Nature Breaking

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

*Bonus Episode*
What does it really mean to invest in nature—and why does it matter?
In this special crossover episode of Nature Breaking and The Pew Charitable Trusts' After The Fact podcast, WWF's Seth Larson and Pew's Giuliana Pence explore the growing field of nature finance. Joined by experts from both organizations, they tackle a big question: how much does it cost to protect nature, and where does that money come from? You'll hear from Matthew Cranford of WWF and Shubash Lohani of Pew as they explain why the world needs roughly $1.2 trillion per year by 2030 to halt biodiversity loss—and why current funding falls short. They also break down innovative financing tools like Project Finance for Permanence, debt‑for‑nature swaps, and market-based models that are helping fund and secure long‑term protection for forests, oceans, and wildlife.
From supporting Indigenous‑led conservation to restoring degraded landscapes, this episode shows why conservation isn't just a cost—it's an investment in healthy ecosystems, resilient communities, and a stable global economy that can also yield financial returns, in addition to nature benefits. If you've ever wondered how conservation actually gets funded, this episode offers a clear, accessible look at what happens when nature gets the investment it deserves.
Links for More Info:
Matthew Cranford bio
Shubash Lohani bio
Pew's After The Fact podcast
WWF's Nature Finance & Investment strategy
Enduring Earth
Chapters:
0:00 Intro – Welcome to a special crossover episode with Pew & WWF
1:29 Today's topic: nature finance
3:46 How much does it cost to save nature?
6:28 What does that money pay for?
12:17 What is "nature finance" and how does it work?
16:33 WWF's Nature Finance & Investment strategy
22:07 Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) & the Enduring Earth coalition
26:07 PFP results for nature and people
29:34 Connecting funders with high-quality projects
32:18 Quick Pitch: Why should funders invest in nature?
35:10 Matthew and Shubash reflect on each other's work
37:09 Seth and Giuliana's final thoughts

This week on Nature Breaking, we're teaming up with conservationist and content creator Maya Higa to kick off WWF's annual Give an Hour for Earth campaign. Maya is a Twitch streamer and YouTuber whose online community contributed tens of thousands of hours to our campaign last year. 
Host Seth Larson interviews Maya about her journey from growing up on a farm to becoming a zookeeper, falconer, livestreamer, and founder of Alveus Sanctuary – a wildlife rehabilitation facility. She explains how digital platforms can be powerful tools for environmental education, what she's learned about inspiring young audiences, and why she believes small, everyday actions—done by many—can drive massive change. 
Maya and Seth also break down their top recommendations for this year's Give an Hour for Earth activities, from simple trash cleanups to thoughtful grocery shopping, wildlife rehabilitation volunteering, and even livestream fundraising for conservation. Whether you're looking for hands‑on ways to help the planet or a dose of hope in the face of big environmental challenges, this episode is full of inspiration. 
Links for More Info:
TAKE ACTION: Give an Hour for Earth
Maya Higa
Alveus Sanctuary
Maya's trash cleanup vlog
Chapters:
0:00 Preview
0:35 Intro
2:21 Maya's origin story
7:26 Maya's Tiny Mic video series and "hiding the broccoli"
9:54 The Alveus Sanctuary's mission
11:37 Give an Hour for Earth: Maya's trash cleanup experience
14:35 How small actions make a big difference
15:35 Maya and Seth's Top 3 Actions for Earth
22:16 Outro

Good news is hard to come by in the conservation world—but this week, we have some to share. A new report from WWF‑Mexico shows that the endangered migratory eastern monarch butterfly is showing promising signs of recovery, with monarchs occupying 7.24 acres of forest in their wintering grounds in Mexico—up from 4.42 acres last year. That's a 64% increase.
In this episode of Nature Breaking, we revisit conversations with two monarch experts—Eduardo Rendón‑Salinas of WWF‑Mexico and Court Whelan of Natural Habitat Adventures—to explain why this rebound matters, how monarch populations are measured, and what challenges still lie ahead. From the butterfly's amazing multi‑generational migration that spans thousands of miles to the threats posed by habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, this episode dives into one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena on Earth.
If you're looking for a rare bit of optimism—and a reminder of why these butterflies inspire wonder across North America—this episode is for you.
Links for More Info:
Report: Monarch butterfly population increases by 64%
Monarch Milkweed Finder
Chapters:
0:00 Preview
0:23 Intro & New Report Findings
2:10 The epic migration of monarchs (spring to late summer)
3:41 The epic migration of monarchs (late summer to winter)
6:00 How do we monitor and estimate monarch populations?
7:40 Threats facing monarchs
10:42 Why should we care about monarchs?
12:07 Outro

Right now we're at the height of awards season, when artists across a variety of disciplines get awarded for the best achievements in their respective industries. In the spirit of that season, we decided to hand out some awards of our own this week. This episode features the first-ever Nature Breaking Awards. It's just like your favorite awards show, but for conservation instead of music or movies. Co-hosts Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton will run through fun categories like "Best Ecosystem Soundtrack" and "Wildest Wardrobe," discuss the nominees, and hand out some (largely arbitrary) awards. Because after all, we're all winners when it comes to saving the planet. 
Subscribe to WWF's YouTube page
Find Nature Breaking on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
Chapters:
0:00 Preview
0:19 Intro
1:33 Explaining the Nature Breaking Awards
3:05 Standout Support Species
5:03 Outstanding Wildlife Effects
6:38 Best Ecosystem Soundtrack
8:52 Wildest Wardrobe
10:08 Outstanding Ecosystem
11:37 Reactions to the winners
12:58 Outro