Episode 24 - Erna Buffie - Trees are Political!

Winnipeg's Erna Buffie reveals how urban forests are crucial for climate resilience, mental health, and community safety. Whether you're passionate about climate action, city planning, or just love a good story of advocacy, this episode will change the way you see your city.

You’ll discover how urban trees can lower temperatures by up to 8°C, reduce traffic of how the right arguments can turn the tide. She breaks down the hidden costs of losing tree canopies, from biodiversity loss to health disparities, especially in communities like Winnipeg's West End struggling with green space scarcity.

We explore innovative ideas sweeping across cities worldwide, from Paris’s mini forests to planting fruit trees in neighborhoods, showing how individuals and communities can impact local ecosystems. 

Erna offers practical steps: how to get involved, advocate for greener policies, and even plant a single tree to start a ripple effect. Her insights illuminate the interconnectedness of climate resilience, urban design, and social equity, reminding us that trees are not just nature’s luxury—they're a climate necessity.In a world racing to adapt, this episode underscores the importance of grassroots activism and political engagement. You’ll leave inspired to take action—whether that’s voting for eco-conscious leaders, volunteering in your community, or advocating for equitable green spaces. Because when cities plant more trees, everyone benefits—especially the women, the wild animals, and future generations.Erna Buffie is an acclaimed author and environmental advocate known for her work inspiring communities to protect urban forests. Her background in documentary filmmaking and science informs her passionate storytelling and strategic activism. She’s led campaigns in Winnipeg and beyond, championing biodiversity, climate resilience, and Indigenous land stewardship.If you care about climate change, community health, or just want to know how a single tree can change everything—this episode is your call to action. Tune in to learn how to make your city greener, safer, and more beautiful. Because when we plant trees together, we grow hope—and a healthier planet.

Resources

Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard - 

Triede & Fungal by Ariel Gordon

The Global Forest by Diana Beresford-Kröger

Trees Please! Winnipeg Initiative

City of Winnipeg Urban Forestry Program

Order Erna’s book - https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781773371474/erna-buffie/out-on-a-limb?blnBKM=1 

Links

Support my podcast at www.pattybikes.com/podcast

Order my book in Canada from McNally Robinson: https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781773371399/patty-wiens/thatll-never-work-here?blnBKM=1 

and in the USA from Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/that-ll-never-work-here-challenging-the-myths-around-biking-in-a-winter-city-the-city-project-book-3/632bcbd73d3178fe?ean=9781773371399&next=t