The recovery of the gray wolf after its eradication from Yellowstone National Park, almost ninety years ago, demonstrates how crucial keystone species are to the long-term sustainability of the ecosystems they inhabit. But there are many who still regard keystone species, such as cougars and wolves, with hostility. Returning guests, Jayne Miller founder of Oregon Cougar Action Team and Rob Klavins of Oregon Wild are working to change those attitudes and help in the recovery of cougar and wolf populations here in Oregon.  Miller hopes to re-introduce a bill in 2013 to the Oregon legislature called "License to Protect," because she feels that what was passed last year was so watered down, it was "unrecognizable.  This month on the Recovery Zone, Miller and Klavins will have 60 minutes with host Stephanie Potter to talk about this bill and to discuss policies they hope to see implemented by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

This month on the Recovery Zone, host Stephanie Potter speaks with climate activist and facilitator Barbara Ford, who works closely with eco-philosopher Joanna Macy in support of "The Great Turning." In her Gaia Workshops, Barbara's philosophy is that in confronting our despair, we are able to reconnect with our concern for the world; which in turn inspires and empowers us to take action to foster The Great Turning. Joanna Macy describes this movement as "the essential adventure of our time: the shift from the Industrial Growth Society to a life-sustaining civilization." 

A global economist for HSBC recently warned that oil will last us less than 50 years, and called for government planning on a level not seen for 40 years. The Transition Movement has already begun planning.  It began in 2005 in Totnes in the UK with a vote by the town council to work toward energy independence and a sustainable future. The idea spread quickly. There are now over 300 communities recognized as official Transition Towns in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Italy and Chile. Host Stephanie Potter speaks with David Johnson and Jim Newcomer who are with Transition PDX in Portland, Oregon.  Johnson is also on the Board of Transition US and serves as a Transition Trainer. Transition PDX is loosely organized into a network of groups comprised of people coming together to overcome the challenges of peak oil, economic stagnation and the climate crisis, and to explore how the Transition model can be applied in the Portland area to create thriving neighborhoods. Meetings are held most Wednesdays (7pm-9pm) at St. Francis of Assisi -- the Dining Hall (1182 SE Pine) for the larger meetings, or in the 'Che' room (1131 SE Oak St.) with its four couches and more comfortable chairs. Meetings are also held at various neigborhood venues throughout the city -- visit transitionPDX.org to learn more. (music by Kevin Mcleod) 

Host Stephanie Potter speaks with Stephanie Dougherty, founder of the Healing Arts Resource Project (HARP).  Also, Kelsey Peake, Joyce Campbell, and Samantha Roberts:  Kelsey is with Community Arts at HARP; Joyce, Visual Arts; and Samantha, Healing Arts.   HARP is dedicated to empowering neighbors with the tools and knowledge to reshape their view of health care, by building community and providing broad access to the visual, movement and healing arts. HARP is creating a community space out of the Common Ground house at 2926 Flanders, and hosting a donation based clinic, multi-media art classes, herbalism workshops, children's programming and space knowledge sharing and events. Work trades and sliding scale are used to make these programs accessible to all.  (Music by Kevin MacLeod, Incompetech)