The Tinderbox

10/25/21 • 29 min

This land has always been on fire. But the destructive power of these flames is new. There was a time before, and there is a time ahead, when fire clears the way for new growth in the foothills. “So many particular precious, irreplaceable lives that despite ourselves, we're inhaling.”

In this episode, we visit the land currently known as Northern California. Molly Fisk, inaugural poet laureate of Nevada County, California, recalls the devastation of the Camp Fire and the trepidation that follows rebuilding in the scorched tracks of a wildfire. Margo Robbins, Yurok Tribal member and executive director of the Cultural Fire Management Council, explains the ecosystem’s intricate connection to fire and the role prescribed burns played in this area’s past, present, and future.

Take Action:

You can find more of Molly’s writing at mollyfisk.com. California Fire & Water, an anthology project helping kids across California write poems about the climate crisis, is out now.
Support Margo’s work at the Cultural Fire Management Council at CulturalFire.org.
Join efforts to put pressure on world leaders, at COP26 and beyond:
- Support SheChangesClimate, which is trying to get more women in top-level leadership at COP26 and other delegations around the world.
- Check out Greenpeace’s campaign: you can get involved with a local volunteer group in the UK or sign the Greenpeace petition.

Follow Wonder Media Network:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take Action:

You can find more of Molly’s writing at mollyfisk.com. California Fire & Water, an anthology project helping kids across California write poems about the climate crisis, is out now.
Support Margo’s work at the Cultural Fire Management Council at CulturalFire.org.
Join efforts to put pressure on world leaders, at COP26 and beyond:
- Support SheChangesClimate, which is trying to get more women in top-level leadership at COP26 and other delegations around the world.
- Check out Greenpeace’s campaign: you can get involved with a local volunteer group in the UK or sign the Greenpeace petition.

Follow Wonder Media Network:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

The Watershed

The most visited stretch of beach in Hawai’i should be underwater. Instead, it’s kept afloat by over thirty thousand tons of sand-- sand that drifts out to sea every 5 to 10 years before it's replaced yet again. Before the Ala Wai canal drained the watershed, Waikiki sustained a native population of over a million, and fed and nurtured its diverse wildlife in a self-sustaining system. Today, king tides are trying to reclaim Waikiki.

“This is not the end of civilization, but a return to one. Only the water insisting on what it should always have, spreading its liniment over infected wounds. Only the water rising above us, reteaching us wealth, and remembering its name.”

In this episode, we visit the man-made beach of Waikiki. Poet Brandy Nālani McDougall reads from her collection “The Salt-Wind, Ka Makani Paʻakai” and tells us of Hawai’i before the Ala Wai. Frankie Koethe, community outreach liaison for the Ko’olau Mountains Watershed Partnership, explains the intricacies of the Waikiki watershed and the dangers it faces in an era of urbanization.

Take Action:

You can find more of Brandy’s poetry and writing on Bookshop.org
You can support the Ko’olau Mountains Watershed Partnership and sign up to volunteer at koolauwatershed.org
Join efforts to put pressure on world leaders, at COP26 and beyond:
- Support SheChangesClimate, which is trying to get more women in top-level leadership at COP26 and other delegations around the world.
- Check out Greenpeace’s campaign: you can get involved with a local volunteer group in the UK or sign the Greenpeace petition.

Follow Wonder Media Network:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

The Plains

In Oklahoma, a fight is playing out that could finally recognize tribal sovereignty, especially over how to manage the environment. This could set a precedent for the rest of the country, and affect our climate. But the powers that be won’t let go easily.

In this episode we visit the plains of eastern Oklahoma. Joy Harjo, the United States poet laureate, reads her poem “Speaking Tree” and shares what happens when we lose touch with traditions that center care for the earth. Casey Camp-Horinek, a matriarch and drum keeper of the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma, is an environmental activist fighting to free her community from the clutches of the oil and gas industry. She reminds us that we are all bound in responsibility to each other to care for this earth, and that Indigenous voices should be at the forefront of climate discussions and policy change.

Take Action:

Joy Harjo is the author of nine books of poetry, including She Had Some Horses, and a memoir, Crazy Brave. In September 2021, she came out with a new memoir titled Poet Warrior. If you want to check out more of Joy Harjo’s work go to joyharjo.com
Support Movement Rights at movementrights.org which elevates traditional Indigenous ecological knowledge to align our laws with nature’s needs, and fights for more tribal sovereignty.

Follow Wonder Media Network:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.