Renowned for his combination of music and social activism, the late folk music legend Pete Seeger explained to Host Steve Curwood on afternoon in 1998 that it was Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring that had inspired his environmental activism. They discussed how the year before the first Earth Day Mr. Seeger built a sloop he christened the Clearwater with the help of other musicians and activists, because that was his intention: to clear the waters of the Hudson River of pollution and garbage. In this interview that is a mix of story and song, he sounded notes of hope and harmony for this troubled world.

Thrushes are widely regarded to have some of the most musical bird songs. BirdNote’s Michael Stein explains how these birds use a special anatomical structure to create their elaborate songs.

Deep within the remote wilderness of the Alaska Peninsula, Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve is one of the least-traveled places within the national park system. Designated by President Jimmy Carter as a national monument and preserve in 1978, Aniakchak is always open to visitors with no amenities, no cell service, and no park rangers -- hence its slogan, “No lines, no waiting!” Chris Solomon, who wrote about Aniakchak for Outside magazine, joined Host Steve Curwood to talk about his experience among the grizzly bears and volcanism in this wild and remote patch of public land.

Traditional family recipes can go back through the generations, and that can present challenges when members of the newest generation go vegan. Ratatouille can be one answer, as Living on Earth’s Paloma Beltran tells us.