Golden State Naturalist

Michelle Fullner
  • 4.9 (267)
  • NATURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Golden State Naturalist is a love letter to California's ecological past, present, and future. Come with Michelle Fullner as she climbs to the top of a beaver dam, descends into a tar pit, peers into the canopy of a giant sequoia, and basks in the glow of the Milky Way under the eerie silhouettes of Joshua trees. Each episode, Michelle interviews captivating experts in their natural habitats across California to find out how the unique plants, animals, geology, and hydrology of this biodiversity hotspot make this state Golden.

  1. Critical Mast: Oak Trees with Zarah Wyly

    OCT 28 · BONUS

    Critical Mast: Oak Trees with Zarah Wyly

    We need every single species of native tree here in California, but our 20+ varieties of native oaks are the most crucial of all. In this episode, join me and my guest, Zarah Wyly, on a walk through a relatively new oak woodland in Folsom dotted with two ancient, magnificent oak trees. Learn the story of how this unusual woodland came to be, find out why oaks are my all-time favorite trees, and explore such questions as: What kinds of life are supported by oak trees? If I plant one, will it wreck my house? What do you have to do to acorns to make them edible? Why does it look like some oak trees are growing apples? How do oaks spread such heavy seeds? What kinds of variety is there among different oak species? What does any of this have to do with the Declaration of Independence? And here's a handy list of the other podcasts participating in Critical Mast! Future EcologiesJumpstart Nature Nature's Archive Learning from Nature: The Biomimicry PodcastOutside/In Ok, get ready for a lot of links. Here you goooooo!  The Declaration of Independence and the Hand of Time  The Nature of Oaks, by Douglas Tallamy  National Resources Conservation Service Resource on Grazing Secrets of the Oak Woodlands, by Kate Marianchild  Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer City Nature Challenge  Sacramento Tree Foundation  Calscape (to help with planting natives!)  Daniel Airola's research on bird diversity in urban forests  The theme song is called "i dunno" by grapes, and it can be found here.  Follow me on Instagram @goldenstatenaturalist My website is www.goldenstatenaturalist.com  You can find me on Patreon here.  Episode photo by Bendp

    1h 13m
  2. Symbiotic Cities with Kat Superfisky

    SEP 26

    Symbiotic Cities with Kat Superfisky

    Can cities be good for wildlife? Or at least not so bad? What changes would we need to make to welcome more life into our cities? How would those changes impact humans? What are other cities already trying? Come with me and Kat Superfisky to the largest city in California, where we discuss all of this and so much more. Note: This interview was recorded in September of 2024, so any references to the Federal government are references to the government during the Biden Administration. Helpful Links:  Kat’s website  Content Creation for Nature Support Golden State Naturalist on ⁠Patreon⁠ and get perks starting at $4/month.  Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠.  My website is ⁠goldenstatenaturalist.com⁠.  Get podcast Merch. The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found ⁠here⁠.

    1h 18m
  3. Saving California: How 30x30 Is Growing the Conservation Movement in the Golden State

    SEP 11

    Saving California: How 30x30 Is Growing the Conservation Movement in the Golden State

    California is one of only 36 Global Biodiversity Hotspots. This means that we have incredible species richness with at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species. But here's the bummer. In order to be considered a Global Biodiversity hotspot, a place must also be threatened. So threatened, in fact, that it must have only 30% or less of its original natural vegetation remaining. Oof. Thankfully, Californians are not sitting idly by waiting for the rest of our biodiversity to disappear. Across the state, conservation leaders, on both small and large scales, are pulling together and protecting the places that matter to us most. In this special episode, come with me behind the scenes of this year's 30x30 Partnership Summit to talk with those leaders, hear about some of today's most inspiring conservation success stories, and discover how you can be part of the movement to protect California for generations to come. Helpful Links: 30x30 Official Website Valérie Courtois's TED Talk Carr Lake in Salinas Support Golden State Naturalist on ⁠Patreon⁠ and get perks starting at $4/month.  Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠.  My website is ⁠goldenstatenaturalist.com⁠.  Get podcast Merch.  The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found ⁠here⁠. Otter photo by Kedar Gadge on Unsplash.

    44 min
  4. The LA River with Kat Superfisky

    SEP 3

    The LA River with Kat Superfisky

    Descend with me and LA's first ever urban ecologist into the concrete channel of the Los Angeles River as we discuss novel ecosystems, eminent domain, Greased Lightnin', flood prevention, Ice Cube, soft bottoms, emerald necklaces, and why the LA River is the perfect microcosm of everything LA was, is, and one day could be.  Helpful Links:  Kat’s website  Jason Wise's website Juan Crespi’s journal CalMatters LAPD Helicopters article Grease Filming Locations  Support Golden State Naturalist on ⁠Patreon⁠ and get perks starting at $4/month.  Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠.  My website is ⁠goldenstatenaturalist.com⁠.  Get podcast Merch. The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found ⁠here⁠.

    46 min
  5. California Red-Legged Frogs with Brad Hollingsworth

    MAY 6

    California Red-Legged Frogs with Brad Hollingsworth

    Chances are, you’ve never seen our state amphibian in the wild. In this episode, find out how the California red-legged frog became so rare while also delving into international border crossings with endangered frog eggs, urban drool, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, things that can fit into a bullfrog’s mouth, and the essential mindset shift that might just change the world.  Join me and Brad Hollingsworth from the San Diego Natural History Museum as we discuss all of this and so much more.  Links:  Trivia Night! Join me in-person on May 12th or online on May 27th for Quiz for a Cause, a fundraiser to help rebuild the Eaton Canyon Nature Center. And check out the silent auction here!  Saving the California red-legged frog from extinction FAUNO: Fanua del Noroeste. Learn more about the work in Mexico or sign up for a workshop.  ECOS information on red-legged frog federal listing   Support Golden State Naturalist on ⁠Patreon⁠ and get perks starting at $4/month.  Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠.  My website is ⁠goldenstatenaturalist.com⁠.  Get podcast Merch.  The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found ⁠here⁠. Episode cover photo courtesy of the San Diego Natural History Museum.

    1h 12m
  6. Listening in Nature with Fil Corbitt

    MAR 13

    Listening in Nature with Fil Corbitt

    How can listening deepen our relationship with place? What do birds think about highway noise? Is that ice bridge safe to cross at this time of year? How can I learn to listen more closely? Join me and Fil Corbitt as we snowshoe down the Eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in search of a handmade desk and a place to listen to flowing water, to birdsong, to each other, and to the ever-changing landscape itself. Links: Fil's podcast is called The Wind. Check out their Coyote episode. "Birdsongs alleviate anxiety and paranoia in healthy participants" Support Golden State Naturalist on ⁠Patreon⁠ and get perks starting at $4/month.  Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠.  My website is ⁠goldenstatenaturalist.com⁠.  Get podcast Merch.  The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found ⁠here⁠.

    1h 3m
  7. Torrey Pines with Jon Rebman

    FEB 27

    Torrey Pines with Jon Rebman

    What do cacti and rare pines have in common? What’s a paleoendemic? Do pinecones have teeth? Why do so many different plant species live in Mediterranean climates?  Join me and Jon Rebman as we go behind the scenes of the San Diego Natural History Museum, explore the herbarium, and discuss the rarest pine species in North America.  Links:  San Diego Natural History Museum University of California Museum of Paleontology Cool study about redwood leaves Info about Torrey pines and bark beetles Support Golden State Naturalist on ⁠Patreon⁠ and get perks starting at $4/month.  Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠.  My website is ⁠goldenstatenaturalist.com⁠.  Get podcast Merch.  The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found ⁠here⁠.

    45 min
  8. Ringtails with Dave Wyatt and Kristyn Schulte

    JAN 30

    Ringtails with Dave Wyatt and Kristyn Schulte

    Have you ever wondered what little-known and mysterious beings are living among us, just out of sight? This episode is about one such creature that most Californians have no idea even exists.   Join me, Dave Wyatt, and Kristyn Schulte as we discuss clever little foxes, oak mistletoe, the floor is lava, dissolved poop, the smallest mountain range in the world, tasty taxidermy, classroom design, convergent evolution, weasel lemurs, and a whole lot more.  Links:  The California Ringtail Project Mistletoe toxicity Support Golden State Naturalist on ⁠Patreon⁠ and get perks starting at $4/month.  Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠.  My website is ⁠goldenstatenaturalist.com⁠.  Get podcast Merch.  Subscribe to the GSN email newsletter. Episode cover photo by Dave Wyatt. The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found ⁠here⁠.

    1h 20m
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
267 Ratings

About

Golden State Naturalist is a love letter to California's ecological past, present, and future. Come with Michelle Fullner as she climbs to the top of a beaver dam, descends into a tar pit, peers into the canopy of a giant sequoia, and basks in the glow of the Milky Way under the eerie silhouettes of Joshua trees. Each episode, Michelle interviews captivating experts in their natural habitats across California to find out how the unique plants, animals, geology, and hydrology of this biodiversity hotspot make this state Golden.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Fullner
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michelle Fullner
  • Show Website
    Golden State Naturalist

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