18th Jun 2024 Gemini 1.5 Pro
This podcast episode of The Regeneration Will Be Funded features host Matthew Monaghan in conversation with environmental activist and restoration advocate Geoff Reid, founder of One for Nature. They discuss Reid's work in Aotearoa New Zealand, the importance of invasive species in conservation, and his vision for a future where technology empowers citizen activism.
Reid emphasizes the urgent need to address the impact of invasive species on New Zealand's delicate ecosystems. He highlights the alarming statistic that introduced plant species in New Zealand now outnumber native ones by a staggering ratio of 40,000 to 2,500. Reid argues that these invasive plants pose a significant threat to the country's unique biodiversity, often going unnoticed compared to more visible threats like mammalian predators.
"Even just if 10% of those 40,000 turn out to be extremely invasive, that's... once they're left to run their course, just one of those plants may be able to take out an entire forest ecosystem. These are vines, creepers, plants that can drop into an old-growth forest, and they're shade-tolerant so they can grow in the dark and then take out all the undergrowth species and stop the forest from regenerating."
Reid draws a compelling analogy between invasive species and pollution, urging listeners to recognize the ecological damage caused by introducing foreign plants into fragile ecosystems. He advocates for stricter regulations on the sale and distribution of potentially invasive plants and stresses the importance of public education to address this often-overlooked aspect of conservation.
Reid shares his experiences using photography and videography to expose environmental damage, drawing parallels between his work in New Zealand and his early activism against illegal logging in Borneo. He recounts his efforts to raise awareness about the negative impact of a large development project on a marine reserve near his childhood home.
"The evidence was good. It was strong. The visuals were pretty out there. Um, we got a really active community that I'm privileged to have grown up in, you know, people have been fighting for this place for decades and decades. And yeah, mobilizing public opinion again was, you know, a key thing."
Reid emphasizes the power of visual documentation in galvanizing public support and holding those responsible for environmental damage accountable. His work demonstrates the effectiveness of citizen activism and the crucial role of technology in amplifying environmental concerns.
Reid discusses his campaign to raise awareness about the harmful consequences of "mud farming," a term he coined to describe the practice of intensive dairy farming on land unsuitable for supporting high densities of livestock. He criticizes the industry's unsustainable practices, highlighting the detrimental impacts on animal welfare and the environment.
"This is the power of imagery. Now we're seeing people going around in their own weekends documenting the animal welfare issues, documenting the environmental impacts and putting it up on their own social media. And we're starting to get that like critical mass where we get a certain percentage of the population are really annoyed about the issue. And that's when we start to see the big changes that we need."
Reid's work in bringing the issue of mud farming to public attention demonstrates the potential for grassroots activism to effect change. He expresses optimism about the growing public awareness of these issues and the increasing pressure on both the government and the agricultural industry to adopt more sustainable practices.
Reid discusses his film, "The T-MATA Method," which documents a cost-effective and evidence-based approach to regenerating native forests in New Zealand. The film serves as a practical guide for landowners and conservationists, highlighting the importance of careful planning, invasive species management, and leveraging natural regeneration processes.
"We trees plant themselves too. Like it's expensive to plant trees. Um, if you're in a rush to do it, you can do it. You can make it cheaper. That's with certain spacings and being smart. But if you control the invasive species and if you like the plants and the grazing animals, the trees, They don't walk around with spades and dig holes and plant their little babies. They have a system, you know. There's seeds that are wind dispersed or if the birds are there, the birds are going to spread the fruit and eventually the forest will regenerate itself naturally."
Reid emphasizes the need to move away from the traditional, expensive approach of solely relying on planting trees in neat rows. He advocates for a more holistic method that considers the ecological context and utilizes a combination of techniques, including controlling invasive species, to facilitate natural regeneration.
Reid introduces his latest project: a mobile application called One for Nature. The app aims to empower citizens to document and report environmental concerns, effectively making everyone a potential environmental watchdog. He envisions the app as a tool to drive accountability and transparency in land use practices.
"The app is basically a sustainable land use accountability tool. And anyone will be able to take their phone out of their pocket and make a little video or take a photo of either an animal welfare issue, invasive plants that are spreading into the conservation estate, anything you name it."
Reid believes that by harnessing the power of mobile technology, One for Nature can give a voice to those who witness environmental degradation, enabling them to share evidence and hold individuals and corporations accountable for their actions. He sees the app as a means to foster a more informed and engaged citizenry capable of driving positive change for the future of Aotearoa's environment.
Airtable