45. Zero Landfill Initiative: How It Started and Where It's Going with Patrice and Justin La Vigne
In episode 45 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we get to talk about another exciting initiative! If you listened to last week’s episode, then you know we discussed the 30x30 initiative among several other national and California specific initiatives. Anyway, in this episode we are chatting about the Zero Landfill Initiative that has been going on for a few years in select National Parks. I hadn’t heard much of anything about this until my guests today brought it to my attention. Patrice and Justin La Vigne are writers and environmental educators who live outside of Denali National Park in Alaska. From 2018-2020, they were Zero Landfill Initiative Traveling Trainers for the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and Subaru of America, traveling around the United States doing outreach and education in the three national parks working to become zero landfill. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalist ------------------------- Lava Linens Discount Code for 15% off your next purchase: OUTDOORMINIMALIST ZERO LANDFILL INITIATIVE Links from the 3 pilot parks: https://www.denali.org/zerolandfill/ https://www.nps.gov/grte/getinvolved/zero-landfill-initiative.htm https://yosemite.org/sustainability/ Leave No Trace has tons of resources on lnt.org, but specifically here's the link for the training course that can be used for visitors and employees https://lnt.org/get-involved/training-courses/zero-landfill-training/ Subaru: https://www.subaru.com/csr/environment.html#!/2021/04/01 Patrice and Justin's personal website is wanderinglavignes.com, which also has a link to her book.
18 Juli 202235min
44. What is the 30x30 Initiative? with Lexie Grittlefeld
In episode 44 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we discuss the 30x30 Initiative introduced by the Biden Administration. This initiative is essentially a national goal to conserve at least 30% of the US lands and freshwater and 30% of the US ocean areas by 2030. We aren’t only talking about that, though. We will discuss the Recreate Responsibly Campaign and many other amazing initiatives in California. I was excited to hear about these goals and initiatives, and I am even more excited to introduce someone currently working to achieve them. Lexie Gritlefeld is on a mission to make the outdoors welcome for all to explore. After working for a U.S. Congresswoman, Lexie discovered a particular interest for outdoor recreation and conservation policy and she decided to follow that passion, which has led her to be the only staff member for a newer non-profit organization, California Outdoor Recreation Partnership (CORP). CORP represents 80+ outdoor industry businesses and organizations in policy advocacy issues. The main sponsors are REI and The North Face. Their top priorities include equitable access, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and climate change resiliency. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalist ------------------------- CORP WEBSITE: http://www.californiaoutdoor.org/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/californiaoutdoorrec/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/california-outdoor-recreation-partnership/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOutdoorRec/ ------------------------- LEXIE EMAIL: lexie@californiaoutdoor.org INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lexiegritlefeld/ ------------------------- EPISODE RESOURCES Recreate Responsibly Outdoor Alliance America the Beautiful 30x30 California AB2346 UN Biodiversity Conference
11 Juli 202231min
43. How the Overturning of Roe vs. Wade Impacts Us All and What We Can Do About It
Within this podcast episode, we discuss topics that may be upsetting or triggering to some listeners. Topics such as abortion, maternal mortality rate, racism, sexism, white supremacy, and white nationalism will be mentioned. Featuring Kia Guarino (she/her), the executive director at Pro-Choice Washington; the lead organization focused on political and legislative advocacy for reproductive freedom in Washington state. Kia has a background in global health and international development, economics, policy, and advocacy, having worked at several global organizations, including Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Albright Stonebridge Group, the Clinton Foundation, and Amnesty International. She is dedicated to the advancement of reproductive rights and social justice. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalist PRO CHOICE WASHINGTON WEBSITE: https://prochoicewashington.org/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/prochoicewashington/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/prochoicewa 5 Ways to Take Action Now Finding Care: abortionfinder.org, INeedAnA.com, Washington Department of Health Abortion Funds: donate to abortion funds in your area, Northwest Abortion Access Fund (donate here or volunteer here), Indigenous Women Rising Local Clinics: Cedar River Clinics, All Women’s Health, and All Women’s Care Local Policy & Legislative Change: State Abortion Access Network Checking Legal Action: https://www.reprolegalhelpline.org/ Statement from the Sierra Club Music: Ashot-Danielyan-Composer
2 Juli 202240min
42. Is Buying Used Outdoor Gear Worth It?
In episode 42 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we discuss the pros and cons of buying used outdoor equipment. In a few of my earlier episodes, including renting vs buying gear and saving money living sustainably, we chat briefly about used gear and the benefits they provide both financially and for the environment. There are countless benefits of buying used gear, and to help me discuss how to do it tactfully, I had the pleasure of hosting Brian and Laura, the founders of Colchuck Consignment. Colchuck Consignment is North Central Washington’s source for high quality used outdoor gear. They believe in keeping useful gear in use and out of the landfill, while making the outdoors more affordable and accessible for everyone. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalist ------------------------- Lava Linens Discount Code for 15% off your next purchase: OUTDOORMINIMALIST COLCHUCK CONSIGNMENT WEBSITE: https://www.colchuckconsignment.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/colchuckconsignment/ ------------------------- EPISODE RESOURCES Rainy Pass Repair Waste Loop
27 Juni 202229min
41. Protecting the Fragile Plants of Desert Landscapes with Jessica Esplin
In episode 41 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we get to talk about plants. More specifically, we do a deep dive into plants within a desert ecosystem and how to recreate in a way that respects the native flora and fauna. To educate us on this important topic, I had the pleasure of hosting a dear friend of mine, Jessica Esplin. Born in the heart of Southern Utah. Her family instilled a sense of wonder and respect for the outdoors while adventuring on the outskirts of Zion National Park. Working in the Outdoor Industry created a platform for her to travel for work and play. She soon realized another passion lay in the ecology of her home environment, the desert. Currently working and living in Flagstaff, Arizona, Jess works with The Arboretum to preserve, conserve and showcase the Colorado Plateaus flora & fauna. Through her fieldwork she has seen, more than ever, the need to preserve the fragile environments we all love. Whether you raise cattle, off-road, climb, or camp, we all play a part in these ecosystems. From the Sandstone Towers of the Colorado Plateau, the great cacti of the Sonoran, and the wonders of the Mojave, Jessica's unique perspective can teach us about the importance of preserving these lands. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalist ------------------------- Use the code OUTDOORMINIMALIST for 10% off every Neo Bites order. ARBORETUM AT FLAGSTAFF Seeds Jess is Currently Collecting in the Mojave: Baileya multiraidata, Desert marigold Lupinus odoratus, Mojave lupine Chylismia brevipes, Yellow cups Astragalus layneae, Widow's milkvetch Opuntia basilaris, Beavertail cactus Larrea tridentata, Creosote ------------------------- EPISODE RESOURCES Environmental Conservation Species Search USFWS Section 6 Program on Endangered Plant Species Association of Zoological Horticulture The Wilderness Society Native Plant Societies Sierra Club California Desert Protection Act Plant Conservation Alliance
20 Juni 202232min
40. Becoming Minimalist: Downsizing for Life with Aaron Owens Mayhew
In episode 40 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we discuss the process of becoming minimalist. Minimalism is very much an individual journey, but many people will experience overlapping challenges and hurdles along the way. Although I’ve talked about this in previous episodes to some extent, to share her story and give some practical advice on sustaining a minimalist lifestyle, I had the pleasure of hosting Aaron Owens Mayhew. Aaron is a registered dietitian and ultralight long-distance backpacker with nearly 20 years of experience as a hiker and nutrition expert. In 2017, she quit her job and began preparing for her first thru-hike. During this process, Aaron realized how uniquely qualified she was to plan and prepare meals for outdoor athletes and decided to put her skills to the test. That same year, she founded Backcountry Foodie, an online ultralight recipes and meal planning platform. Since then, Aaron has dedicated her career to helping thousands of hikers enjoy delicious food and improve their performance in the backcountry. She focuses on ultralight, low-volume recipes and meal plans specially formulated for endurance athletes. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalist ------------------------- Lava Linens Discount Code for 15% off your next purchase: OUTDOORMINIMALIST BACKCOUNTRY FOODIE WEBSITE: https://backcountryfoodie.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_foodie/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/backcountryfoodie YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/BackcountryFoodie ------------------------- Plastic Film Recycling: https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/
13 Juni 202227min
39. The Benefits of Insect Proteins for Us, Our Pets, and the Planet with Wesley Cooper
In episode 39 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we get to talk about eating insects. While I’d love to do an episode on insect proteins in a human diet, today we are going to focus on insect proteins, our pets, and the planet. There is a lot to be said about dog nutrition and the impact our pet’s diets have on the environment. To help make this topic a bit more palatable, I had the pleasure of chatting with Wesley Cooper, the co-founder of Neo Bites. Neo Bites is a company on a mission to accelerate the shift towards sustainable animal nutrition through insect protein. Neo Bites is the product of Wesley’s desire to play a pivotal role in the fight against climate change. During his time working in the food and beverage industry in NYC, his life-long passion for sustainability led him to learn more about the climate impact of our chosen protein sources. It was during this time that he was introduced to insect protein, and Neo Bites came to fruition shortly after. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalist ------------------------- Use the code OUTDOORMINIMALIST for 10% off every Neo Bites order. NEO BITES WEBSITE: https://eatneobites.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/eatneobites/?hl=en FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/eatneobites/ EMAIL: woof@eatneobites.com The Pet Food Industry is Destroying the Planet
6 Juni 202232min
38. Is There an Alternative to Toxic Solvent-Based Gear Coatings? with Gabriella Whittaker
In episode 38 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we do a deep dive into a topic that I’ve been wanting to learn more about for quite some time but wasn’t sure where to look. We are discussing solvent-based coatings. These are the waterproof and abrasion resistant coatings that we apply on a lot of our outdoor textiles from tents to backpacks, pants, and more. Solvent-based coatings have quite the impact environmentally and socially. Luckily I had the pleasure of talking with someone that is working to help shift the industry away from toxic solvent based coatings to a safer alternative. Gabriella Whittaker is a relatively new member of the outdoor industry professionally, but she has been an avid participant in the outdoors since before she could walk. She grew up skiing and climbing in the mountains of Washington and Idaho, and her time spent in nature fueled a passion for protecting these environments. Now, she has found a space for her love of sustainability to make an impact on the outdoor industry through PolyCore Solutions. INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/ WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/ ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/book YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalist ------------------------- Lava Linens Discount Code for 15% off your next purchase: OUTDOORMINIMALIST POLYCORE SOLUTIONS WEBSITE: https://polycoresolutions.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/polycoresolutions/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/PolyCoreSolutions/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/polycoresolutions/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCif_rqcK12vmUWELQoQh4Rw/featured ------------------------- EPISODE RESOURCES BlueSign Restricted Chemicals The Story of Paint Other EPA Paint Bans What Are VOCs?
30 Maj 202225min
