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.
Send us Fan Mail 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.
15 Apr 2026
Soundscapes of the slough
Send us Fan Mail 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 Spot...
15 Dec 2025
Water Stories
Send 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 stewa...
16 Jul 2025
Biochar: Carbon That Sticks Around
Send 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...
12 Jun 2025
It Takes a Community To Protect a Place
Ross Robertson interviews Cynthia Vernon and Taylor Honrath about the Elkhorn Slough Foundation's Elkhorn Forever campaign to preserve and restore the Elkhorn Slough watershed.
6 Feb 2025
Building Things Nobody Will See
Send 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 tra...
13 Aug 2024
Secret Architects of the Prairie
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 Manninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSTNyHkde08Suzanne's research paper about dung beetles and soil microbes: https:...
13 Jun 2024
Planting Soil
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/
(https://www.instagram.com/elkhornslough_org/)
15 Feb 2024
Students of the Land
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/
27 Nov 2023
Growing Cooperatively
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
1 Nov 2023
Healing Sand Hill Farm
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
2 Aug 2023
I'm On a Boat
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 (https://youtu.be/hcJlbMD0OKk)
16 May 2023
In Search of Salamanders
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.
27 Jan 2023
Fancy words for charcoal
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.
27 Nov 2022
Connecting with the land and each other
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.
27 Oct 2022
Bats and the Land Dude
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
27 Oct 2022
Magic at the Slough with Ariel Hunter
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
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
19
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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