A playgroup in Sydney is turning despair about the planet’s future into hope by taking action and connecting with people who share their concerns and motivations. Rosa Brown, mum and English teacher, set up the Inner West Families For Climate Action playgroup. She decided to foster connections with other new local parents, and hopes this play group will encourage deeper conversations and committed action around climate and the environment. [audio src="https://open.acast.com/public/streams/610bcc3f748075bae1971e6f/episodes/639ac05bb0e3540011445d9e.mp3"][/audio]

Every weekend, and some weekdays too, you'll find Mudcrabs along the banks of the Cooks River. Not crustaceans, although they're slowly returning as their habitat is restored, but a group of dedicated volunteers who are rehabilitating what was once the most polluted river in Australia. [audio src="https://open.acast.com/public/streams/610bcc3f748075bae1971e6f/episodes/62aa8cf97c3e450012bbede7.mp3"][/audio]

While you wait for season two, here's an inspiring story from a father and daughter about their first backpacking adventure. As they hike into Utah's Bryce Canyon in late November, things don't go according to plan. But they both emerge positive about being pushed to the edge by nature's unpredictability. This story comes from HumaNature, a Wyoming Public Media podcast that tells real stories about humans in the natural world. You can find them wherever you get your podcasts, or humanaturepodcast.org. [audio src="https://media.acast.com/brain-on-nature/presentinghumanature/media.mp3"][/audio]