People Places Planet

Compensatory mitigation offers a viable way to protect the long-term health of the nation’s watersheds, and its success relies on a robust review and approval process that ensures that the protections in federal regulations are implemented in practice on the ground and that compensation projects effectively offset permitted impacts. However, the review and approval process can often be lengthy, sometimes greatly exceeding the regulatory timelines. In this episode, Rebecca Kihslinger, Director of ELI’s Wetlands Program, discusses a new ELI research report that aims to identify some of the main impediments to efficiency in compensatory mitigation project review, as well as best practices to improve the process and ensure timely, ecologically viable mitigation outcomes.

In this special episode of People Places Planet, host Dara Albrecht and ELI Senior Attorney Linda Breggin take us to Nashville for Food Waste Prevention Week, where local leaders across sectors are driving innovative efforts to reduce food waste. With nearly one-third of U.S. food going uneaten each year—impacting the environment, economy, and communities—this conversation showcases how one city is tackling the challenge head-on.

Linda speaks with four inspiring guests whose work spans K-12 education, higher ed, hospitality, and professional sports:

• Todd Lawrence (04:28 ), Executive Director of Urban Green Lab, explains how training teachers and conducting school cafeteria waste audits are empowering the next generation to take action.
• David ter Kuile (18:32 ), Associate Vice Chancellor at Vanderbilt University, walks us through how campus dining hit its zero waste goals through composting, waste tracking, and student engagement.
• Tyler Lee (34:44 ), Executive Chef at 1 Hotel Nashville, shares how local sourcing, zero-waste cocktails, and creative kitchen strategies are changing the hospitality landscape.
• Haley Davidson (49:48 ), Chief of Staff for the Tennessee Titans, describes how Nashville’s NFL team is designing a new LEED Gold stadium with food waste reduction in mind—and how it’s already making a difference at Nissan Stadium.

From teaching tools to technology to teamwork, this episode explores scalable strategies for reducing food waste and building more resilient communities. Whether you're in a school, university, restaurant, or stadium, there's something here for everyone.

Related Links:

• ELI's Center for State and Local Governance, Food Waste Initiative
• Urban Green Lab resources on food waste reduction
• Food Waste Warrior Audit
• James Beard Foundation and Nashville Food Waste Initiative Food Scrap Cooking Demonstration
• Waste Not Cooking Competition

What role can communities play in wetlands restoration? Jess Hua, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator of the Hua Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is leading research that looks into ecological interactions of wetlands and how citizen science shapes community perceptions of these natural environments. In this episode, the 2022 National Wetlands Awardee discusses how diverse communication strategies can lead to a greater understanding of wetlands restoration and why it is important to center community perspectives in wetlands education.

In honor of American Wetlands Month, ELI is celebrating the National Wetlands Awards (NWA). Since 1989, the NWAs have been presented annually to individuals who have excelled in wetlands protection, restoration, and education. On this special miniseries of People Places Planet, Research Associate Isabella Blanco sit downs with past NWA winners to hear their stories.

In this episode of People Places Planet, host Dara Albrecht is joined by Jeffrey Peterson, environmental policy expert and author of A New Coast: Strategies for Responding to Devastating Storms and Rising Seas. Together, they unpack the science behind sea level rise, its regional impacts, and the urgent challenges it poses for coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

The conversation explores the key drivers of sea level rise, regional vulnerabilities across the U.S., and the growing risks tied to accelerating climate change. Peterson also dives into the legal and policy dimensions of adaptation, discussing land use controls, managed retreat, insurance frameworks, and emerging litigation around takings and government responsibility. The episode highlights how sea level rise will reshape planning, governance, and community resilience for generations to come.

Listeners interested in learning more about legal and policy responses to climate impacts can visit ELI's Climate Judiciary Project website to explore additional resources, including the new Sea Level Rise module.

With ecosystems ranging from lush wetlands to rolling forests, North Carolina hosts an incredible array of habitats. Incredibly, biologically diverse wetlands make up 12% of its land. But as one of the fastest-growing states, these vital habitats face increasing threats—including draining and infilling for development. Host Sarah Backer sits down with two Wilmington locals: Sam Shores, a World Wildlife Fund Panda Ambassador and conservation activist, and Roger Shew, Senior Lecturer at University of North Carolina Wilmington. Together, they discuss innovative climate-resilient development strategies, the pivotal role of conservation education, and the dynamic advocacy efforts shaping North Carolina's environmental future.
Relevant resources:
Analyzing the Consequences of Sackett v. EPA and Looking Ahead to the Future (ELI Webinar)
Swamps, Science, and Sackett: ELI's Approach to Wetland Preservation (ELI Podcast)