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

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. May 13

    The April 2nd Wake-Up Shake: Santa Cruz’s Seismic Secrets with Emily Brodsky

    The morning of April 2nd gave Santa Cruz a sharp reminder that the ground beneath our feet is never truly still. In this episode, we use that recent shake to uncover the seismic secrets lurking under our feet with Emily Brodsky, an earthquake scientist and UC Santa Cruz professor. From the legacy of the 1906 disaster to modern earthquakes triggered by geothermal energy and fracking, we explore the chain reactions that link tremors across the globe. As human activity shifts the stress on these deep-seated faults, we investigate if we are unknowingly triggering a cycle we can't stop. Is it possible to predict the next big shake, or will the next shift in the California coast, like the one on April 2nd, catch us all by surprise? The Brodsky Lab at UC Santa Cruz👉https://seismo.sites.ucsc.edu/emily-brodsky/  USGS Earthquake Map👉 https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?extent=30.20211,-134.84619&extent=43.53262,-103.20557&magnitude=all&listOnlyShown=true&showUSFaults=true&baseLayer=terrain&list=false  01:48 - First Impressions of the April 2nd Earthquake 02:44 - Understanding the San Andreas Cycle and History 04:58 - The Mechanics of Faults and Plate Motion 09:20 - How Scientists Measure Friction and Take an Earthquake's Temperature 14:06 - Human-Induced Seismicity: Fracking and Geothermal Energy 23:33 - Global Chain Reactions and Triggering Patterns 36:28 - Comparing Local History: Loma Prieta vs. 1906 and Today 42:12 - Behind the Research: Living and Breathing Earthquakes

    44 min

  5. May 6

    The Pavement Paradox: Why Narrowing Roads Might be the Secret to Mobility with Matt Miller

    Santa Cruz is squeezed between the mountains and the sea, there is simply no more land to expand roads for more cars. Matt Miller, Director of Mobility Transformation at Ecology Action, is navigating this bottleneck through the Complete Streets Initiative: a plan to prioritize people over pavement. From the total makeover of Bay Street to new designs in Capitola, this conversation examines a future where streets function less like speedways and more like shared community spaces. But as the city begins to prioritize safety over speed, will these changes be enough to redefine the local relationship with the road, or will the friction of change prove too much for Santa Cruz to handle? Ecology Action’s Complete Streets Inititiative👉 https://ecoact.org/our-work/sustainable-transportation/complete-streets 00:00 - Introduction to Mobility Transformation 01:04 - Matt Miller's Role and Background 03:11 - Lessons from the Netherlands 06:29 - The Complete Streets Initiative 14:06 - Infrastructure and Safety Measures 17:10 - Economic and Environmental Impacts 22:08 - Community Engagement and Policy 43:21 - Future Vision for Santa Cruz

    59 min

  6. Apr 29

    The Great Coastal Debate: Deciding the Next 30 Years of Santa Cruz’s Shores with Tiffany Wise-West

    Santa Cruz city planners are moving fast, but the Pacific Ocean is moving faster. This week, Tiffany Wise-West, the Sustainability and Resiliency Officer for the City of Santa Cruz, dives deep into the ambitious 30-year roadmap to preserve our iconic coastline. She explains how different combinations of coastal adaptations from nature-inspired tech like “living” sand dunes, harder armoring and maybe even offshore artificial reefs might be utilized to combat rising sea levels as they bring in massive wave energy and swallow our shores. We also explore the possible future of "managed retreat"—the difficult conversation about relocating infrastructure before it falls into the sea. Even with the city attempting to proactively manage our coastline, is a 30-year plan enough to save West Cliff, or is time slipping away too quickly? City of Santa Cruz Shoreline Adaptation Blueprints👉 https://www.santacruzca.gov/Government/Climate-Initiatives/Resiliency/Resilient-Coast-Santa-Cruz/Shoreline-Adaptation-Blueprints  00:00 - Introduction to Coastal Resilience Planning 01:04 - The Role of Tiffany Wise-West as a Sustainability and Resiliency Officer 03:11 - Understanding the 30-Year Plan 06:29 - Community Engagement and Policy Development 14:06 - Nature-Based Solutions and Infrastructure 17:10 - Challenges in Coastal Management 22:08 - The Importance of Triggers and Thresholds 43:21 - Future Vision and Community Support

    50 min

  7. Apr 22

    Tunnels, Timber, and Trails: The Balancing Act of the Santa Cruz Wild with Eric Lombardo

    Ever wonder who’s behind the new trails you hike or the wildlife crossings you drive over? Eric Lombardo, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County's Director of External Affairs, joins us to pull back the curtain on how conservation actually works in our backyard. From public farms to wildfire-resilient forests, we discuss how protecting the 831 isn’t just about 'keeping people out,' it’s about inviting the community in. Tune in for a blueprint on how we can save our ecosystems, promote community, and still have a place to play. 00:00 - Introduction to Coastal Land Conservation 01:04 - Understanding Land Trusts 03:11 - Eric's Journey to the Land Trust 06:29 - The Importance of Public Access 14:06 - Challenges and Solutions in Land Management 17:10 - Balancing Biodiversity and Agriculture 22:08 - Sustainable Timber and Forest Management 43:21 - Community Support and Future Vision

    51 min

  8. Apr 14

    Kelp Wanted: Marine Heatwaves, Zombie Urchins, and Kelp Restoration with Kristy Kroeker

    Marine ecologist and UC Santa Cruz professor Kristy Kroeker unravels the dramatic chain reactions triggered when the sea gets too hot. From the collapse of California’s iconic kelp forests to the surprising takeover by zombie sea urchins, she reveals how the loss of key predators like the sunflower star can flip entire ecosystems on their head. But this isn’t just a story of loss; it’s also one of action and hope. Kristy spotlights bold, hands-on efforts to bring kelp forests back to life, showing how scientists and local communities are teaming up in creative ways to restore balance beneath the waves. With a deep belief in nature’s resilience, she reminds us that when people come together, real change is possible for our oceans. 00:00 - Threats to Kelp Forests from Climate Shocks 03:17 - Kristy Kroeker’s Research and Career Journey 04:14 - The Blob: 2014-2016 Marine Heat Wave 09:11 - Marine Heat Waves Affecting Kelp Recovery 12:53 - Sea Urchins' Zombie Behavior and Their Role in Kelp Decline 17:23 - Conservation Strategies and Community Involvement 26:26 - Predator Restoration and Ecological Leverage 39:55 - Science and Policy in Ocean Conservation

    45 min
See All (17)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Seymour Studios

You Might Also Like