Defender Radio and The Switch

Defender Radio host Michael Howie is joined by colleagues Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin and Tijana Selak (Wildlife Campaigns and Advocacy Manager at The Fur-Bearers) to talk about The Fur-Bearers' recent time at the Humane Canada Summit for Wildlife, two studies reviewed for our article, and how communication is a key aspect to wildlife coexistence. SHOW NOTES Episode artwork by Brittany Crossman / Getty Learn more about Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelivesofwilddogs/ Articles on TheFurBearers.com: https://thefurbearers.com/tag/drvallifrasercelin/ Articles and Studies referenced: Humane Canada recap – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/recap-humane-canadas-2026-summit-for-animals/ Study: Helping Landowners Live with Beavers – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/study-helping-landowners-live-with-beavers/ Why Nocturnal Wildlife Gets Less Love – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/why-nocturnal-wildlife-gets-less-love/ Surprising ways skunks help your ecosystem – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/surprising-ways-skunks-help-your-ecosystem/ Raccoons at Noon? Don't Panic. – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/raccoons-at-noon-dont-panic/ Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at [email protected], by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).  Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree). 

Some days are hard. The world feels like it's falling apart, forests are burning, ecosystems are breaking down, and hope can be a long, long way away. But you're not alone in this feeling – and there are ways to manage and cope that not only support you but can make for a healthier community and planet. Climate Grief, From Coping to Resilience and Action is a new book from Dr. Shawna Weaver that dives into the realities of climate change, the grief so many of us are experiencing, and how that impacts our day-to-day lives. Importantly, Dr. Weaver shows how facing our grief is the first step toward making change for ourselves and for the planet. An experienced eco-therapist with advanced degrees, Dr. Weaver joins Defender Radio to share what led to this book, how grief is unique to everyone, and what tools we have to ensure we not only cope but become resilient and lead fulfilling lives. SHOW NOTES: Cover photo by Peter Kolejak / Getty Images Dr. Shawna Weaver's website: https://www.shawnajweaver.com/ Climate Grief on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Climate-Grief-Coping-Resilience-Action/dp/1590567161/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DCSKZH51R3K8&keywords=climate%20grief%20weaver&qid=1687959054&s=books&sprefix=climate%20grief%20weaver%2Cstripbooks%2C78&sr=1-1), Bookshop (https://bookshop.org/p/books/climate-grief-from-coping-to-resilience-and-action-shawna-weaver/19810317?ean=9781590567166), Indigo (https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/climate-grief-from-coping-to-resilience-and-action/9781590567166.html) Follow Dr. Shawna Weaver on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/drshawnajweaver/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/shawnajweaver?lang=en). Mental Health Resources Talk Suicide Canada: https://talksuicide.ca/ 1-833-456-4566 (toll free, 24/7) Text 45645 (4 pm to midnight ET) Government of Canada resource list: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html Wellness Together Canada: https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-ca/ Canadian Mental Health Association: https://cmha.ca/find-help/ In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.  For American listeners: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention https://afsp.org/ Crisis interventions https://afsp.org/im-having-thoughts-of-suicide/

Let's talk about the economy. An exciting start to any conversation, right? Here's the thing: events like Ontario's spring bear hunt are pushed by governments because they look at the financial impact of them. But here's the thing: hunting and trapping aren't the only activities that bring in dollars to the province. In fact, ecotourism as a whole is a multi-billion dollar industry in Ontario and British Columbia – and hunting is a tiny fraction of the cash flow created. In the last episode of the show we spoke about the spring bear hunt in Ontario – and if you haven't heard that episode along with advocacy options please do go back and listen to it. In this episode we're talking about the wild world of ecotourism in general terms through the experiences of an ethical and successful operator, Eric Boyum. The owner/operator of Ocean Adventures on the coast of beautiful British Columbia, Eric and his partner and photographer extraordinaire Trish take both local residents and international visitors to explore the coastline, see the beauty of the natural environment and get a chance to witness and photograph stunning wildlife. Eric joined Defender Radio recently to discuss his business and experience, the opportunities that exist for people with outdoor experience in the ecotourism sector and the ethics and considerations he takes into account on a daily basis. Ocean Adventures: www.OceanAdventures.bc.ca Referenced article about polar bear killing a dog: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/frightening-truth-behind-viral-video-polar-bear-petting-dog Defender Radio social media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefenderRadio/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/defenderradio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howiemichael/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FurBearerDefenders Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DefenderRadio