<p>Hello! Welcome to the Slough Cast, the Elkhorn Slough Foundation podcast. Elkhorn Slough is one of California’s last great coastal wetlands. We see Elkhorn Slough and its watershed protected forever—a working landscape where people, farming, industry, and nature thrive together. Here on the Slough Cast, we’ll explore Elkhorn Slough together, build community, and share stories of this special place. https://www.elkhornslough.org/<br><br>Original Cover art by Lena Champlin.</p>
This episode features longtime volunteer Margie Kay, whose dedication to keeping Elkhorn Slough healthy and clean inspires us "to leave things as good or better than you found them."
Music by Ross Robertson
Original cover art by Lena Champlin
Visit our website for events
Watch the latest on ESF stewardship projects
Listen to more episodes. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Elkhorn Slough is a magical place full of unique sounds, from birds bathing in a shallow pool to gentle winds rustling through the grass. In this episode, we turn our ears toward the landscape itself, enjoying the calm, rejuvenating sounds of nature.
Hosted and recorded by Sofie Scalon.
Music by Ross Robertson
Original cover art by Lena Champlin
Visit our website for events
Watch the latest on ESF stewardship projects
Listen to more episodes. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
What’s your water story? In this episode, Juan shares the tale of an incredible multi-year project linking artists and community organizers from California’s Central Valley to the students and families of Elkhorn Slough. From traditional ways of making natural dyes to the science of water quality and the role of joy in environmental health, this one has it all.
Music by Ross Robertson
Original cover art by Lena Champlin
Visit our website for events
Watch the latest on ESF stewardship projects
Listen to more episodes. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Can biochar made from invasive eucalyptus trees help make farms more sustainable around the sensitive Elkhorn Slough estuary? The team talks with organic farmer Jesus Calvillo, soil scientist Dr. Arun Jani, ESF’s Kevin Contreras, and several of Dr. Jani’s students as they embark on a multi-year research study.
Music by Ross Robertson
Original cover art by Lena Champlin
Visit our website for events
Watch the latest on ESF stewardship projects
Listen to more episodes. Find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
In this episode, Ross talks with Cynthia Vernon (Campaign co-chair) and Taylor Honrath (ESF Deputy Director) about Elkhorn Forever, ESF's $12 million campaign to preserve and restore the Elkhorn Slough watershed. Topics include how Elkhorn Forever got its start and what makes Elkhorn Slough an "unsung jewel.”
To learn more about Elkhorn Forever, visit our campaign page.
Music by Ross Robertson
Original cover art by Lena Champlin
Visit our website for events
Watch the latest on ESF stewardship projects
Episode photo by Kevin Lohman
This episode explores our work to remove one of California's most controversial invasive species—eucalyptus. At Elkhorn Slough, removing eucalyptus trees preserves groundwater, reduces wildfire risks, and restores balance to native ecosystems. But our approach is not one-size-fits-all. Juan talks with outgoing Elkhorn Slough Reserve Manager Dave Feliz, ESF Stewardship Director Dash Dunkell, and ESF Land Steward Ken Collins about where, and how, we approach this delicate and transformative area of conservation.
Music by Ross Robertson
Original cover art by Lena Champlin
Visit our website for events
Watch the latest on ESF stewardship projects
In this episode, Juan and Ross dive into the ecological magic of dung beetles in the coastal prairie habitat at ESF's Porter Ranch. Suzanne Lipton, PhD candidate at UCSC, shares the many beauties of beetledom and explains how innovative pasture management can enhance soil health both above and below ground.
TED-Ed: Why isn't the world covered in poop? - Eleanor Slade and Paul Manning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSTNyHkde08
Suzanne's research paper about dung beetles and soil microbes: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550742423000866
For more on sustainable food systems, check out Suzanne's book:
https://cup.columbia.edu/book/sustainable-food-production/9780231548441
Music by Ross Robertson
Original Cover art by Lena Champlin.
Visit our website for events:
https://elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar/
Watch the latest on ESF stewardship projects:
https://www.instagram.com/elkhornslough_org/
In this episode, Juan and Ross learn about coast live oak restoration (Quercus agrifolia) on a former strawberry farm. Connor O'Hara Baker, one of ESF's land stewards, shares an innovative experiment to see whether planting whole soil communities alongside acorns can accelerate forest recovery—and invites us into his personal journey of becoming a restoration ecologist.
Music by Ross Robertson
Original Cover art by Lena Champlin.
Visit our website for events:
https://elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar/
Watch the latest on ESF stewardship projects:
https://www.instagram.com/elkhornslough_org/
In this episode, Juan and Paola learn how to preserve water and stop erosion using "process-based restoration." With Cameron Chao, Stewardship Specialist for the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, they explore a 100-year-old gully near Elkhorn Slough and witness some dramatic changes to the landscape engineered by our talented stewardship team.
Music by Ross Robertson
Watch the latest on ESF stewardship projects:
https://www.instagram.com/elkhornslough_org/
In this episode, Juan learns about native plants with Mary Paul and Kalipay Somosot, two native plant stewards. Mary and Kalipay discuss plant relationships, native species restoration, seed farming, and what makes natives so unique and important for healthy ecosystems.
Music by Ross Robertson