YourForest Podcast

Natural fires vs. human-made damage. In this episode of YourForest Podcast, host Matthew Kristoff, RPF is joined by Jonathan Moore and Christian C. to examine how human activities amplify natural disturbances in watersheds. Salmon have evolved alongside natural challenges like fires and landslides. These disturbances are part of the ecological rhythm, often leaving riparian zones intact and causing limited long-term harm. Forestry adds a new layer of disruption. Logging practices intensify impacts on watersheds, compounding the stresses salmon ecosystems already face. Unlike many natural disturbances, forestry’s effects are widespread and enduring, altering aquatic habitats beyond their ability to adapt. Understanding these differences is essential to managing forestry practices in a way that respects the natural balance. 🎧 Listen to the full episode at https://lnkd.in/grSP3siD #ForestryImpact #WatershedHealth #EcosystemBalance #SalmonConservation #Sustainability

Trees protect streams—don’t cut them. In this episode of YourForest Podcast, host Matthew Kristoff, RPF is joined by Jonathan Moore and Christian C. to uncover the crucial connection between forest ecosystems and the watersheds they sustain. Riparian areas, where forests meet streams, are essential buffers. These zones regulate water temperature, stabilize stream banks, and filter runoff. When these protective canopies are removed, direct sunlight heats the streams, and exposed soils increase watershed-wide temperatures. This warming effect disrupts ecosystems, stressing fish populations that depend on cooler waters to thrive. Clear-cutting not only harms the immediate stream environment but also amplifies these impacts across the entire watershed. Healthy riparian zones are vital to preserving aquatic life and maintaining balanced ecosystems. 🎧 Listen to the full episode at https://lnkd.in/grSP3siD #RiparianZones #Conservation #ForestryImpact #Sustainability #EcosystemHealth

Give everything, and leave a legacy. In this episode of YourForest Podcast, host Matthew Kristoff, RPF is joined by Jonathan Moore and Christian C. to examine the extraordinary sacrifices salmon make and their irreplaceable role in sustaining ecosystems. Salmon dedicate their entire existence to the next generation. As they migrate upstream to spawn, they transfer every nutrient from their bodies into their eggs. By the time they finish, they are spent, their flesh turned to mush, leaving behind their legacy in enriched rivers and nourished forests. Their sacrifice fuels life beyond their species. From grizzlies to microbes, salmon support ecosystems, and even human cultures. But this delicate balance is under threat. Forestry practices, watershed management, and climate change all play a role in shaping their survival. Understanding these connections is essential—not just for salmon, but for the health of entire ecosystems that depend on them. 🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform here: https://lnkd.in/grSP3siD #Salmon #Conservation #EcosystemHealth #Sustainability

Forests hold the secret to real wealth! In this episode of YourForest Podcast, host Matthew Kristoff, RPF welcomes guest Mark Anielski, who presents a compelling vision: What if our economy were modeled after forest ecosystems, prioritizing balance, resilience, and true well-being? Forests naturally move toward equilibrium, offering invaluable services like water purification, carbon storage, and a deeper sense of connection. Meanwhile, our current economy focuses primarily on GDP and resource extraction, often overlooking these broader contributions. Imagine if, instead of measuring success by timber cut, we valued the full range of “genuine wealth” forests provide—clean water, climate stability, biodiversity, and more. Historically, “wealth” meant “the conditions of well-being.” Forests embody this genuine wealth, delivering essential services that support long-term sustainability and quality of life. By shifting to a model that values these natural contributions, we could create an economy that fosters resilience and respects both people and the planet. 🎧Listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/guJ6q_fY 🔗 Checkout the Podcast on the website: https://lnkd.in/gtmVEGu6 #EcologicalEconomy #GenuineWealth #ForestWisdom #SustainableEconomy #YourForest

Our forest strategy needs a reset! In this episode of YourForest Podcast, host Matthew Kristoff, RPF delves with Mark Anielski into a transformative approach to forest management: What if we could manage forests not just for timber but for the full spectrum of ecological and community values they provide? With the growing threats of wildfires, insect infestations, and unpredictable environmental changes, there’s an urgent need to shift how we view forest stewardship. Forest managers are often expected to protect habitats, water quality, and even provide spaces for recreation, but they’re limited by a system that mostly values timber. Imagine if we could change that. By supporting forest companies financially to manage areas for watershed health, wildlife habitats, and cultural uses, we’d allow them to make more sustainable, balanced decisions that benefit both nature and communities. This isn’t just good for the ecosystem—it’s essential for the industry’s survival. When a mill suddenly loses its timber supply to a wildfire, it impacts the business and local livelihoods. But with diversified income streams, forest managers could approach their work with a sustainable mindset that doesn’t just prevent damage but actively supports multiple forest values. 🎧Listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/guJ6q_fY 🔗 Checkout the Podcast on the website: https://lnkd.in/gtmVEGu6 #ForestManagement #SustainableForestry #SharedValues #EcologicalBalance #YourForest

Together, we can make this work. In this episode of YourForest Podcast, host Matthew Kristoff, RPF, and guest Mark Anielski dive into the challenging realities of forest management and what it truly takes to make sustainable practices feasible. The conversation explores a crucial question: Are we asking too much from forest managers without giving them the support they need? Society demands sustainable practices that consider not just timber but water quality, wildlife habitats, and ecosystem health. But in a system where resources are tight and expectations high, how fair is it to expect forest managers to "do better" without the tools to succeed? It’s a reminder that if we want real change, it’s not enough to push responsibility onto the industry alone. Society needs to step up and share the risk and responsibility, fostering a culture where sustainable choices are not only encouraged but supported. 🎧Listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/guJ6q_fY 🔗 Checkout the Podcast on the website: https://lnkd.in/gtmVEGu6 #ForestManagement #Sustainability #SharedResponsibility #SupportOurForesters #YourForest

Make sure to check out Cindy’s episode with YourForest for more info! https://lnkd.in/gkxZvytF

The University of Alberta's School of Forest Science and Management is excited to host Dr. Linda Nagel as our 92nd Forest Industry Lecture Series speaker. Dr. Nagel is Dean & Professor with the S.J. & Jesse E. Quinney College of Natural Resources at Utah State University, and the principal investigator and project lead for the Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) project. The lecture is November 7, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. held in-person at the Engineering Teaching & Learning Complex (ETLC) but will also be streamed online. Attendance is open to everyone. For more information, see https://fils.ualberta.ca. Please join us for this exciting event! Thanks to our sponsors for making it possible!

The forest provides for us—our duty is to give back even more. In this episode of YourForest Podcast, host Matthew Kristoff, RPF interviews Dr. Eisenberg Cristina, PhD, Director of Tribal Initiatives at Oregon State University, to discuss a new approach to forest stewardship that brings together Indigenous knowledge and Western science to restore resilience to forests.   The collaboration between these two worldviews is essential for ensuring the future of our ecosystems, blending cultural humility with scientific discovery. Indigenous knowledge emphasizes that humans are deeply embedded in nature and should learn from it, while Western science has traditionally focused on hypothesis-driven, linear solutions.   The metaphor of braiding sweetgrass—one strand representing Indigenous knowledge, another Western science, and a third our shared concern for the environment—illustrates how much stronger we are when we work together. This collaboration is crucial for restoring resilience to all types of forests, not just lush rainforests.   Emphasizing the importance of cultural burning, sustainable practices, and thoughtful stewardship creates lasting environmental impact. 🌟 Check out the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/grmDsyrV 🎥Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gKD5rit5 #ForestStewardship #IndigenousKnowledge #BraidingSweetgrass #EnvironmentalResilience #SustainableForestry #YourForestPodcast #CollaborativeSolutions #WesternScience #CulturalBurning #RestoringNature

Stewardship means giving back more to nature than we take. In this episode of YourForest Podcast, host Matthew Kristoff, RPF interviews Dr. Eisenberg Cristina, PhD, Director of Tribal Initiatives at Oregon State University, to discuss a powerful shift in how we approach forest care.   Stewardship, unlike traditional management, is about reciprocity—giving more than you take and treating the forest as you would your own family. It’s a deeply rooted practice that places humans within nature, fostering a responsibility to care for it across generations. This approach is guided by the wisdom of local tribes and community members who have lived in these landscapes for centuries. Using a two-eyed seeing method, we can blend Indigenous knowledge with modern practices to develop stewardship strategies that are unique to each forest.   These strategies are being prioritized by the US Forest Service to protect old growth stands most threatened by climate change.   At the heart of this shift is a new way of thinking about forests. It’s not just about the physical environment—it’s about changing worldviews and values. 🌟 Check out the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/grmDsyrV 🎥Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gKD5rit5 #ForestStewardship #SustainableForestry #ClimateChange #IndigenousKnowledge #YourForestPodcast #ParadigmShift #EnvironmentalEthics #TwoEyedSeeing #ForestCare