NOTE: This episode was originally released in July 2025.

Once nearly wiped out, the plains bison, or buffalo, as they are often called by Native Americans, are returning to the Great Plains — and with them, a powerful story of cultural renewal, ecological restoration, and Indigenous leadership. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF's Heather Dawn Thompson (a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) shares how Native Nations are leading efforts to restore buffalo populations, reclaim food sovereignty, and heal the land. From spiritual connections to practical conservation, this interview explores how buffalo are more than just wildlife — they are relatives, providers, and symbols of resilience.

Links for More Info:

Heather Dawn Thompson bio

Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration

WWF's Plains Bison page

Chapters:

0:00 Preview

1:13 Intro

2:57 Heather Dawn's background and role at WWF

8:45 History of buffalo and connection with Native Nations

11:19 Role of Heather Dawn's family in conserving buffalo

13:44 What's it like to see a buffalo in real life?

15:18 Buffalo harvest story

16:47 Connection between buffalo and healthy grasslands

21:05 Buffalo and food sovereignty for Native Nations

24:07 Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration

29:20 Biggest challenges to buffalo restoration

Are you feeling stressed, scattered, or mentally drained? Science suggests a surprisingly simple way to feel better: spending time in nature.

In this episode of Nature Breaking, we explore the growing body of psychological research showing how time spent outdoors improves focus, mood, and overall mental health. Host Seth Larson is joined by Dr. Dennis Stolle, Executive Lead Psychologist for Applied Psychology at the American Psychological Association (APA), to break down what's actually happening in our brains when we step into outside—and why even small doses of nature can make a real difference. It's an important reminder that when we take care of nature, nature takes care of us.

This episode was produced as part of a collaboration between WWF and APA in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Links for More Info:

Dr. Dennis Stolle bio

American Psychological Association

WWF – Mental Health & Nature page

Chapters:

0:00 Preview

0:33 Intro

2:07 History of research into nature and mental health

5:09 What happens in our brains when we're outside?

9:21 How time in nature improves happiness

13:19 How too much time indoors or on screens hurts our mental health

16:43 Tips for boosting mental health through nature

20:41 We need nature, and nature needs us

23:08 Outro

When you think of endangered species, chances are the giant panda comes to mind. With their black‑and‑white coats, bamboo obsession, and internet‑famous antics, pandas are among the most beloved animals on Earth—and they're also one of conservation's most hopeful success stories.

In this episode of Nature Breaking, we're diving into the surprisingly weird and wonderful world of giant pandas with Colby Loucks, Vice President and Deputy Lead of WWF's Wildlife Program. Together, we unpack what makes pandas so unique—from their "fake thumb" and bamboo‑only diet to their solitary lifestyles and playful personalities.

But this isn't just about adorable panda videos. We also talk about how decades of conservation work helped giant pandas rebound from the brink of extinction, why they were reclassified from endangered to vulnerable, and what their recovery teaches us about protecting other species. Along the way, Colby shares firsthand stories from the field—including what it's really like trying (and failing) to spot a panda in the wild.

Links for More Info:

Colby Loucks bio

WWF Giant Panda page

Chapters:

0:00 Preview

0:24 Intro

2:00 Giant Pandas 101

4:56 Why do pandas play?

7:56 How giant pandas became a conservation success story

12:28 Colby's story about tracking a panda in the wild

15:37 Outro