Slough Cast
By: Elkhorn Slough Foundation
Language: en-us
Categories: Science, Nature
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/Original Cover art by Lena Champlin.
Episodes
Water Stories
Dec 15, 2025Send us a text
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 epis...
Duration: 00:21:46Biochar: Carbon That Sticks Around
Jul 16, 2025Send us a text
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.
It Takes a Community To Protect a Place
Jun 12, 2025Send us a text
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
Ep...
Duration: 00:18:09Building Things Nobody Will See
Feb 06, 2025Send us a text
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 web...
Duration: 00:19:44Secret Architects of the Prairie
Aug 13, 2024Send us a text
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...
Planting Soil
Jun 13, 2024Send us a text
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:
Students of the Land
Feb 15, 2024Send us a text
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/
Growing Cooperatively
Nov 27, 2023Send us a text
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
Healing Sand Hill Farm
Nov 01, 2023Send us a text
In this episode, Juan explores the restoration story of Sand Hill Farm on a hike with Stewardship Director Dash Dunkell. Learn all about how ESF is healing damaged ecosystems, preventing erosion, and restoring habitats on former farmland.
Music by Ross Robertson.
Video Podcast available on Youtube.
https://youtu.be/8L9f72AaGG0
I'm On a Boat
Aug 02, 2023Send us a text
In this episode, Juan takes a boat trip through the slough with the legendary Ron Eby, one of the Reserve's foremost otter experts. Join them for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hester Marsh restoration and get up close and personal with the amazing otters of Elkhorn Slough.
Music by Fish Williams
Want to watch the episode on Youtube? Click the link below:
https://youtu.be/hcJlbMD0OKk
In Search of Salamanders
May 16, 2023Send us a text
In this episode, Juan goes searching for rare amphibians with Reserve biologist Susie Fork. While Juan learns how to use a dipnet, Susie talks about why habitat protection is so important for these endangered species in Elkhorn Slough.
Original music by Ross Robertson.
Fancy words for charcoal
Jan 27, 2023Send us a text
In this episode, Juan sits down with Dash Dunkell, Elkhorn Slough Foundation's Stewardship Director. They talk about eucalyptus trees, why they're a problem, and even how to turn them into the magical eco-charcoal known as "biochar." Join us as we explore how to heal forests and farms at the same time.
Original music by Fish Williams.
Connecting with the land and each other
Nov 27, 2022Send us a text
In this episode, Juan sits down with Ross to talk about his approach to community outreach. Juan discusses the importance of building a relationship with ourselves, each other, and nature.
Original music by Ross Robertson.
Magic at the Slough with Ariel Hunter
Oct 27, 2022Send us a text
Welcome to the Slough Cast! In our first episode, we’ll introduce you to Elkhorn Slough and explore how special this place is with our guest Ariel Hunter, the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. Ariel describes a magical experience you don’t want to miss.
Original music by Fish Williams
Bats and the Land Dude
Oct 27, 2022Send us a text
In our second episode, we sit down with Ken Collins, the “land dude.” Ken talks about his work throughout the watershed, the impact this place has had on him—and bats. These cute little animals have been his tenants at Porter Ranch, providing him with entertainment every night. Learn all about how bats are helping the land right here in Elkhorn Slough.
Original music by Ross Robertson