The BioSTEAM INTERviews bring together a diverse group of voices from inter-disciplinary fields and inter-cultural experiences through a series of Zoom INTERviews. Each brings a unique perspective around the topic of biodiversity loss and pollinator decline. This section includes a collection of video interviews from each individual sharing their personal story and knowledge. Click on a video to learn about biodiversity from these different perspectives. Each speaker is interviewed by Eloragh Espie, a youth leader with TrueKids Taos.
Artist: Ana MacArthur
AnaMacArthur designed Pollinator Concentrator, a site-specific, interspecies installation at Rio Fernando Park in Taos New Mexico, created in collaboration with Taos Land Trust. Watch the videos to hear about her scientific research and her artistic process to inspire your designs.
Student Views: How does Ana MacArthur approach the topic of biodiversity? How does Pollinator Concentrator combine science and art to speak to the challenge of biodiversity loss locally and globally? How could you combine science and art to communicate something about biodiversity and human impact?
Tiana Suazo
Tiana Suazo, Executive Director of Red Willow Farm in Taos Pueblo. Watch the video interviews to learn why biodiversity and pollinator loss are connected to food sovereignty and traditional educational knowledge.
Student Views: What is traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and how is it being practiced locally? How can science, art and culture impact youth driven solutions to biodiversity loss? Why is a garden so powerful?
Dr. Greg Cajete
Greg is an educator and author dedicated to honoring the foundations of indigenous knowledge in education. Learn about the connections between native science and biodiversity, and between biodiversity and social justice.
Student Views: How does the way we view the world impact how we interact in the world and solve problems? How can the indigenous perspective and worldview about our relationship to nature inspire you to create future solutions to the environmental challenges we face?
Henrietta Gomez
Henrietta Gomez is a Taos Pueblo elder and indigenous cultural specialist. In these videos she shares stories about how she was raised to connect with the movement of the sun and the joy of being with nature, and the importance of respect for nature and all species to ones personal health and the health of the planet.
Student Views: What can we learn from Henrietta about some simple ways to connect to nature and place? Why is this important? How do we communicate something about our connection to nature or place to others?
Ben Wright
Ben Wright, Education and Land Projects Coordinator at Taos Land Trust is in charge of the agricultural and ecological restoration of the Rio Fernando Park lands. He collaborated with the artist to plant a pollinator garden and a field of wildflowers encircling the Pollinator Concentrator installation. Watch the video interviews to learn about the restoration and how it can be a model for other communities.
Student Views: What is a systems approach to ecological restoration? How might art and science work together to create solutions to pollinator loss? What might we observe about biodiversity in a changing landscape? How might we communicate that change?