Pepperwood Podcast

Pepperwood Foundation

The Pepperwood Podcast is a monthly podcast, hosted by Julianne Bradbury. Join us as we speak with experts on conservation, landscape connectivity, biodiversity, science, stewardship, and everything in between.

Episodes

  1. Birdwatching Breakthroughs: How Volunteers are Transforming Bird Conservation

    MAR 19

    Birdwatching Breakthroughs: How Volunteers are Transforming Bird Conservation

    Since 2007, Pepperwood has actively engaged dedicated volunteers in monitoring the behavior of local bird populations. Science volunteer Sean Jeane shares his valuable experience of gathering critical data through careful listening, highlighting the skills he's honed along the way. Additionally, Ecology Research Manager Michelle Halbur provides insights into the significant findings we've uncovered about local bird populations by analyzing the data contributed by Sean and his fellow volunteers. Their combined efforts enhance our understanding of these vital ecosystems and contribute to conservation efforts. Links bonanza! Support long-term monitoring and our new Motus tower with a donation to the Pepperwood FoundationCornell Lab links: Macaulay Library to access recorded bird vocalizations, All About Birds to learn more about bird species, Merlin Bird ID to download the smartphone application, and eBird to contribute bird observationsPepperwood also contributes breeding bird survey data to the Environmental Data Initiative and the Avian Knowledge NetworkLearn more (and join an annual birding event!) at the West Sonoma County Christmas Bird Count websiteLearn more about the movement to change eponymous bird names at Bird Names for Birds website and Bird Names for the 21st Century, an article from the American Birding Association. This episode’s bird vocalization clips were used courtesy of Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library. Clips were recorded by Paul Marvin, Bob McGuire, Randolph Little, Thomas G. Sander, Paul Fenwick, Ed Pandolfino, Timothy Piranian, I'm Birding Right Now (Teresa & Miles Tuffli), and Bob Hasenick Send your guesses for this episode’s Mystery Nature Sound to podcast@pepperwoodpreserve.org!

    48 min
  2. What is a Sentinel Site for Nature?

    12/17/2025

    What is a Sentinel Site for Nature?

    Sentinel Sites for Nature are strategic locations, such as preserves or sanctuaries, where scientists conduct long-term and standardized monitoring of physical and biological conditions, including climate, wildlife, and water. This monitoring helps detect and understand environmental changes, providing crucial early warnings of impacts from climate change, pollution, and habitat loss. The data gathered enables better conservation decisions. Using consistent methods like camera monitoring, audio monitoring, meteorological, and soil sensor data, these sites track the pulse of the natural world across vast networks like California's Sentinel Site Network or NOAA's Marine Sanctuaries. These data help scientists establish baselines and track trends, supporting stewardship and public safety more effectively. Pepperwood is part of California's Sentinel Site Network and was among the first such sites established in the state. It is also one of the most highly instrumented of such sites, with more than 700 real-time data streams. Take a tour through our extensive collection of monitoring sensors with Ryan Ferrell, Pepperwood's Sentinel Site Manager. Ryan describes how collecting abiotic data can inform our adaptive management plan, and what that process is like in his day-to-day experience. You can read more about this, including additional projects within the Sentinel Site and links to our regional partners, in the April 2025 article What is a Sentinel Site. This episode's Nature Sound Guess Who Game clip, recorded by Geoffrey A. Keller, was used courtesy of Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.

    46 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
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5 Ratings

About

The Pepperwood Podcast is a monthly podcast, hosted by Julianne Bradbury. Join us as we speak with experts on conservation, landscape connectivity, biodiversity, science, stewardship, and everything in between.