Isabella Errigo is a grad student at Brigham Young University studying the effects of mega-fires on aquatic ecosystems. She joins Abbey and Madison around the fireside to talk about science, activism, and spirituality.

Isabella is deeply involved in a lot of activist campaigns in Utah by communicating complex science to government officials and legislators. If you’re following the efforts to prevent the building of islands in Utah Lake, then you have seen Isabella’s work. A firebrand in every sense of the word, Isabella talks about the compassion she has learned by engaging with both science and activism on behalf of the Earth.

Links:Don’t Pave Utah LakeSouthern Utah Wilderness AllianceProtect Our Winters

The post 27: Wielding the Two-Edged Sword of Science and Activism w/ Isabella Errigo appeared first on Bristlecone Firesides.

Abbey returns!

Madison and Abbey while away the dog days of summer catching up on each other’s summers. Join the fireside for a light conversation about summer adventures, southern Utah, refreshing drinks, and the motivation to write a thesis.

Topics Covered:

• Orchards and Picking Fruit
• River Trips in Desolation Canyon
• Coyote Gulch
• Quick Sand
• Kombucha (Madison’s Fave Better Booch)
• Love Island vs Survivor

Links:National Ability CenterProtect Wild UtahBack Proch PaleoOriginal Grace by Adam MillerThe General Dance by Thomas MertonLiving Life by Kierkegaard

The post 26: Dog Days of Summer: Abbey’s Return! appeared first on Bristlecone Firesides.

Faith-based Earth stewardship in Utah may be undergoing a transition. The last few decades have been spent focusing on asking what our tradition has to say about how we can make it through the growing climate crisis. We have collected a robust foundation of statements from Church leaders and Scriptures on caring for the Earth. We have found leaders and created great content that reconnects us to the Earth and inspires us to live more simply. But is it enough? What do we do next? What do we build on this foundation?

Anna Thurston, a researcher from Yale University and a juggernaut in the field of interfaith work, chats with Madison about the past, present, and future of LDS Earth-centered activism. Madison airs some frustrations and observations he has made over the last three years working directly with Faith Communities. They are timid, slow-moving, far-sighted, and often don’t think big enough. Anna is able to bring much wisdom, nuance, and grounding to see the value of small steps but provides some direction for where we ought to go in the future.

Links: LDS Earth Stewardship Resource LibraryAdam S Miller on Bristlecone FiresidesWorldy Wonder by Mary Evelyn TuckerProject Noah Religious Divestment Yale’s Spotlight Podcast

The post 25: The Present and Future of Mormon Earth Stewardship w/ Anna Thurston appeared first on Bristlecone Firesides.