Nature Breaking

Last winter you probably heard about the lack of snow in the western US, and how that might impact everything from ski resorts to farmlands and freshwater supplies. News coverage of this drought most-often invokes impacts on the Colorado River. But there's another system—the Rio Grande—that's facing just as much pressure.
Stretching from Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico, the Rio Grande – or the Rio Bravo as it's known in Mexico – supports millions of people, vast acres of farmland, and diverse ecosystems that support an array of wildlife. But the river has lost roughly 85% of its historic flows due to overuse and a years-long megadrought. And this summer could bring the worst conditions yet thanks to the lack of snowpack in the mountains that feed the river.
In this episode of Nature Breaking, we explore why the Rio Grande is running dry—and what that means for communities, wildlife, and the future of water in the region. Host Seth Larson is joined by Enrique Prunes, WWF's Rio Grande Manager and Freshwater Lead Specialist, to break down the crisis and explain what needs to change to secure a brighter future for the river.
Links for More Info:
Enrique Prunes bio
WWF's Rio Grande page
WWF's Water Scarcity page
Take Action: Pledge to be a Steward for Water
Chapters:
0:00 Preview
0:24 Intro
1:35 Rio Grande/Rio Bravo 101
4:32 Why the Colorado River gets more attention
6:12 Current state of the Rio Grande
9:25 What's causing the river to dry out?
14:24 How to balance agriculture w/ river health
18:05 US & Mexico sharing water resources
21:22 Solutions to restore the Rio Grande
26:47 What gives Enrique hope for the river?
31:25 Outro

Seafood is one of the most important food systems on the planet—supporting livelihoods, feeding communities, and fueling a global industry. But it's also under growing pressure. Overfishing, climate change, and illegal fishing are putting many marine ecosystems at risk.
So how can we meet global demand for seafood without pushing our oceans past their limits? And what role should companies play in building healthier, more resilient oceans?
In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson speaks with Dr. Sarah Glaser, head of the Blue Foods program and Oceans Futures platform at WWF, and Andrew Russell, Global Marine Sustainability Lead at Mars. They discuss the challenges—and opportunities—of making seafood more sustainable. And they explore how a long‑standing partnership between WWF and Mars is working to improve sourcing practices, increase transparency across complex supply chains, and support healthier fisheries over the long term.
Links for More Info:
Dr. Sarah Glaser bio
Andrew Russell bio
Mars & WWF – Protecting Ocean Ecosystems
Chile Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP)
Chapters:
0:00 Preview
0:32 Intro
2:09 Defining "sustainable seafood"
6:02 Are we too late to save certain fish stocks?
8:37 How Mars got involved with sustainable seafood
12:14 How WWF and Mars are working together
16:14 Driving change for the whole seafood industry
20:04 What do best practices actually look like on a fishing vessel?
24:24 Blue finance – funding change at scale
31:58 What single change would have the biggest impact on ocean health?
35:51 Outro

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