Nature Now

(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.

(First airdate: October 3, 2018) Host Paul Ruben interviews in studio Richard Tucker and Sarah Spaeth, Directors with Jefferson Land Trust, and talks about identifying critical habitats and conservation. The show highlights recently acquired land on Marrowstone Island, flagship conservation projects, and projects on the horizon. Closing music is Better People performed by the Xavier Rudd.

(First airdate: September 26, 2018) Host Debaran Kelso interviews in studio Tom Butts, recently retired wildlife biologist, and talks about many aspects of bats on the Olympic Peninsula in part one of a far-ranging discussion. Closing music is Die Fledermaus Overture (The Bat) performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Seiji Ozawa.

(First airdate: September 19, 2018) Hosted by Nan Evans and Megan Selva, this is the second part of “Plastics in the Ocean” with Port Townsend Marine Science Center Executive Director Janine Biore. Included are observations, the mystery sound and events.

(First airdate: September 12, 2018) Debaran Kelso hosts a return visit from Dr. Fred Sharpe, who continues his examination of Olympic Peninsula prairies with details on the history and current status of camas.

(First airdate: September 5, 2018) Mary Robson welcomes back Fidalgo Island author and nature explorer Bob Jepperson to discuss the effect of drought on beaver ponds and the activities of owls.