S1E31 - Michael Ellis - The Miracle of It All
Join us for a globetrotting “memory lane” walk-a-bout through naturalist Michael Ellis’s countless national and international adventures. These recounted travels feature spectacular natural highlights, present challenging ethical quandaries, and inspire deep metaphorical reflection on our lives in general. Ellis’ favorite international destinations are the Serengeti - birthplace of humanity, the gorillas of Rwanda, Bhutan, Namibia, the South Georgia Islands, the sharks of Palau, the jaguars of the Pantanal and the ecosystem diversity of Brazil’s Mato Grosso. Closer to home, The Cedars in Sonoma County, mountain biking through Canyonlands or Santa Rosa, the whales off the California coast, chipmunk biodiversity in the Sierras, the simultaneous macro and micro expansiveness of the Mojave desert, and the sanctum of the redwoods. Contained within are the largest, oldest and most exotic lifeforms imaginable. How do we ethically appreciate these miracles? Ellis points out that we can love these places to death, smothering them with too much tourism or generating excess carbon in our travel. At the same time, tourism provides the strongest economic incentive for local peoples to protect their natural treasures, without which habitat becomes farmland and bushmeat becomes dinner. There are no easy answers. The majesty of the natural world invites us to release our expectations, be here now, and pause to be amazed by the miracle of it all.
Biography
Naturalist Michael Ellis is a regular KQED Perspectives commentator, Bay Nature Magazine columnist, Board Member of Land Paths, TV guest of Bay Nature on the Air, sought-after speaker (which always scares him) and of course – guide to the natural wonders of the world with Footloose Forays. In addition to the natural history adventures he curates himself, Michael guides trips for a number of Bay Area organizations as well. His academic study of Botany and Marine Biology are the foundation for his lifelong cataloging of travel insights throughout the natural world. A trip participant once said: “Start with an encyclopedic knowledge of all the sciences, (especially botany, biology and etymology), add the ability to articulate with humorous anecdotes, and a genuine love of nature and teaching. Michael combines all these ingredients to enthuse people about nature”.
Conversation recorded on March 17, 2023.