Safina Center Update 12/05/25

This week: Updates and articles from our fellows and more!

Fellow Spotlight:
Priya Parrotta

Priya Parrotta is the Safina Center’s Environmental History and Music Fellow. Her work explores borders and hierarchies in the modern world—from colonial divides to the separation of human and non-human—in the hopes of better understanding the art and practice of coexistence. Her fellowship supports her work studying and writing about the development of the tourism industry and its effects on local ecology and culture in tropical climates. Priya was educated in History and Music at Brown University. She recently completed a doctoral dissertation at the University of Aberdeen’s School of Divinity, History and Philosophy.

Consciousness and Connection: Reflections from a Plant-Based Kitchen

After several months exploring the joy of plant-based cooking, Safina Center Environmental History and Music Fellow Priya Parrotta reflects on what she learned in a new article on our blog.

"Most of the magic of this slower, plant-based lifestyle—to me, at least—lies in the fact that it takes one away from the static and noise that fills our days, and helps one return to a quieter state of mind,”

Isaias Hernandez on Native Plants and the Theodore Payne Foundation

“Local ecology is about remembering that every place carries its own history of life,” writes Safina Center Conservation Videography Fellow Isaias Hernandez in a new article on our blog. Isaias visited the Theodore Payne Foundation in Southern California to learn about native plants and film an episode of his web series, Teaching Climate Together.

Andy Revkin and Kim Stanley Robinson Discuss COP 30 on the Green Radio Hour

On the latest episode of the Green Radio Hour, host and Safina Center Creative Affiliate Jon Bowermaster hands the mic over to journalist Andy Revkin to interview eco-fiction auteur Kim Stanley Robinson about his recent trip to the United Nations’ COP 30 in Brazil. You can read more about the interview on Andy Revkin’s substack.

Carl Safina Discusses Animal Emotions with Oprah Winfrey

Dr. Carl Safina joined Oprah Winfrey on her podcast to discuss animal emotions and answer the question: does your dog love you?

Watch the full episode of the Oprah Podcast now on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

The Safina Center’s 2025 Annual Report is Available Now!

Read all about the last year at the Safina Center and hear from our fellows, staff, and donors in our 2025 annual report!

Recent Books by Safina Center staff and fellows:

Purchase a Print from Eco-Surrealist Artist Victor Stabin’s Turtle Series and Support the Safina Center!

In collaboration with eco-surrealist artist Victor Stabin, 50% of the profits from every print purchased from his Turtle Series will go towards the Safina Center!

Just use code "SAFINA" at checkout to make sure your purchase supports our work!

See the full collection on Victor Stabin's Website.

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