Culture & Ecology

Do words have the power to create and shape reality? We speak with poet and story-teller, Kim Stafford, about humanity's relationship to the world,  the cycle of life, regeneration and  language. As Poet Laureate of Oregon, Stafford speaks with compassion and authority, raising the question, “who does the poem serve?” He shares original poems about a seed, a tree, darkness, and death, weaving a story of life using the power of words in service to humanity and all our relations.

 The Lake County Resource Initiative (LCRI) addresses social and environmental concerns proactively by developing and implementing renewable energy programs. Bridging deep political, social and cultural divides, Nick Johnson and Emma Gerona of LCRI actively facilitate difficult dialogue, find common language and overcome communication barriers for the economic, ecological and social benefit of all. 

 Cultural developments tightly constrict the use of fire, making prescribed burns nearly impossible without risking severe damage to infrastructure and ecosystems.  We speak with Mark Hedrick, who served nearly twenty years with the Nature Conservancy as Preserve Steward and Fire Manager about  his experience managing prescribed burns, including one in the Rouge River Valley, which proved that with careful planning, fire can still be applied to improve ecological conditions and reduce risk of catastrophic fires in overgrown and developed areas.