Shows
Water TalkEp 69: Advising CA Tribal PolicyA conversation with Anecita Agustinez (state tribal policy advisor, California Department of Water Resources) about water governance and expertise around challenging policy issues. Released February 7, 2025. 2025-02-0744 minWater TalkEp 68: Engineering Safer and Cleaner WaterA conversation with Nichole Morgan (civil engineer, California State Water Resources Control Board) about implementing programs and policies to steward water resources and infrastructure. Released January 31, 2025. 2025-01-3141 minWater TalkEp 67: Wildfire and Water InfrastructureA conversation with Drs. Greg Pierce (UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation) and Faith Kearns (ASU Water Innovation Initiative) about water infrastructure before, during, and following wildfires. Released January 24, 2025. 2025-01-2449 minWater TalkEp 66: Water NarrativesA conversation with Drs. Caroline Gottschalk Druschke (University of Wisconsin–Madison) and Marty Holtgren (Encompass Socio-ecological Consulting) about the importance of restoration, oral histories, dams, and rivers. Released January 17, 2025. 2025-01-1749 minWater TalkEp 65: Water and Housing InstabilityA conversation with Drs. Alhelí Calderón Villareal (California State University San Marcos) and Georgia Kayser (University of California, San Diego) about the importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services for people experiencing housing instability. Released December 20, 2024. 2024-12-2041 minWater TalkEp 64: Disabled GroundwaterA conversation with professor Sunaura Taylor (author, artist, UC Berkeley) about injured aquifers and reframing disability in a broader environmental context. Released December 13, 2024. 2024-12-1342 minWater TalkEp 63: Growing AgavesA conversation with California agave growers Ofelia Lichtenheld (East San Diego County) and Jordie Ricigliano (Central Coast) about opportunities and challenges for agave production. Released December 6, 2024. 2024-12-0638 minWater TalkEp 62: Reflecting on SGMA after ten yearsA conversation with Deputy Director for Sustainable Water Management Paul Gosselin (CA Department of Water Resources) about California's groundwater governance and progress towards sustainability goals. Released November 22, 2024. 2024-11-2242 minWater TalkEp 61: Blackwater SwampsA conversation with professor Ryan Emanuel (hydrologist, Lumbee tribe member, Duke University) about Indigenous survival and resilience across swamps, plains, and blackwaters in Eastern North Carolina. Released November 15, 2024. 2024-11-1543 minWater TalkEp 60: Colorado River CompactA conversation with John Fleck (author, journalist, University of New Mexico) and Kathryn Sorenson (Senior Global Futures Scientist, Kyl Center for Water Policy, Arizona State University) about the Colorado River Compact. Released November 8, 2024. 2024-11-0843 minWater TalkEp 59: Science and Civic EngagementA conversation with Dr. Juliet Christian-Smith (Union of Concerned Scientists) about the role of scientists in politics and policy with a focus on Western water policy. Released November 1, 2024.2024-11-0142 minWater TalkEp 58: Great Lakes CompactA conversation with environmental attorney and clinical law professor Oday Salim (National Wildlife Federation, University of Michigan Law School) about the Great Lakes Compact. Released October 25, 2024. 2024-10-2551 minWater TalkEp 57: Urban Agriculture, Compost, and WaterA conversation with soil microbial ecologist Dr. Joshua Garcia about farming in cities, composting, and regenerative agriculture. Released October 18, 2024. 2024-10-1841 minWater TalkEp 56: Climate Change & Mental HealthA conversation with climate psychologist and author Leslie Davenport about eco-anxiety, eco-grief, and mental health strategies for coping with climate change. Released October 11, 2024. 2024-10-1143 minWater TalkEp 55: Season 5 TeaserWelcome back to the fifth season of Water Talk! Cohosts Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Sam Sandoval talk about some big changes and updates for Season 5. Released August 16, 20242024-08-1612 minWater TalkEp 54: Water Advocacy and ImplementationA conversation with Laurel Firestone (State Water Resources Control Board) about water governance, leadership, and policy implementation in CA. Released June 2, 2023. 2023-06-0240 minWater TalkEp 53: Sierra SnowpackA conversation with Dr. Safeeq Khan (UC Merced) about the Sierra Nevada Snowpack, snow-vegetation-fire interactions, and snow futures. Released May 19, 2023. 2023-05-1946 minWater TalkEp 52: Water Sovereignty and ArtistryA conversation with Dr. Brittani Orona (San Diego State University) about visual sovereignty, Indigenous history, artistry, and advocacy on waters. Released May 12, 2023. 2023-05-1243 minWater TalkEp 51: Rural Socio-hydrologyA conversation with Dr. Daniel O'Connell (Central Valley Partnership) about land, water, and community development in the CA Central Valley. Released May 5, 2023. 2023-05-0535 minWater TalkEp 50: Comparative Water PoliticsA conversation with Dr. Sharon Megdal (University of Arizona) about water governance in AZ and CA, recharge, transboundary aquifers, and science diplomacy. Released April 28, 2023.2023-04-2842 minWater TalkEp 49: David 'Mas' MasumotoA conversation with farmer and author David 'Mas' Masumoto about peaches, regenerative practices, soil, water, and intergenerational histories in the CA Central Valley. Rereleased April 20, 2023 with original recordings from October 2020.2023-04-2135 minWater TalkEp 48: The Salton Sea(s)A conversation with Dr. Traci Brynne Voyles (University of Oklahoma) about the environmental history of The Salton Sea as well as current and future challenges. Released April 14, 2023. 2023-04-1435 minWater TalkEp 47: Regulating NitrogenA conversation with Claire Bjork (Central Coast Regional Water Board) about groundwater nitrogen policy, water quality compliance, and the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. Released April 7, 20232023-04-0738 minWater TalkEp 46: Environmental Justice in the San Joaquin ValleyA conversation with Nayamin Martinez (Central California Environmental Justice Network) about environmental public health issues and activism in the San Joaquin Valley. Released March 24, 2023.2023-03-2430 minWater TalkEp 45: Atmospheric RiversA conversation with Dr. Katerina Gonzales (EPA Climate Adaptation Advisor) and Dr. Daniel Swain (UCLA) about atmospheric rivers, climate extremes and futures, and climate science communication. Rereleased March 17, 2023 with original recordings from June 30, 2020.2023-03-1741 minWater TalkEp 44: Water Insecurity and CircularityA conversation with Dr. Greg Pierce (UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation) about the Human Right to Water, the housing-water-fire nexus, wastewater equity, and green infrastructure. Released March 10, 2023. 2023-03-1044 minWater TalkEp 43: Educating & Empowering Elected OfficialsA conversation with Leticia Gonzales (District 4 Supervisor, Madera County) and Victor Griego (Water Education for Latino Leaders) about representation in water governance, service through leadership, and action-oriented education for elected officials. Released March 3, 2023. 2023-03-0332 minWater TalkEp 42: Regenerative ViticultureA conversation with UCCE Viticulture Advisor Dr. Chris Chen (Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino Counties) and soil scientist Noelymar Gonzalez-Maldonado (UC Davis) about regenerative viticulture, soils, and climate resilience in vineyards. Released February 24, 2023.2023-02-2447 minWater TalkEp 41: Dam, History!A conversation with historian Varsha Venkatasubramanian (UC Berkeley) about the history of dams in the Western United States and the world as it relates to foreign policy, policy history, and environmental movements. Released February 17, 2023.2023-02-1748 minWater TalkEp 40: Whiplash & ReflectionA conversation with Drs. Sam Sandoval, Faith Kearns, and Mallika Nocco about the 2023 Water Year so far, weather whiplash, and what it means for California agriculture and communities. Released February 10, 2023.2023-02-1042 minWater TalkEp 39: Slow Water MovementsA conversation with Erica Gies (Author, Reporter, National Geographic Explorer) about water detectives, slowing down the movement of water, controlling water, and giving water space. Released May 6, 2022.2022-05-0644 minWater TalkEp 38: Ag in the DeltaA conversation with Dr. Michelle Leinfelder-Miles (University of California Cooperative Extension Delta Crops Resource Management Advisor) about different types of crops, soils, salinity, and water management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region. Released April 29, 2022. 2022-04-2934 minWater TalkEp 37: Water journalism and information flowsA conversation with Ian James (Los Angeles Times) about water journalism in the Western United States, developing stories, journalistic roles, sourcing data, and reporting on contentious water issues. Released April 22, 2022.2022-04-2229 minWater TalkEp 36: Central Coast Wine and WaterA conversation with Mark Battany (University of California Cooperative Extension Water Management and Biometeorology Advisor) about viticulture, water use, fog, salinity, and water use for frost protection in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Released April 15, 2022.2022-04-1539 minWater TalkEp 35: Disasters and Climate JusticeA conversation with Dr. Michael Méndez (UC Irvine) about climate-induced disasters, planning, responses, and justice in the Los Angeles area. Released April 8, 2022.2022-04-0840 minWater TalkEp 34: CA Native Water Rights, Stewardship, & ProtectionA conversation with Dr. Beth Rose Middleton Manning (UC Davis) about water rights, hydroelectric infrastructure, easements, and conservation in California. Released April 1, 2022. 2022-04-0143 minWater TalkEp 33: Pacific Kelp ForestsA conversation with Dr. Arturo Ramírez-Valdez (UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography & Universidad Autonoma de Baja California) about the iconic Pacific kelp forests, international management efforts, marine protected areas, giant sea bass, and coastal ecosystems. Released March 18, 2022.2022-03-1840 minWater TalkEp 32: Water inheritance and futuresA conversation with Joaquin Esquivel (CA State Water Resources Control Board) about intergenerational systems, water histories, and the future of CA water governance. Released March 11, 2022. 2022-03-1139 minWater TalkEp 31: Cover Crop Hydro-economicsA conversation with Dr. Alyssa DeVincentis (Vitidore) and Dr. Ellen Bruno (UC Berkeley) about the costs and benefits of cover crops, SGMA, and drought resilience. Released March 4, 2022.2022-03-0441 minWater TalkEp 30: Soil, Political Ecology, and WaterA conversation with Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe (UC Merced) about soil degradation & water quality, political conflicts, climate solutions, and the politics of geoscience. Released February 25, 2022. Find the transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-302022-02-2546 minWater TalkEp. 29: Functional Environmental FlowsA conversation with Dr. Marisa Escobar (Stockholm Environmental Institute) and Dr. Belize Lane (Utah State University) about different California river ‘personalities’, how flowing water creates and sustains habitat, and flow diversions for cannabis cultivation. Released February 18, 2022.2022-02-1834 minWater TalkEp 28: Getting to the Heart of Water CommunicationA conversation with Dr. Faith Kearns about science communication around contentious issues, approaches for supporting science communicators, and relationships between water scientists and the public. Released February 11, 2022. Find the transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-282022-02-1243 minWater TalkEp 27: Season 3 TeaserWelcome back to the third season of Water Talk, a University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources podcast about all things California Water hosted by Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Sam Sandoval!2022-02-0517 minWater TalkEp 26: Water Diplomacy and DialogueA conversation with Felicia Marcus (Stanford University) about facilitation, coalition building, innovation, and community partnerships in California. Released June 25, 20212021-06-2535 minWater TalkEp 25: Drought and "Egosystem" ManagementA conversation with Felicia Marcus (Stanford University) about community organizing, emergency response systems, and drought in California. Released June 18, 20212021-06-1833 minWater TalkEp 24: Drought and disease in the SierraA conversation with Dr. Joan Dudney (UC Davis) about drought, disease, and pest interactions on forest communities in California's Sierra Nevada. Released June 11, 20212021-06-1134 minWater TalkEp 23: Advancing water justice in underserved communitiesA conversation with Dr. Angel Fernandez-Bou (UC Merced) and Dr. Jose Pablo Ortize Partida (Union of Concerned Scientists) about water equity issues and opportunities for improvement in California's changing climate. Released June 4, 20212021-06-0443 minWater TalkEp 22: North Coast Wine and WaterA conversation with Glenn McGourty (University of California Cooperative Extension Viticulture & Plant Science Advisor Emeritus) about grape water use, wine production, and dryland viticulture in Mendocino and Lake Counties. Released May 28, 2021. Transcript and resources available at: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-222021-05-2836 minWater TalkEp 21: Watering Urban Green SpacesA conversation with Janet Hartin (University of California Cooperative Extension Area Environmental Horticultural Advisor and Director for San Bernadino & Los Angeles Counties) and Dr. Amir Haghverdi (Assistant Cooperative Extension Professor of Water Management at University of California, Riverside) about watering turf grass, trees, and other urban vegetation as well as drought strategies. Released May 21, 2020. Transcript and resources available at: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-212021-05-2131 minWater TalkEp 20: Decolonizing Water Part 2A conversation with Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy (Humboldt State University) about land and water use futures, decolonization, and communities in California (Part 2/2). Released May 14, 2021. Transcript and resources available at: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-20 2021-05-1427 minWater TalkEp 19: Decolonizing Water Part 1A conversation with Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy (Humboldt State University) about land and water use futures, decolonization, and communities in California (Part 1/2). Released May 7, 2021. Transcript and resources available here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-192021-05-0730 minWater TalkEp 18: California Urban Water 101A conversation with Dr. Erik Porse (Sacramento State University & UCLA Institute of the Environment) about urban water resources, energy, conservation, and engineering economics in California. Released April 30, 2021. Find the transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-18 2021-04-3045 minWater TalkEp 17: The Human Right to Drinking Water & SGMAA conversation with researchers Darcy Bostic (Pacific Institute) and Kristin Dobbin (UC Davis) about the legislated human right to drinking water, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, sustainability, and participation in California. Find the transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-17 2021-04-2334 minWater TalkEp 16: Agriculture in the California BorderlandsA conversation with University of California Desert Research & Extension Center Director Dr. Jairo Diaz about agriculture across the California/Mexico/Arizona Borderlands irrigated by Colorado River waters. Released April 16, 2021. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-162021-04-1638 minWater TalkEp 15: Wild Horses and Water in CaliforniaA conversation with University of California Cooperative Extension Advisor Laura Snell about her work studying the lives of wild horses and water in Modoc County, CA as well as strategies for managing wild horses . Released April 9, 2021. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-15 2021-04-0938 minWater TalkEp 14: California Peaches and WaterA conversation with farmer and author David 'Mas' Masumoto about peaches, organic practices, soil, water, and histories in the CA Central Valley. Released April 2, 2021. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-14 2021-04-0240 minWater TalkEp 13: Season 2 TeaserWelcome back to the second season of Water Talk, a University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources podcast about all things California Water hosted by Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Sam Sandoval!2021-03-2816 minWater TalkEp12: Water Reform in California Institutional EcosystemsA conversation with UC Davis doctoral researchers Linda Estelí Méndez Barrientos and Jess Rudnick about water governance, institutional reforms, equity, justice, and participation in California. Note: The CA Water Code referenced in this episode is § 10721, (j). Recorded July 7, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-122020-07-1035 minWater TalkEp 11: Rivers in the California SkyA conversation with Stanford doctoral researcher Katerina Gonzales and UCLA climate scientist Dr. Daniel Swain about atmospheric rivers, climate extremes and futures, and climate science communication. Recorded June 30, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-112020-07-0432 minWater TalkEp 10: California Water Policy and ExtensionA conversation with Dr. Doug Parker about climate-smart agriculture, nitrogen & water management, the paradox of irrigation efficiency, and the current/future role of CA extension in water policy and management. Recorded June 23, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-102020-06-2731 minWater TalkEp 9: Small Farms and Water in CaliforniaA conversation with Dr. Ruth Dahlquist-Willard about crops, irrigation, drought, groundwater management, and water policy on diverse small farms in the CA Central Valley. Recorded June 16, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-092020-06-2032 minWater TalkEp 8: Indigenous Water and Fire Expertise in CaliforniaA conversation with California State University-Chico Professor Don Hankins about his work integrating ecohydrology with Indigenous water and fire management practices and policy. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-082020-06-1331 minWater TalkEp 7: Beaver hydrology and managementA conversation with California State University-Channel Islands Professor Emily Fairfax about her work studying the lives of beavers and their impacts on droughts, fires, and water quality as well as some strategies for beaver management. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-072020-05-2929 minWater TalkEp 6: California Water Law 101A conversation with University of California Davis School of Law Professor Karrigan Börk about the CA Water Rights, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, drinking water, and federal vs. CA controls over water. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-062020-05-2330 minWater TalkEp 5: California Gardening: Past, Present, and FutureA conversation with University of California Cooperative Extension Sustainable Food Systems advisors for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Drs. Rachel Surls and Rose Hayden-Smith about the victory garden movement, urban farming, community gardens, the Master Gardener program, and drought strategies for those interested in growing food. Recorded May 12, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-052020-05-1628 minWater TalkEp 4: Youth and Water in California CitiesA conversation with 4H Youth Development Advisors Marianne Bird and Claudia Diaz Carrasco about different youth development programs that focus on water education and public engagement with science in California's cities. Recorded May 5, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-042020-05-0927 minWater TalkEp 3: The Food-Water-Virus NexusA conversation with Dr. Erin DiCaprio about basic virology, virus transmission in food and water systems, COVID-19 + food safety, and canning/preservation at home. Recorded April 28, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-032020-05-0125 minWater TalkEp 2: Ranching and Water in CaliforniaA conversation with Dr. Leslie Roche and Dan Macon about livestock, water use, drought, and ranching communities in California. Recorded April 21, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-022020-04-2422 minWater TalkEp 1: Water Talk PilotWelcome to Water Talk, a new University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources podcast about all things California Water hosted by Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Sam Sandoval! Listen to our pilot episode to learn more about us! Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-012020-04-2113 min