Laura Broxson has been deeply involved in Ireland’s animal rights movement for over two decades. They founded NARA – the National Animal Rights Association - in 2007. This is a voluntary, vegan animal rights group, working towards a world where animals are free from use, abuse, and exploitation.

In 2019, they successfully brought about a ban on fur farming in Ireland with a multifaceted strategy which involved undercover investigations, working with politicians to bring about legislative change, and engaging with the public at large to mobilise groundswell of support.

They are now applying the strategy to other campaigns like the banning of blood sports, such as fox-hunting and hare-coursing, as well as seeking to put an end to Ireland’s pig industry.

They actively promote a transition to plant-based agriculture by offering animal farmers a practical path out of the industry (in collaboration with James O’Donovan from Nature Rising).

We covered these topics and more - and the depths and breadth of Laura’s knowledge and enthusiasm became obvious as they responded cheerfully to any question with expert ease. Their calm confidence and determination offers a beacon for all animal rights advocates, and indeed anybody wanting to bring about positive change in the world.

https://www.naracampaigns.org/

Irish Pig Farm videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwmyaHZrjRY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xHFCYxR9pE

Hare-coursing video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQDqLGotOSE

James O’Donovan (Nature Rising) report: Transition to an Irish Vegan Agricultural System.

https://naturerising.ie/transition-to-an-irish-vegan-agriculture-system/

https://naturerising.ie/

Dr. Alice Brough.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alice_thepigvet/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alice_thepigvet/videos

Support Animal Free Research Ireland: https://safrireland.com/

Featured Music:

New Funk by Vlad Gluschenko | https://soundcloud.com/vgl9
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Harper Garrison is a high school student from Austin, Texas. She raised a lamb (who she named Onion!) through the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program. They soon formed a bond and Harper began to question Onion's fate; to be returned to the farm at the end of the program where she would be used as a 'breeder' and then sent to slaughter, once she was no longer profitable.

Harper got help from LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals and the Planet), PETA2 and Austin Farm Sanctuary to remove Onion from the program and move her to the farm sanctuary where she now lives, enjoying her days and hanging out with other animals.

Harper tells her story of the rescue, as well as her growing involvement in animal advocacy. She talks about the organisations that helped, and her increasing awareness of the plight of farm animals. We discuss the encouraging growth of organisations that promote empathy and compassion, groups that are facilitating a new way to engage with animals.

Sources:

https://leapforanimals.org

https://leapforanimals.org/saving-onion-the-sheep-from-slaughter/

https://www.peta2.com/culture/harper-onion/

https://www.austinfarmsanctuary.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/showlambpage/posts/9928691373925428/

Dr Crystal Heath on Healthification podcast:

https://strongbodygreenplanet.com/what-vets-arent-taught-about-animal-rights-with-dr-crystal-heath/

FFA website:

https://www.ffa.org/

Further resources:

https://www.teachkind.org/

https://www.teachkind.org/ffa-4h-school-agriculture-programs/

https://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Empathy-Now-Guide-for-Schools-8.5x11-PRINT-VERSION-2022_300.pdf

Danielle Hanosh, founder of LEAP, on the Better Life for Animals podcast:

https://betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/024-danielle-hanosh/

Alternatives to 4H:

https://thehumaneleague.org/article/alternatives-to-4-h

Jessica Long – the case of Cedar the goat:

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/23669586/goat-girl-4-h-shasta-county-seizure

Featured music:

Another Good Day by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon
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Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
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Jack Morley has a background in media and advertising and he is now using those creative skills to illustrate and convey the beauty of Irish nature and wildlife, as well as some of the many challenges facing our native plants, insects, birds, fish and mammals.

He wants to amplify the stories of the people around the country who are making efforts to restore and revitalise our natural environment and he blends history, botany, ecology and humour into an appealing mix that educates and entertains.

In this episode we talk about the different ways in which we communicate about nature and you'll be able to answer questions like: What is Ireland's only legally protected insect? How did wasps help to write the Irish Constitution? Which are some of the butterflies that use nettles as a host plant? What IS a host plant?

...and where did that deer go?

LINKS

https://www.youtube.com/@TheRewildlife

https://www.instagram.com/the_rewildlife/

An Irish Wildlife Haven. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ8Xj2wJLIo

Shifting baseline Syndrome. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ_-IG_Ms8i/

Oak gall wasps. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIUCHvHsfB4/

Mombretia. https://www.instagram.com/p/DMp2xdqMfSx/

Badger. https://www.instagram.com/p/DRNHQPXDEKA/

Fox and deer video. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQnCIEvjJj-/

Marsh Fritillary. https://www.instagram.com/p/DLDZSLvs8tN/

https://iwt.ie/species-of-the-week-marsh-fritillary/

The film Birdsong on RTE Player.

https://www.rte.ie/player/movie/birdsong/506726951986

The film Listers on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl-wAqplQAo&t=457s

Nature Spy cameras. https://naturespy.org/

Craghoppers fleece with birdsong soundwaves.

https://www.craghoppers.com/ie/CMA1425_1GG/

Featured Music:

San Fran by Schematist | http://www.schematistmusic.com
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