Slough Cast
Hello! Welcome to the Slough Cast, the Elkhorn Slough Foundation podcast. Elkhorn Slough is one of California’s last great coastal wetlands. We see Elkhorn Slough and its watershed protected forever—a working landscape where people, farming, industry, and nature thrive together. Here on the Slough Cast, we’ll explore Elkhorn Slough together, build community, and share stories of this special place. https://www.elkhornslough.org/
Original Cover art by Lena Champlin.
Episodes
12 episodes
Building Things Nobody Will See
This episode explores our work to remove one of California's most controversial invasive species—eucalyptus. At Elkhorn Slough, removing eucalyptus trees preserves groundwater, reduces wildfire risks, and restores balance to native ecosystems. ...
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19:44
Secret Architects of the Prairie
In this episode, Juan and Ross dive into the ecological magic of dung beetles in the coastal prairie habitat at ESF's Porter Ranch. Suzanne Lipton, PhD candidate at UCSC, shares the many beauties of beetledom and explains how innovative pasture...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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27:44
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Planting Soil
In this episode, Juan and Ross learn about coast live oak restoration (Quercus agrifolia) on a former strawberry farm. Connor O'Hara Baker, one of ESF's land stewards, shares an innovative experiment to see whether planting whole soil communiti...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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25:47
Students of the Land
In this episode, Juan and Paola learn how to preserve water and stop erosion using "process-based restoration." With Cameron Chao, Stewardship Specialist for the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, they explore a 100-year-old gully near Elkhorn Slough a...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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21:53
Growing Cooperatively
In this episode, Juan learns about native plants with Mary Paul and Kalipay Somosot, two native plant stewards. Mary and Kalipay discuss plant relationships, native species restoration, seed farming, and what makes natives so unique and importa...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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19:41
Healing Sand Hill Farm
In this episode, Juan explores the restoration story of Sand Hill Farm on a hike with Stewardship Director Dash Dunkell. Learn all about how ESF is healing damaged ecosystems, preventing erosion, and restoring habitats on former farmland.
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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14:07
I'm On a Boat
In this episode, Juan takes a boat trip through the slough with the legendary Ron Eby, one of the Reserve's foremost otter experts. Join them for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hester Marsh restoration and get up close and personal with the am...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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14:23
In Search of Salamanders
In this episode, Juan goes searching for rare amphibians with Reserve biologist Susie Fork. While Juan learns how to use a dipnet, Susie talks about why habitat protection is so important for these endangered species in Elkhorn Slough.
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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17:58
Fancy words for charcoal
In this episode, Juan sits down with Dash Dunkell, Elkhorn Slough Foundation's Stewardship Director. They talk about eucalyptus trees, why they're a problem, and even how to turn them into the magical eco-charcoal known as "biochar." Join us as...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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19:41
Connecting with the land and each other
In this episode, Juan sits down with Ross to talk about his approach to community outreach. Juan discusses the importance of building a relationship with ourselves, each other, and nature. Original music by Ross Robertson.
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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15:50
Bats and the Land Dude
In our second episode, we sit down with Ken Collins, the “land dude.” Ken talks about his work throughout the watershed, the impact this place has had on him—and bats. These cute little animals have been his tenants at Porter Ranch, pr...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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14:37
Magic at the Slough with Ariel Hunter
Welcome to the Slough Cast! In our first episode, we’ll introduce you to Elkhorn Slough and explore how special this place is with our guest Ariel Hunter, the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. Ariel describes a magi...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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18:02