Santa Cruz Naturalist

Feb 20 2024
Santa Cruz Naturalist Podcast artwork

Santa Cruz Naturalist invites listeners to join UCSC Ecology and Evolutionary Biology graduate students as they explore nature in and around Santa Cruz County. Each episode will enrich your next experience with nature as you learn fascinating insights (from local experts) about the creatures that inhabit your favorite hiking trails, beaches and even your own backyard.

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Steelhead Trout

Feb 20 2024 4 mins  
In this week's episode, host Frankie Gerraty chats with Georgia Third, a fisheries ecologist and PhD student at UC Santa Cruz. They chat about genetics, snorkeling in rivers, and all things steelhead trout.

Wildflowers (Part 2)

Jan 16 2024 4 mins  
This episode is part 2 of our conversation with Julia Harenčár, a botanist, evolutionary biologist, and PhD candidate at UC Santa Cruz. Frankie and Julia discuss weeds, evolution, and Julia's favorite plants!

Wildflowers (Part 1)

Jan 09 2024 4 mins  
In this episode, host Frankie Gerraty interviews Julia Harenčár, a botanist, evolutionary biologist, and PhD candidate at UC Santa Cruz. They discuss when and where to find wildflowers in Santa Cruz county, and how to identify them!

Birds love aquaculture! Pt 2

Dec 18 2023 3 mins  
In this week's episode with host Niki Sridhar, we continue our conversation with Keenan Chau-Pech on effects of aquaculture facilities in Tomales Bay on the entire ecosystem!

Birds love aquaculture!

Oct 10 2023 4 mins  
On this episode, host Niki Sridhar interviews undergraduate researcher Keenan Chau-Pech on his recent project looking at ecosystem services of aquaculture facilities in Tomales Bay. Spoiler alert: birds are attracted to habitat created by aquaculture gear!

Bioluminescence

Aug 22 2023 3 mins  
This week, hosts Frankie Gerraty and Nikka Malakooti discuss the biology underpinning the unique bioluminescence currently taking place along the Santa Cruz coastline.

Sea Otter Drama

Jul 18 2023 3 mins  
In otter news, Frankie Gerraty covers a developing story about "841," a southern sea otter who has gotten too comfortable with humans—so comfortable, in fact, that she has been stealing surfboards!

Fence Ecology

Apr 18 2023 3 mins  
In this episode, host Frankie Gerraty discusses the ecological effects of one of the most common and widespread human infrastructures: fencing.

Fire Ecology and Cultural Burning - Part 2

Feb 28 2023 4 mins  
In this week's episode, host Frankie Gerraty continues his conversation with Nicolás Cruz about prescribed and cultural burning. 

Fire Ecology and Cultural Burning - Part 1

Feb 21 2023 4 mins  
In this episode, host Frankie Gerraty talks to fire ecologist Nicolás Cruz about forest fires, cultural burning, and his research on the role of fire in wetland ecosystems.