(first aired August 8, 2018). Darrell and Lorna Smith of Western Wildlife Outreach handle both the hosting and guest duties to discuss the current status of black bears and cougars on the Olympic Peninsula and western Washington, and provide safety tips for recreating, living and working in areas occupied by these large carnivores. Closing music is “Cougar,” performed by Johnny Whitehorse.
Nature Now
Nature Now #373
Nature Now #372
Bird Activity Now
(first aired August 1, 2018). Host Mary Robson talks with Gardiner’s Wild Birds Unlimited co-owner Christie Lassen about bird behavior in mid-summer and some odd bird bits that could be in any season. Closing music is “Full Moon,” performed by Blue Jay.
Nature Now #371
Marine Science Center Summer Camps
(first aired July 25, 2018). Nan Evans interviews Americorps volunteer Emilee Carpenter and Port Townsend Marine Science Center camper Anabel Moore to learn about the educational opportunities at this summer’s camps. Closing music is “Life is Grand,” performed by Camper van Beethoven.
Nature Now #370
Interesting Creatures (Encore)
(first aired July 18, 2018). An encore broadcast of the October 4, 2017 show features former Nature Now host Ken Wilson hosting environmental educator, writer, photographer and naturalist Bob Steelquist for a discussion of interesting creatures and other features of the environment. Closing music is “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” performed by Earl Scruggs.
Nature Now #369
Prairies of the Olympic Peninsula
(first aired July 11, 2018). Dr. Fred Sharpe visits host Debaran Kelso in the KPTZ studio to present historical details about local prairies and identify locations in our area where portions of prairies still survive. Closing music is “Little Songbird,” performed by Black Prairie.
Nature Now #368
More Noxious Weeds to Observe
(first aired July 4, 2018). Joost Besijn, Coordinator of the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board, returns to the KPTZ studio for a further discussion of noxious weeds in the county and how to deal with them. Closing music is “Weeds,” performed by Michael Penn.
Nature Now #367
Marine Mammal Stranding Network
(first aired June 27, 2018). Host Nan Evans recorded an interview near the Point Wilson lighthouse with Betsy Carlson, Citizen Science Coordinator at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, and Mariah Vane, Americorps member and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network Environmental Education Coordinator. They spoke about marine mammal strandings in the Salish Sea and what members of the public should do if they encounter stranded animals along our shore. Closing music is “Stranded,” sung by Van Morrison.
Nature Now #366
Health of the Sound
(first aired June 20, 2018). Erin Ryan-Peñeula, Ecosystem Recovery Coordinator of the Hood Canal, Strait and North Olympic Peninsula for the Puget Sound Partnership, joins host Paul Ruben to discuss the Partnership and its role in coordinating the health of the Puget Sound. Closing music is “Puget Sound,” performed by Donato Wharton.
Nature Now #365
Effort on Noxious Plants
(first aired June 13, 2018). Mary Robson hosts Joost Besijn, Coordinator of the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board, and discusses identification, eradication and other topics related to these pesky growths. Closing music is “Western Bluebird,” performed by Joe Weed.
Nature Now #364
Birding by Ear – Part 2 (Encore)
(first aired June 6, 2018). Debaran Kelso hosts an encore broadcast of a June, 2016 show featuring birder extraordinaire Dr. Fred Sharpe explaining several bird sounds heard in our area. Closing music is “Skyline Pigeon,” performed by Elton John.

