112. Reclaiming Conservation as a Shared American Value
“Nature shouldn’t be partisan — it’s the one thing every American has in common.”
Why is it that nature and climate change have become such difficult topics to talk about, especially with people with different political viewpoints than us? Why is climate change so politicized, and how can we come back to the fact that we all, truly, deep inside, care about the same things?
That is the guiding mission behind Nature Is Nonpartisan,
a new nonprofit working to restore conservation as a unifying, bipartisan American value. In this episode, I sit down with Amelia Joy, Executive Director of NINP, to unpack why environmentalism has become so politically charged, why fewer people identify as “environmentalists” today, and how we can bring nature back to the center of public life — not as a partisan wedge, but as common ground.
Amelia also sheds light on surprising bipartisan wins happening right now in Congress, the importance of personal stories in bridging divides, and why reconnecting with nature is essential for healing political and cultural polarization.
As we’re heading into the holiday season, I couldn’t think of a more important topic to dive into. As Katharine Hayhoe, a former guest on our show, shares over and over again, the most important thing we can do for climate change is talk about it. But how do we talk about it? How do we find the courage to bring up these topics, and how do we make sure the conversation actually leads us to someplace good? If you’re hoping to put nature and our shared future on the table this year, without risking completely wrecking the family party, I hope Amelia and I can provide some pointers.
“Approach hard conversations with curiosity, not criticism — that’s where the real connection begins.”
I must say that it’s not often I talk to someone on the other side of the political spectrum, and it was truly wonderful to chat with her. It was so obvious that we share the same dreams and aspirations for our world, and to hear someone with feet on the ground speak positively about what’s happening in politics right now made me feel grounded and optimistic.
So, you might be frustrated, even anxious, about the Trump administration's seemingly slaughtering approach to conservation and our public lands. But don’t give up hope yet, because there are people like Amelia and her team at NINP working to make big shifts happen
About Amelia
Prior to her current role at Nature Is Nonpartisan, Amelia worked for the Trump Vance 2025 Transition Team as Communications Director to the Secretary of Agriculture Nominee and for the America First Policy Institute as both Communications Director to the President & CEO and Strategic Communications Director for State Affairs. Amelia also spent nearly two years in Pierre, South Dakota, where she served as Press Secretary to Governor Kristi Noem.
Amelia holds a Master of Arts in political communication from American University and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and communication studies from the University of Alabama. A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Amelia now lives in Washington, D.C.
