🌿 The Nature of Our Cities: Revolutionizing Urban Design with Dr. Nadina Galle – Part 3 🌿
“Urban nature isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a daily lifeline for biodiversity, human health, and climate resilience.” – Host, Jackie De Burca
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Welcome to the third episode in our special series featuring Nadina Galle ecological engineer, 2024 National Geographic Explorer, and author of The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet.
Host Jackie De Burca dives into the tools, technologies, and innovations reshaping urban nature management, inspired by Nadina’s book.
In this episode, Nadina tackles:
“Insects may not be charismatic, but they are the fabric of the hammock of life.” – Dr. Nadina Galle
Nadina also shares fascinating case studies that highlight how technology and citizen engagement are transforming how we interact with urban ecosystems.
Key Highlights:
“The more we understand the flora and fauna around us, the more we care for it—and that’s the first step to protecting it.” – Dr. Nadina Galle
What’s Next:
Stay tuned for the final episode of the series, where Jackie and Nadina explore the connection between human health and daily doses of nature. Learn how urban environments can better support health and well-being through thoughtful integration of natural elements.
Resources Mentioned:
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About Dr. Nadina Galle
Nadina Galle, Ph.D. is a Dutch-Canadian ecological engineer, technologist, and podcaster. Her work has been featured in documentaries produced by BBC Earth and in multiple print publications, including Newsweek, ELLE, and National Geographic.
The recipient of several academic and entrepreneurial awards, including a Fulbright scholarship for a fellowship at MIT’s Senseable City Lab, she was selected by Forbes’ 30 under 30 list, and recently named a National Geographic Explorer for her work on how growing cities across Latin America are plugging into the Internet of Nature. She divides her time between Amsterdam and Toronto.
Early Life
Born in the Netherlands and raised in Canada, Dr. Nadina Galle developed a love for the outdoors and a deep commitment to conserving nature from a young age.
Foundational Inspirations & Passions
Inspired by the writings of trailblazing urbanists Jane Jacobs and James Howard Kunstler during her teenage years, she began questioning the imbalance between nature and the urban sprawl she witnessed in suburban Canada.
As an ecological engineer driven by a passion for ecology and a fascination with technology, Dr. Galle researches, develops, and brings emerging technologies to market, aiming to build better communities for both people and nature—a vision she calls the “Internet of Nature” (IoN).
The IoN has since evolved into a global movement, uniting bold practitioners who are leveraging innovative technologies to create nature-rich communities. Dr. Galle’s Internet of Nature Podcast, with over 25,000 downloads, highlights the extraordinary work of these entrepreneurs and innovators, inspiring audiences worldwide.
With over a decade of experience in academia across four continents, Dr. Nadina Galle has a strong foundation in scientific research. Yet, it is her combination of academic expertise and years working at—and building—tech start-ups that sets her apart. She now delivers keynotes, moderates global events, disseminates knowledge, and launches products at the intersection of nature, people, and technology.
Featured In Top Media
Dr. Galle’s work has been featured in documentaries by BBC Earth and arte.tv, on numerous British, Irish, and Dutch radio programs, and in several print publications, including Newsweek, ELLE, and National Geographic, which ran a five-page feature on her Ph.D. research.
She has received multiple academic and entrepreneurial honours, including a Fulbright scholarship for her fellowship at MIT Senseable City Lab, where she continues to hold a research affiliation. Dr. Galle has also been listed on the Sustainable Top 100 of young Dutch entrepreneurs for three consecutive years (the maximum allowed) and was awarded the European Space Agency’s top prize, a “Space Oscar,” for her work on urban tree crown delineation to combat deforestation. Forbes and Elsevier have both recognised her on their respective “30 under 30” lists.
Head In Science, Heart In Communication
Clients, colleagues, and friends appreciate Dr. Galle’s ability to take ownership of results—a quality she attributes to her honesty, empathy, and ingenuity. These traits, she believes, are essential for leading teams to achieve a shared mission.
Passionate about the path she is on—researching and building knowledge to “take nature online”—Dr. Galle takes pride in having her head in science and her heart in communication. She is dedicated to translating academic and technological discoveries into accessible public knowledge across various media.
National Geographic Explorer
In 2024, Dr. Galle was named a National Geographic Explorer, where she is investigating how cities across Latin America are integrating into the Internet of Nature.
Debut Book
Her debut book, The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet, was published by HarperCollins on June 18, 2024, and is available to buy in these places according to where you are in the world.
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3wI loved speaking with the brilliant Nadina Galle. It has been such an amazing experience. Jane Findlay FLI PPLI Alexandra Steed Sangeeta Waldron