In the natural world, ecosystems are intricate webs of interdependence. Every organism, from the towering cedar to the smallest moss, has a role to play in maintaining the delicate balance of life. However, when an invasive species is introduced, this balance is disrupted—often with devastating consequences. For me, this ecological phenomenon mirrors another: colonization.
In this blog post, I want to take you behind the scenes of the audio podcast Rooting Out Bias and unpack how invasive species serve as a powerful metaphor for the cultural and ecological impacts of colonization. By examining this intersection, we can better understand our responsibilities as stewards of the land—and as allies in the ongoing work of decolonization.
The Ecological Impact of Invasive Species
In forestry and ecology, invasive species are non-native organisms introduced to an area where they disrupt ecosystems by outcompeting native species for resources, altering habitats, or even driving local species to extinction. The introduction of such species often results from human activity—intentionally or unintentionally—and is a stark reminder of the consequences of disrupting natural systems.
Take, for example, Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), a species introduced to British Columbia in the mid-19th century. While its bright yellow flowers may seem picturesque, this plant has outcompeted native vegetation, diminished biodiversity, and even altered soil chemistry in ways that hinder the regrowth of indigenous plants. The spread of invasive species like Scotch broom serves as an ecological reminder of how a dominant force can overwhelm and displace what was once thriving.
Colonization: A Parallel Disruption
Colonization operates in much the same way. It, too, is the introduction of a dominant force—cultural, political, or economic—into an existing system, often with catastrophic results for Indigenous peoples, cultures, and knowledge systems. Just as invasive species alter landscapes, colonization has fundamentally altered the social and ecological landscapes of Canada, marginalizing Indigenous communities and erasing their contributions to sustainable land stewardship.
For Indigenous peoples, the impacts of colonization are as far-reaching as the spread of an invasive plant or animal. Traditional ecological knowledge, developed over thousands of years, has been devalued or outright dismissed. Colonial systems of governance imposed new laws and land-use practices that prioritized resource extraction over the well-being of ecosystems and communities. As with invasive species, the consequences are still unfolding today.
Restoration and Resilience
The good news is that ecosystems—and cultures—are resilient. Ecologists work tirelessly to remove invasive species and restore native habitats, much like decolonization efforts aim to revitalize Indigenous languages, governance, and ecological practices. For example, many forestry professionals in British Columbia are now partnering with Indigenous communities to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into modern forest management strategies. This partnership not only addresses ecological issues but also creates space for healing and reconciliation.
In this way, the story of invasive species isn’t just one of destruction but also of possibility. By recognizing the damage done and taking intentional steps to repair it, we can create systems that are stronger and more inclusive.
Bias in Our Thinking
At the heart of this metaphor is the concept of bias. Just as colonial systems of thought have privileged certain ways of knowing and being, our approach to ecology has often been shaped by a bias toward Western science. This is not to say that Western science isn’t valuable—far from it—but it is incomplete without the perspectives and practices of those who have lived in harmony with these landscapes for generations.
The Rooting Out Bias podcast aims to challenge these assumptions and encourage listeners to think critically about the ways in which bias shapes our interactions with both the natural world and each other. By recognizing these biases, we can begin to unlearn them and make space for diverse perspectives that enrich our understanding and practice.
Moving Forward
As professionals, educators, and learners in forestry and ecology, we have a unique opportunity to address both ecological and cultural imbalances. By rooting out bias—whether it’s in the way we manage forests or the way we view history—we can help create systems that are more just, inclusive, and sustainable.
The next time you see an invasive species or learn about colonization, I encourage you to think about the parallels. What can we learn from these disruptions, and how can we be part of the restoration? The answers to these questions are complex, but they start with awareness—and that’s what Rooting Out Bias is all about.
Rooting Out Bias: The Story Behind the Concept
Inspiration has a funny way of finding us. For me, it often happens in the shower of all places—a place where the hum of daily life fades and ideas seem to bubble up alongside the steam. The concept for Rooting Out Bias began in one of these reflective moments, where I found myself drawing parallels between ecology and colonization. What started as a fleeting thought soon grew into a fully fleshed-out narrative, thanks to a combination of creative brainstorming and AI-powered refinement.
In this blog post, I want to share the story behind the creation of Rooting Out Bias, from that initial spark of inspiration to the polished podcast episode and blog content that followed. It’s a journey that highlights the collaborative potential of technology and human creativity, as well as the importance of nurturing space for ideas to grow.
The Shower Epiphany
There’s something about the sound of running water that clears the mind. On that particular morning, I was thinking about the challenges I face in teaching communication strategies to forestry professionals. How could I connect the tangible, scientific world of forestry to the more abstract but critical concepts of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA)?
As I stood under the water, the idea clicked: invasive species. These ecological disruptors, so common in forestry, seemed like a perfect metaphor for colonization. Both involve the introduction of something foreign that disrupts an existing balance. Both create lasting harm that takes intentional effort to repair. The more I thought about it, the more the connections unfolded, and I knew this was a concept worth exploring.
Fleshing Out the Idea
Once the idea took root, I did what any educator or researcher would do: I started outlining. My mind raced with questions:
- What specific examples of invasive species could I use to illustrate the concept?
- How could I connect these examples to the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization?
- What lessons could listeners and readers take away from this analogy?
But brainstorming alone only gets you so far. That’s when I turned to one of my favorite tools: ChatGPT.
The Role of AI in Refinement
ChatGPT became my brainstorming partner, helping me organize and polish my thoughts. I started by feeding it the core idea: the parallels between invasive species and colonization. From there, it helped me:
- Identify ecological examples like Scotch broom and zebra mussels to ground the metaphor in real-world contexts.
- Structure the narrative to flow logically from ecology to colonization to restoration.
- Refine my language to ensure it was accessible, engaging, and aligned with the podcast's tone.
ChatGPT also helped me explore how to connect this concept to EDIA principles, sparking ideas about bias in scientific approaches and the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge systems. It was less about the AI creating the content and more about how it acted as a sounding board, asking the questions I hadn’t thought to ask and offering suggestions I might have missed.
Polishing and Publishing
With a clearer structure and more robust examples in hand, I returned to the draft with fresh eyes. The podcast script practically wrote itself, building on the ideas ChatGPT and I had fleshed out together. I recorded the audio with confidence, knowing the concept was solid and the narrative compelling.
The process didn’t stop there. As I prepared the accompanying blog post, I revisited our initial discussions, fine-tuning the connections and ensuring every detail contributed to the broader message. The result is what you see now: a cohesive exploration of how forestry, ecology, and colonization intersect, and what we can learn from these connections.
Reflections on the Process
Looking back, the creation of Rooting Out Bias was a perfect example of how creativity and technology can work hand in hand. The initial spark came from within, but the refinement and organization came from collaboration—with myself, with ChatGPT, and with the many educators and researchers whose work informs my own.
It also reminded me of the importance of being open to inspiration, wherever it finds you. Whether it’s in the shower, in a conversation with colleagues, or in the quiet moments between tasks, these sparks are worth nurturing. And with the right tools, we can turn them into something meaningful.
What’s Next?
As I continue exploring these themes, I hope to expand the conversation to include more voices—especially those from Indigenous and marginalized communities who have lived experience with the impacts of colonization. In the meantime, I’ll keep finding inspiration in the everyday moments and turning to tools like ChatGPT to bring those ideas to life.
Have you ever had an idea that started as a small spark and grew into something much larger? I’d love to hear your stories. Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out on social media!
Polishing and Publishing
With a clearer structure and more robust examples in hand, I turned to production. While I initially considered recording the audio myself, I ultimately decided to use a professional voiceover from Artlist.io. Their high-quality AI-generated voices brought the narrative to life in a way that felt more polished and engaging than my own recording could have.
To enhance the podcast’s atmosphere, I selected background music by Risian, also from Artlist.io. The music’s subtle yet evocative tones perfectly complemented the themes of restoration and resilience that run throughout the episode. Together, the voiceover and music created an immersive listening experience that conveyed both the seriousness of the topic and a sense of hope for the future.
The result was a podcast that I’m proud to share with educators, students, and anyone interested in the intersection of forestry, ecology, and social justice. It’s a piece that combines creative storytelling, thoughtful analysis, and the power of technology to bring complex ideas to a wider audience.
Reflections on the Process
Looking back, the creation of Rooting Out Bias was a perfect example of how creativity, technology, and artistry can come together to amplify a message. The initial spark came from a quiet moment of reflection, but the final product owes much to the tools and resources I had at my disposal—from ChatGPT’s support in organizing and refining ideas to Artlist.io’s professional-grade audio assets.
This experience has reinforced my belief in the power of interdisciplinary approaches. Whether we’re building more inclusive ecosystems in forestry or decolonizing educational practices, collaboration is key. By combining insights from different fields and leveraging innovative technologies, we can create work that not only informs but inspires.
What’s Next?
As I continue exploring these themes, I hope to expand the conversation by incorporating more voices—especially those from Indigenous and marginalized communities whose perspectives are essential to this work. This podcast is just the beginning of what I hope will be an ongoing dialogue about how we can all contribute to building more inclusive, resilient systems, both ecological and social.
Have you ever felt inspired to use technology or artistry to elevate your ideas? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your experiences in the comments or connect with me on social media.
Reference:
Leveridge, Neil. (2025). Rooting Out Bias: Lessons from Invasive Plants for Building Inclusive Ecosystems [Audio podcast]. Produced using AI voiceover and music from Artlist.io (Risian and Depths by Reborn). Available for educational purposes under license 2s6GUI (2023–2025).
