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Adam McLane sitting at table talking into microphone.
Adam McLane Missouri State Director Adam McLane, host of It's in Our Nature podcast. © Route 3 Films
Stories in Missouri

It's in Our Nature

A Podcast Celebrating the Connection Between People and Nature

Start Listening.

Welcome to It's In Our Nature, the podcast that explores the wild wonders and subtle stories of the natural world. Whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or simply curious about the ecosystems around you, this podcast invites you to slow down, listen closely and reconnect with the environment we all share.

Season 2 Episodes

  • A man and a woman wearing microphone headsets sit in a recording studio.

    Dammed If You Do, Dammed If You Don't

    After a break, Season 2 kicks off with a fascinating look at dams. This episode explores beaver dam analogs, fish passage solutions and the complex ways these structures shape ecosystems and communities. Listen Now.

Season 1 Episodes

  • A man and women sitting at a table talking with microphone headsets on.

    Nature’s (Career) Path with Sara Parker Pauley

    Sara Parker Pauley’s path to becoming the first woman to lead the Missouri Department of Conservation didn’t start where you might expect. Listen as she joins Adam McLane to talk about careers in conservation and her journey to MDC. Listen now.

  • A man sitting in a living room wearing a microphone headset.

    Behind the Lens: Finding Beauty with Photographer Randy Hudson

    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 award-winning images. Listen now.

  • A man sitting on a deck wearing a microphone headset.

    Keith Bennett: The Seed Whisperer

    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. Listen now.

  • A man sitting on a deck wearing a microphone headset.

    2023 Year in Review

    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. Listen now.

  • A group of four people standing on a deck smiling for the picture.

    Are There Penguins in Tanzania?

    Adam McLane sits down with TNC Tanzania staff, Lucy Magembe, Alphonce Mallya and Lucy Mlagala to talk about the budding connection between the Missouri and Tanzania programs, the poster of nature and why everyone should visit Tanzania. Listen now.

  • Two men standing next to each other smiling for the picture.

    Shifting Generations: The Bison Whisperer's Son

    Brett Perkins is part of a younger generation of TNC staffers in Missouri, but his history runs deep. His dad, Dennis Perkins, helped introduce bison at TNC's Dunn Ranch Prairie more than a decade ago. Join us for a chat with Dennis and Brett. Listen now.

  • A man talking into a microphone mounted to a table.

    2022 Year in Review

    In this episode, Missouri State Director Adam McLane recaps seven highlights of 2022. It's far from everything that happened, but it's a great reminder of how your support helps people and nature thrive. Listen now.

  • Three men sitting at a table talking with microphone headsets on.

    Growing Power: Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture

    CCUA co-founder, Adam Saunders and board member, Robbie Price join the podcast to talk about the power of gardening. Learn how a composting program started by University of MO students grew into a multimillion-dollar force. Listen now.

  • A man and a woman sitting at table laughing as they talk.

    A Journey to Well-Being

    We all know nature has a unique ability to improve our health, both mentally and physically. In this episode, we're talking with Jeanne Carbone, supervisor of therapeutic horticulture at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Listen now.

  • A man standing on a kayak holding a paddle in an open lake on a clear day.

    A Paddler's Paradise in Our Own Backyard

    Roo Yawitz, owner of Big Muddy Adventures, talks Missouri rivers, paddling and....sandwiches. Hear the story of the canoe trip that opened Roo's eyes to the wonders of the Mississippi River and his thoughts on outdoor recreation in St. Louis. Listen now.

  • An image of a book cover with the title Trail Blazers.

    The Legend of Ted and Pat Jones

    From his Missouri farm, Ted Jones built Edward Jones Investments into a business empire, but he and his wife Pat were also crusading conservationists whose legacy includes willing the country's longest recreational trail into existence. Listen now.

  • Two women wearing yellow fire gear talking in a forested area.

    Lighting the Way

    Two female trailblazers in the fire world crossed paths at a prescribed fire training in Missouri. We talk with Kelly Martin and Kylie Paul about their journeys in this typically male-dominated field and how they are lighting the way for others. Listen now.

  • A man wearing a microphone headset as he laughs and talks to another man.

    Meet Joel Pugh

    Joel Pugh is a self-described continuous learner with an obsession for Wikipedia. In this episode, he sits down with Adam McLane to talk about growing up in rural Pennsylvania and what drew him to The Nature Conservancy. Listen now.

  • A man wearing a lighted helmet in a cave smiling for the picture.

    Cave Talk with Mike Slay

    Caves are some of the last great places on the globe left to explore. That, coupled with the desire to ensure these rare places are protected for future generations, motivates Mike Slay to continue squeezing his way into amazing Ozark caves. Listen now.

  • Three generations of people (man, woman and child) standing in an open area near a small river.

    Collaboration for Water Quality

    Missouri has some of the most beautiful rivers, streams and creeks running throughout the state. In this episode, you'll hear from partners and landowners about projects, practices and people who are dedicated to improving our water resources. Listen now.

  • An aerial photo of a large river flowing along forested and farming fields.

    Moving a Levee on the Missouri River

    The flood of 2019 devastated communities along the Missouri River, including the farming town of Rock Port, MO. In this episode, we talk with partners about the complex process of moving a levee and the people who came together to make it happen. Listen now.

  • A man sitting in front of a table-mounted microphone laughing as he talks into the microphone.

    Fight for Survival: Saving Missouri's Endangered Species

    The hellbender, American burying beetle, greater prairie-chicken and Topeka shiner are on the brink of extinction in Missouri. But what's being done to save them? Hear from TNC's former director of conservation, Doug Ladd about efforts underway. Listen now.

  • A man and woman standing next to each other smiling for the picture.

    Growing an Oasis in North St. Louis

    What was once a vacant lot in the heart of North St. Louis is now a flourishing urban farm, providing so much more than just fresh produce to the community. Hear the story of Project Oasis at Jubilee Community Church. Listen now.

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Send us your podcast ideas

Have a good idea or topic for a podcast episode? We’d love to hear them! Please email your suggestions to Kristy Stoyer at kstoyer@tnc.org.

More Stories in Missouri

The tip of a red canoe can be seen as it floats down a crystal-clear stream with forested streambanks.

Protecting and Restoring Missouri's Rivers

TNC has been working to protect Missouri’s rivers and streams since 1956. With our partners, we’re dedicated to ensuring these irreplaceable resources are available for generations to come.

A man sits in a UTV on an open prairie spraying invasive plants.

Missouri Habitat Strike Teams

See how Missouri's Habitat Strike Teams are combating invasive species and helping to restore vulnerable landscapes.

A small group of cattle in a grassy field.

Sustainable Agriculture In Missouri

Working with Missouri farmers, we take a balanced approach with a shared goal to implement sustainable grazing and agricultural practices that benefit people and nature.