Learning the Land artwork

Learning the Land

20 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratings

We're bringing you all things conservation, wildlife, and trails in Santa Cruz County...and beyond!

Nature Science Earth Sciences
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Learning the Land - Season 2 Episode 5: Wildlife Monitoring and Connectivity

December 13, 2023 19:00 - 38 minutes - 26.8 MB

In this episode we have the pleasure of speaking to Wildlife Researcher Ahíga Snyder of Pathways for Wildlife. Ahiga and partner Tanya Diamond , a Wildlife Ecologist, founded Pathways for Wildlife to help land trusts, conservation organizations, and transportation agencies identify important wildlife and habitat linkages for land conservation efforts. Their work involves conducting wildlife connectivity surveys and implementing connectivity designs for wildlife movement within a landscape. ...

Learning the Land - Season 2 Episode 4: Protecting Farmland to Build Resilience

July 19, 2023 20:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MB

In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the Land Trust’s conservation priorities – to protect and manage working lands to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability. The vibrant working lands of Santa Cruz County face the dual threats of suburban sprawl and a changing climate, which will increase flooding, drought stress, and fire. Actively managing working lands—especially in flood-prone areas or on steep slopes—can have multiple benefits for surrounding areas.  T...

Learning the Land - Season 2 Episode 3: A New Crossing

April 26, 2023 20:00 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MB

Well, hey there, Land Trust listeners! And welcome to today’s episode of Learning the Land. We’re shaking things up and offering this episode both as a podcast AND video – so if you want to enjoy some fun maps, pictures, and footage that go with today’s discussion, head over to our youtube channel. In this episode, we’re focusing on the Land Trust’s initiative to protect biodiversity throughout Santa Cruz County -  and specifically, its endangered wildlife protection work. Now, this is not ...

Learning the Land - Creating a Conservation Roadmap

March 29, 2023 22:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MB

The Land Trust recently launched its new Conservation Roadmap, which outlines our county-wide initiatives for the next five years!  The Roadmap is packed with projects that are aimed at addressing Santa Cruz County’s most pressing needs for wildlife, creating access to nature, and mitigating the drastic effects of climate disruption, which has hit our community hard over the last five years.  In this episode, we interview Land Trust Executive Director, Sarah Newkirk, to learn more about the...

Learning the Land - Season 2 Episode 2: Creating a Conservation Roadmap

March 29, 2023 22:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MB

The Land Trust recently launched its new Conservation Roadmap, which outlines our county-wide initiatives for the next five years!  The Roadmap is packed with projects that are aimed at addressing Santa Cruz County’s most pressing needs for wildlife, creating access to nature, and mitigating the drastic effects of climate disruption, which has hit our community hard over the last five years.  In this episode, we interview Land Trust Executive Director, Sarah Newkirk, to learn more about the...

Learning the Land Episode 11: The Science of the Open Range

December 19, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MB

Hey there, Land Trust Listeners! In this extended episode, we join up with Rangeland Scientist Larry Ford, Ph.D. to learn more about the science of the open range - and how grazing can help protect endangered species, create biodiversity, and provide new economic opportunity based in conservation!

Learning the Land Season 2 Episode 1: The Science of the Open Range

December 19, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MB

Hey there, Land Trust Listeners! In this extended episode, we join up with Rangeland Scientist Larry Ford, Ph.D. to learn more about the science of the open range - and how grazing can help protect endangered species, create biodiversity, and provide new economic opportunity based in conservation!

Learning the Land Episode 10 - Central Coast Wilds

February 03, 2022 19:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MB

 Did you know grasslands are as crucial as forests in sequestering carbon? Or that using site-specific native plants in restoration ensures the success of local wildlife? In this episode, we interview Matt Marshall at Central Coast Wilds to learn about the importance of native plants as well as the critical role Central Coast Wilds plays in ecological restoration efforts throughout the Bay Area. 

Learning the Land Episode 7 - Creating Safe Passage Part 2

September 17, 2021 03:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MB

Welcome back, Land Trust Listeners! In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the Land Trust's Wildlife Connectivity work with Project Director Dan Medieros. Together we'll learn about the Land Trust's newest project and site of our second wildlife crossing, Rocks Ranch -particularly why this property is so critical in creating safe passage for the Santa Cruz Mountain Lions to the Gabilan Range.

Learning the Land Episode 10 - A Love for the Land

September 16, 2021 18:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MB

Thinking about our legacy and what's been meaningful in our lives can take many forms. In this episode, Membership Manager Sarah McMurray interviews Donor Relations Manager Laura Dannehl-Schickman about the Land Trust's legacy program and why people might choose to honor their connection to the land as part of their legacy.

Learning the Land Episode 8 - A Love for the Land

September 16, 2021 18:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MB

Thinking about our legacy and what's been meaningful in our lives can take many forms. In this episode, Membership Manager Sarah McMurray interviews Donor Relations Manager Laura Dannehl-Schickman about the Land Trust's legacy program and why people might choose to honor their connection to the land as part of their legacy.

Learning the Land Episode 9 - A Land Trust Leader

September 16, 2021 18:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MB

We're excited to introduce the Land Trust's new Executive Director, Sarah Newkirk! In this episode, guest host and Development and Communications Director, Calah Pasley, interviews the Land Trust's new leader, Sarah Newkirk, about her previous work with The Nature Conservancy, the origins of her love for nature, and her plans for the Land Trust's future.  Get ready to be excited for what's coming next for our work in Santa Cruz County!

Learning the Land Episode 7 - Creating Safe Passage

September 16, 2021 01:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MB

In this two-part series, we interview Land Trust Project Director Dan Medeiros about our wildlife connectivity work in Santa Cruz County. Part 1 delves into our work to create a Highway 17 wildlife tunnel. This 10-year project has pioneered new partnerships with diverse organizations to create safe passage for our county's wildlife - particularly the Santa Cruz Mountain Lion! Together we'll learn about the history of the project, the upcoming groundbreaking, and how this first-of-its-kind p...

Learning the Land: Episode 6 - Welcome to Byrne-Milliron Forest

July 02, 2021 20:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MB

Well, hey there, Land Trust Listeners! In today's episode, we're trying something new and exploring the history of one of our most beloved properties - Byrne-Milliron Forest.  We're joined by former Land Trust Stewardship Manager (and unofficial Byrne historian) Lynn Overtree to learn more about the property's fascinating history. About Byrne-Milliron Forest: This magical, 400-acre wood was one of the Land Trust's first public access properties. Located in Corralitos, the forest is a lovely...

Learning the Land: Episode 5 - Climate Change, Agriculture, and Pandemics

June 12, 2021 00:00 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MB

Hey there Land Trust listeners! This month’s episode of Learning the Land brings you a special interview with Lauren Snyder, PhD. of the Organic Farming Research Foundation. Together, we’ll explore how preserving open spaces and adopting organic farming practices can help mitigate climate change...and even potentially prevent future pandemics.  

Learning the Land: Episode 4 - Working and Conserving Farmland in the Pajaro Valley

April 14, 2021 00:00 - 52 minutes - 35.8 MB

In this episode, we conclude our three-part working lands series by interviewing Land Trust Conservation Director Bryan Largay about the Land Trust's efforts to preserve the Pajaro Valley's nutrient-rich ag land. Together, we'll learn about why we must protect this invaluable resource as well as how the Land Trust stewards its own working ranch - Watsonville Slough Farm! 

Learning the Land: Episode 3 - Conservation Grazing

March 19, 2021 20:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MB

In this episode, we meet again with Natural Resource Manager, Matthew Timmer, to continue our conversation about the Land Trust's working lands. In this conversation we focus on "Conservation Grazing" - a beneficial practice we use to maintain endangered species habitat at the Glenwood Open Space Preserve.  But it's not all rolling hills and sunshine - running a small cattle operation is challenging, and Matt tackles the difficulties faced by our local cattle operator partners and what it m...

Learning the Land: Episode 2 - Working Lands and Selective Timber Harvesting

February 03, 2021 17:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MB

In this episode of the Learning the Land podcast, we’re kicking off a three-part mini-series about our working lands! Specifically, how we integrate timber harvesting, cattle grazing, and farming into our land management plans. Working lands can sometimes seem at odds with conservation goals, so we’re interviewing our Natural Resources Manager, Matthew Timmer, to get a better understanding of why it can be beneficial to protect AND work the land. Our focus in this episode is on our working ...

Learning the Land: Episode 2 - Working Lands and Selective Timber Harvesting

February 03, 2021 17:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MB

In this episode of the Learning the Land podcast, we’re kicking off a three-part mini-series about our working lands! Specifically, how we integrate timber harvesting, cattle grazing, and farming into our land management plans. Working lands can sometimes seem at odds with conservation goals, so we’re interviewing our Natural Resources Manager, Matthew Timmer, to get a better understanding of why it can be beneficial to protect AND work the land. Our focus in this episode is on our working ...

Learning the Land: Episode 1 - Interview with Bat Ecologist Bethany Schulze

January 07, 2021 22:00 - 56 minutes - 38.8 MB

CONNECTING WILDLIFE TO NATURE In our first episode of the Learning the Land podcast, we go a little batty for bats while speaking with Bat Ecologist and Acoustics Specialist, Bethany Schulze. We learn more about our local bats and the impact Bethany’s research could have on shaping urban boundaries and wildland conservation policy. Research, like Bethany’s, on local ecosystems and wildlife, is critical to helping pass local and state legislation that protects open spaces and wildlands. We a...