David Suzuki is retiring from The Nature of Things to focus on activism and calling out 'BS'

After 44 years of hosting CBC's The Nature of Things, David Suzuki's tenure will be coming to an end. While the upcoming season will be his last, that doesn't necessarily mean the public will see or hear less from the iconic — and sometimes controversial — Canadian environmentalist.

"This is the most important time in my life," Suzuki announced Sunday in an interview on The National with host Ian Hanomansing. "I hate to call it retirement. I'm just moving on."

His final season with the nature and science-focused series launches in January. In a statement, CBC management said new hosting plans will be confirmed "in the coming weeks."

Suzuki said he is very excited about the show's future.

In recent years, the 86-year-old has taken a step back from the series, appearing on camera less often. He pokes fun at his age, saying he is "way past my best before date."

Suzuki said he's wanted to retire for a while but stayed on with the show to make sure that The Nature of Things wouldn't be cancelled after his departure.

"People in the media think, 'Oh God, The Nature of Things, is it still on?'" he said. "You're damn right it's still on!"

The show — and Suzuki — have come a long way since he first started hosting in 1979.

When he kicked off his broadcasting career in the 1960s, Suzuki's casual style stood out.

"I had a headband and hair down to my shoulders and granny glasses, and the scientists were outraged that this hippie is talking about science," he said.

But Suzuki was able to connect with the audience, and he took Canadians along for the ride as he explored a range of topics.

Through The Nature of Things, Suzuki shared his passion for science and nature with the public at large — from explaining how a ballpoint pen works to discussing the 1980s battle over logging on British Columbia's Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands.

It's through interviewing Haida people that Suzuki said he first came to understand how nature and humans are interconnected.

"Through them, I saw there is no 'environment out there' ... the environment is what makes us who we are," he said.