In the age of technology, this episode explores the connection humans have with the outdoors and the necessity of nature to our health and wellness.

Robert Bateman: As a child, Robert was fascinated with the natural world and focused his artistic talents on painting it. He was a high school teacher until the age of 35 when his nature paintings started to receive recognition, and were exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., among others. In 1984, he received the Order of Canada for his artwork that attracts a worldwide following. Robert’s art project for children is aimed at connecting them to the natural world, not the computer screen.

Ta’Kaiya Blaney is a 12 year old Sliammon First Nation from Vancouver. Her song, Shallow Waters, was a semi-finalist in the 2010 David Suzuki Songwriting contest, Playlist for the Planet. Written to raise awareness about the proposed Northern Gateway oil pipeline planned between the Alberta Tar Sands and Kitimat, BC., the music video has more than 120,000 views on YouTube.

Shaun Majumder: Shaun is the Gemini award-winning anchor on the CBC hit series, This Hour Has 22 Minutes and a popular host at Just for Laughs. Shaun recently combined his humorous and serious sides in his stand-up tour: This Tour Has 22 Cities… a Road to Majumder Manor. In the show he introduced the audience to his newest project, Majumder Manor. Located in his hometown of Burlington, Newfoundland, it as an “eco-lux lodge” designed to put city folk and rural Newfoundlanders back in touch with nature.

Sophia Rabliaukas: For over two decades, Sophia has been a leader in protecting the traditional territory of her people, the Poplar River First Nation. Their reserve is located on the eastern side of Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba and forms a significant part of Canada’s boreal forest. Sophia’s years of commitment have helped secure a five year reprieve from logging, hydro, gas and mining development. In 2007, Sophia was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious awards.