Forest Education

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163-Breaking the Silence: Workplace Culture Challenges and Change in Forestry with Kelly Cooper & Greg Herringer

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163-Breaking the Silence: Workplace Culture Challenges and Change in Forestry with Kelly Cooper & Greg Herringer

In this episode of YourForest Podcast, host Matthew Kristoff is joined by Kelly Cooper (Founder of Free to Grow in Forestry) and Greg Herringer (Chair of the Canadian Institute of Forestry’s DEI Leadership Team) to confront the entrenched cultural barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the forestry sector.

From leadership blind spots to the emotional cost of speaking out, the conversation dives deep into the resistance that holds progress back. Through raw honesty and practical strategies, Kelly and Greg expose how systemic exclusion and invisible privilege shape the workplace—and what must change.

This episode is not just a discussion - it's a call to action for anyone ready to lead with empathy, challenge the status quo, and build a forestry sector that reflects the full spectrum of human experience.

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162-Intentional Fire-Shifting Society’s Relationship with Wildfire w/ Marissa Christansen & Chris Anthony

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162-Intentional Fire-Shifting Society’s Relationship with Wildfire w/ Marissa Christansen & Chris Anthony

In this episode of YourForest Podcast, Matthew Kristoff speaks with Marissa Christansen and Chris Anthony about the power of "intentional fire" in wildfire management. They discuss shifting from suppression-focused strategies to proactive methods like prescribed and cultural burning, which help reduce wildfire risks and restore ecosystems. The conversation covers the need for decentralized decision-making, evolving the firefighting culture, overcoming regulatory hurdles, and changing public perceptions about fire. This episode explores how these shifts can lead to a more resilient future in wildfire management.

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161-Mastering Conflict-The Role of Dialogue in Landscape Management with Robin Freeman and James Whitehead

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161-Mastering Conflict-The Role of Dialogue in Landscape Management with Robin Freeman and James Whitehead

Join host Matthew Kristoff as he reunites with James Whitehead and welcomes Robin Freeman to explore how inclusive, structured dialogue can transform wildfire mitigation. Through real-world stories and expert insights, they reveal why suspending judgment and embracing empathetic disagreement isn’t just about managing conflict - it’s a catalyst for innovative landscape solutions. Tune in to discover how collaborative conversations are reshaping environmental stewardship.

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158 - Guardian Movements and Indigenous Leadership with Amy Cardinal Christianson

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158 - Guardian Movements and Indigenous Leadership with Amy Cardinal Christianson

Join us today on this exciting episode of the YourForest Podcast, hosted by Matthew Kristoff features an engaging discussion with Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson who serves as the Senior Fire Advisor at the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, where she spearheads efforts to support Indigenous fire stewardship. Don't miss out.

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157 - Can Tree Planting Help Solve The Climate Crisis with Lauren Oakes

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157 - Can Tree Planting Help Solve The Climate Crisis with Lauren Oakes

Join host Matthew Kristoff on YourForest Podcast for an inspiring conversation with Lauren Oakes, scientist, storyteller, and author of Tree Keepers: The Race for a Forested Future. This thought-provoking episode explores the creation and maintenance of healthy forest ecosystems as a vital solution to climate change and biodiversity loss. Lauren delves into the complexities of tree planting versus forest restoration, emphasizing thoughtful stewardship, community engagement, and sustainability. Drawing from extensive research and personal experiences, she highlights how forests contribute to carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and community well-being. Learn actionable strategies to support reforestation and foster a resilient, forested future. Don’t miss it!

144-Empathy For Land with Jim Lane

144-Empathy For Land with Jim Lane

As modern culture expands, wilderness dwindles in its wake. It has become more challenging to create empathy for land through real experience. Luckily, there are people like Jim Lane. Jim teaches an Ecology and Conservation course for High School students. His approach gets students out in the bush to experience nature first hand. They learn about scientific observation, interconnectedness, ecology, history and colonialism all through observing nature. All this without leaving school property.

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