Many of us talk about nature as something that exists away from people, outside cities. For the vast quantity of us who call urban environments home, this makes it hard to appreciate, connect with, and work to protect the complex and remarkable web of life that surrounds us.

What other stories can we tell, that embrace the multispecies liveliness of the urban community? How might you fight for its health and biodiversity?

On this show, Mia interviews Dr Kylie Soanes, a research fellow based at the University of Melbourne who’s finding innovative ways to encourage urban biodiversity. Then, we hear a group of children from Camp Kinderland—a summer camp in western Massachusetts—reflect on their relationships to nature in New York City.

Banner image by Ana from Camp Kinderland.

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Dr Kylie Soanes is a conservation biologist with her sights set on saving species in cities and towns. Kylie is based at the University of Melbourne where she completed her PhD in 2015, building rope bridges to help endangered possums cross busy highways. A skilled science communicator, Kylie shares her passion for nature conservation with broader audiences through the media such as The Conversation, The Guardian and ABC Radio National, public talks and her research blog.

Ana, Juniper, Eliza, Huxley, Sima and Kayden are attendees of Camp Kinderland, a summer camp in western Massachusetts with a Communist history and a unique political education program.

Information on the Chipko movement, which Eliza mentions during her story: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chipko-movement

John Oldham Park, which Kylie mentions as a favourite urban nature spot: https://visitperth.com/see-and-do/parks-gardens-and-reserves/venues/john-oldham-park

More on the Birarrung trial floating wetlands: https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/birrarung-trial-floating-wetlands

Earth Matters #1573 was produced by Mia Audrey on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.