Central Coast Naturalist

This week, host Frankie Gerraty reports on the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (a severe form of "bird flu") affecting marine mammals on the central California coast.

On this episode, host Niki Sridhar discusses the current superbloom in Death Valley, exploring the conditions that lead to these events and their ecological impacts on surrounding ecosystems.

In this two-part conversation, ecologist Bastien Dehaudt shares his PhD research in Cameroon, where he studied duikers, small forest antelopes that play a large role as seed dispersers. He explains that duikers disperse seeds through two primary internal pathways: regurgitation and defecation. Together, these pathways influence how far seeds travel, where they establish, and which tree species suc...

In this two-part conversation, ecologist Bastien Dehaudt shares his PhD research in Cameroon, where he studied duikers, small forest antelopes that play a large role as seed dispersers. He explains that duikers disperse seeds through two primary internal pathways: regurgitation and defecation. Together, these pathways influence how far seeds travel, where they establish, and which tree species suc...

On this week's episode, host Frankie Gerraty interviews Marina Luccioni—a PhD student at Stanford—about the diverse ways that lunar cycles influence wildlife.

On this week's episode, host Emma Yockman interviews Garrett Shipway, a PhD student studying elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park. We learn together about what the elephant seals are up to for the New Year, at New Year's Island!

In this week's episode, host Emma Yockman interviews Santa Cruz local lichen & bryophyte expert Ken Kellman, and learns about their tiny lives.

In this week's episode, host Frankie Gerraty discusses the two skunk species that live along the Central California coast.

In this week's episode, host Emma Yockman interviews Santa Cruz local oak expert Al Keuter about how the wonderful world of oak trees (genus: Quercus).

Happy spooky season! This week, host Frankie Gerraty talks to spider aficionado Ciara Wanket about tarantulas.

This week, host Frankie Gerraty continues his conversation with mountain lion biologist John Morgan. They discuss recreation, roads, and the ways that humans and mountain lions interact.

This week, host Frankie Gerraty and mountain lion biologist John Morgan discuss the ecology of mountain lions in the Santa Cruz mountains.

In this week's episode, host Frankie Gerraty discusses a fascinating and under-appreciated marine snail that lives in rocky intertidal zones: owl limpets!

In this week's episode, host Frankie Gerraty and seabird biologist Aspen Ellis discuss breeding colonies of cormorants that are visible in springtime along the Santa Cruz coastline.

In this week's episode—part two of a two-parter—host Frankie Gerraty continues his discussion with Anjana Parandhaman about Santa Cruz long-toed salamander conservation and the best ways to explore amphibians in your back yard.

In this week's episode—part one of a two-parter—host Frankie Gerraty talks with Anjana Parandhaman about Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders and amphibian conservation.

Host Niki Sridhar talks to PhD student Madeline McNelis about the current status of otter populations along the Central Coast and a snippet into her life as an otter biologist.

Join us for an interview with Chloe Rickards (M.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) on how she combines science and art to illuminate the beauty and diversity of mushrooms! Chloe will be facilitating an art workshop at the Santa Cruz Fungus Fair from January 11-12th at the London Nelson Community Center. Find out more about the Fungus Fair at this link, https://ffsc.us/fair, and join Chloe for...

In this episode, Nikka chats with Joe Miller, Director of Fort Ord Natural Reserve, about the incredible wildlife that inhabits the unique landscape of the reserve. To learn more about ways to get involved with the reserve, check out part two of our talk next week and sign up for the reserve's mailing list: https://forms.gle/c3PaUmekeFKe6mVt9

In this weeks episode, host Frankie Gerraty explores the biophysical phenomenon of king tides.

Host Niki Sridhar talks with UCSC PhD Candidate Ben Walker about his experience researching climate change effects on Dungeness crabs.

Nikka continues her chat with Joe Miller, the Director of Fort Ord Natural Reserve, a place where students and community members alike can get up close with their local flora and fauna. If you'd like to get involved with events at the reserve, sign up for their mailing list here: https://forms.gle/c3PaUmekeFKe6mVt9

In this episode, hosted by Frankie Gerraty, we continue our conversation with Ben Rivera about the social and ecological history of sand dunes along the California coast.

In this episode, hosted by Frankie Gerraty, we speak with Ben Rivera about the ecology of sand dunes and his research on collaborative dune restoration at Año Nuevo State Park.

In this episode, host Frankie Gerraty discusses the wild nightlife that takes place on Santa Cruz beaches.