We need every single species of native tree here in California, but our 20+ varieties of native oaks are the most crucial of all. In this episode, join me and my guest, Zarah Wyly, on a walk through a relatively new oak woodland in Folsom dotted with two ancient, magnificent oak trees. Learn the story of how this unusual woodland came to be, find out why oaks are my all-time favorite trees, and explore such questions as: What kinds of life are supported by oak trees? If I plant one, will it wreck my house? What do you have to do to acorns to make them edible? Why does it look like some oak trees are growing apples? How do oaks spread such heavy seeds? What kinds of variety is there among different oak species? What does any of this have to do with the Declaration of Independence?And here's a handy list of the other podcasts participating in Critical Mast! Future EcologiesJumpstart Nature Nature's Archive Learning from Nature: The Biomimicry PodcastOutside/InOk, get ready for a lot of links. Here you goooooo! The Declaration of Independence and the Hand of Time The Nature of Oaks, by Douglas Tallamy National Resources Conservation Service Resource on GrazingSecrets of the Oak Woodlands, by Kate Marianchild Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall KimmererCity Nature Challenge Sacramento Tree Foundation Calscape (to help with planting natives!) Daniel Airola's research on bird diversity in urban forests The theme song is called "i dunno" by grapes, and it can be found here. Follow me on Instagram @goldenstatenaturalistMy website is www.goldenstatenaturalist.com You can find me on Patreon here. Episode photo by Bendp
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1:12:59
Symbiotic Cities with Kat Superfisky
Can cities be good for wildlife? Or at least not so bad? What changes would we need to make to welcome more life into our cities? How would those changes impact humans? What are other cities already trying? Come with me and Kat Superfisky to the largest city in California, where we discuss all of this and so much more. Note: This interview was recorded in September of 2024, so any references to the Federal government are references to the government during the Biden Administration. Helpful Links: Kat’s website Content Creation for NatureSupport Golden State Naturalist on Patreon and get perks starting at $4/month. Follow me on Instagram. My website is goldenstatenaturalist.com. Get podcast Merch. The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found here.
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1:17:32
Saving California: How 30x30 Is Growing the Conservation Movement in the Golden State
California is one of only 36 Global Biodiversity Hotspots. This means that we have incredible species richness with at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species. But here's the bummer. In order to be considered a Global Biodiversity hotspot, a place must also be threatened. So threatened, in fact, that it must have only 30% or less of its original natural vegetation remaining.
Oof.
Thankfully, Californians are not sitting idly by waiting for the rest of our biodiversity to disappear. Across the state, conservation leaders, on both small and large scales, are pulling together and protecting the places that matter to us most.
In this special episode, come with me behind the scenes of this year's 30x30 Partnership Summit to talk with those leaders, hear about some of today's most inspiring conservation success stories, and discover how you can be part of the movement to protect California for generations to come.
Helpful Links:
30x30 Official Website
Valérie Courtois's TED Talk
Carr Lake in Salinas
Support Golden State Naturalist on Patreon and get perks starting at $4/month.
Follow me on Instagram.
My website is goldenstatenaturalist.com.
Get podcast Merch.
The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found here.
Otter photo by Kedar Gadge on Unsplash.
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The LA River with Kat Superfisky
Descend with me and LA's first ever urban ecologist into the concrete channel of the Los Angeles River as we discuss novel ecosystems, eminent domain, Greased Lightnin', flood prevention, Ice Cube, soft bottoms, emerald necklaces, and why the LA River is the perfect microcosm of everything LA was, is, and one day could be. Helpful Links: Kat’s website Jason Wise's websiteJuan Crespi’s journal CalMatters LAPD Helicopters article Grease Filming Locations Support Golden State Naturalist on Patreon and get perks starting at $4/month. Follow me on Instagram. My website is goldenstatenaturalist.com. Get podcast Merch. The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found here.
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California Red-Legged Frogs with Brad Hollingsworth
Chances are, you’ve never seen our state amphibian in the wild. In this episode, find out how the California red-legged frog became so rare while also delving into international border crossings with endangered frog eggs, urban drool, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, things that can fit into a bullfrog’s mouth, and the essential mindset shift that might just change the world. Join me and Brad Hollingsworth from the San Diego Natural History Museum as we discuss all of this and so much more. Links: Trivia Night! Join me in-person on May 12th or online on May 27th for Quiz for a Cause, a fundraiser to help rebuild the Eaton Canyon Nature Center. And check out the silent auction here! Saving the California red-legged frog from extinctionFAUNO: Fanua del Noroeste. Learn more about the work in Mexico or sign up for a workshop. ECOS information on red-legged frog federal listing Support Golden State Naturalist on Patreon and get perks starting at $4/month. Follow me on Instagram. My website is goldenstatenaturalist.com. Get podcast Merch. The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found here.Episode cover photo courtesy of the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Golden State Naturalist is a love letter to California's ecological past, present, and future.
Come with Michelle Fullner as she climbs to the top of a beaver dam, descends into a tar pit, peers into the canopy of a giant sequoia, and basks in the glow of the Milky Way under the eerie silhouettes of Joshua trees.
Each episode, Michelle interviews captivating experts in their natural habitats across California to find out how the unique plants, animals, geology, and hydrology of this biodiversity hotspot make this state Golden.
USA