Elspeth Hay is a writer and food systems thinker who’s inviting us to radically rethink how we grow our food. In her book Feed Us with Trees, she uncovers a forgotten story—one in which humans once thrived by cultivating staple foods like acorns, chestnuts, and hazelnuts in forest gardens rather than plowed fields. Through conversations with Indigenous knowledge-keepers, scientists, nut […]
I used to think companies were just giving us what we wanted. If people asked for faster cars, cheaper clothes, or tastier snacks, companies would listen and deliver. The market follows demand. Right? But then the day came when I realized that I was wrong – it works the other way around. Companies create what they want to sell, and […]
Nine months ago, I stopped shopping at Amazon. Not because it was inconvenient or because I found a better deal somewhere else, but because I couldn’t ignore how harmful the company is for both people and the planet. Amazon is the undisputed king of capitalism – It’s won the capitalism game. It has built its empire by squeezing workers, suppliers, […]
Bridget A. Lyons is a writer, artist, and explorer whose new book Entwined: Dispatches from the Intersection of Species takes readers on a journey into the wisdom of the more-than-human world. Blending memoir, science, and travelogue, Lyons explores what octopuses, owls, kelp, stingrays, and countless other beings can teach us about resilience, relationships, and living in harmony with our planet. […]
A few weeks ago, I went to the supermarket, and I took a few minutes to play a game: spot the items without plastic. Everywhere I turned, something was wrapped, sealed, or bagged in it. Even produce that already comes with its own natural protection—like oranges or avocados—was sitting in plastic trays or shrink-wrapped sleeves. Here are a few photos […]
When we talk about sustainability, the conversation so often turns into a discussion on what we have to give up — convenience, speed, comfort. People say things like, “I could never do that,” or “It’s too hard,” or “The impact of that is so small it doesn’t even matter.” But here’s what I’ve learned: after shifting my mindset, it doesn’t […]
Danae Wolfe is an award-winning conservation photographer, writer, educator, and the founder behind the @chasingbugs social media handle, focused on fostering appreciation and stewardship of backyard bugs and wildlife. Ever the pragmatic, she believes that everyone has the power to make a difference in combatting climate change and biodiversity loss. Danae was the 2022 recipient of the Garden Communicators International Emergent Communicator award, and […]
Paula Whyman is the author of the new memoir Bad Naturalist and the award-winning short story collection You May See a Stranger. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The American Scholar, and numerous literary journals. In Bad Naturalist, Paula shares her often humorous and deeply honest journey of ecological restoration on 200 wild acres in the Virginia mountains […]
Tamara Dean is an award-winning essayist whose work explores the intersection of nature, community, and resilience. In Shelter and Storm: At Home in the Driftless (University of Minnesota Press, April 22, 2025), she reflects on her move to a Wisconsin farm and the lessons learned through living close to the land. Through twelve vivid essays, Dean blends science, history, and […]
This week, while mommy had a hair appointment, I spent a couple hours with our son at the nearby shopping mall. We had 2 hours to burn, with nothing in particular to do. And me not being particularly interested in shopping, I decided to just let my 2-year-old explore and wander the mall. One of the first things he discovered […]