You’re Gonna Die Out There

Tangina the Clairvoyant from Poltergeist

Hey Nature Nerds! In this week's full episode, Megan talks about the Nahanni National Park, one of the 7th wonders of Canada, but also a keeper of a dark and mysterious past... enjoy!
Organization to Support:
https://www.conservationalliance.com/
Mission
We harness the power of businesses and outdoor communities to protect North America’s cherished wild places and outdoor spaces. Through the collective strength of our membership – companies from banks to breweries and outdoor gear – we champion solutions that balance the best interests of the land and water, wildlife, and people. Since 1989, we’ve helped protect 73 million acres and 3,580 river miles, remove or halt 37 dams, purchase 21 climbing areas & designate five marine reserves.
https://www.conservationalliance.com/success/nahanni-wilderness/
They are based out of Bend, OR BUT they have a Nahanni Valley specific page- and they do work there. They have a 92% on charity navigator, so yay!
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society used Conservation Alliance support in its successful campaign to expand the Nahanni National Park Preserve by a stunning seven million acres. The park now protects the entire watershed of the South Nahanni River, a popular outdoor recreation destination.
References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcYZ9rH_S9U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr1v5N6ovp4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd6dWKwVZ2M
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dene
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahanni_National_Park_Reserve
http://secretsofnahanni.com/
https://www.outdoorjournal.com/news/secrets-nahanni-valley-headless-men/
https://denenation.com/
https://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/nahanni-valley-0016177
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/mysterious-deaths-rcmp-reopen-case-2005-1.4649717
https://archive.org/details/tropicalvalleysi00cana/page/n5/mode/2up
https://www.goldseiten.de/artikel/547856--NorZinc-Signs-Environmental-Agreement-with-Key-First-Nation-Partners-in-Yellowknife.html
https://cabinradio.ca/96716/news/environment/norzinc-awaits-licence-approval-for-prairie-creek-mine/
https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/david-horesay-frederick-hardisty
https://www.abenakiextreme.com/why-the-nahanni-valley-is-creepier-than-any-horror-film/
https://darkpoutine.com/2021/08/181-the-headless-men-of-the-nahanni-valley/
https://www.strangeoutdoors.com/mysterious-stories-blog/2018/2/21/mysteries-of-the-nahinni-park-reserve-in-canada
https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nt/nahanni
https://zeph456.medium.com/the-valley-of-headless-men-e249a493efed
https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/canada/experiences/news/the-haunting-history-of-this-canadian-national-park
https://web.archive.org/web/20040515204806/http://www.artcanadacarvings.com/people_of_the_deh_cho.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20090308130249/http://www.tsuutina.ca/page.aspx?pageID=6-8
https://www.cbc.ca/sevenwonders/results.html
https://mysteriesofcanada.com/nwt/legends-of-the-nahanni-valley/
https://www.jmplumbley.com/2021/09/22/the-big-bad-wood-nahanni-valley/
https://albertaonrecord.ca/melvin-and-ethel-ross-fonds
https://www.banffcentre.ca/events/nahanni-river-forgiveness

Nature Nugget: Rats Peeing in Pitcher Plants!

This week Megan learned about how rats have tiny urinals in the forest by way of pitcher plants! How sophisticated! We hope you enjoy!
References:
https://www.iflscience.com/this-pitcher-plant-evolved-to-be-a-urinal-for-rats-67063
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-pitcher-plants-call-bats-get-their-poo-180956014/
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2010.1141
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0021114

Beaver Friendly Vanilla Musk

Hey Hey Nature Nerds! Welcome to our first full episode for 2023! This week Jen talks all things Beavers! Thanks to listener Bunny Tuna Ducky for the suggestion!
Organization to Support: The Beaver Coalition - beavercoalition.org
The mission of The Beaver Coalition is to empower humans to partner with beavers through education, science, advocacy, and process-based restoration.
As a nonprofit organization, we are dedicated to facilitating a paradigm shift in society’s understanding of beavers. We envision a future in which there is widespread public support for a return of beavers and their work as ecosystem engineers to the waterways of North America. We believe clean, abundant water resources and functioning stream systems are universal needs for the health and wellbeing of people and the places they live.
Links:
https://www.etymonline.com/word/beaver
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/beaver
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/8-facts-celebrate-international-beaver-day
https://facts.net/beaver-facts/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/62316/11-fascinating-facts-about-beavers
https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/mammals/guide-to-britains-beavers-their-history-reintroduction-and-where-to-see/
https://furbearerconservation.com/blog/2019/7/20/beaver-attack-in-virginia-river-rehashes-talk-of-zombie-beavers
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/29/beaver-kills-man-belarus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver_attack
https://www.encountersnorth.org/beaver-summary/2017/8/2/beaver-ecology
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/our-work/our-projects/scottish-beavers/
https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/beavers/Benefits.aspx
https://www.watereducationcolorado.org/fresh-water-news/scientists-beavers-latest-tool-to-emerge-in-rebuilding-drought-stricken-streams/
https://people.com/pets/beavers-could-help-protect-rivers-from-climate-change-study/#:~:text=A%20study%20conducted%20in%20Colorado's,quality%20during%20times%20of%20drought&text=The%20humble%20beaver%20could%20save,rivers%20threatened%20by%20climate%20change.
https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/rethinking-the-beaver/
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/what-we-do/our-projects/river-otter-beaver-trial
https://defenders.org/blog/2022/04/traditional-farming-communities-coexist-beavers
https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2020/August-September/Conservation/Beavers

Patreon Episode Snippet: July 2022 Bonus - A Secret Stash of Emergency Chocolate

Hello Nature Nerds! We hope you enjoy this month's bonus! Getting posted from ROLLERCON 2022! 🛼🛼 This week Jen shares a science news about the amazingness that is Reptile Aging 🐢Then Megan shares the incredible survival story of Louis Zamperini!
Organization to Support: National Park Foundation WWII Memorial
https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/explore-parks/world-war-ii-memorial
In the heart of the National Mall in Washington, DC., the World War II Memorial honors the service of sixteen million members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America during the war, the support of countless millions on the home front, and the ultimate sacrifice of over 400,000 Americans. Fredrich St. Florian’s winning design balances classical and modernist styles of architecture, harmonizes with its natural and cultural surroundings, and connects the legacy of the American Revolution and the American Civil War with a great crusade to bring an end to fascism.
References:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Zamperini
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.history.com/.amp/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-louis-zamperini
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.biography.com/.amp/military-figure/louis-zamperini
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2014/07/04/arts/louis-zamperini-olympian-war-survivor-unbroken-dies.amp.html
https://news.usc.edu/trojan-family/unbroken-spirit-louis-zamperini-40/
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2304075/sports-heroes-who-served-olympic-runner-louis-zamperini/
https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/68125/louis-zamperini-from-olympic-track-star-to-pow/
https://www.shortform.com/blog/lost-at-sea-unbroken/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/unbroken-louis-zamperini-crashed-pacific-may-27-1943-here-missing-air-crew-report-180953699/

Nature Nugget: Tasmanian Tigers

Happy 2023 Nature Nerds! We're making some adjustments to our regularly released episodes with every-other-week Nature Nuggets and for our first of 2023, Jen shares about the Tasmanian Tiger! We hope you enjoy!
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-63855426.amp
https://australian.museum/learn/australia-over-time/extinct-animals/the-thylacine/
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/extinction-of-thylacine

A Not Dead Yet (NDY) ID Card

Happy Holidays Nature Nerds! In this, the last week of 2022, Jen shares science news about ancient Mastodons roaming Greenland. Then, in keeping with a winter theme, Megan talks about people who have survived being frozen solid!
Organization to support: National Association of Search and Rescue Inc- www.nasar.org
While they are not rated on charity navigator they did get a 95% score on accountability
The National Association For Search And Rescue (NASAR) has been in existence since 1972. Originally started to represent the State Search and Rescue Coordinators, NASAR grew to represent all SAR volunteers and continues to support the State Search And Rescue Coordinators Committee (SSARCC). NASAR uses standards developed by ASTM, NFPA, DHS, FEMA, and other respected bodies to build education courseware, publications, and certifications. Government agencies and non-profit Search And Rescue Teams use NASAR's material and certifications to build credentialing programs for their organizations and produce highly skilled searchers that work within their communities and are available for mutual aid regionally and nationally. NASAR is a Virginia Non-Profit and Federal 501(C)3 which welcomes your donations to assist us in training searchers for your community.
References:
https://www.almanac.com/extra/frozen-stiff-true-story-winter-survival
https://www.sciencealert.com/a-woman-famously-survived-being-frozen-solid-40-years-ago-here-s-the-science
https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2016/01/23/frozen-patients-being-brought-back-to-life.html
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/frozen-man-revived-brink-death-found-snow-pulse/story?id=36380318
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12576771/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-extreme-cold-wildlife-st-0103-20180102-story.html
http://www.rimed.org/rimedicaljournal/2019/02/2019-02-28-wilderness-foggle.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKAC2lio2OY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q-HDkCMRDA
https://www.rd.com/list/people-who-froze-came-back-to-life/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryonics
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bedford

A Perfectly Placed, Fully Stocked Cabin in the Woods

Hey There Nature Nerds! This week, Megan shares some science news about dog and nutrition, cause that's fun. Then Jen talks Alaskan Plane crashes! So choose your seat carefully and buckle up!
Organization to Support: The Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad
https://www.ketchikanrescue.org/
The Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad was established November 15, 1950, in response to a Pan American Airways crash near the airport on Annette Island. At the time of the Annette Island crash Ketchikan had no organized search and rescue capabilities with the exception of the U.S. Coast Guard.
KVRS was founded by members of the community to "Serve the Community of Ketchikan". Since that time our volunteers have donated thousands of hours to Search and Rescue Operations in the Ketchikan area. In fact our most important asset comes in the form of our volunteers, those people who are willing to leave their homes or work, sometimes in the middle of the night to help out. These people are what the Rescue Squad is all about and we are very proud of them.
Links:
https://freerangeamerican.us/worst-alaska-plane-crashes/
https://www.adventure-journal.com/2021/02/leon-crane-survived-a-plane-crash-and-80-days-in-the-alaskan-winter/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-47537221
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/08/why-are-there-so-many-airplane-crashes-in-alaska/61275/
http://www.alaskaweb.org/aviation/planecrash.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/11/obituaries/helen-kleban-kahn-dead.html
https://www.thoughtco.com/wiley-post-will-rogers-plane-crash-1779288
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/08/11/129136684/alaska-ted-stevens-crash-survivors
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/11/obituaries/helen-kleban-kahn-dead.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ted-stevens-survived-1978-plane-crash/
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/highest-rate-deadly-plane-crashes/
https://www.rd.com/list/flight-safety/

Motorola Walkie-Talkies and a Bag of Drugs

Hey all you nature nerds! This week Jen talks re-introduction of the European Wildcat in England! Then Megan takes us on another mountain trek- this time with Simon Yates and Joe Simpson- so get a good harness and strap in!
Organization to Support: The AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation
AWE Scholarship Foundation exists to break down barriers to entry to the big mountain realm for women from all walks of life.
https://www.summitscholarship.org/
We empower women through adventure and contribute to gender equity on and off the mountain.
They have a cool, inaugural calendar you can get for $30 USD that features women from all over the world who are pursuing mountaineering!
References:
https://www.grunge.com/107714/incredible-wilderness-survival-stories-ever/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Simpson_(mountaineer)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touching_the_Void_(book)
https://www.9news.com.au/9stories/touching-the-void-climber-says-director-burned-him-with-onesided-story/e985ec90-1d56-41ed-a7ad-fdb3cd76ace1
https://www.redbull.com/int-en/theredbulletin/joe-simpson-touching-the-void-interview
https://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/i-do-not-believe-joe-simpson-t57774.html
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/nov/09/joe-simpson-interview-touching-the-void
https://www.theage.com.au/world/the-man-who-fell-to-earth-20040208-gdx9i6.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Yates_(mountaineer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRignD8zQ24
https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/oswestry/ellesmere/2022/09/23/mountaineer-simon-yates-says-cutting-the-rope-to-release-his-touching-the-void-climbing-partner-was-the-only-decision-left-to-him/
https://www.thecorecorby.com/whats-on/simon-yates/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siula_Grande
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/everest-anniversary--world-s-five-deadliest-mountain-ranges-siula-grande-k2-mont-blanc-annapunna-155951170.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACSJDmFL_S9fp-DmVa-7wq2J2h1Mgwz0u2_nC7KpXf_zbcTqX9hBMCMHJbhEpLddOnnU_5WhZ5XhUF65yNqs16Nam_KshHJBMthfE1_fvqG52_pECyhjQroV-ki8x1uPHElczMv-7zmhYsQ8JMRAQkY3mUViEeCZA891kQhMIstq
https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/Siula_Grande
https://gearjunkie.com/climbing/mountaineering/worlds-10-most-dangerous-mountains
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergschrund
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-joe-simpson-and-simon-yates-1280331.html
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-climb-of-his-life-20050228-gdktnn.html
https://www.scripts.com/script/touching_the_void_22136

A Sturdy Love Canal Swan Boat

Hey hey Nature Nerds!! This week Megan shares a fun science news about the oldest evidence of fire being used to cook food. Then Jen talks all things Paddlesports! So shimmy up to your campfire or grab your life jacket and enjoy!
Organization to Support: Heroes on the Water
heroesonthewater.org
Based in Allen, Texas
PADDLE. FISH. HEAL.
It’s more than just a tagline, it’s what we do.
Heroes on the Water successfully applies a simple solution to a complex issue surrounding the wellness of physical and mental health of our veterans and first responders. We have countless testimonies from participants who have experienced and continue to experience the restorative power of our events.
Links:
https://wetplanetwhitewater.com/rafting/class-system/
https://boatingindustry.com/news/2022/04/14/wsf-reports-record-number-of-paddlesports-accidents/
https://paddlingmag.com/paddling-business/paddlesports-deaths-2021/
https://www.explore.com/1085086/the-most-dangerous-rapids-in-the-world/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/whitewater-rafting-death-statistics-3969676
https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/history-through-our-eyes/history-through-our-eyes-june-13-1978-canoe-trip-tragedy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_Bay_canoeing_disaster
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/22/americas/costa-rica-raft-deaths/index.html
https://abcnews.go.com/International/survivors-deadly-costa-rica-rafting-accident-families-warn/story?id=59366643
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kayakers-recount-deadly-congo-crocodile-attack/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kayaker-drowns-swan-attack-anthony-hensley-illinois_n_1428331
https://www.foxnews.com/us/illinois-kayaker-drowns-after-being-attacked-by-swan
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17736292
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mute_Swan/overview

A Meditative Music Playlist to Lower Your Blood Pressure

Hey there Nature Nerds! This week Jen shares a morbid, but really interesting science news about research on why Bat viruses keep infecting people. Then Megan shares a story about
Organization to Support: Amnesty International
https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/serbia/
In Serbia: There was negligible progress in bringing to justice those suspected of criminal responsibility for past crimes under international law. Police enjoyed impunity for ill-treatment. Media workers and NGOs were attacked by the government and pro-government media. Discrimination against women, Roma and other ethnic minorities, LGBTI people and the socially vulnerable was widespread.
Through our detailed research and determined campaigning, we help fight abuses of human rights worldwide. We bring torturers to justice. Change oppressive laws. And free people jailed just for voicing their opinion.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesna_Vulovi%C4%87
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srbsk%C3%A1_Kamenice
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/4/how-vesna-vulovic-survived-the-highest-fall-ever-with-no-parachute-697786
https://www.avsec.com/2002/04/01/interview-vesna-vulovic-how-to-survive-a-bombing-at-33000-feet/
https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/vesna-vulovic-flight-attendant-fell-33333-feet-without-parachute-survived-guinness-world-record-8254665/
https://www.thestatesman.com/features/vesna-vulovic-survived-33333-feet-fall-1503079074.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/28/world/europe/vesna-vulovic-died-flight-attendant-in-plunge.html
https://www.damninteresting.com/vesnas-fall/
https://thewanderingwanderluster.com/bohemian-switzerland-national-park/
https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/jat-flight-367-crash-site/view/google/
https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/serbia/report-serbia/
https://www.statista.com/chart/19708/known-occasions-where-people-survived-falls/
https://www.rbth.com/history/334627-larisa-savitskaya-survivor-plane-crash
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Chisov
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Alkemade
https://www.ranker.com/list/people-who-fell-and-survived/nathan-gibson
https://shareably.net/flight-attendant-survived-33000-foot-plane-crash/