Podcasts Culture Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson Chris Hawkins - Using Nature to Build Healthier & More Equitable Communities

Chris Hawkins - Using Nature to Build Healthier & More Equitable Communities

Published: May 23, 2023, 11:53 a.m.

Chris Hawkins is the Colorado Urban Conservation Manager for The Nature Conservancy, where he leads the organization\u2019s efforts in Denver to \u201csolve global challenges like the biodiversity and climate emergencies by supporting and creating more sustainable, efficient ways of living.\u201d

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When many people think of The Nature Conservancy, they may envision large-scale conservation efforts across vast grasslands and wild landscapes\u2013 but TNC also conducts some of its most innovative conservation work in cities\u2014 work that leads to more resilient, healthy, and equitable communities. Chris\u2019s work in Denver is a shining example of how nature-based solutions in densely populated urban areas can have positive ripple effects far beyond the city limits.

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Chris was born and raised on the east coast, attended college in Boston, and from the very beginning of his career, he\u2019s been focused on service and causes greater than himself. He\u2019s worked as a Corps Member of AmericaCorps, as Chief of Staff in New York City\u2019s Department of Environmental Protection, and for the past nine years, he\u2019s been with the Nature Conservancy. As you\u2019ll hear in this conversation, Chris\u2019s diverse professional experiences have allowed him to bring a unique and effective perspective to the complex world of urban conservation.

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Chris was nice enough to join me at my dining room table for an engaging and educational conversation about all things urban conservation. We started out by discussing why TNC has chosen to devote its resources and expertise to conservation in cities, and he explains the unique challenges facing cities in the West. We discuss how public health is directly related to people\u2019s access to nature, and how the simple-but-not-easy strategy of planting trees in neighborhoods can have huge conservation and public health benefits. As is the case with all of my conservation-related conversations, we discuss the critical importance of relationships, and how Chris has managed to build relationships with a diverse group of Denver residents. We also discuss his professional trajectory, the importance of exporting urban conservation ideas to other cities, and the critical roles of mayors and local leadership. And finally, Chris is a serious history buff, so we have a great discussion about books.

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There is so much fascinating information packed into this episode, and I greatly appreciate Chris\u2019s taking the time to share his wisdom with the Mountain & Prairie community. Check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive.

On the fourth Tuesday of every month throughout 2023, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy\u2019s leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West.

To learn more about The Nature Conservancy\u2019s impactful work in Colorado and around the world, visit www.nature.org/colorado

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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • 3:45 - Why do Chris and TNC work in cities
  • 7:00 - Thriving cities in the West and the unique challenges they present
  • 9:30 - Whether or not the health benefits of the outdoors have become a larger part of Chris\u2019s work recently
  • 15:30 - Discussing trees
  • 27:45 - How Chris builds relationships in his work in cities
  • 33:45 - Specific strategies Chris uses to build trust
  • 38:30 - Where Chris grew up and why he became involved in this work
  • 43:30 - Discussing the work of city mayors
  • 53:00- How ideas that are exported or imported between cities show up in Chris\u2019s work in Denver
  • 1:00:15 - Chris\u2019s book recommendations

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