Christopher J. Preston's guest appearances

Christopher J. Preston

New Books in Environmental Studies

New Books Network

Town Hall Seattle Science Series

Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers

OwlTail

During the early weeks of the pandemic, when human activity and movement were significantly reduced, there were reports of various animals returning to urban landscapes. Think coyotes in San Francisco, wild boar in Barcelona, and dolphins in Italian port cities. These unique resurgences pose interesting questions about the relationship between humans and animals, our ability to coexist, and wildlife resilience in general. In today’s episode, we’re joined by renowned environmental philosopher Dr. Christopher J. Preston to discuss his most recent book, Tenacious Beasts: Wildlife Recoveries That Change How We Think About Animals. This book highlights the incredible species that have come back from the brink of extinction against all odds. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Preston poses fascinating questions about the role of technology, the right level of human intervention, and how climate change impacts this entire conversation. Christopher Preston is an environmental philosopher who teaches at the University of Montana. His writing has appeared in publications such as The Atlantic, Smithsonian Magazine, Discover, Slate, the Wall Street Journal, Salon, and The BBC. He is the author of two books, The Synthetic Age: Outdesigning Evolution, Resurrecting Species, and Reengineering Our World, and a new book Tenacious Beasts.Show NotesChristopher J. Preston WebsiteChristopher J. Preston BlogTenacious Beasts: Wildlife Recoveries that Change How We Think About Animals by Christopher J. PrestonThe Synthetic Age: Outdesigning Evolution, Resurrecting Species, and Reengineering Our World by Christopher J. PrestonKey Words: Animal, Animal Recovery, Wildlife, Wildlife Restoration, Ecology, Ecological Restoration, Ecosystem, Animal Welfare, Endangered Species, Environment, Environmental Philosophy, Philosophy, Biophilia, Biophilic Design, Nature, Nature Based Solutions

During the early weeks of the pandemic, when human activity and movement were significantly reduced, there were reports of various animals returning to urban landscapes. Think coyotes in San Francisco, wild boar in Barcelona, and dolphins in Italian port cities. These unique resurgences pose interesting questions about the relationship between humans and animals, our ability to coexist, and wildlife resilience in general. In today’s episode, we’re joined by renowned environmental philosopher Dr. Christopher J. Preston to discuss his most recent book, Tenacious Beasts: Wildlife Recoveries That Change How We Think About Animals. This book highlights the incredible species that have come back from the brink of extinction against all odds. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Preston poses fascinating questions about the role of technology, the right level of human intervention, and how climate change impacts this entire conversation. Christopher Preston is an environmental philosopher who teaches at the University of Montana. His writing has appeared in publications such as The Atlantic, Smithsonian Magazine, Discover, Slate, the Wall Street Journal, Salon, and The BBC. He is the author of two books, The Synthetic Age: Outdesigning Evolution, Resurrecting Species, and Reengineering Our World, and a new book Tenacious Beasts.Show Notes<ul><li><a href="https://christopherjpreston.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christopher J. Preston Website</a></li><li><a href="https://christopherjpreston.com/blog/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christopher J. Preston Blog</a></li><li><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/tenacious-beasts-wildlife-recoveries-that-change-how-we-think-about-animals-christopher-j-preston/18535909?ean=9780262047562" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tenacious Beasts: Wildlife Recoveries that Change How We Think About Animals</a> by Christopher J. Preston</li><li><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-synthetic-age-outdesigning-evolution-resurrecting-species-and-reengineering-our-world-christopher-j-preston/967923?ean=9781721356270" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Synthetic Age: Outdesigning Evolution, Resurrecting Species, and Reengineering Our World</a> by Christopher J. Preston</li></ul>Key Words: Animal, Animal Recovery, Wildlife, Wildlife Restoration, Ecology, Ecological Restoration, Ecosystem, Animal Welfare, Endangered Species, Environment, Environmental Philosophy, Philosophy, Biophilia, Biophilic Design, Nature, Nature Based Solutions

Beast Mode: Wildlife Recovery & Ecological Restoration with Environmental Philosopher Christopher J. Preston

The news about wildlife is dire—more than 900 species have been wiped off the planet since industrialization. Against this bleak backdrop, however, there are also glimmers of hope and crucial lessons to be learned from animals that have defied global trends toward extinction: bears in Italy, bison in North America, whales in the Atlantic. These populations are back from the brink, some of them in numbers unimaginable in a century. How has this happened? What shifts in thinking did it demand? In crisp, transporting prose, Christopher Preston reveals the mysteries and challenges at the heart of these resurgences.Drawing on compelling personal stories from the researchers, Indigenous people, and activists who know the creatures best, Preston weaves together a gripping narrative of how some species are taking back vital, ecological roles. Each section of the book—farms, prairies, rivers, forests, oceans—offers a philosophical shift in how humans ought to think about animals, passionately advocating for the changes in attitude necessary for wildlife recovery.Tenacious Beasts: Wildlife Recoveries That Change How We Think About Animals (MIT Press, 2023) is quintessential nature writing for the Anthropocene, touching on different facets of ecological restoration from Indigenous knowledge to rewilding practices. More important, perhaps, the book offers a road map—and a measure of hope—for a future in which humans and animals can once again coexist.Christopher J. Preston is a writer and professor based in Missoula, MT. His work at the University of Montana centers on wildlife, technology, and climate change. Christopher has written for The Atlantic, Smithsonian Magazine, Discover, The Conversation, Aeon, Slate.com, Philosophical Salon, the Wall Street Journal, and The BBC. His award-winning book, The Synthetic Age: Outdesigning Evolution, Resurrecting Species, and Reengineering Our World, has been translated into six languages. He gives talks in state parks, libraries, and breweries across Montana to audiences interested in conservation, climate change, and technology. In early 2023, he won an annual award from the International Society for Environmental Ethics for his work as a public philosopher.Callie Smith is a poet and museum educator with a PhD in English. She currently lives in Louisiana.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

The news about wildlife is dire—more than 900 species have been wiped off the planet since industrialization. Against this bleak backdrop, however, there are also glimmers of hope and crucial lessons to be learned from animals that have defied global trends toward extinction: bears in Italy, bison in North America, whales in the Atlantic. These populations are back from the brink, some of them in numbers unimaginable in a century. How has this happened? What shifts in thinking did it demand? In crisp, transporting prose, Christopher Preston reveals the mysteries and challenges at the heart of these resurgences.Drawing on compelling personal stories from the researchers, Indigenous people, and activists who know the creatures best, Preston weaves together a gripping narrative of how some species are taking back vital, ecological roles. Each section of the book—farms, prairies, rivers, forests, oceans—offers a philosophical shift in how humans ought to think about animals, passionately advocating for the changes in attitude necessary for wildlife recovery.<a href="https://bookshop.org/a/12343/9780262047562" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tenacious Beasts: Wildlife Recoveries That Change How We Think About Animals</a> (MIT Press, 2023) is quintessential nature writing for the Anthropocene, touching on different facets of ecological restoration from Indigenous knowledge to rewilding practices. More important, perhaps, the book offers a road map—and a measure of hope—for a future in which humans and animals can once again coexist.Christopher J. Preston is a writer and professor based in Missoula, MT. His work at the University of Montana centers on wildlife, technology, and climate change. Christopher has written for The Atlantic, Smithsonian Magazine, Discover, The Conversation, Aeon, <a href="http://Slate.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slate.com</a>, Philosophical Salon, the Wall Street Journal, and The BBC. His award-winning book, The Synthetic Age: Outdesigning Evolution, Resurrecting Species, and Reengineering Our World, has been translated into six languages. He gives talks in state parks, libraries, and breweries across Montana to audiences interested in conservation, climate change, and technology. In early 2023, he won an annual award from the International Society for Environmental Ethics for his work as a public philosopher.Callie Smith is a poet and museum educator with a PhD in English. She currently lives in Louisiana.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>Support our show by becoming a premium member! <a href="https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies</a>

Christopher J. Preston, "Tenacious Beasts: Wildlife Recoveries That Change How We Think about Animals" (MIT Press, 2023)

The news about wildlife is dire — more than 900 species have been wiped off the planet since industrialization. Against this bleak backdrop, however, there are also glimmers of hope and crucial lessons to be learned from animals that have defied global trends toward extinction. Bear in Italy, bison in North America, whales in the Atlantic. These populations are back from the brink, some of them in numbers unimaginable in a century. How has this happened? What shifts in thinking did it demand? Drawing on compelling personal stories from the researchers, Indigenous people, and activists who know the creatures best, writer and professor Christopher Preston weaves together a gripping narrative of how some species are taking back vital, ecological roles. Observing different landscapes — farms, prairies, rivers, forests, oceans — Preston offers a philosophical shift in how humans ought to think about animals, passionately advocating for the changes in attitude necessary for wildlife recovery. Tenacious Beasts touches on different facets of ecological restoration from Indigenous knowledge to rewilding practices, and offers a road map — and a measure of hope — for a future in which humans and animals can once again coexist. Christopher J. Preston is a writer and professor based in Missoula, MT. His work at the University of Montana centers on wildlife, technology, and climate change. His new book, Tenacious Beasts: Wildlife Recoveries That Change How We Think About Animals investigates a number of species back from the brink of extinction. He meets the scientists, indigenous leaders, and activists responsible for their return and uncovers what these tenacious species have to teach. Christopher has written for The Atlantic, Smithsonian Magazine, Discover, The Conversation, Aeon, Slate.com, and the BBC. His award-winning book, The Synthetic Age: Outdesigning Evolution, Resurrecting Species, and Reengineering Our World, has been translated into six languages. He also gives talks in state parks, libraries, and breweries across Montana to campers and other audiences interested in conservation and technology. In early 2023, he won an annual award from the International Society for Environmental Ethics for his work as a public philosopher.  Tenacious Beasts Third Place Books

The news about wildlife is dire — more than 900 species have been wiped off the planet since industrialization. Against this bleak backdrop, however, there are also glimmers of hope and crucial lessons to be learned from animals that have defied global trends toward extinction. Bear in Italy, bison in North America, whales in the Atlantic. These populations are back from the brink, some of them in numbers unimaginable in a century. How has this happened? What shifts in thinking did it demand? Drawing on compelling personal stories from the researchers, Indigenous people, and activists who know the creatures best, writer and professor Christopher Preston weaves together a gripping narrative of how some species are taking back vital, ecological roles. Observing different landscapes — farms, prairies, rivers, forests, oceans — Preston offers a philosophical shift in how humans ought to think about animals, passionately advocating for the changes in attitude necessary for wildlife recovery. Tenacious Beasts touches on different facets of ecological restoration from Indigenous knowledge to rewilding practices, and offers a road map — and a measure of hope — for a future in which humans and animals can once again coexist. Christopher J. Preston is a writer and professor based in Missoula, MT. His work at the University of Montana centers on wildlife, technology, and climate change. His new book, Tenacious Beasts: Wildlife Recoveries That Change How We Think About Animals investigates a number of species back from the brink of extinction. He meets the scientists, indigenous leaders, and activists responsible for their return and uncovers what these tenacious species have to teach. Christopher has written for The Atlantic, Smithsonian Magazine, Discover, The Conversation, Aeon, <a href="http://slate.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Slate.com</a>, and the BBC. His award-winning book, The Synthetic Age: Outdesigning Evolution, Resurrecting Species, and Reengineering Our World, has been translated into six languages. He also gives talks in state parks, libraries, and breweries across Montana to campers and other audiences interested in conservation and technology. In early 2023, he won an annual award from the International Society for Environmental Ethics for his work as a public philosopher. <a href="https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9780262047562" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9780262047562" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tenacious Beasts</a> Third Place Books