May 4, 2021
Episode #59 of the Ground Shots Podcast is a conversation with Professor Matt Chew, and is hosted by Kollibri terre Sonnenblume, Nikki Hill and Gabe Crawford.
Dubbed a ‘gadfly of invasion biology’ by Scientific American, Matt
Chew is known for critiquing ecology’s overreliance on societal
metaphors and conservationists’ misapplication of notions like
‘nativeness’. Dr. Chew has a B.S. Environmental Interpretation and
an M.S. Range Science (Ecology) from Colorado State University, and
a Ph.D. in Biology from Arizona State University. As statewide
Natural Resources Planner for Arizona State Parks, he coordinated
their Natural Areas Program, researched wildlife issues, and served
on interagency committees, one of which also included his future
wife, plant ecologist Julie Stromberg. Julie was recently featured
as a guest on Kollibri terre Sonnenblume's podcast, Voices for
Nature and Peace. With Julie's encouragement, he abandoned
government work to earn a biology Ph.D. based entirely on
historical research.
Currently employed at Arizona State University, Dr. Chew conducts a
field course in ‘novel ecosystems,’ lectures in ‘history of
biology’ and ‘biology and society’, and works with postgraduate
students. He was awarded an Oxford research fellowship in 2014. His
articles in "Nature," "Science" and other publications have been
cited in over 200 different journals.
Former podcast guests, Kollibri terre Sonnenblume, Gabe Crawford,
and Nikki Hill host this episode.
Nikki Hill has a degree in environmental science and has worked in restoration and agriculture. Currently she invests her energy in wildtending efforts. Nikki and Kollibri co-authored a zine together called, "The Troubles of 'Invasive' Plants," which you can download for free on Kollibri's blog, linked in the show notes.
Kollibri terre Sonnenblume is a writer, photographer, podcaster, tree hugger, animal lover, and cultural dissident. Past experiences include urban bike farmer, Indymedia activist, and music critic. Kollibri holds a BA in “Writing Fiction & Non-fiction” from the St. Olaf Paracollege in Northfield, Minnesota. Kollibri hosts and curates the Voices for Nature and Peace Podcast. You can read his writings focused on ecology and politics at Maska Moskska press, linked in the bio.
Gabe Crawford was raised on a small homestead
outside of Durango, Colorado and started learning about plants from
an early age. He got launched on his plant journey by studying with
Katrina Blair at the Turtle Lake Refuge in Durango. He moved to
Sandpoint, Idaho where he worked with Twin Eagles Wilderness School
and Kaniksu Land Trust mentoring kids. Through this, he started
naturalist training which opened him up to the world of wild
tending, Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the ancient and
intricate relationships between humans and ecology. Gabe spent time
with Finisia Medrano learning about the ancient wild gardens of the
west that were and still are tended by indigenous peoples and was
taught how to tend these first foods and plant back for future
abundance. He collects the seeds of native foods plants, fruit
trees, berries and other exotics to plant feral orchards and wild
gardens.
In this conversation, Kollibri, Nikki and Gabe take a deep dive
into the history of "invasion biology" and reveal its scientific
shortcomings and its cultural biases.
This is a crossover episode with Kollibri's podcast, Voices for
Nature and Peace, so we are airing it on both podcasts at the same
time. I highly recommend checking out Kollibri's guests and the
breadth of what he has been covering lately visiting the
intersections of social action, politics, the environment, animals
rights, land justice and more. Also check out Kollibri’s weekly
column read out loud on his platform Radio Free Sunroot. You can
also find Voices for Nature and Peace on most mainstream podcast
streaming platforms.
Links:
Kollibri’s website where you can find his writings, zines and more: Macska Moksha Press
Radio Free Sunroot and the Voices for Nature and Peace Podcast
Gabe Crawford on instagram: @plumsforbums
Nikki Hill’s website, Walking Roots
Voices for Nature and Peace Patreon page
Call the podcast and leave a message (while you’re there, if your ok with us airing it on the podcast, give us verbal permission):
1-434-233-0097