Nature Now

(Encore airdate: April 3, 2019) Debaran Kelso speaks with rare plant botanist Joe Arnett, discussing the role of the Washington Dept of Natural Resource’s Natural Heritage Program in plant protection, specifically in conserving the threatened golden paintbrush population (originally recorded in May 2015).

Nan Evans hosts University of Washington oceanographer Jan Newton as they discuss ways to observe the various dynamics of ocean and our own Salish Sea. They explore the myriad interconnections including the effects on humans and climate on water properties. Dr. Newton is a passionate advocate for preserving and restoring the rich Salish Sea ecosystem. Newton’s talk, “Big Oceans, Small Sensors, Large Knowledge”, describes the physical, chemical and biological dynamics of Puget Sound and coastal Washington, including the effects of humans and climate on water properties.

(First airdate: December 19, 2018) Nature Now host Paul Ruben is joined by PHLUSH Program Manager Carol McCreary for a talk on enhancing water quality with waterless toilets. Paul and Carol will go over the basics of using composting toilets and potential benefits to public health.

(First airdate: December 12, 2018) Part 2 of host Debaran Kelso’s talk with Scott Gremel, wildlife biologist for Olympic National Park, on the importance of non-forest habitats to wildlife on the Olympic Peninsula. Ending song: “The Only Boy Awake” by the Swedish singer-songwriter “Meadows”.

(First airdate: December 5, 2018) Nan Evans talks with cinematographer Florian Graner about the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s Octopus Learning Project. The project features one of the aquarium’s newest residents, Eleanora, the Giant Pacific Octopus.

(First airdate: November 28, 2018) Nadine Maestas, poet and explorer, introduces us to her love of the bioregion, Cascadia. She reads her poems of gratitude inspired by this place. The closing music is Eddie Rabbitt’s I Love a Rainy Day.

(First airdate: November 21, 2018) Host Debaran Kelso speaks with Scott Gremel, wildlife biologist with the Olympic National Park, about the importance of non-forest habitats to wildlife in Olympic National Park. The ending song is The Woodpecker Song by Kate Smith.

(First airdate: November 14, 2018) Host Paul Ruben is joined by musician Bill Brennan (“Billy B.”) to discuss his career as an Environmental educator and recent work. Topics range from water quality, climate change, and endangered species.

(First airdate: November 7, 2018) Port Townsend’s Renaissance man and naturalist Ken Wilson talks with Olympic Peninsula educator and author Bob Steelquist about his new book The Northwest Coastal Explorer. Their conversation should inspire listeners to go outside, listen and look, and marvel at the wonders of the world around us. Bob Steelquist is also giving the second lecture in the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s “Future of the Oceans” lecture series on Sunday, November 11.

(First airdate: October 24, 2018) Nature Now host Debaran Kelso interview wildlife biologist Tom Butts, who identifies bats here on the Peninsula and talks about the needs of female bats who feed their milk to young ones. Then Mary Robson meets Eleanora, the Giant Pacific Octopus, newly arrived at the Marine Science Center. Closing Music is by DISTANCE Bats in the Belfry.

(First airdate: October 17, 2018) Nan Evans interviews UW oceanographer Dr. Charlie Eriksen about new ways to observe the movement of ocean currents and what that means for the advancement of our understanding of global phenomena. Charlie has literally restructured how we look at the ocean.

(First airdate: October 10, 2018) Host Debaran Kelso speaks with Olympic National Forest wildlife biologist Karen Holtrop about one of our most important native pollinators, the bumblebee.