Science, Solutions, Santa Cruz

Seymour Studios

Hosted by Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, this podcast spotlights groundbreaking research in Santa Cruz, California, and shares actionable, positive environmental news from the region. Featuring in-depth conversations with scientists from UC Santa Cruz and beyond, along with local leaders and environmental experts, the show makes complex science accessible while highlighting real progress and tangible solutions protecting our unique coastal community.

  1. 4d ago

    Senator John Laird on 50 Years of Conservation in California

    Imagine sitting by Mission Street for an hour and only seeing 5 cars pass through, or being in one of the first graduating classes from the “new” school of UC Santa Cruz. That’s the perspective Senator John Laird brings to this episode as shares his extensive experience across California’s local and state governments. As he reflects on the past 50 years of environmental policy, he highlights the long-term mindset needed to tackle looming problems when short-term budgets and election cycles cloud the decision making process. Approaching the end of his term limit as a Senator is not slowing him down, but fueling his fire to do as much as he can to set future generations up for success. Check out this episode with Senator Laird for a deep discussion on purpose, politics, and perseverance in the past half century of California legislation. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Senator John Laird's Environmental Journey 01:38 Senator Laird's Early Years and Connection to Santa Cruz 02:35 Involvement in Santa Cruz City Council and Environmental Initiatives 04:23 The Blue Wall and Anti-Oil Drilling Campaigns 07:41 Origins of Environmental Advocacy and Water Policy in California 10:25 Water Independence in Santa Cruz and State Water Issues 12:21 Water Bond and Infrastructure Challenges in California 15:04 Levee Repair and Flood Prevention in Pajaro Valley 18:06 The Pajaro River Levee Breach and Emergency Response 20:18 Innovative State Funding for Local Water Projects 22:57 Climate Change, Ocean Health, and Water Recycling 27:15 Saltwater Intrusion and Groundwater Management 29:31 Bridging Short-Term and Long-Term Environmental Planning 38:20 Role of Long-Term Monitoring and Science in Ocean Protection 43:06 Future Challenges and Opportunities in Santa Cruz 48:01 Final Reflections and Call to Action Resources: Senator John Laird - Official Website - https://sd23.senate.ca.gov/ California Ocean Protection Council - https://www.opc.ca.gov/ Save Our Shores - https://saveourshores.org/ Water Recycling in California - UCLA Study by Andy Fisher - https://www.uclalawreview.org/ Cap-and-Trade Program - California Air Resources Board - https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/cap-and-trade Keywords: environmental policy, water management, climate resilience, Santa Cruz, ocean protection, levee repair, water recycling, coastal planning

    53 min

  2. Jul 1

    CSI: Condors, Ep. 1 - “Guts Full of Lead” with Myra Finkelstein

    After chasing illegal fishing boats and skydiving to disrupt illegal wildlife hunts, Myra Finkelstein’s unique journey from the skies to the high seas led her to become a professor of environmental toxicology at UC Santa Cruz. Her research on lead poisoning has identified major threats to scavenging species, including the iconic California Condor, and helped inform a ban on lead ammunition in the state. Tune in to learn what an isotope actually is and discover how bird feathers can provide a toxin timeline. Myra also shares how, for once, a big problem actually has a simple solution.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to California Condors and Lead Poisoning 12:26 Myra Finkelstein's Journey to Environmental Activism 25:14 The Science of Environmental Toxicology and Condor Conservation 26:16 The Impact of Science on Policy Change 28:21 Community Engagement and Conservation Efforts 30:23 Challenges in Condor Recovery 33:11 The Role of Hunting in Lead Poisoning 37:46 Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Lead Ban 41:26 Future Directions in Conservation Efforts Resources Ventana Wildlife Society - Non-lead ammunition program - https://www.ventanaws.org Hunting with Non-Lead.org - Institute for Wildlife Studies - https://huntingwithnonlead.org California Fish and Wildlife - Lead Ammunition Ban - https://wildlife.ca.gov The Story of Plastic (Documentary) - https://www.storyofplastic.org Keywords California condors, lead poisoning, environmental toxicology, wildlife conservation, policy solutions, ecosystem health, non-lead ammunition, environmental science, California wildlife, conservation efforts

    53 min

  3. Jun 24

    Julie Packard, Live from Seymour Center

    Julie Packard shares her journey from a UCSC student to a global leader in ocean conservation, highlighting the importance of science, policy, and community action in protecting our oceans. Resources: Seafood Watch Program - https://www.seafoodwatch.org/ Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust - https://montereybayfisheries.org/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:54 Journey into Science and Conservation 06:05 The Role of Kelp in Ecosystems 09:59 Challenges in Kelp Restoration 14:48 The Southern Sea Otter Recovery Program 18:16 The Role of Science in Conservation Solutions 21:29 Hope vs. Fear in Environmental Advocacy 26:06 Taking a Stand on Conservation Issues 27:47 Exploring Ocean Conservation Initiatives 29:55 The Evolution of Public Awareness and Engagement 30:51 The Seafood Watch Program: A Global Movement 34:27 Innovative Solutions in Fisheries Management 37:08 Global Perspectives on Ocean Stewardship 40:33 Progress on Marine Protected Areas 43:29 The Recovery of Marine Ecosystems 51:21 A Legacy of Ocean Advocacy

    1 hr

  4. Jun 17

    FIELD DIARY: Gena Bentall on Sharing the Surf with Our Sea Otters

    When Otter 841 started hijacking surfboards at Steamer Lane, she exposed a much deeper conflict brewing just beyond the breakers. In this special episode, guest host Cassidy Beach hits the cliffs of Lighthouse Point with Gena Bentall, director and senior scientist of Sea Otter Savvy. Together, they look past the viral headlines to track the energetic costs of sharing an intensely crowded coast with wild marine mammals. But as human curiosity pushes deeper into these fragile kelp forests, the boundary between innocent admiration and a dangerous ecological deficit is wearing thin. With surf lineups more congested than ever, the future of coastal coexistence is being tested, leaving local communities to re-evaluate what it truly means to be a good neighbor to the wildlife in our backyard. Sea Otter Savvy👉 www.seaottersavvy.org/  Gena’s Recommendation: Serendipity by Jim Estes👉 www.barnesandnoble.com/w/serendipity-james-a-estes  Gena’s Recommendation: Serengeti Rules on PBS Nature👉 www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/serengeti-rules-dhbtnm/19906/  01:22 - Gena Bentall's Journey into Marine Biology 05:00 - Field Research and Sea Otter Tracking 09:19 - Human Disturbance and Sea Otter Savvy's Mission 13:22 - Energetic Costs of Human Interaction 21:10 - Entering the Field at Lighthouse Point 28:18 - Ecological Importance of Sea Otters 35:00 - Solutions and Certification Program 45:41 - Hope and Resilience in Conservation Efforts

    53 min

  5. Jun 10

    Transforming the Pájaro River Levee with Andrew Fisher

    Andrew Fisher, a distinguished professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, shares insights on hydrogeology, water management, and flood risk mitigation along the Pájaro River. Discover how long-term monitoring, community engagement, and innovative engineering are shaping sustainable solutions for flood control, habitat restoration, and groundwater recharge. 00:00 The Pájaro River Flooding and Community Response 10:14 Understanding Flood Risk and Management Strategies 25:56 Exploring Co-Benefits of Flood Risk Mitigation 33:35 Innovative Flood Management Strategies 34:07 Community Engagement in Environmental Science 38:48 Balancing Flood Control and Habitat Preservation 44:35 The Complexity of River Management 50:51 Groundwater Recharge and Its Importance 54:27 Long-Term Environmental Restoration Efforts UC Santa Cruz Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences - https://eap.ucsc.edu/ Army Corps of Engineers - San Francisco District - https://www.spn.usace.army.mil/ Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology - https://ucedna.com/ The Dreamt Land by Mark Arax - https://mark-arax.com/the-dreamt-land/

    1h 3m

  6. Jun 3

    The Puma Guy, Chris Wilmers, on the Science of Coexisting with Local Mountain Lions

    Mountain lions are slipping through our neighborhoods under the cover of darkness, radically altering their behavior just to avoid us. In this episode, Chris Wilmers, UC Santa Cruz professor of wildlife ecology, pulls back the curtain on the cryptic world of our region's apex predators. From a toothless "old man" puma targeting local livestock to the hidden ways backyard rat poison disrupts local food webs, Wilmers breaks down the true cost of human coexistence. As concrete barriers slice ancient habitats into fragments, local conservationists are fighting back with innovative wildlife crossings. Can these modern solutions truly mend a fractured landscape, or will a dominant male's desperate attempt to cross Highway 17 end in disaster? Santa Cruz Puma Project👉 https://www.santacruzpumas.org/  01:04 - Meet Chris Wilmers: The Puma Guy 03:07 - Impact of Wolves on Scavengers 04:07 - Studying Mountain Lions in Human Landscapes 07:11 - Nocturnal Habits and Human Avoidance 10:10 - How Mountain Lions Choose Their Homes 13:19 - Scavenging and Hunting Near Humans 20:28 - Habitat Fragmentation and Its Effects 36:58 - Mountain Lions During the Pandemic

    50 min

  7. May 27

    Mayor Fred Keeley on How Santa Cruz Reshaped California’s Ocean Protection Laws

    How does science actually become law? In this episode current Santa Cruz Mayor, Fred Keeley, reflects on his legendary career rewriting California’s ocean protection rules. From body surfing through literal oil slicks as a nine-year-old to passing the historic Marine Life Management Act at the final midnight hour of a governor's term, Keeley shares what it really takes to build a "Blue Wall" for the coast. But with old political battles over offshore drilling and seabed mining rearing their heads once again right here in the Monterey Bay, the stakes have never been higher. As one of our region’s most iconic policymakers prepares for retirement, he passes the baton to a new wave of local coastal leaders who must now defend these waters. California Ocean Science Trust👉 https://www.oceansciencetrust.org/  The Marine Life Management Act👉https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MLMA  01:16 - Get to Know Mayor Fred Keeley 03:47 - Early Influences and Environmental Awareness 10:14 - Legislative Wins in Ocean Protection 19:19 - Building Coalitions for Marine Life Management 35:15 - Reflections on Monterey Bay's Progress 44:29 - Optimism for Future Ocean Policies 55:15 - Challenges in Environmental Legislation 63:28 - Transitioning Leadership and Future Plans

    1h 7m

  8. May 20

    FIELD DIARY: Patrolling Peregrines on Site with Zeka Glucs

    The California coast is witnessing a silent crash in peregrine falcons that threatens to outpace the devastating legacy of DDT. In this guest-hosted episode, Zeka Glucs, Director of the UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group leads us into the field to track the invisible killer: bird flu. From the studio to the windswept bluffs of Devil's Slide, we witness the frontlines of an ecological battle against a virus these apex predators simply can't outfly. As Zeka's team monitors this unfolding crisis, we’re forced to confront the fragility of a recovery we once thought was permanent. We’re left to wonder: can these icons survive a second near-extinction, or are we witnessing the final flight of the peregrine on the Santa Cruz coast? Predatory Bird Research Group & Nest Cams👉 https://predatorybirdresearch.sites.ucsc.edu/nest-cams/  Volunteer Opportunities👉 www.californiaperegrines.org/  02:04 - Zeka Glucs' Journey into Bird Research 03:33 - Impact of DDT on Raptors 10:14 - Recovery Success Story 16:26 - Captive Breeding Strategies 26:34 - Threat of Bird Flu 35:24 - In the Field: Research Expedition 50:00 - Conservation and Community Involvement 52:05 - Finding Optimism Amidst Challenges

    54 min
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4.8
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Hosted by Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, this podcast spotlights groundbreaking research in Santa Cruz, California, and shares actionable, positive environmental news from the region. Featuring in-depth conversations with scientists from UC Santa Cruz and beyond, along with local leaders and environmental experts, the show makes complex science accessible while highlighting real progress and tangible solutions protecting our unique coastal community.

Information

  • Creator
    Seymour Studios
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Seymour Studios

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