Shows
Sustainability Now! on KSQD.orgUrchins in the StormSustainability Now!, April 5, 2020, Urchins in the Storm, with KSQD engineer Emily Donham, a 5th-year PhD candidate in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at UCSC. Emily’s research focuses on how sea urchins, which graze on kelp forests, may be vulnerable to ocean acidication and global warming. Emily is the producer of “Santa Cruz Naturalist,” which airs on Tuesdays at 7:54 AM, Wednesdays at 3:55 PM and Saturdays at 11:54 AM. at Her favorite crustacean is the horseshoe crab.2025-04-0156 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistTidepooling in Santa Cruz, Part 3This week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Emily Donham introduces listeners to one of Monterey Bays most common intertidal invertebrates, the California mussel. Mussels are important foundation species, creating habitat for diverse assemblages of seaweeds and animals.2021-08-0302 minSanta Cruz NaturalistDoes Behavior Play a Role in Creating Urchin Barrens?This week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Emily Donham chats with UCSC Ecology and Evolutionary Biology PhD candidate Casey Sheridan about his work on sea urchins. Casey shares how sea urchin behavior might impact how (and where) they get their dinner. 2021-07-1303 minSanta Cruz NaturalistTidepooling in Santa Cruz, Part 1This week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, host Emily Donham introduces listeners to the hairy chiton, a common critter found in the intertidal zone in Santa Cruz.2021-02-0902 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistChecking out our underwater reefsThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Sara interviews Dan Abbott, the Central California Regional Manager for Reefcheck, a non-profit organization that monitors underwater reefs and kelp forests with help from citizen scientists. Reefcheck has been operating in kelp forests around the Monterey Bay area since 2006, and their data help to track important ecological and […]2021-02-0104 minSanta Cruz NaturalistChecking out our underwater reefsThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Sara interviews Dan Abbott, the Central California Regional Manager for Reefcheck, a non-profit organization that monitors underwater reefs and kelp forests with help from citizen scientists. Reefcheck has been operating in kelp forests around the Monterey Bay area since 2006, and their data help to track important ecological and […]2021-02-0104 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistBirds in Your Backyard: Great Horned OwlsThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, I talk about Great Horned Owls. They are the largest owl species in Santa Cruz, and have a wide range through all of North America and some parts of South America. Great Horned Owls can be difficult to see as they roost quietly in trees during the day, but […]2021-02-0104 minSanta Cruz NaturalistBirds in Your Backyard: Great Horned OwlsThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, I talk about Great Horned Owls. They are the largest owl species in Santa Cruz, and have a wide range through all of North America and some parts of South America. Great Horned Owls can be difficult to see as they roost quietly in trees during the day, but […]2021-02-0104 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistFurry Little Caterpillars: Introducing the Tussock MothThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Emily chats with graduate student Becca Nelson about a sometimes voracious herbivore, the tussock moth. Tussock moths are commonly found on live oak trees in Santa Cruz with their abundances fluctuating from year to year. Tune in to learn more!2021-01-1303 minSanta Cruz NaturalistFurry Little Caterpillars: Introducing the Tussock MothThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Emily chats with graduate student Becca Nelson about a sometimes voracious herbivore, the tussock moth. Tussock moths are commonly found on live oak trees in Santa Cruz with their abundances fluctuating from year to year. Tune in to learn more!2021-01-1303 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistArt as science communication with humpback whalesWe follow up with Jessie Kendall-Bar, a Ph.D. student at UC Santa Cruz in the Ecology & Evolutionary biology department. In two previous episodes, we learned about her research on sleep in marine mammals, including how elephant seals sleep underwater (here) and on migration (here). Jessie is also a wonderful artist. This week on Santa […]2021-01-0804 minSanta Cruz NaturalistArt as science communication with humpback whalesWe follow up with Jessie Kendall-Bar, a Ph.D. student at UC Santa Cruz in the Ecology & Evolutionary biology department. In two previous episodes, we learned about her research on sleep in marine mammals, including how elephant seals sleep underwater (here) and on migration (here). Jessie is also a wonderful artist. This week on Santa […]2021-01-0804 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistLooking Underground: What Happens in the Soil After FiresThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Emily chats with UCSC PhD student, Clara Qin about how fires impact soil microbes.2020-11-1003 minSanta Cruz NaturalistLooking Underground: What Happens in the Soil After FiresThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Emily chats with UCSC PhD student, Clara Qin about how fires impact soil microbes.2020-11-1003 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistSanta Cruz Super-NaturalistUCSC bat expert and friend of the show Kyle Reid is back once more for a spooky conversation about local cryptids (creatures from folklore). We talk about our favorite Bigfoot subspecies, and other creatures close to our biologist hearts.2020-10-2003 minSanta Cruz NaturalistSanta Cruz Super-NaturalistUCSC bat expert and friend of the show Kyle Reid is back once more for a spooky conversation about local cryptids (creatures from folklore). We talk about our favorite Bigfoot subspecies, and other creatures close to our biologist hearts.2020-10-2003 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistSanta Cruz Bat-uralist, Part 2So, what’s cool about a bat’s face? Kelley continues our interview with UCSC doctoral student and bat expert Kyle Reid (listen to Part 1) . You can learn more about Kyle’s work here. Also, please, please, do yourself a favor and google “pallid bat pollen.” It’ll make your day.2020-10-2003 minSanta Cruz NaturalistSanta Cruz Bat-uralist, Part 2So, what’s cool about a bat’s face? Kelley continues our interview with UCSC doctoral student and bat expert Kyle Reid (listen to Part 1) . You can learn more about Kyle’s work here. Also, please, please, do yourself a favor and google “pallid bat pollen.” It’ll make your day.2020-10-2003 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistHow do elephant seals sleep? Part 2We follow up with Jessie Kendall-Bar, a Ph.D. student at UC Santa Cruz in the Ecology & Evolutionary biology department. Last month, she told us about her research focusing on the neurophysiology of sleep in marine mammals, specializing in elephant seals. This week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, she tells us more about how elephant seals […]2020-10-0504 minSanta Cruz NaturalistHow do elephant seals sleep? Part 2We follow up with Jessie Kendall-Bar, a Ph.D. student at UC Santa Cruz in the Ecology & Evolutionary biology department. Last month, she told us about her research focusing on the neurophysiology of sleep in marine mammals, specializing in elephant seals. This week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, she tells us more about how elephant seals […]2020-10-0504 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistHow do elephant seals sleep? Part IThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we talk with Jessie Kendall-Bar, a Ph.D. student at UC Santa Cruz in the Ecology & Evolutionary biology department. She studies the neurophysiology of sleep in marine mammals, specializing in elephant seals. Learn how Jessie researches elephant seal sleep and some of the differences between marine mammal and human […]2020-09-0804 minSanta Cruz NaturalistHow do elephant seals sleep? Part IThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we talk with Jessie Kendall-Bar, a Ph.D. student at UC Santa Cruz in the Ecology & Evolutionary biology department. She studies the neurophysiology of sleep in marine mammals, specializing in elephant seals. Learn how Jessie researches elephant seal sleep and some of the differences between marine mammal and human […]2020-09-0804 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistGiant Kelp: Monterey Bay’s Super SeaweedThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Emily chats with UCSC graduate candidate, Sara Gonzales, about some of her work on the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera. Giant kelp are abundant all along the California coast and are an important foundation species here in the Monterey Bay. Tune in to learn more!2020-08-1204 minSanta Cruz NaturalistGiant Kelp: Monterey Bay’s Super SeaweedThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Emily chats with UCSC graduate candidate, Sara Gonzales, about some of her work on the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera. Giant kelp are abundant all along the California coast and are an important foundation species here in the Monterey Bay. Tune in to learn more!2020-08-1204 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistBirds in your Backyard III: HummingbirdsThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, we talk about the two main hummingbird species seen in Santa Cruz: Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds. Learn how to attract them to your backyard, and how to tell them apart. Hummingbirds are incredible at flying and are the only birds in the world that can fly backward. They beat […]2020-08-0403 minSanta Cruz NaturalistBirds in your Backyard III: HummingbirdsThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, we talk about the two main hummingbird species seen in Santa Cruz: Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds. Learn how to attract them to your backyard, and how to tell them apart. Hummingbirds are incredible at flying and are the only birds in the world that can fly backward. They beat […]2020-08-0403 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistSanta Cruz Bat-uralist, Part 1UCSC doctoral student Kyle Reid is an incredible ambassador for bats. Listen to the first part of our interview about his expertise, where we cover just how many bats live in Santa Cruz (a lot!) and where we can find them. Tune in again in August to learn what’s cool about a bat’s face, and […]2020-07-2403 minSanta Cruz NaturalistSanta Cruz Bat-uralist, Part 1UCSC doctoral student Kyle Reid is an incredible ambassador for bats. Listen to the first part of our interview about his expertise, where we cover just how many bats live in Santa Cruz (a lot!) and where we can find them. Tune in again in August to learn what’s cool about a bat’s face, and […]2020-07-2403 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistBirds in Your Backyard IIThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, I tell you about a wonderful bird that is easily seen all over Santa Cruz: the house finch. Learn about how their population recently expanded throughout the United States, the sound of their lovely song, and what some of their mating behaviors are like. Male house finches perform a […]2020-07-1203 minSanta Cruz NaturalistBirds in Your Backyard IIThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, I tell you about a wonderful bird that is easily seen all over Santa Cruz: the house finch. Learn about how their population recently expanded throughout the United States, the sound of their lovely song, and what some of their mating behaviors are like. Male house finches perform a […]2020-07-1203 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistRide the Internal Waves of the Monterey CanyonThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we speak with Dr. Yui Takeshita, a scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Dr. Takeshita explains how he uses chemistry to better understand the ocean and shares an interesting story about internal waves in the Monterey Canyon.2020-06-2303 minSanta Cruz NaturalistRide the Internal Waves of the Monterey CanyonThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we speak with Dr. Yui Takeshita, a scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Dr. Takeshita explains how he uses chemistry to better understand the ocean and shares an interesting story about internal waves in the Monterey Canyon.2020-06-2303 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistBirds in your backyardThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, I talk about two species of birds that you can easily see in your backyard! Listen with me to learn about Northern mockingbirds and California towhees and some of their fascinating behaviors. California towhees might not be colorful, but they make up for that by being cute and very […]2020-06-0104 minSanta Cruz NaturalistBirds in your backyardThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, I talk about two species of birds that you can easily see in your backyard! Listen with me to learn about Northern mockingbirds and California towhees and some of their fascinating behaviors. California towhees might not be colorful, but they make up for that by being cute and very […]2020-06-0104 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistTiny Flowers: Preserving Gilia tenuifloraThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we speak with Brett Bell, Restoration Steward at the UC Santa Cruz Fort Ord Natural Reserve. Listen in as Brett introduces listeners to a rare and tiny flower, called Gilia tenuiflora ssp. arenaria, found in Monterey Bay’s coastal chaparral.2020-05-1804 minSanta Cruz NaturalistTiny Flowers: Preserving Gilia tenuifloraThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we speak with Brett Bell, Restoration Steward at the UC Santa Cruz Fort Ord Natural Reserve. Listen in as Brett introduces listeners to a rare and tiny flower, called Gilia tenuiflora ssp. arenaria, found in Monterey Bay’s coastal chaparral.2020-05-1804 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistCalifornia red-legged frogs with Regina Spranger part 2This month on Santa Cruz Naturalist, we follow up with Ph.D. student Regina Spranger and find out more about the locally threatened California red-legged frog, which is also our state amphibian (listen to part 1 about California red-legged frogs here). Did you know that most frogs don’t migrate, but the red-legged frogs in Santa Cruz […]2020-05-0404 minSanta Cruz NaturalistCalifornia red-legged frogs with Regina Spranger part 2This month on Santa Cruz Naturalist, we follow up with Ph.D. student Regina Spranger and find out more about the locally threatened California red-legged frog, which is also our state amphibian (listen to part 1 about California red-legged frogs here). Did you know that most frogs don’t migrate, but the red-legged frogs in Santa Cruz […]2020-05-0404 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistFort Ord’s Coastal ChaparralThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we explore the beautiful UC Fort Ord Reserve with the reserves’ field manager, Joe Miller. Tune in to hear more about what makes the Fort Ord Reserve such a special place! If you’d like to learn more about the reserve please visit: https://fortordreserve.ucsc.edu2020-04-1504 minSanta Cruz NaturalistFort Ord’s Coastal ChaparralThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we explore the beautiful UC Fort Ord Reserve with the reserves’ field manager, Joe Miller. Tune in to hear more about what makes the Fort Ord Reserve such a special place! If you’d like to learn more about the reserve please visit: https://fortordreserve.ucsc.edu2020-04-1504 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistCalifornia Red-legged Frogs with Regina Spranger part IThis month in Santa Cruz Naturalist, we follow up with Ph.D student Regina Spranger and find out more about local amphibians (we learned about California Giant Salamanders last month with her here). She tells us about Pacific Chorus Frogs, one of the most commonly heard and seen frogs in Santa Cruz, and California Red-legged Frogs, […]2020-04-1304 minSanta Cruz NaturalistCalifornia Red-legged Frogs with Regina Spranger part IThis month in Santa Cruz Naturalist, we follow up with Ph.D student Regina Spranger and find out more about local amphibians (we learned about California Giant Salamanders last month with her here). She tells us about Pacific Chorus Frogs, one of the most commonly heard and seen frogs in Santa Cruz, and California Red-legged Frogs, […]2020-04-1304 min
Sustainability Now! from KSQD RadioSustainability Now! Urchins in the StormRadio Show #16, April 5, 2020, with KSQD engineer Emily Donham, a 5th-year PhD candidate in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at UCSC. Emily’s research focuses on how sea urchins, which graze on kelp forests, may be vulnerable to ocean acidication and global warming. Emily is the producer of “Santa Cruz Naturalist,” which airs on Tuesdays […]2020-04-0701 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistMonitoring Climate Change in the Kelp Forest With the Help of Citizen ScientistsThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, we chat with Reef Check CA’s climate change coordinator, Kate Vylet. Tune in to hear more about how Reef Check trains volunteer citizen scientists to monitor climate change. To learn more about Reef Check, visit reefcheck.org.2020-03-2503 minSanta Cruz NaturalistMonitoring Climate Change in the Kelp Forest With the Help of Citizen ScientistsThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, we chat with Reef Check CA’s climate change coordinator, Kate Vylet. Tune in to hear more about how Reef Check trains volunteer citizen scientists to monitor climate change. To learn more about Reef Check, visit reefcheck.org.2020-03-2503 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistCalifornia Giant Salamanders with Regina SprangerWe talk with PhD student at UC Santa Cruz, Regina Spranger, about California Giant Salamanders and where to find them. Ever wondered how they go from eggs to adults? The amazing things that happen during metamorphosis? Learn all about these enormous salamanders who are the banana slugs’ only predator! You can see how difficult it […]2020-03-0404 minSanta Cruz NaturalistCalifornia Giant Salamanders with Regina SprangerWe talk with PhD student at UC Santa Cruz, Regina Spranger, about California Giant Salamanders and where to find them. Ever wondered how they go from eggs to adults? The amazing things that happen during metamorphosis? Learn all about these enormous salamanders who are the banana slugs’ only predator! You can see how difficult it […]2020-03-0404 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistDrilling Snails and Acidic OceansThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we will be chatting with Dr. Gina Contolini to learn about some of her dissertation work in the rocky intertidal found along Westcliff. Her work focuses on marine snails that spit acid to dissolve the shells of their prey, mussels. Tune in to learn more!2020-02-2603 minSanta Cruz NaturalistDrilling Snails and Acidic OceansThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we will be chatting with Dr. Gina Contolini to learn about some of her dissertation work in the rocky intertidal found along Westcliff. Her work focuses on marine snails that spit acid to dissolve the shells of their prey, mussels. Tune in to learn more!2020-02-2603 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistPeregrine Falcons with Dr. Zeka Glucs: Part 2Photo by Theadora Block taken in Point Reyes, California. This week in Santa Cruz Naturalist we talk again with Dr. Zeka Glucs, Director of Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group. In this follow up interview (find part one here: https://ksqd.org/peregrine-falcons-back-from-the-brink/ ) Dr. Glucs tells us about her work with monitoring Peregrine Falcons, how they learn […]2020-02-0404 minSanta Cruz NaturalistPeregrine Falcons with Dr. Zeka Glucs: Part 2Photo by Theadora Block taken in Point Reyes, California. This week in Santa Cruz Naturalist we talk again with Dr. Zeka Glucs, Director of Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group. In this follow up interview (find part one here: https://ksqd.org/peregrine-falcons-back-from-the-brink/ ) Dr. Glucs tells us about her work with monitoring Peregrine Falcons, how they learn […]2020-02-0404 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistMuseum of the MacabreThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with Alex Krohn, the Assistant Director of the Ken Norris Center for Natural History at UCSC, and Cathy Flores, a UCSC undergraduate intern with the center. Listen in as Alex and Cathy explain the art of taxidermy as a way to preserve natural history specimens.2019-12-2405 minSanta Cruz NaturalistMuseum of the MacabreThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with Alex Krohn, the Assistant Director of the Ken Norris Center for Natural History at UCSC, and Cathy Flores, a UCSC undergraduate intern with the center. Listen in as Alex and Cathy explain the art of taxidermy as a way to preserve natural history specimens.2019-12-2405 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistJust for FernUCSC doctoral candidate Helen Holmlund has traveled all over the world to study the fascinating physiology of ferns. She has even risked being eaten by Australian crocodiles in order to collect her data! Locally, she studies resurrection ferns, which may appear dead in the dry season, but come right back to life when they’re watered […]2019-12-0704 minSanta Cruz NaturalistJust for FernUCSC doctoral candidate Helen Holmlund has traveled all over the world to study the fascinating physiology of ferns. She has even risked being eaten by Australian crocodiles in order to collect her data! Locally, she studies resurrection ferns, which may appear dead in the dry season, but come right back to life when they’re watered […]2019-12-0704 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistAll steelhead and rainbowsUCSC doctoral candidate Katie Kobayashi’s personal and professional lives look very similar, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. You can usually catch her in waders angling for fish somewhere between Santa Cruz and Patagonia. We caught up with Katie about the fish she studies, which can be known as either steelhead or rainbow […]2019-12-0704 minSanta Cruz NaturalistAll steelhead and rainbowsUCSC doctoral candidate Katie Kobayashi’s personal and professional lives look very similar, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. You can usually catch her in waders angling for fish somewhere between Santa Cruz and Patagonia. We caught up with Katie about the fish she studies, which can be known as either steelhead or rainbow […]2019-12-0704 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistSomething’s Fishy: Meet the Plague MinnowThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with UCSC PhD Candidate Doriane Weiler, about mosquitofish. Listen in as we venture to Antonelli pond on Santa Cruz’s westside to find juvenile mosquitofish and learn more about these interesting little fish.2019-10-2904 minSanta Cruz NaturalistSomething’s Fishy: Meet the Plague MinnowThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with UCSC PhD Candidate Doriane Weiler, about mosquitofish. Listen in as we venture to Antonelli pond on Santa Cruz’s westside to find juvenile mosquitofish and learn more about these interesting little fish.2019-10-2904 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistNative plants at UC Santa Cruz ArboretumThis week we talk with Dr. Linda Anderson about the amazing UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, a great place to see native California Plants and many more! We learn about the California native plant garden and a bit about how the arboretum helps with conservation. Tune in to listen live the week of October 7: Tuesday […]2019-10-1504 minSanta Cruz NaturalistNative plants at UC Santa Cruz ArboretumThis week we talk with Dr. Linda Anderson about the amazing UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, a great place to see native California Plants and many more! We learn about the California native plant garden and a bit about how the arboretum helps with conservation. Tune in to listen live the week of October 7: Tuesday […]2019-10-1504 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistWestside’s Hidden Gem: Younger Lagoon ReserveJoin us this week on Santa Cruz Naturalist as the Director of the Younger Lagoon Reserve, Elizabeth Howard, takes us on a tour of the lagoon. This feature is just Part 1 of an interview with Elizabeth where she delves in to the interesting flora and fauna found within the Younger Lagoon. Tune in again […]2019-10-0105 minSanta Cruz NaturalistWestside’s Hidden Gem: Younger Lagoon ReserveJoin us this week on Santa Cruz Naturalist as the Director of the Younger Lagoon Reserve, Elizabeth Howard, takes us on a tour of the lagoon. This feature is just Part 1 of an interview with Elizabeth where she delves in to the interesting flora and fauna found within the Younger Lagoon. Tune in again […]2019-10-0105 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistCaves of Santa Cruz CountyThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Dr. Jessica Oster, Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Vanderbilt University, and PhD student Cameron de Wet chat about caves found in Santa Cruz County. Listen as Jessica and Cam describe the geological processes that form caves and inform listeners about the importance of caves in preserving […]2019-09-2405 minSanta Cruz NaturalistCaves of Santa Cruz CountyThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Dr. Jessica Oster, Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Vanderbilt University, and PhD student Cameron de Wet chat about caves found in Santa Cruz County. Listen as Jessica and Cam describe the geological processes that form caves and inform listeners about the importance of caves in preserving […]2019-09-2405 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistCave hair, and other mysteriesUC Santa Cruz Campus Natural Reserve Manager Alex Jones has seen a lot of mysterious creatures in Empire Cave: everything from aggregations of Harvestmen spiders known as “cave hair,” to pseudoscorpions and other invertebrates that are only known to live in the Porter cave system here in Santa Cruz. (He’s even found some invasive papier-mâché […]2019-09-1804 minSanta Cruz NaturalistCave hair, and other mysteriesUC Santa Cruz Campus Natural Reserve Manager Alex Jones has seen a lot of mysterious creatures in Empire Cave: everything from aggregations of Harvestmen spiders known as “cave hair,” to pseudoscorpions and other invertebrates that are only known to live in the Porter cave system here in Santa Cruz. (He’s even found some invasive papier-mâché […]2019-09-1804 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistWhat Does It Take To Be A Santa Cruz Naturalist?This week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with Chris Lay, the director of the Ken Norris Center for Natural History at UC Santa Cruz. Chris tells us a little about one of Santa Cruz’s most influential naturalists, Ken Norris, as we walk through the redwoods surrounding UCSC’s upper campus. If you’d like to learn […]2019-09-1104 minSanta Cruz NaturalistWhat Does It Take To Be A Santa Cruz Naturalist?This week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with Chris Lay, the director of the Ken Norris Center for Natural History at UC Santa Cruz. Chris tells us a little about one of Santa Cruz’s most influential naturalists, Ken Norris, as we walk through the redwoods surrounding UCSC’s upper campus. If you’d like to learn […]2019-09-1104 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistPeregrine Falcons: Back from the BrinkThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we talk with Dr. Zeka Glucs, Director of Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group. She tells us about their work with monitoring Peregrine Falcons, how they learn about them, and what sorts of behaviors they exhibit in the wild. Come listen and learn about birds that were once on […]2019-09-0505 minSanta Cruz NaturalistPeregrine Falcons: Back from the BrinkThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we talk with Dr. Zeka Glucs, Director of Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group. She tells us about their work with monitoring Peregrine Falcons, how they learn about them, and what sorts of behaviors they exhibit in the wild. Come listen and learn about birds that were once on […]2019-09-0505 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistThe Animals of Año Nuevo IslandThis week, we talk with Dr. Roxanne Beltran about her work on Año Nuevo Island. Hear more about this secret place just a mile from shore, which can only be accessed for scientific research to protect the huge numbers of animals and birds which live and breed there. Dr. Roxanne Beltran and Dr. Patrick Robinson are […]2019-08-0604 minSanta Cruz NaturalistThe Animals of Año Nuevo IslandThis week, we talk with Dr. Roxanne Beltran about her work on Año Nuevo Island. Hear more about this secret place just a mile from shore, which can only be accessed for scientific research to protect the huge numbers of animals and birds which live and breed there. Dr. Roxanne Beltran and Dr. Patrick Robinson are […]2019-08-0604 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistBirding Around in Natural Bridges State BeachThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we take a walk through Natural Bridges State Beach with UCSC graduate student Christa Siedl. Christa introduces listeners to some of the common birds found within the park.2019-07-1504 minSanta Cruz NaturalistBirding Around in Natural Bridges State BeachThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we take a walk through Natural Bridges State Beach with UCSC graduate student Christa Siedl. Christa introduces listeners to some of the common birds found within the park.2019-07-1504 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistGolden Crowned Sparrows: More Than Just Little Brown BirdsThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with Ornithologist Theadora Block about her work on golden crowned sparrows.2019-06-1203 minSanta Cruz NaturalistGolden Crowned Sparrows: More Than Just Little Brown BirdsThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with Ornithologist Theadora Block about her work on golden crowned sparrows.2019-06-1203 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistOctopuses Have Personality?This week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with UCSC graduate candidate Kelley Voss about her work on octopuses.2019-05-2103 minSanta Cruz NaturalistOctopuses Have Personality?This week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with UCSC graduate candidate Kelley Voss about her work on octopuses.2019-05-2103 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistSloughin’ itElkhorn slough is an amazing place to view wildlife along the central coast. On this week’s Santa Cruz Naturalist, UCSC graduate candidate, Kat Beheshti invites listeners on a tour of the estuary. Some of her research focuses on how crabs interact with the salt marsh ecosystems found there.2019-05-0604 minSanta Cruz NaturalistSloughin’ itElkhorn slough is an amazing place to view wildlife along the central coast. On this week’s Santa Cruz Naturalist, UCSC graduate candidate, Kat Beheshti invites listeners on a tour of the estuary. Some of her research focuses on how crabs interact with the salt marsh ecosystems found there.2019-05-0604 minSanta Cruz NaturalistSeaweed SafariThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Emily Donham takes a walk through the intertidal with Dr. Kristen Heady-Kusic to search for some of her favorite seaweeds. 2019-04-2303 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistMeet the Candy Cap: Mushroom Foraging for Dessert LoversThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we venture into the woods surrounding Aptos with local mushroom expert, Philip Carpenter. If you’d like to learn more about mushrooms around Santa Cruz (and beyond) please visit the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz at: http://ffsc.us/2019-03-2705 minSanta Cruz NaturalistMeet the Candy Cap: Mushroom Foraging for Dessert LoversThis week on Santa Cruz Naturalist we venture into the woods surrounding Aptos with local mushroom expert, Philip Carpenter. If you’d like to learn more about mushrooms around Santa Cruz (and beyond) please visit the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz at: http://ffsc.us/2019-03-2705 minSanta Cruz NaturalistSea otters, sea urchins and sea stars oh my!This week on Santa Cruz Naturalist, Emily Donham chats with Dr. Josh Smith about some his work on kelp forests in Monterey Bay. He explains how changes to predators and prey can have major impacts on kelp within the bay.2019-03-0504 min
Santa Cruz NaturalistUnderwater Meadows: The Seagrass of EastcliffOn the first episode of Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with Sarah Lummis, UCSC graduate student and seagrass expert, as we explore the seagrass beds found along East Cliffs rocky intertidal.2019-02-1403 minSanta Cruz NaturalistUnderwater Meadows: The Seagrass of EastcliffOn the first episode of Santa Cruz Naturalist we chat with Sarah Lummis, UCSC graduate student and seagrass expert, as we explore the seagrass beds found along East Cliffs rocky intertidal.2019-02-1403 min