This is a repost from last year's popular Defender Radio Solstice Special!

The Squirrel Who Stole Solstice was written and directed by Marisa King. Starring Kristi Boulton, Marisa King and Michael Howie. Original holiday carol by Julian Sark.

The Squirrel Who Stole Solstice was written and Directed by Marisa King! Marisa voiced Nutty! Marisa King is an actor, director and long-time animal advocate based in Toronto, Ontario.  You can also hear her on the award-winning Alba Salix podcast as well as improvising her way through the wacky roleplaying world of The End of Time and Other Bothers, all from Fable & Folly production at FableandFolly.com.

Nutzo and Mrs. DeNutzio were played by Kristi Boulton! Kristi Boulton is an actor, improviser, director and podcast producer in Hamilton, Ontario, and can be found at www.kristiboulton.com or on the socials (Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristi_boulton, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristi_boulton/ or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiboulton/).

Kristi can also be heard on Civilized, a dark comedy improvised podcast at CivilizedPod.com. 

The original squirrel solstice carol was written and performed by Julian Sark, with backup squirrel vocals by Marisa King and Kristi Boulton.  Julian Sark is a deeply repressed creative based in Toronto.  Due to the immense internal pressures at play, asking him to do literally anything will likely get you way, way more than you bargained for.  Seriously, like, get ready to screen your calls, people.  He’s also recently written a song he thinks would be perfect for Michael Buble, so Michael, if you’re listening, find Julian on Facebook.  Yes, he’s that old.

And I played Mr. O, and worked with this fabulous team of creative geniuses to put the episode online for all of you. Thank you EVERYONE for listening, and please remember to be kind, be curious, and be patient with each other. Happy Solstice, everyone, and happy solstice Magnanimous Moose!

Defender Radio and The Switch will return with new episodes in 2023.  

The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNROD) announced last week they would be killing up to 35 coyotes in Vancouver’s Stanley Park in response to more than 45 bites and negative encounters in the preceding 10 months. The Fur-Bearers were active on this issue when it became public in December 2020 and have remained involved, advocating for long-term coexistence solutions.

This podcast features two interviews. The first is with The Fur-Bearers’ Executive Director Lesley Fox, in which we discuss the actions taken by The Fur-Bearers, the opportunities missed by governing agencies, and where our focus will be moving forward regarding wildlife in Stanley Park, as well as our need to grieve for the coyotes, affected people and how we can show who coyotes truly are. The second interview is with psychotherapist (qualifying) and certified wildlife rehabilitator Stephanie McMahon, who speaks to the grief many of us feel following this situation, the importance of allowing that grief and its many forms to play out, and a look at tools and experiences that may help the grieving process for animal advocates.

The Fur-Bearers initial statement on the killing of Stanley Park coyotes: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/the-fur-bearers-statement-on-stanley-park-coyotes/

Science: Culls aren’t effective long-term solutions: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/science-culls-arent-effective-long-term-solutions/

Stanley Park: What you can do to help the coyotes: https://thefurbearers.com/blog/stanley-park-what-you-can-do-to-help-the-coyotes/

The Fur-Bearers’ Coexisting with Coyotes: https://thefurbearers.com/our-work/living-with-wildlife/solutions/coyotes/

Coyote Watch Canada: https://www.coyotewatchcanada.com/site/home

Kids Help Phone: https://kidshelpphone.ca/

Crisis Services Canada: https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Crisis Resources page: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/crisis-resources

The Fur-Bearers on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/furfree), Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/furbearers) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/furbearers).

Defender Radio host Michael Howie on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/howiemichael), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@howiemichael) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/defenderradio/.

In this special report, Defender Radio brings you the entire presentation of Mike Badry, Wildlife Conflict Prevention Coordinator for the BC Ministry of Environment, as heard at the 3rd Annual Living With Wildlife Conference on September 20, 2013.

In this special report, Defender Radio brings you the entire presentation of Sara Dubois, Manager of Wildlife Service at the BC SPCA, as heard at the 3rd Annual Living With Wildlife Conference on September 20, 2013.

In this special report, Defender Radio brings you the entire presentation of Sylvia Dolson, Executive Director of the Get Bear Smart Society, as heard at the 3rd Annual Living With Wildlife Conference on September 20, 2013.

In this special report, Defender Radio brings you the entire presentation of Louise Liebenberg, owner of the Predator Friendly certified Grazier Ranch, as heard at the 3rd Annual Living With Wildlife Conference on September 20, 2013.

In this special report, Defender Radio brings you the entire presentation of Dr. Shelley Alexander, Professor at the University of Calgary and internationally recognized canid expert, as heard at the 3rd Annual Living With Wildlife Conference on September 20, 2013.