02:39 Balancing Competing Practices in Ranching 07:19 The Role of Conservation Easements in Ranching 08:25 The Benefits of Conservation Easements 15:20 Impacts of Relationships and Community in Ranching 24:44 Influences of Large Food Producers on Regenerative Agriculture 32:30 The Importance of Systems Thinking in Decision Making 40:24 Reflections on Success and Hope for the Future 49:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

11. 

    12 Feb 2024

    The Road to Local Food Systems With Richie Bloomfield

    In the first episode ever of Vistas & Voices, I sit down with Richie Bloomfield, an assistant professor and PhD student focusing on agro-food systems and farm policy. We engage in a profound discussion about the complexities of small-scale farming, agricultural policies, urban farming, and the importance of developing local food systems. Richie shares his work with Urban Roots and discusses his journey in agriculture, as well as the challenges of navigating the complexities of soil contamination and land usage policies. This episode explores how Urban Roots makes fresh produce more accessible to all and improves the quality of life for local communities. Richie also delves into the importance of exploring farm policy and promoting change within the agricultural industry, touching on topics including corporate dominance, the scarcity of young farmers, and the potential for urban farming to encourage greater diversity in farming. I am so excited to be releasing my first podcast episode and I hope that you enjoy listening to it as much as I did making it. I appreciate you listening, enjoy the conversation... 01:30 The Journey into Agriculture 04:27 The Birth of Urban Roots 07:22 Challenges and Successes of Urban Farming 10:08 Expanding Urban Agriculture 15:44 Future of Urban Farming 27:32 Predominant Trend in Agriculture 28:00 Struggles of Modern Farmers 28:34 Resilience of Small Scale Farms 29:30 Role of Technology in Agriculture 30:20 Impact of Industrial Farming 32:28 Future of Hydroponic Growing 33:13 Challenges of Scaling in Agriculture 33:33 Future of Urban Farming 34:01 Focus of PhD Research in Agriculture 34:40 Importance of Land Use Policies 35:00 Future of Young Farmers 39:56 Impact of Globalization on Agriculture 46:47 Challenges of Defining Regenerative Practices 57:13 Importance of Local Governance in Agriculture 01:01:17 The Hope for a More Resilient Agriculture Industry 01:06:20 Conclusion: The Future of Agriculture

12. 

    2 Feb 2024

    Welcome to Vistas & Voices

    Introducing Vistas and Voices, a podcast dedicated to exploring Canadian landscapes and their management. Join me, Tyler Garwood, as I learn from passionate individuals who care for the stewardship of land in Canada. Stay tuned for inspiring conversations!

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Contact Vistas & Voices

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.