NaturallyScott

Scott
  • 4.4 (9)
  • NATURE

At least once a week, I’ll bring you the very best of America’s spectacular world of nature — from birds to mammals, to reptiles and amphibians. From soaring mountains to endless plains, from rugged coastlines to rivers and streams.  Each episode will feature an expert guest — a ranger, a researcher, a birder, or an adventurer — someone who has seen what we want to see and been where we want to go. 

  1. 18H AGO

    E50 — Chad Nelson: Protecting Oceans, Waves, and Beaches

    Send a text In this 50th episode of Naturally Scott, Scott Harris sits down with Chad Nelson, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, to talk about a coastal conservation organization that doesn’t just educate and inspire — it organizes, advocates, and fights for practical outcomes. Surfrider’s work spans five core fronts: plastic reduction, ocean protection, beach access, coasts and climate, and clean water. Chad explains how a movement that began with surfers trying to protect beloved breaks has grown into a national network of volunteers running hundreds of campaigns — from cutting single-use plastics and improving water quality testing, to defending public access along shorelines, to building real solutions for coastal erosion and sea level rise. A major focus of the conversation is offshore drilling. Scott and Chad walk through why Surfrider opposes new offshore drilling across U.S. waters, how the federal leasing process works, what’s being proposed, and what’s at stake for wildlife, fisheries, tourism economies, and coastal communities. This is an episode about the places we love — and what it takes to protect them. Learn more about Surfrider and their campaigns at surfrider.org For updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes notes from Naturally Scott, subscribe here:  https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752

    58 min

  2. FEB 26

    E49 — Elizabeth Gray: Bending the Bird Curve

    Send a text In this episode of Naturally Scott, Scott sits down with Elizabeth Gray, CEO of the National Audubon Society, for a wide-ranging conversation about birds, climate, hope, and what it really takes to turn conservation losses around. Elizabeth shares the personal experiences that shaped her life in conservation — from childhood curiosity sparked by books, to studying endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers, to witnessing firsthand how climate change affects species that live nowhere else on Earth. The conversation moves through stories of loss, resilience, and recovery, including the return of bald eagles to the Potomac River and what those birds reveal about the health of entire ecosystems. Scott and Elizabeth explore Audubon’s ambitious vision to “bend the bird curve” after the loss of three billion birds in North America, what that goal means across the Americas, and how habitat conservation, climate action, policy, and community science all fit together. They also discuss why birds act as sentinels for the planet, how everyday people can play a role, and why optimism — grounded in real success stories — matters more than ever. This is a conversation about birds, yes, but also about clean water, healthy landscapes, and the belief that restoration is possible when people choose to act. Learn more about Audubon’s work, programs, and how to get involved at audubon.org For updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes notes from Naturally Scott, subscribe here:  https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752

    1 hr

  3. FEB 19

    E48 — Emily Fairfax: Beavers, Water, and Wildfire Resilience

    Send a text In this episode of Naturally Scott, Scott sits down with ecohydrologist Emily Fairfax of the University of Minnesota to talk about an animal that quietly reshapes entire landscapes: the beaver. What begins as a conversation about hydrology and water quickly becomes a deep look at how beavers function as true ecosystem engineers. Emily explains how their dams slow water, restore wetlands, create wildlife habitat, and even build natural resilience to wildfire. Scott and Emily also explore common misconceptions about beavers, why they are often misunderstood, and how their impact can be seen everywhere from deserts to places like Yellowstone National Park. The discussion reveals how a single species can influence forests, rivers, wildlife, and entire communities in ways most of us never notice. This is an episode about water, wilderness, and why one of North America’s largest rodents may be one of its most important conservation partners. Learn more about Emily’s work at the University of Minnesota. For updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes notes from Naturally Scott, subscribe here:  https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752

    59 min

  4. FEB 12

    E47 — Peter Stangel: Managing Forests for People and Wildlife

    Send a text In this episode of Naturally Scott, Scott sits down with Peter Stangel of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities to talk about forests in a way most people never hear them discussed. Not as scenery.  Not as hiking destinations.  And not even primarily as ecosystems. But as working systems that support both people and wildlife at the same time. Following recent conversations about saving the American chestnut and protecting the redwoods, this episode steps back to look at the forest as a whole. Peter explains what “forest health” really means, why preservation alone is not enough, and how active forest management can be essential to keeping forests healthy, productive, and resilient. Scott and Peter also explore how large nonprofits, foundations, and private philanthropy become involved in forest work, and why investing in forests often means investing in rural communities, clean water, wildlife habitat, and long-term economic stability all at once. This conversation reframes the way we think about forests — not as places we visit, but as systems we depend on every single day. Learn more about the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities at https://www.usendowment.org For updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes notes from Naturally Scott, subscribe here:  https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752

    58 min

  5. FEB 5

    E46 — David Gessner: Vacation with a Purpose

    Send a text In this episode of Naturally Scott, Scott sits down with author David Gessner, a writer who never wanted to be called a nature writer — and yet became one of the most important voices helping us understand why wild places and birds matter. David is the author of Return of the Osprey, Soaring with Fidel, Leave It As It Is, and The Book of Flaco, among many others. His work explores raptors, wilderness, obsession, humor, grief, and the deep human pull toward the natural world. Scott first encountered David’s writing early in his own birding journey and found in it a model for how storytelling can make wildlife feel personal, immediate, and essential. The conversation moves through David’s career, his resistance to labels, his love of Theodore Roosevelt’s wilderness, the strange and powerful story of Flaco the Eurasian Eagle Owl in New York City, and a phrase Scott openly admits to borrowing from David: “vacation with a purpose.” This is a conversation about how paying attention to birds, landscapes, and wild stories changes the way we move through the world. Learn more about David and his work at https://davidgessner.com For updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes notes from Naturally Scott, subscribe here:  https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752

    1h 8m

  6. JAN 29

    E45 — John Goodell: Falconry isn’t about control — it’s about partnership.

    Send a text In this episode of Naturally Scott, Scott sits down with John Goodell, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Archives of Falconry, to explore one of humanity’s oldest and most misunderstood relationships with wildlife. Falconry is often imagined as domination or display. In reality, it is a hunting tradition built on trust, restraint, and a deep respect for wild raptors. John explains what falconry actually is, how it has been practiced for more than two thousand years across cultures, and why the birds at the center of it remain fully wild — free to leave at any moment. The conversation moves through the history of falconry, the demanding licensing process, the ethics of flying wild birds, and the intimate knowledge falconers develop of predator and prey alike. Along the way, John shares what it means to care for a raptor day after day, why many falconers eventually release their birds back into the wild, and how falconry has shaped modern raptor conservation. This is a conversation about humility, discipline, and what it looks like to work with nature instead of trying to master it. Learn more about the Archives of Falconry at https://www.falconry.org For updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes notes from Naturally Scott, subscribe here:  https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752

    1h 3m

  7. JAN 22

    E44 — Scott Black: Honey bees aren’t the story — native pollinators are.

    Send a text In this episode of Naturally Scott, Scott sits down with Scott Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, to explore the small creatures doing the biggest work in nature: insects and other invertebrates. Scott Black breaks down what “invertebrates” really are, why pollinators matter far beyond gardens, and how conservation shifts when you start paying attention to the species without backbones. Along the way, he explains a surprising truth about honey bees — that they’re not native wildlife, but closer to livestock — and why native pollinators deserve far more of the spotlight. This is a conversation about habitat, pesticides, endangered species, and the practical steps that can help reverse declines — from what we plant to how we manage land. Learn more about the Xerces Society at https://www.xerces.org For updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes notes from Naturally Scott, subscribe here:  https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752

    55 min

  8. JAN 15

    E43 — Pete Malinowski | Rebuilding New York Harbor, One Oyster at a Time

    Send a text New York Harbor is one of the most storied waterways in the world, but for generations it was also one of the most damaged. Long before skyscrapers defined the skyline, oysters shaped the ecology, economy, and culture of the region—until they were pushed to the brink of disappearance. Today, something remarkable is happening beneath the surface. In this episode, Scott Harris sits down with Pete Malinowski, co-founder of the Billion Oyster Project, to explore one of the most ambitious urban restoration efforts in the world. Pete explains why oysters matter so much—to water quality, marine life, and shoreline resilience—and how restoring them means rebuilding entire ecosystems, not just a single species. The conversation traces the history of New York Harbor’s decline, the science behind oyster reef restoration, and the hands-on work happening right now with students, volunteers, and community partners. From recycling millions of pounds of oyster shells to engaging thousands of young people in marine science, the project shows how conservation, education, and civic pride can move together. It’s a reminder that environmental recovery doesn’t always start in remote wilderness—it can begin in the heart of a city. Naturally Scott updates, bonus content, and field notes:  https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752

    59 min
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4.4
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

At least once a week, I’ll bring you the very best of America’s spectacular world of nature — from birds to mammals, to reptiles and amphibians. From soaring mountains to endless plains, from rugged coastlines to rivers and streams.  Each episode will feature an expert guest — a ranger, a researcher, a birder, or an adventurer — someone who has seen what we want to see and been where we want to go. 

Information

  • Creator
    Scott
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 NaturallyScott
  • Show Website
    NaturallyScott

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