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This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series!

Julie Thorstenson is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation and the Executive Director of the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society. Julie's deep connection to the land began in her youth, growing up on her family’s ranch in South Dakota, where she developed a love for nature that would shape her career. Now, she works tirelessly to ensure that Tribal Nations are included in wildlife conservation efforts and advocates for more equitable funding for tribal fish and wildlife programs.

Highlights:

• How traditional ecological knowledge complements Western science in wildlife management?
• A look at the challenges Tribal Nations face in conservation, particularly around funding inequities.
• What is the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and why it is crucial for tribes, the environment, and biodiversity?

What You Can Do to Help:

• Sign petitions supporting the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) to ensure tribes receive equitable funding for conservation efforts.
• Contact your representatives and ask them to support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act to boost conservation funding for Tribal Nations and other local wildlife programs.
• Educate yourself on the diversity of Tribal Nations and their unique roles in conservation. Every tribe is different, and understanding their individual needs is crucial to supporting their efforts.
• Build relationships: Don’t assume the answers; instead, ask questions and listen to understand the barriers tribes face in accessing resources for conservation.

Resources Mentioned:

• Native American Fish and Wildlife Society: An organization providing technical assistance and policy support to Tribal Nations engaged in fish and wildlife conservation.
• Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA): A bipartisan bill that aims to allocate $1.4 billion to states and tribes for wildlife conservation.
• America the Beautiful Challenge Grants: Collaborative grants supporting conservation projects that span large landscapes, including Tribal-led initiatives.

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What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series!

We're never going to create the healthy and humane world we want to see if we continue to be so divided from one another. Manu Meel is working to bring us together. He is the founder of BridgeUSA, an organization that empowers young people to foster constructive dialogue across political and ideological divides. With the United States feeling more polarized than ever, Manu shares how BridgeUSA is building spaces where real conversations can happen—ones focused on listening, understanding, and collaborating to find common ground. Discover the power of vulnerability in bridging divides, learn how to establish ground rules for productive dialogue, and understand the crucial difference between attacking arguments and attacking individuals.

Whether you're feeling disheartened by today’s political climate or looking for practical steps to promote understanding, this episode will leave you feeling hopeful and empowered to take action.

Highlights

• With so much polarization today, what do you think is missing from our conversations, and how does BridgeUSA address this gap?
• What practical norms does BridgeUSA teach for fostering constructive conversations?
• What actionable steps can listeners take to help bridge divides in their own communities?

What YOU Can Do

• Be Vulnerable: Share your own experiences and reasons for your beliefs—it invites others to do the same.
• Set Ground Rules: Before diving into challenging topics, agree on norms like listening to understand (not just to respond), avoiding interruptions, and focusing on ideas, not people.
• Seek Out Diverse Perspectives: Challenge your own biases by actively seeking out viewpoints different from your own to foster a broader understanding.
• Vote in Primaries: Recognize that fewer people vote in primaries, meaning a small vocal minority often decides the candidates. Get involved early to support nuanced, solutions-oriented candidates.
• Reject Outrage Culture: Be mindful of the media you consume and share—avoid sensationalist content that drives division.

Resources

• Bridge USA – Learn more about the organization and how to get involved.
• The Hopeful Majority Podcast – Manu’s work that encourages nuanced discussions on social issues.
• Benji Backer’s Book: "The Conservative Environmentalist – A fresh perspective on environmentalism from a conservative viewpoint.
• Media literacy resources - to help identify biased or inflammatory content.

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Send Crystal a text letting her know what you thought about the show!

This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series!

Eleanor LeCain is the visionary behind the Solutions Summit, a groundbreaking event on Capital Hill that brings together bold thinkers and decision-makers to tackle some of today’s biggest challenges such as climate change, democracy, economic security, and health.

During our conversation, Eleanor shares insights on how the Solutions Summit connects those with the best ideas—“solutionaries”—with the leaders who have the power to implement them. We dive into her focus on climate solutions and how she views the transition to a green economy not as a burden, but as a massive opportunity for job creation, innovation, and business growth.

Highlights

• How the Solutions Summit bridges the gap between innovators and decision-makers.
• Why climate change is the biggest economic and business opportunity of the 21st century.
• Practical steps individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint and support a green transition.

Resources

• Solutions Summit Recordings: Watch all four sessions on climate, democracy, economic security, and health on Eleanor’s YouTube channel.
• Read Eleanor's Book, "Breakthrough Solutions" (with an introduction by the Dalai Lama).
• Rewiring America: Find out more about the incentives provided by the Inflation Reduction Act for making your home and life more energy-efficient.
• Eleanor's website.
• The following is a list of sites where you can sign up to receive email petitions about all sorts of issues:
  • Lady Freethinker
  • In Defense of Animals
  • WildEarth Guardians
  • Care2
• Get Early Bird Tickets to the EarthX Congress of Conferences in April 2025!

What YOU Can Do

• Shift to Clean Energy
• Use public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible. If you drive, switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle.
• Use Energy-Efficient Appliances like refrigerators and light bulbs.
• Support candidates who back policies that promote renewable energy and green job creation.
• Embrace a mindset of opportunity rather than crisis. View the shift to sustainability as a chance for innovation, job creation, and economic growth.

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review it! This helps to boost its visibility.

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook and let me know what actions you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?