It's in Our Nature

In Part 2 of this special anniversary conversation, Adam McLane and Doug Ladd shift from places and projects to the people behind Missouri conservation. Doug reflects on memorable moments from nearly four decades with The Nature Conservancy, shares stories from the field, and discusses the mentors, partners, volunteers and staff who helped make lasting conservation progress possible. The conversation also looks ahead, exploring emerging challenges, lessons learned over a lifetime in conservation and why we can all remain hopeful about the future of nature in Missouri.

As The Nature Conservancy celebrates 75 years globally and 70 years in Missouri, host Adam McLane sits down with Doug Ladd, former longtime Director of Conservation Science for TNC in Missouri, for a special look back at the moments that shaped conservation across the state. In Part 1, Doug shares stories from TNC’s early days, the pioneers who launched the Missouri chapter, and the bold ideas that transformed conservation in the Ozarks and beyond.

Join Adam McLane and U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist Justan Blair for a conversation about the birds of Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest and the stories they tell about the landscape around us. From the birds that first sparked Justan's passion for wildlife to the species biologists monitor to gauge ecosystem health, this episode explores how birds provide a unique window into the condition of our forests.

Whether you're an experienced birder, a casual nature lover, or someone who's never picked up a pair of binoculars, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for the birds around you and the role they play in Missouri's forests.

What can the past teach us about the future of farming, conservation, and healthy rivers?

In this episode of It’s in Our Nature, host Adam McLane sits down with Zack Miller of The Nature Conservancy and Hannah Hemmelgarn of theUniversity of Missouri Center for Agroforestry to discuss agroforestry along the Missouri River.

Together, they explore the rich history of the Missouri River floodplain, how human activity transformed this landscape over time, and why agroforestry—a land management approach that integrates trees and shrubs with crops to create sustainable, productive, and ecologically diverse agricultural landscapes—is gaining renewed attention. From improving water quality and reducing flood impacts to creating new opportunities for farmers and landowners, agroforestry offers a powerful example of how working lands and nature can thrive together.

The conversation highlights the partnerships driving this work forward, the role of innovation rooted in tradition, and the hope that a more resilient future is possible for Missouri’s rivers, farms, and communities.

Guests:

• Zack Miller, Leveraging Our Lands Strategy Lead, The Nature Conservancy in Missouri
• Hannah Hemmelgarn, Associate Director & Assistant Research Professor, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry

In this episode of It’s in Our Nature, host Adam McLane, State Director for The Nature Conservancy in Missouri, sits down at a Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) with three guests who are helping shape the future of fire in the state:

• Ryan Gauger, Fire & Stewardship Manager, The Nature Conservancy in Missouri
• Brad Graevs, Private Lands Conservationist, Missouri Department of Conservation
• Michelle Faherty, TREX participant, Wildland Fire Service

Together, they explore:

• What TREX really is and why it matters
• How partnerships multiply burn capacity in Missouri
• The role of mentorship and training in growing the fire workforce
• Why southern Missouri’s landscapes depend on good fire
• What a “perfect burn day” looks like, and how TREX makes the most of it
• The hope and determination behind this work, even when the weather won’t cooperate

If you’re a fire practitioner, conservation partner, or simply curious about how prescribed fire shapes the land, this episode offers an inside look at the people, skills, and collaboration behind Missouri’s growing fire community.

Step into the heart of the Ozarks with naturalist, educator, musician, author, and legendary forager Bo Brown. In this episode of It’s in Our Nature, we explore how foraging connects people to the land, why the Ozarks are one of the most biodiverse regions in North America, and how the foods hidden beneath our feet can inspire conservation.

Bo shares stories from a lifetime in the wild—from lessons passed down from his mother to decades of fieldwork as a songbird biologist, wilderness educator, and founder of First Earth Wilderness School. We dive into the history of foraging and what it means to harvest sustainably.

Plus, Bo shares rapid‑fire stories about foraging fails, musical adventures, and the wildest things he’s ever eaten.

If today’s conversation sparks your curiosity, check out Bo’s books Foraging the Ozarks and Foraging Central Grasslands, or visit https://www.bobrownforaging.com/ to dive deeper into his work.

Join us as we dive into the world of the Missouri River 340 (MR340), the longest nonstop river race in the United States. From its origins and unique challenges to the incredible stories of endurance and community, we explore what makes this 340-mile journey across Missouri so legendary. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler, a curious spectator, or just love tales of grit and adventure, this episode brings you behind the current of one of America’s most iconic endurance events.

Featured in this conversation are Carrie Elliott, a U.S. Geological Survey geologist and MR340 racer, and Steve Schnarr, MR340 race director and leader with Missouri River Relief. Drawing from both personal experience and professional insight, they discuss the realities of racing the river, the deeper connections it creates, and the importance of protecting the Missouri River as both a natural resource and a shared public space.

2025 has been a big year, and we’ve got stories to share! In this episode, we’re taking a step back to look at the moments, ideas, and connections that shaped 2025 for The Nature Conservancy in Missouri.

Tune in to celebrate with us, and get inspired for an even bigger 2026!

What does it take to achieve The Nature Conservancy’s most ambitious goals in history? In this episode of “It’s in Our Nature,” Missouri State Director Adam McLane and Rob Hunt, Director of Resilient Waters, break down six key strategies that are shaping the future of conservation in Missouri.

From land protection and reconnecting streams to advancing clean energy and sustainable farming, discover how local projects in Missouri connect to a global movement to protect lands, waters, and communities. Tune in to learn why Missouri’s work matters and how you can be part of it.

In this episode of It’s in Our Nature, host Adam McLane kicks off Season 2 with a deep dive into the complex role of dams in Missouri’s waterways.

Joined by Rob Hunt (Director of Resilient Waters for The Nature Conservancy), Ange Corson (Streams Program Coordinator with theMissouri Department of Conservation) and Eric Rahm (Stream Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation) the conversation explores when dams help ecosystems and when they harm them.

Topics include innovative beaver dam analogs that restore stream health, the science behind fish passage and dam removal, and how these projects benefit both nature and local communities.

From research in the Grand River Grasslands to success stories of ecological recovery in the Ozarks, this episode reveals how collaboration and creativity are shaping the future of Missouri’s rivers.

Sara Parker Pauley’s path to becoming the first woman to lead the Missouri Department of Conservation didn’t start where you might expect. She earned degrees in journalism and law from the University of Missouri, but an early choice to explore her love for nature made her “come alive.”

As she prepares to retire, she joins The Nature Conservancy’s Missouri State Director Adam McLane to talk about the rewards of a career in conservation, offer practical tips for getting started and bust some myths.

Curiosity about people and nature has taken Kansas City-based photographer Randy Hudson around the world.

He offers practical tips for getting started and describes the methods and philosophy behind his images, including his award-winning entry in The Nature Conservancy’s 2023 Global Photo Contest.

Keith Bennett, our candidate for the World’s Most Interesting Man, chats with Missouri State Director Adam McLane about the origins of his nickname, mushroom hunting and how he learned all those Latin plant names. Oh, and that time he was offered a spot opening for Willie Nelson.

Keith and Adam cover some ground in this episode. Whether it’s tips for finding native seeds or why anyone who hunts should be a conservationist, there are no lulls in the conversation.

Wow, what a year! Missouri State Director Adam McLane recaps seven highlights from a packed twelve months.

If you want to catch up on what TNC is doing in Missouri, from new Habitat Strike Teams to hosting tarantula research, have a listen.

This was a year that will guide much of what we do in the future to reach some big goals by 2030.

So, if you want to see where TNC is going, this is the place to start.

In 2019, Missouri State Director Adam McLane and a group of Nature Conservancy supporters visited our TNC staff in Tanzania. This year, three Tanzania staffers returned the favor and visited Dunn Ranch Prairie in northwest Missouri.

Adam sat down with Tanzania’s Country Director Lucy Magembe, Alphonce Mallya and Lucy Mlagala at our Little Creek Farmhouse to talk about the budding connection between the Missouri and Tanzania programs, the power of nature and why everyone should visit Tanzania.

Episode 14: Brett Perkins is part of a younger generation of The Nature Conservancy’s staffers in Missouri, but his history runs deep. His father, Dennis Perkins, helped introduce bison at TNC’s Dunn Ranch Prairie more than a decade ago, when Brett was still in high school.

The elder Perkins is still considered TNC’s “bison whisperer” in Missouri, but he sees the time coming when his son and others will take over. TNC’s Missouri State Director Adam McLane sat down with Dennis and Brett to talk about the history of bison at Dunn Ranch Prairie, what it’s like working together now and how technology, such as drones and artificial intelligence, is shaping the future.

It’s an insider’s look at TNC’s flagship preserve in Missouri, told by a father and son who know it as well as anyone.

Ask McLane Anything. Episode 1: In the first episode of this new series, Missouri State Director Adam McLane answers questions submitted by you, our listeners.

The first question asks how far out of balance the natural world is right now. The second question came from Adam's sister and she wanted to know about his craziest animal encounter stories. Finally, we wrap this first episode with ways you can help the declining Monarch population by planting native plants in your home garden - and talk about the ways TNC is helping make an impact at our prairie in northern Missouri.

Do you have questions for Adam? You can submit those HERE.

In this episode, Missouri state director, Adam McLane recaps seven highlights of 2022. It is far from everything that happened, but it is a great reminder of the ways your support helps people and nature thrive.

All year, we here at The Nature Conservancy in Missouri carefully track our progress, writing down the acres of land revived by prescribed fire, miles of streambank restored, partnerships built and dozens of other metrics that guide us toward our conservation goals. And yet, the end of the year is a time to reflect on the past twelve months, which always feels like a marvel. It is our annual reminder of how much a group of dedicated people can accomplish in a short amount of time.

We hope you take pride and ownership in those accomplishments, especially after a year like 2022. It was one for the books, with new staff hired, exciting new properties saved for conservation and the close of a campaign whose success will fuel work far into the future.

It’s in Our Nature goes on location to visit our friends at the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture.

CCUA cofounder Adam Saunders and board member Robbie Price join the podcast to talk about the power of gardening. The conversation takes place in the Columbia Agriculture Park, a 10-acre campus that is home to a sprawling urban garden, Columbia’s famed farmers market and the nerve center for CCUA’s array of food-focused programs.

Learn how a composting program started by University of Missouri students grew into a multimillion-dollar force that teaches people to grow vegetables in public housing, connects veterans with the land and supplies tens of thousands of pounds of produce to Columbia’s food pantry each year.

We all know that nature has a unique ability to improve our health, both mentally and physically. In this episode, we’re talking with Jeanne Carbone—the supervisor of therapeutic horticulture at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Jeanne has helped create a special program in the Japanese Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden that was designed to aid participants in experiencing the calming, restorative powers of nature.

Hear from Jeanne how this program came to life and how it’s helped everyone from cancer patients to nurses on the frontline during COVID.