Under the Redwoods

The Bay Area region has long been on the leading edge of land conservation, and for nearly four decades Doug McConnell has crafted the seminal stories of our conservation triumphs and challenges. Join Sara Barth for a conversation with Doug about what inspires him when he looks ahead to our parks and conservation future.

The Santa Cruz Puma Project has been studying mountain lions (or pumas) in the Santa Cruz mountains for 12 years. In this episode, Chris Wilmers, Ph.D., Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UC Santa Cruz, explores the long term findings of their research exploring how human presence impacts puma behavior, movements, and survival. Along the…

Portia Halbert, California State Parks Environmental Scientist, tells the tale of the marvelous and mysterious marbled murrelet, an endangered seabird that prefers to nest in the canopies of old-growth trees such as redwoods here in the Santa Cruz Mountains. To keep up to date with Portia Halbert’s resources and research on marbled murrelets, go to…

The Santa Cruz mountains are home to many rare and endemic plants, often found in equally unique and beautiful habitats. In this webinar California Native Plant Society’s Rare Plant Treasure Hunt Manager Amy Patten reveals the life history and ecology of some of our local rare plants and how they respond to challenges of life…

In this webinar live from the artist’s coastside studio in Montara, Robert Buelteman explores redwoods and the ideas they hold for us. Where many contemporary artists depict the desultory perspective of what humankind has done to nature, Robert Buelteman has focused his life’s work in what nature has done to and for, humankind. Through words…

An environmental scientist by training, Armando Quintero is new to his role with California State Parks, and brings considerable experience in park operations, outdoor education, equity and access, and public service roles. We look forward to exploring our State Parks with him, his goals for his tenure, and the next steps for our regional state parks to…

Valentin Lopez, the chairman of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, discusses efforts to re-learn and reclaim cultural traditions to care for the earth in their ancestral territory. You can also read our SemperVoices interview with Val, discussing the true riches of relationships with the land.

Redwoods expert Emily Burns, Ph.D. shares the signs she looks for in forests recovering from wildfire. This presentation is hopeful, insightful, and brimming with facts that may matter now more than ever. You can also enjoy Dr. Burns’ Ten Signs Of Hope In A Forest After Fire from our SemperVoices series.

 Sempervirens Fund Land Stewardship Manager Ian Rowbotham details the work that goes into preventing wildfire, managing fire risks, and using fire as a tool for healthy land management. This presentation offers important context for the work to come to mitigate the risks for future wildfire events before they occur.