#51: Dr. Karlisa Callwood – The Combined Ecology of Parrotfish, Spiny Lobsters, and People in Coral Reef Systems

Summary My guest today is Dr. Karlisa Callwood. Dr. Callwood is the director of the community conservation education and action program for the Perry Institute for Marine Science, and an expert on the coral reef fisheries of the Bahamas, and has a PhD in Ecosystem Science and Policy from the University of Miami in Florida. … More #51: Dr. Karlisa Callwood – The Combined Ecology of Parrotfish, Spiny Lobsters, and People in Coral Reef Systems

#50: Dr. Brian Brown – Phenomenal Phorid Flies, Hyperdiversity, DNA Barcoding, and more

Summary Today’s guest is Dr. Brian Brown, Curator of Entomology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. A native of Toronto, Canada, Dr. Brown did his undergraduate and masters work at the University of Guelph. During the latter, under the tutelage of well known entomologist Steve Marshall, Dr. Brown took up the study … More #50: Dr. Brian Brown – Phenomenal Phorid Flies, Hyperdiversity, DNA Barcoding, and more

#49: Jessica Wolff – Coexisting With Urban Wildlife

Summary As cities grow further into wildlands and natural habitats, and as animals attempt to adapt to these urban environments, it is inevitable that people and wildlife will come into more contact. My guest today, Jessica Wolff, works to help people and wildlife when these interactions occur. She is an Urban Wildlife Coordinator for the … More #49: Jessica Wolff – Coexisting With Urban Wildlife

#47: Field Guide to Field Guides with Cricket Raspet, Allen Fish, and Michael Hawk

Summary Warning – listen to this episode at your own risk! If you aren’t careful, you may find yourself out a few hundred dollars. Why? Today we’re talking field guides, you know, the books and apps that help you identify, find and learn about all kinds of amazing creatures. There are so many amazing field … More #47: Field Guide to Field Guides with Cricket Raspet, Allen Fish, and Michael Hawk

#46: Paul Johnson – Finding and Counting Butterflies

Summary My guest today is Paul Johnson. Paul is a Wildlife Biologist at Pinnacles National Park, and a long time lepidopterist, or one who studies butterflies and moths. Paul also leads several North American Butterfly Association (NABA) butterfly counts in California, which is how I got connected with Paul in the first place, and a … More #46: Paul Johnson – Finding and Counting Butterflies

#45: Siena Mckim – The Wild World of Sea Sponges

Summary My guest today is Siena Mckim. Siena is a PhD student at UC Santa Barbara studying sponges in the kelp forest, which is arguably one of the most iconic marine communities. In particular, she’s looking at sponge symbionts – basically, the tiny marine organisms that use sponges as a habitat.  Today we hear about … More #45: Siena Mckim – The Wild World of Sea Sponges

#44: Eric Eaton – Insectpedia, Insect Ecology, Wasps, and the Future of Entomology

My guest today is entomologist extraordinaire Eric Eaton. Learn about Eric’s non-traditional path to entomology and writing. And do you know what a fly belt is? As a hint. I’ll tell you it’s not a leather strip used to keep it flies pants on. Joking aside, you’ll hear exactly what the fly belt is and how the tsetse fly is filling a preservationist role. You’ll hear an amazing story about how a certain wasp targets, yellow jacket wasps, but only indirectly through a third party caterpillar – prepare to have your mind blown. … More #44: Eric Eaton – Insectpedia, Insect Ecology, Wasps, and the Future of Entomology

#42: Dr. Peter Alagona – Cities: The Accidental Ecosystem

Summary I live in a city of 1 million people that is part of a metropolitan area of close to 8 million people. Yet, at my suburban home I often hear Coyotes howling at night, turkeys gobbling in the morning, and great-horned owls hooting. There are Bald Eagles that nest near a school not too … More #42: Dr. Peter Alagona – Cities: The Accidental Ecosystem

#41: Michael Kauffmann: Conifers – Extreme Survivors

Summary My guest in this episode is Michael Kauffmann. He’s a life-long educator, ecologist, and author, as well as founder of Backcountry Press. He’s also an expert in conifers – those wonderful trees that include some of the tallest, widest, and oldest living trees on Earth. Think Giant Sequoia, Coast Redwood, and Bristlecone Pine for … More #41: Michael Kauffmann: Conifers – Extreme Survivors