Conservation Starters

This month on Conservation Starters, we're joined by Becca Anderson, Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Small Farms & Urban Ag Specialist. Together, we discuss how urban agriculture differs from "big ag" and how folks in our community are coming up with innovative ways to grow food on small tracks of land. Becca also talks more about NRCS and what type of techn...

On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we chat with TJ Jenkins, Thurston Conservation District's (TCD) Habitat Restoration Field Crew Lead. Together, we discuss the exciting and impactful projects our habitat restoration field crew has been working on. TJ gives us the rundown on TCD's field crew and Veteran Conservation Corps internship programs and shares how folks can l...

On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we chat with Paul D'Agnolo from the Office of Farmland Preservation at the WA State Conservation Commission and our own Nora Carman-White. They provide context and information about the state of farmland loss in Washington, why saving farmland from development is essential, and some of the tools for doing that preservation that support fa...

On this episode of Conservation Starters, we're joined by Ecostudies Institute Director of Science, Sarah Hamman and WSU Thurston County Extension Director, Stephen Bramwell. Together, we discuss the ecological and cultural importance of our South Sound Prairies. We delve into a recent study Sarah, Stephen, and their teams produced that looked at the ecological and economic benefits of grazin...

On this episode of  Conservation Starters, we're joined by WSU Extension Forester, Patrick Shultz. Together, we discuss the new threat the emerald ash borer, an invasive wood boring beetle brings to Western Washington. We talk about the importance of our native and ornamental ash trees. Patrick also breaks down practical ways Thurston County residents can help slow the spread of this invasive...

This month on Conservation Starters, Nora Carman-White, Communication & Education Manager at TCD takes the reigns as host to interview your usual Conservation Starters host, Kiana Sinner. Together, we discuss the importance of connecting with our community and the strategies we use to reach out. We talk about our educational workshops, Native Plant Festival & Sale, and volunteer program. W...

 This month on Conservation Starters, we're joined for a second time by TCD's Senior Natural Resource Specialist, Adam Peterson. During this episode, we delve into the topic of soil health. Adam breaks down why soil health is so important and teaches us how we can make sure we're protecting the soil in our backyard! We also discuss the District's soil testing program and even a...

 This month on Conservation Starters, we're joined by Washington State Orca Recovery Coordinator, Tara Galuska. During this episode, we learn more about our local Southern Resident orca pods, why they are endangered, and why it's important that we protect them. Tara shares the threats that Southern Resident orcas face and what we can do in our daily lives to make a difference for this vi...

This month, on Conservation Starters, were joined by TCD's Conservation Program Manager Karin Strelioff, Engineering Geologist and Hydrogeologist Wendy Gerstel, and ISA Certified Arborist Ray Gleason. This second part episode takes a deep dive into our local shorelines. Wendy, a local geologist teaches us about the glacial formation of our Puget Sound beaches and delves into how water managem...

 This month, on Conservation Starters, were joined by TCD's Conservation Program Manager, Karin Strelioff, and Patrick Townsend, a Puget Sound shoreline landowner. During this episode, we learn about the Shore Friendly Program and how partners from around Puget Sound are working together to assist shoreline property owners to protect their property and the vital habitat that surrounds it. We...

 This month, on Conservation Starters, were joined by Stephanie Bishop and Sam Nadell, TCD's youth education staff. During this episode, we learn about the history of our k-12 program South Sound GREEN and how it has evolved and grown over the last 30 years to meet the growing need for hands-on science education in Thurston County. We also discuss the challenges our staff faced and the soluti...

This month, on Conservation Starters, were joined by 5th generation farmer Carissa Miller who is the owner and operator of Withywindle Valley Farm and TCD's Senior Natural Resource Specialist, Marguerite Abplanalp. Together, we discuss the challenges and triumphs that come with being a farmer in Thurston County and learn about the Voluntary Stewardship Program - a program that offers local pr...

 This month, on Conservation Starters, we're joined by Adam Petersen who is one of Thurston Conservation District's Senior Natural Resource Specialists. Adam's background in GIS and crop science, coupled with his personal interest in climate change and emergency preparedness, makes him the perfect guest to discuss the local impacts of climate change and how our community can best pr...

This month, on Conservation Starters we're joined by Margaret Kreder our local stewardship forester. We discuss how forest landowners can be good stewards of their property whether that's in their back yard or their back forty. Margaret, who offers forestry site visits to local landowners, tells us what types of common problems she sees in forest stands and the best way to combat them. W...

During this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we're joined by four guests! Mara Healy our Senior Habitat Restoration Specialist, Nick George & Cassie Doll from USFW Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, and Jake Yancey of Tracking Y Ranch. These guests join us to talk about the Frogs on Farms program. During this conversation, we discuss how local landowners and pro...

 During this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we sit down with Thurston Conservation District's Executive Director, Sarah Moorehead. In our conversation, we delve into the history of conservation districts and how they formed to readily respond to local needs. We discuss the current priorities of Thurston Conservation District and share how we serve the community members of Thur...

Conservation Starters is a podcast created by the Thurston Conservation District. This series is dedicated to empowering Thurston County residents to steward our shared natural resources. Through thoughtful conversations with TCD staff, community partners, and community members we explore a program or issue related to the work of the Conservation District and how our community can engage with us a...