Living Harmoniously in an Interfaith World
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Looking at Spirituality in Our Lives and the World Around Us Contact: kaufmann.nyc@gmail.com
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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 biodiver ...
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Coastal Wetlands with Empress Holliday
1:03:06
1:03:06
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Are coastal wetlands the same thing as estuaries? What about salt marshes? How can some plants grow in saltwater? Can I use them to salt my french fries? What’s an endangered river? Why do some birds build floating nests? Why should I visit nature that’s close to home? Join me and Empress Holliday as we explore the Tijuana Estuary to admire plants,…
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California Snakes with Michael Starkey
1:45:04
1:45:04
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What makes California such a great spot for snake diversity? Where does antivenom come from, and why is it so expensive? Can you really inoculate yourself against snake venom? How did evolving alongside snakes impact who we are as humans today? Join me and Michael Starkey, founder of Save the Snakes, as we get a close look at California snakes and …
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How do sea stars move around? Why am I jealous of giant green anemones? When's the best time to go tide pooling? Why is life so hard in the in the place where the ocean meets the land? How have so many creatures adapted to thrive in this strange place where two worlds meet? Join me and Michelle Kunst as we explore the intertidal zone on the Norther…
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TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge / Indigenous Ecological Knowledge) with Frank Lake
1:09:55
1:09:55
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Indigenous people have lived in the place now known as California since time immemorial and are still here today. In this episode, join me and Frank Lake as we discuss mutualistic relationships between Indigenous Californians and the land, traditional burning, oak orchards, the powerful ways Indigenous and Western knowledges can come together, comm…
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Have you ever noticed a bee that looked a little…different? Maybe it was a bit fuzzier than a typical honey bee, or maybe it was obsidian black, bright orange, startlingly large, or as tiny as a gnat. Chances are, if you’ve seen a bee meeting any of these descriptions, you observed one of Earth’s 20,000 species of native bees (with around 1,600 of …
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Mythologizing Place with Obi Kaufmann
1:08:51
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Author, artist, poet, and eco-philosopher Obi Kaufmann doesn't want to craft a better argument. He wants to tell a better story. But what does that kind of story look like? How do we begin to convey the incredible complexity of a place like California? How do we avoid unproductive divisiveness, embrace a better worldview, and move forward together …
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7 Ways to Connect with Nature this Year (2024 REPLAY)
21:44
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Happy New Year! 🎉 This episode has a great story, so I added a new intro to tell you about it. Here are the links mentioned in the new intro! 7 Ways to Connect with Nature zine by Kate Rutter Find Kate on Instagram @katerutter. Patreon. This is a great way to support your local indie podcaster. Find me on Instagram @goldenstatenaturalist. My websit…
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Have you ever wondered why we bring a toxic, parasitic plant indoors during the holidays...and then kiss under it? Or what ecological role this plant plays? Come with me and Dr. Joshua Der as we discuss the ecological importance of mistletoe, its evolution, the vast array of wildlife it supports, and of course, the ancient folklore that led to all …
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Living in Place: Reflections on Being a Naturalist with Justin Garwood
54:07
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When was the last time you felt truly connected with a place? Was it somewhere rugged and wild, or was it on a leaf-strewn suburban block? What did you notice? What questions popped up in your mind? What gave you that sense of connection? In this episode, join me and Justin Garwood in a Northern California temperate rainforest as we discuss how eac…
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The Klamath Mountains with Michael Kauffmann
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The Klamath Mountains, straddling the California-Oregon border, are a hotspot for biodiversity. But what drives the species richness of the region? Come with me and Michael Kauffmann to a moss-covered edge of the Klamath mountains as we discuss ancient rocks, carnivorous plants, temperate rainforests, why people are a vital part of the story of pla…
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Is seaweed a plant? Is it ok to eat straight out of the ocean? What kinds of creatures rely on seaweed? How does kelp fight climate change? Join me and Allison Poklemba on the Humboldt coast as we descend into the intertidal zone to taste seaweed fresh from the ocean and discuss all of the questions above and more. Helpful Links: Allison's Seaweed …
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California Condors with Tiana Williams-Claussen
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At the height of the last ice age, California condors could be found all across North America, and since time immemorial, these birds have held special cultural and spiritual significance for a number of Indigenous groups. But by the late 1980's, the last wild condor had been captured and brought into a captive breeding program. They were extinct i…
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Have you ever wondered about things outside your window--the things that go bump in the night? Or, actually, things that flutter, flap, tread softly, swim, or bloom in the night? Because there’s a whole nocturnal world out there that most of us are missing, and it’s actually not as hard or as scary as we might think to go out and see it for ourselv…
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Nature in Your Neighborhood with Marni Fylling
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When was the last time you looked closely at the living things right outside your front door? Have you ever gotten lost in a daisy, zoomed in on a burr clover, or watched a ladybug on a rose bush? Join me and author-illustrator Marni Fylling as we take a walk to explore the nature in her neighborhood. Along the way, learn how you can connect more d…
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Coast redwood trees reside in a category all their own. Not only are these the tallest trees in the world, but they grow in unique ecosystems–quiet, foggy places with ferns and redwood sorrel spilling everywhere you look onto the trail. In these forests, the sound of running water is never far away, and the redwoods themselves are by far the most p…
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Art of Nature/Nature of Art with Jane Kim
1:04:36
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Have you ever looked at a piece of art that altered your perspective? Or one that challenged your thinking? Or maybe you’ve studied a piece that taught you something new. How can art impact conservation efforts? How can it help break generational cycles of disconnectedness from the natural world? Why does art matter in a time of rapidly changing cl…
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Have you ever wondered if the plants growing along your favorite trail or outside your door are edible? Or what kinds of flavors might not be available at the grocery store? Many of us aren't familiar with the tastes of the places where we live, even though there are wild foods growing all around us. Join me and author, educator, and forager Mia An…
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Urban Ecology with Miguel Ordeñana (Part 2: Bats, Inclusive Urban Nature and Community Science)
57:24
57:24
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Do bats live close to my house? Why are they important? Do they have rabies? How can people help take care of urban wildlife? How can we involve more people in conservation and community science, particularly people from historically excluded groups? Come with me and Miguel Ordeñana to Griffith Park in Los Angeles, where we discuss all of this and …
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Urban Ecology with Miguel Ordeñana (Part 1: P-22 Mountain Lion, Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, and Other Urban Carnivores)
1:05:07
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Have you ever wondered what kind of wildlife lives right in the middle of your city? Or why some animals thrive in cities while others don't? And how did a mountain lion end up in Los Angeles, anyway? Join me and Miguel Ordeñana, the scientist who discovered mountain lion P-22 living in Griffith Park in LA as we discuss these questions and so many …
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Growing Native Plants from Seed with Julia Michaels
1:13:52
1:13:52
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Have you ever wanted to grow your own native plants? Where can you get California native seeds? Should you sow them directly in the ground or start them in pots? Is there anything you should do to the seeds before planting them? What time of year should they be planted? How should the soil be prepared? What are some common mistakes to avoid? What a…
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What is an amphibian, anyway? Are they leading double lives? What's the difference between a newt and a salamander? A frog and a toad? What kinds of amphibians live in California? Why are California newts so toxic? How do they always, always find their way home? Join me and Gary Bucciarelli as we explore a stream in the Santa Monica Mountains, find…
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Central Valley Water and Wetlands with Ellen Wehr
1:09:41
1:09:41
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Did you know that California's Central Valley once contained a vast inland sea and was home to camels, 400 lb. saber-toothed salmon, and tiny four-tusked mastodons? Or that, just a couple of hundred years ago, it was a network of wetlands, peat bogs, riparian forests, and shallow lakes? So how did this place that was once so defined by an abundance…
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What's the problem with yellow hills? How do you trick a seed? What are the neighbors angry about? Where do restorationists get all those seeds? What's the difference between ecological restoration and restoration ecology? What does reconciliation have to do with it? How can we keep the world brimming with strange and beautiful creatures? Join me a…
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Dark Skies with Kayla Browne and Dan Duriscoe
42:13
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Most of us live in places where we can only see a few of the brightest stars in the sky at night, but what if that didn't have to be the case? Come with me and guests Kayla Browne and Dan Duriscoe to Death Valley, where we sit under a sky full of stars to discuss light pollution, bats, migrating birds, why dark skies are important, astronomy, place…
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Growth Mindset with John Muir Laws (BONUS Minisode!)
27:11
27:11
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How useful is IQ? What exactly is a growth mindset, and how is it different from a fixed mindset? What shifts can we make in our thinking that will allow us to learn and grow in new ways? Should you take Swahili lessons? How does all of this apply to being a naturalist and nature journaler? In this cute tiny bonus episode, come with me and John Mui…
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The Voice of the Voiceless: Twelve Gates Foundation President Speaks on Religious Freedom
18:52
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This podcast examines and compares the roots of Religious Freedom Rights found in the United States Constitution and in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights respectively. Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Watch the video here Transcription available here
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Did you know that no pretty pictures or artistic talent are required to create a highly effective nature journal? Rather, as John Muir Laws explains in this episode, nature journaling is about paying attention, presence in the moment, and thinking more effectively about the natural world all around you. Join Jack and I on a nature journaling advent…
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2022 and 2023: Thoughts from Twelve Gates Foundation
7:58
7:58
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Each end of year a great many people reflect on the year past, and look for signs about the year to come. Was 2022 a good year, or a bad one? Will 2023 be better? Or are we heading toward more difficult times? Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Transcription available here
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2022 and 2023: Thoughts from Twelve Gates Foundation
7:46
7:46
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Each end of year a great many people reflect on the year past, and look for signs about the year to come. Was 2022 a good year, or a bad one? Will 2023 be better? Or are we heading toward more difficult times? Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Transcription available here
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Happy New Year! Are you hoping to spend more time outdoors this year? This episode is for you! In it, I'm sharing seven of my favorite ways to connect more deeply with the natural world this year and beyond. My website is www.goldenstatenaturalist.com Support Golden State Naturalist on Patreon. You can find me on Instagram and TikTok @goldenstatena…
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California Native Plants with Naomi Fraga
59:50
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California is home to 6,500 native plant species, including some that are truly iconic, like coast redwoods, giant sequoias, bristlecone pines, and California poppies. If you're like me, you have a lot of questions about this wide variety of plants, like: What is it that makes native plants so important? What's the difference between a native plant…
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Twelve Gates Foundation President Speaks at the International Conference on the Family
14:25
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On November 19, 2022, Twelve Gates Foundation President, Dr. Frank Kaufmann, spoke at Universal Peace Federation and Professors World Peace Academy’s International Conference on the Family. Dr. Kaufmann gave a brief presentation on “Tradition, Youth, and New Family Values” at the Peace Embassy in Tirana, Albania. Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation…
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2022 California Naturalist Conference Highlights with José González, Rhiana Jones, Obi Kaufmann, and more!
1:10:09
1:10:09
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Do you want to know what some of the most experienced, most insightful naturalists in California have on their minds? You’ve come to the right place! This episode is jammed full of brilliant professors, authors, environmental directors, outdoor equity advocates, and science communicators, and they cover topics from traditional ecological knowledge …
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Ice Age California with Sean Campbell
1:03:39
1:03:39
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Have you ever wondered what was going on in California, oh, ten or fifty thousand years ago? About, perhaps, the social lives of saber-toothed cats, just how big giant ground sloths actually were, or the difference between a mammoth and a mastodon? Join me and Sean Campbell, Senior Paleontological Preparator at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, …
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Monarch Butterflies with Natalie Johnston
1:02:12
1:02:12
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What makes butterflies so magical? They are a wonder and a delight, and I’m so excited to be diving into a full episode about what is possibly the most iconic species of butterfly in the world: Monarchs. Have you ever wondered why they’re bright orange, how far they migrate, or why they capture our collective imagination? I have! Come with me to th…
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Fire Ecology with Robin Lee Carlson
1:15:38
1:15:38
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Hi there! It's season two now! Have you ever wondered what makes a "good fire" different from a "bad fire"? ME TOO. How about these: Which ecosystem needs fire more frequently--oak woodland or chaparral? What happens to animals during and after a wildfire? Are there any plants or animals with truly insane relationships with fire? (I'm going to spoi…
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Twelve Gates President Offers Brief Thoughts on the Future of the Metaverse
8:22
8:22
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On September 15, 2022, Dr. Frank Kaufmann, President of the Twelve Gates Foundation, offered brief thoughts on the future of the Metaverse at an online event sponsored by the Pew Research Center and Elon University. Dr. Kaufmann was one of six experts invited to speak at the Twitter Spaces audio program, “Hype, Hope or Hell?: The Metaverse in 2040”…
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Twelve Gates President Offers Brief Thoughts on the Future of the Metaverse
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On September 15, 2022, Dr. Frank Kaufmann, President of the Twelve Gates Foundation, offered brief thoughts on the future of the Metaverse at an online event sponsored by the Pew Research Center and Elon University. Dr. Kaufmann was one of six experts invited to speak at the Twitter Spaces audio program, “Hype, Hope or Hell?: The Metaverse in 2040”…
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Twelve Gates President's Speech at the World Peace Festival 2022
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This is a brief speech offered by Frank Kaufmann of the Twelve Gates Foundation to the 33rd Annual Peace Festival of the World Yoga Community. Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Watch the speech here Transcription available here
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Twelve Gates President's Speech at the World Peace Festival 2022
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This is a brief speech offered by Frank Kaufmann of the Twelve Gates Foundation to the 33rd Annual Peace Festival of the World Yoga Community. Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Watch the speech here Transcription available here
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Mid-Break Updates AND Conversation with Michael Hawk on Nature's Archive
1:03:28
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If you've been wondering what I've been up to or when I'll be back, this episode has your answers! PLUS, just as a bonus because I love you, here's an intro to an amazing podcaster named Michael Hawk, who is the creator of both Nature's Archive podcast and a new nonprofit called Jumpstart Nature. In the episode, we discuss both of our podcasting jo…
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Beavers (Drought and Wildfire Superheroes!) with Emily Fairfax
1:03:43
1:03:43
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Scale a beaver dam with me and Dr. Emily Fairfax, beaver researcher, ecohydrologist, assistant professor at CSU Channel Islands, and science communicator extraordinaire who has been featured on NPR's Science Friday and All Things Considered. In this episode, you'll hear us discuss ecosystem engineers, what beavers eat, the best time of year to look…
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Conglomerate Mesa (Joshua Trees! Desert Ecosystems! Gold Mining!) with Wendy Schneider
45:21
45:21
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When I first heard about Conglomerate Mesa, located on BLM land right outside of Death Valley, I had no idea how much ground a single episode could cover. This one's got everything, including what makes a place a desert, a little bit of geology, Joshua trees, the General Mining Act of 1872, juniper pinyon ecosystems, the rain shadow effect, a very …
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Scholars Interview with Dr. Bruce Tallman, Author of God's Ecstatic Love
1:00:20
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Dr. Bruce Tallman is an author, spiritual director, and marriage coach. As a full-time spiritual director since 2002, Dr. Tallman has worked with laity and clergy from every Christian denomination. He has published two books for spiritual directors (one of them, Finding Seekers: How to Develop a Spiritual Direction Practice from Beginning to Full-T…
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Giant Sequoias (World's Largest Trees!) with Wendy Harrison
50:54
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Have you ever looked up at something much larger than yourself and felt teeny tiny, but in a good way? That's the feeling I get when I walk among giant sequoias. It is pure wonderment. Join me as I learn more about this spectacular species from Wendy Harrison, who spent 30 years as an interpreter at Calaveras Big Trees State Park and now leads the …
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Twelve Gates Foundation Offers Closing Remarks at the World Yoga Festival
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Dr. Frank Kaufmann, President of the Twelve Gates Foundation, offers a brief message and prayer at the closing ceremony of the World Yoga Festival. Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Transcript available here
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Friends and Political Difference in Polarized Times
20:12
20:12
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How does political polarization affect friendship? Visit us at Twelve Gates Foundation Transcript available here
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Entomology (Bugs!) with Ralph Washington Jr.
1:08:05
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If you're here and you're like "ehhhhh, maybe I'll skip this one," don't! It's seriously so good even if bugs aren't usually your thing. Ralph Washington Jr. is not only a bug genius with a Master's in Entomology from UC Davis and more accolades than you can shake a stick at, but he's also insightful, passionate, and easy to listen to. You'll learn…
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Have you ever been out hiking and heard an eerie chorus of barks, yips, and howls somewhere off in the distance? Or seen some scat that looked more like a bunch of smooshed up seeds and fur? You might have had a near brush with a coyote (or several!). In this episode, I interview Sara Tabatabai from Effie Yeaw Nature Center, located right on the Am…
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Guerrilla (Not Gorilla) Conservation with Shalaco from SFinBloom
1:01:33
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Have you ever wanted to do something for the environment but gotten discouraged because the problems just seem too big and insurmountable? This happens to me ALL. THE. TIME. Shalaco from SF in Bloom, though? Undaunted. When he and his partner, Phoenix, realized that pollinators were struggling and how much native plants could help, he got himself a…
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